A Couple More 24GHz QSO’s!

On Sunday 16th September it was the 3rd UKuG 24GHz Cumulative of the 2018 series. I decided to take the Nortel ODU transverter (kindly on loan from Mike G0MJW) to a couple of locations. The weather was gloriously sunny and unfortunately this meant that there were not that many stations in range to try with! 

Looking SW from the Farm Gate, Remenham Hill

First stop was Remenham Hill (IO91NM78VW) 99m ASL to try and work Barry G4SJH/P who was at the trig point on Walbury Hill (IO91GI44EN) 297m ASL. After a while Barry found me and I peaked the dish. With a bit of a struggle as signals were weak and distorted, we completed the QSO at 45km. Really pleased to finally work Barry on the band after several unsuccessful attempts earlier in the year.

I then roved to a new site at Britwell Hill (IO91LO98FM) which is 229m ASL on the Chiltern Ridge just SW of Christmas Common. This site is super convenient being a farm track off a quiet country road. There are clear views from NW to N, with Didcot power station about 7km distant.

Fabulous Views NW from Britwell Hill

Set-up was again quick with the new mast bracket on the 24GHz transverter helping enormously. I called out on the UK Microwave 2M talkback channel 144.390MHz and quickly found Martyn G3UKV and the Telford Group G3ZME/P on Brown Clee (IO82LS) some 188Km distant. We have worked each other several times on 3cm from Christmas Common, but the path is obstructed and despite several tries, 24GHz unlike 10GHz just would not go!

Whilst at Britwell Hill, Barry G4SJG/P called me on 2M and we worked each other this time easily on 24GHz SSB at 40km. Signals were at good strength both ways.

Britwell Hill Visible Horizon (Source: HeyWhatsThat)

All in all a good hour or so spent out portable, trying some new 1.2cm paths. I’ll try and get out again in October for the last UKuG 24GHz event!