Ray James GM4CXM came through from Bearsden to present a very comprehensive and well-illustrated Powerpoint lecture, “A Beginner’s Guide to DXing and Contesting on 70cm and 23cm”.
The list of topics which Ray discussed, and the websites provided was:
Transceivers with 70cm and 23cm coverage
Use of Transverters
Antennas
Choice of Coax Cable to minimise losses
Finding Locators:
http://f6fvy.free.fr/qthLocator/fullScreen.php?locator=io75tw
Effects of Location and Antenna Height on the transmitted signal:
Internet resources for Tropo Lifts, Beacons, and DX Clusters:
http://www.beaconspot.eu/home.php
Weak Signal reception using Waterfall Displays:
Aircraft Reflection Contacts – with examples and aircraft location resources:
Finding mid-point for aircraft reflection:
http://sm7lcb.shacknet.nu/maps/qso_map/sm7lcb_pathmap.htm
Aircraft Sites:
http://planefinder.net/
http://www.flightradar24.com/
http://www.radarvirtuel.com/
Contesting
Meteor Scatter
Moonbounce, including a QSO with KP4AO at Arecibo
The following are just a few of the many slides shown by Ray:
Choice of Transceivers available with 70cm & 23cm coverage.
Map showing the small area of reflection (red circle) possible for Aircraft Reflection QSOs, in this case between Bearsden and the Hague. The diameter of the circle is determined by the antenna beamwidths as they overlap at the mid-point between the stations.
Comparison of Ray’s “Peashooter” station and a “Big Gun” for Moonbounce.
The biggest “Big Gun” station in the world – KP4AO at Arecibo, Puerto Rico, which Ray has successfully contacted.