After a fascinating first day at Update, we wondered what could be better but these next two days lived up to the tradition set by previous Updates ... excellent technical lectures during the day and rewarding surplus "fleamarkets" in the evening.... and all this within the confines of the hotel.

We can't cover all the lectures on these summary pages but here are a few of the highlights. A wide range of topics was covered from mobile microwaving in the Rockies to 24GHz moonbounce and operations on the 76GHz band! In all these topics the obvious enthusiasm of the speakers came through so well. 
 

Paul Wade, W1GHZ, gave one of his well-known talks on the mysteries of microwave antennas. Entitled 'The Secret Life of Antennas', Paul's lecture included animated computer simulations showing feehorn radiation in the E and H planes. Until you have seen these you just don't know what your little old feedhorn is really doing for you!

Barry, VE4MA, gave a fascinating acount of the trials and tribulations leading up to the world's first 24GHz two-way "moonbounce" contact just a few weeks before this convention. Since his talk he has been heard in the UK, Germany and Russia, working W5LUA on this band! 24GHz is really 'buzzing' these days...

Will, W0EOM, told us how to convert surplus millimetre modules for use on 47GHz. He knows a lot about this and has helped many US and other amateurs get on these very high frequencies.

Chip Angle, N6CA, treated us to a most interesting talk on how to check dish antenna performance using a laser pointer and then described the voyages of W1LP/MM down the California coastline(see map above). To fill in his spare time while at sea, Clint, W1LP/MM, is making a habit of breaking N. American 10GHz DX records ... from ship to shore! All these big distances are done with 1 watt of 10GHz to a 20dB horn antenna! Those Californian sea ducts are certainly something!

Bob Johnson, KF6KVG, long-time friend and 76GHz partner for Will, W0EOM, described his world record making equipment for that band. The availability of surplus modules in the Silicon Valley area makes this a little easier for these folk than the rest of us in Europe where the most direct route to the 75/76GHz band would be the purchase of expensive German kits and mixer diodes.  Bob and Will are to be congratulated on their recording brealing contacts.

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