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MICROWAVE UPDATE 2003 - SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, USA page 4 |
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THE LECTURES The whole of Friday and much of Saturday was devoted to technical lectures on microwave matters. The topics covered the whole microwave spectrum, right up to 241GHz and from antennas to transverters, from operating to propagation. Update is where you hear what is being done by active amateur microwavers to push the limits of our hobby further and further forward. Update is also the ideal venue for informal discussion, outside the lectures. Much can be learned that way, new friendships made and useful contacts established. Shown below are just a few of the many talks. |
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I (G3PHO) was honoured to be asked to present a paper on 3.4GHz Transverters to the Update audience. Facing around 100 highly respected microwavers from around the world is a daunting experience, even for someone like myself who has spent a whole career in teaching! I began my talk with a short nostalgia trip down memory lane, as you can see from the klystron and polarplexer in the photo right. We soon came right up to date though with the rest of the talk which dealt with the DB6NT kit-based transverter described elsewhere on this website. |
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Paul Drexler, W2PED, decribed the two watt 24GHz amplifiers that he has been providing the USA millimetre enthusiasts with (and a few fortunate ones over here in the UK as well!). He emphasised the need for careful transverter layout and for meticulous setting up of the drive level for this little amplifier. During the Friday evening fleamarket he had no difficult selling the dozen or so units he had brought along. |
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Amateur radio and politics are often linked. Here on the right, Owen Wormser, K6LEW, gave a most interesting insight into the importance the present Bush administration places on the US having a pool of experienced amateur radio operators and engineers. Owen should know because he is employed by that administration. Would that the UK government could place similar importance on amateur radio over here in Britain ... we can only dream about it! |
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Joel Harrison, W5ZN and ARRL Vice President, detailed the ARRL's position with regard to microwaves. My impression was that US microwavers enjoy far more support from their national society than those in many other parts of the world, including the UK. Joel operates on all bands I was told, from LF to millimetre bands ... at last, an active radio amateur society official! |
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Other lectures included a fascinating account of propagation experiments in the mountainous Pacific North West. Bob Larkin, W7PUA has been scattering 10GHz signals from high altitude layers with dish aimed up as much as 9 or 10 degrees above the horizon. This has enabled contacts that could not be made by other means. Paul Wade, W1GHZ, revealed the secrets of the Septum Polariser and dish feeds.
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Brian
Justin, WA1ZMS, amazed us all with an account of his experiments
at one of the frontiers of amateur microwaves .. the "world above
240GHz" .. where he holds U.S and world records.
Kent Britain, WA5VJB, described his latest multiband log periodic antennas for microwaves. He now has one that covers 2GHz to 10GHz and had a number on sale at the fleamarket on Friday night |
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