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NTMSMicrowave

Society

2304 EME2304 EMEby

Al WardAl WardW5LUA

Presented at Central States VHF SocietyElk Grove Village, Illinois

July 2009

WWW.NTMS.ORG 1

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NTMSThe Microwave BandsMicrowave

Society

Band Frequency Range Weak signal work in NA33 cm 902 to 928 MHz 902 MHz23 cm 1240 to 1300 MHz 1296 MHz23 cm 1240 to 1300 MHz 1296 MHz13 cm 2300 to 2310 MHz 2304 MHz

2390 to 2450 MHz9 cm 3300 to 3500 MHz 3456 MHz6 cm 5650 to 5925 MHz 5760 MHz3 cm 10000 to 10500 MHz 10368 MHz1.25cm 24000 to 24250 MHz 24192 MHz and 24048 MHz.6 cm 47000 to 47200 MHz 47088 MHz.35 cm 77000 to 81000 MHz allocation changing

Not all countries have same allocation as us……..

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NTMS2300 - 2310 and 2390 - 2450 MHzMicrowave

Society

• Most operation between 2304.0 and 2304.150 MHz• UK can only operate at 2320 MHz no allocation at 2304 MHz• UK can only operate at 2320 MHz - no allocation at 2304 MHz• Japanese operate at 2424 MHz - no allocation at 2304 MHz• 2320 MHz is primary terrestrial frequency in Europe• VKs can only operate from 2300 to 2302 so 2301 975 MHz was• VKs can only operate from 2300 to 2302 so 2301.975 MHz was

chosen. Other stations then transmit on 2304.075 MHz• A little complicated but do-able• Crossband operation requires extra receive converters• Crossband operation requires extra receive converters• 50+ stations operational – 100 over time• Minimum Station Requirements – 2.4m Dish, 100 watts

• So..Why go up in frequency?

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NTMSPath LossMicrowave

Society

• According to the Radar equation, the path loss g q , pincreases by 6 dB every time the frequency is doubledH di h i l i b 6 dB• However dish gain also increases by 6 dB every time frequency is doubled

• Since we gain the same 6dB on both receive• Since we gain the same 6dB on both receive and transmit and assuming we use the same power and the same NF as we go up in frequency, our echoes will improve as frequency is increased – this is in fact what we see!

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NTMSThe transition from 1296 to 2304 MHzMicrowave

Society

• Noise figures are very comparable – most sub g y p0.4 dB.

• Power levels of 200 watts are easily obtainable at 2304 MHz and can be more easily mounted atat 2304 MHz and can be more easily mounted at the feed offering a bonus on 2304 over 1296 –minimal feedline loss.V ffi i t f d f OK1DFC RA3AQ d• Very efficient feeds from OK1DFC, RA3AQ and WD5AGO

• Easier to track the moon because now we are as e to t ac t e oo because o e a eable to see moon noise – why is this?

• VK3UM program to analyze path loss

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NTMSVK3UM EME Performance CalculatorMicrowave

Society

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NTMSBottom LineMicrowave

Society

• With similar equipment on 13 cm and theWith similar equipment on 13 cm and the same size dish, the echoes will be nearly 5 dB stronger on 2304 MHz than they weredB stronger on 2304 MHz than they were on 1296 MHz plus we can now track the moon better because we can now seemoon better because we can now see noticeable moon noise

• And it gets even better as we go higher in• And it gets even better as we go higher in frequency!

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NTMSNorth American Stations on 13cmMicrowave

Society

• First 2304 EME contact was between W4HHK and W3GKP in 1970

• Since then W5LUA, W3IWI/8, VE4MA, W7GBI, KD5RO/2, K9KFR, K5PJR, WB0TEM, NU7Z, WA8WZG,KD5RO/2, K9KFR, K5PJR, WB0TEM, NU7Z, WA8WZG, WA6PY, WA9OUU, WA9FWD, VE6TA, K2UYH, NA4N, WD5AGO, WW2R, W9IIX, WA5WCP/1, K5GW, WA5WCP KL6M KH7X WA5WCP/7 K7XQ WA8RJFWA5WCP, KL6M, KH7X, WA5WCP/7, K7XQ, WA8RJF, W7BBM

• About 30 out of nearly 100 worldwide were in NATh t b h d i dl d th• That number has dwindled over the years

• We need more NA activity on 13cm!• Calls in red are presently active from NA

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Calls in red are presently active from NA

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NTMSWD5AGO 8ft Dish for 2304 MHzMicrowave

Society

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NTMSWA5WCP 10ft Dish for 2304 MHzMicrowave

Society

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NTMSDL4MEA 1296/2304 Dual Band

Di h F d Microwave

SocietyDish Feed

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NTMSVK7MO 3M Dish on 1296 & 2304 MHzMicrowave

Society

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NTMS5 Meter Dish at W5LUAMicrowave

Society

Used for EME on902 MHz1296 MHz2304 MH2304 MHz3456 MHz5760 MHz10368 MHz10368 MHz

May use on 222 and 432 MHzAlso considered use as a 2.5M offset fed dish for 24 GHz

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24 GHz

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NTMSMulti-Band Feed System Microwave

Society

Multi Band Feed System

12961296

2304

5760

10368

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NTMSAZ EL Mount for 5 Meter DishMicrowave

Society

Hydraulics for elevation dri edriveProp pitch rotor for azimuth driveUS Digital Absolute gEncoders for readout and K5GW tracking program

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NTMSProp-Pitch Motor for AzimuthMicrowave

Society

p

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NTMS2.4m Offset Fed Dish at W5LUAMicrowave

Society

I i 24I use mine on 24 GHz and 47 GHz

RW3BP uses his 2.4M offset fed dish from 47 GHz down to 1296 MHz

VE4MA uses his from 47 GHz down to 3400 MHz

Dish has potential use on 80 GHz

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NTMSAZ-EL for W5LUA 2 4 Meter Dish Microwave

Society

AZ-EL for W5LUA 2.4 Meter Dish

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NTMS3M (10ft) Diameter DishMicrowave

Society

( )

• 1296 MHz • 2304 MHz1296 MHz• 3dB BW 5.3 degrees• 1 dB BW 3 degrees

2304 MHz• 3dB BW 3 degrees• 1dB BW 1 7 degree1 dB BW 3 degrees

• First null at +/-9 deg.• Gain 30 dBi at 55%

1dB BW 1.7 degree• First null at +/-5 deg.• Gain 35 dBi at 55%• Gain 30 dBi at 55%

efficiency• Need to be within a

• Gain 35 dBi at 55% efficiency

• Need to be within a• Need to be within a couple of degrees

• Need to be within a degree

• Less is always better!

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Less is always better!

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NTMSAzimuth Rotator OptionsMicrowave

Society

p

• Ham-M and Tailtwister can only get youHam M and Tailtwister can only get you with 4 to 5 degrees due to the break wedge – not good enoughwedge not good enough

• Yaesu G-2800DXA or equivalent with friction break is an optionfriction break is an option

• Old prop pitch rotor• Motor and gearbox• Linear actuator

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NTMS

Knowing Where We Are Pointed Microwave

SocietyKnowing Where We Are Pointed

• Potentiometers used in bridge circuit with a regulated 5V supply pot linearity a big issue 10 turn pots a5V supply – pot linearity a big issue – 10 turn pots a better solution – WW2R has a digital readout board that will work with potentiometers

• US Digital Absolute Encoders are a very good solution but pricey – use a shaft encoder for AZ and an inclinometer for EL – connect to pc through thean inclinometer for EL connect to pc through the USB or RS-232 port – read by programs like K5GWs and F1EHNs – resolution as high as .01 degree

• Less expensive option is US Digital’s incremental encoders which can be read by W2DRZ’s controller board – K1RQG and K2DH use this setup with

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board K1RQG and K2DH use this setup with excellent results

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NTMSWA8RJF Digital Level Modified for

El ti R d t Microwave

SocietyElevation Readout

Unmodified Modified for remote operationUnmodified Modified for remote operationWill read to 0.1 degree

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NTMSMoon and Sun Tracking SoftwareMicrowave

Society

g

• F1EHNF1EHN• VK3UM

K5GW• K5GW• Nova / Realtrack

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NTMSF1EHN Tracking Software with Doppler

C l l ti & RX T i Microwave

SocietyCalculation & RX Tuning

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NTMSVK3UM EME Planner and

T ki S ft Microwave

SocietyTracking Softwarehttp://www.ve1alq.com/vk3um/

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NTMSK5GW Tracking Software with Doppler C & Microwave

SocietyCalculation & RX Tuning

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NTMSThe Doppler EffectMicrowave

Society

pp

• Doppler effect is the change in frequency of a signal that pp g q y goccurs as a result of the source and the observer moving relative to each other.

• Since the relative angular velocity of the earth is fasterSince the relative angular velocity of the earth is faster than the orbit of the moon, the doppler is at a maximum at both moon rise and moon set and zero around zenith.

• Therefore at moon rise the doppler shifted signal will• Therefore… at moon rise the doppler shifted signal will be highest in frequency (positive) gradually decreasing to zero offset from the transmitted frequency at zenith and continuing to decrease to its lowest frequencyand continuing to decrease to its lowest frequency (negative) at moon set.

• Slight hook effect at the edges of the earth

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NTMSDoppler vs FrequencyMicrowave

Society

pp q y

• Doppler does scale with frequencyDoppler does scale with frequency.• While doppler may be several hundred Hz

at 2M it is over 3 kHz at 1296 MHz andat 2M, it is over 3 kHz at 1296 MHz and greater than 100 kHz at 47 GHz

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NTMSF1EHN EME Program at W5LUAMicrowave

Society

gMoon rising at W5LUA and near zenith at LX1DB

Self Doppler at W5LUASelf Doppler at LX1DB

Mutual Doppler

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Mutual Doppler

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NTMSFaraday RotationMicrowave

Society

y

• According to Skolnik’s Radar handbook..”The Faraday rotation of the plane of polarization can be 2 to 5 revolutions in the UHF rangethe plane of polarization can be 2 to 5 revolutions in the UHF range, but since it scales as 1/f2, is negligible at and above L band” L band is defined in Skolnik as 1000 MHz to 2000 MHz and UHF is defined as 300 to 1000 MHzIf l f 144 t 432 MH th ff t i 1/9• If we scale from 144 to 432 MHz the effect is 1/9

• If we scale from 432 to 1296 MHz it is another 1/9• We know that time between signal peaks on 6M can be about 5

minutes and 15 to 20 minutes on 2M and up to hours or days onminutes, and 15 to 20 minutes on 2M and up to hours or days on 432 MHz so….

• In terms of what we hear, does this scale the time in between max and min signal strength or the level in dB between max and min or both?both?

• Most likely it is scaling the amount of rotation of a linear polarized signal and decreases significantly at 902 MHz and higher

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NTMSHow do we analyze the f f t ? Microwave

Societyperformance of our systems?

• By noting the signal to noise ratio of our echoesBy noting the signal to noise ratio of our echoes• By measuring sun noise and moon noise and

other noise sources• By measuring ground to cold sky or 50 Ω to cold

sky – ground is typically 290Ky g yp y• Where as cold sky may be as high as 3000K at

6M and 300K at 2M, cold sky at 1296 MHz and higher is typically 25K or less

• We can measure all these values in relative dBs

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NTMS13 cm EquipmentMicrowave

Society

q pRF (MHz)2302

IF (MHz)142

LNA XVTR

DEMI230423202424

144160264

FT-100, FT-847, etc

FRG-9600, etc

DEMIDB6NT

DEMI front-end not as broadband as DB6NT, may not cover 2424 as well

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NTMS13 cm EquipmentMicrowave

Society

q pRF (MHz)2302

IF (MHz)142

LNA XVTR

DEMI230423202424

144160264

FT-100, FT-847, etc

FRG-9600, etc

DEMIDB6NT

DEMI front-end not as broadband as DB6NT, may not cover 2424 as well

IF (MHz) IF (MHz)

RF (MHz)23022304

LNA HB 2302/04/20

XVTRs

142144160 116 LO

26 SDR-100028 SDR-1000

IF (MHz)230423202424

XVTRs

DEMI 2424

( )44 Flex 5000A

IF (MHz)144 Flex 5000A

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System at W5LUA

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NTMSLNAsMicrowave

Society

WD5AGO LNA

• Prefer less than 0.4dB NF and 25+dB gain at feed – requires 2 gain stages

• With isolation relay strive for less than 0.6 dB NF at feed

• Designs by W5LUA, WD5AGO & DB6NT• WD5AGO & DB6NT supplies built and tested

units• Kits by DEMI & G4DDK & DB6NT

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NTMSModified 200 W Spectrian 2304

MH SSPA b N5AC Microwave

SocietyMHz SSPA by N5AC

Another option -G4DDK uses an Ex-Lucent iPAM 3G power amplifier at 200 - 250W output

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NTMSVA-802B Klystron at W5LUAMicrowave

Society

y

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Tube is capable of running 1 kw output, I run mine at 400 watts output

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NTMSEME NetMicrowave

Society

• Meets Saturday and Sunday Mornings at 9AMMeets Saturday and Sunday Mornings at 9AM Central time on 14.345 MHz – NET Control is K1RQG

• Also available via the internet courtesy of K0TAR

• Weekly NET notes also available from K1RQG by emailing Joe at k1rqg@aol.com

• Also informal activity during the week on 14.345 MHz starting at 9AM Central

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NTMS432 MHz and Above EME

N l tt Microwave

SocietyNewsletter

• Edited and distributed monthly by Al KatzEdited and distributed monthly by Al Katz, K2UYH since 1972 – send reports to a katz@ieee orga.katz@ieee.org

• Available from Rein W6/PA0ZN now W6SZ via the internet atvia the internet at http://www.nitehawk.com/rasmit/em70cm.htmlA il bl f W B tl• Available from Warren Butler wbutler@comcast.net in .pdf format

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NTMSInternational EME ConferenceMicrowave

Society

• The EME conference is held every 2 years. The y ylocation is generally in Europe or North America with one event hosted in Brazil.

• The conference is an excellent event for meetingThe conference is an excellent event for meeting the folks that we work via the moon plus the technical forums are a great way to learn more about our exciting part of the hobbyabout our exciting part of the hobby.

• The 2008 Int’l EME Conference was held in Florence, Italy

• The 2010 Int’l EME Conference will be held in Dallas, Texas in August about a year from now.

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NTMSCoordination of ActivityMicrowave

Society

y

• Band by band activity weekends and many y y ycontests during the year – best to stay tuned in to the newsletter, net notes, reflectors and the 20M net20M net.

• Bands like 1296 MHz have considerable activity each montheach month.

• Improved random activity on 2304 and more recently 3400 MHz.

• Best to coordinate other bands with individual operators known to be active

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NTMSWhen is the Best MW EME Activity?Microwave

Society

y

• Perigee when the moon is closest to thePerigee when the moon is closest to the earth

• High declination best for northern• High declination best for northern hemisphere activity – most hours of moonP i d Hi h d li ti t l• Perigee and High declination not always occurring at the same time of the month –

• Stay away from new moon• Mainly weekend activity unless retired

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y y

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NTMSMoonbounce ReflectorsMicrowave

Society

• Moon-Net -Moon Net http://www.nlsa.com/nets/moon-net-help htmlhelp.html

• EME-net -http://web telia com/~u37029479/http://web.telia.com/~u37029479/

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NTMSIW2FZR on 1296 and 2304Microwave

Society

So you don’t think you are good enough at CW? Check out Dario’s hand key!

Now look closer!Now look closer!

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NTMSIW2FZR Homebrew KeyMicrowave

Society

y

Now this isNow this is dedication! … by doing what you have to d t kdo to make the contact!

And Dario is d a o sstill very active with great signals on 1296 andon 1296 and 2304 MHz!

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NTMSJA8ERE, JA6CZD & JA4BLC

2424 MH Microwave

Societyon 2424 MHz

WWW.NTMS.ORG 45

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NTMSLunar Orbiter on 2271 MHzMicrowave

Society

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NTMSWebsites for more InformationMicrowave

Society

• VE1ALQ - http://www.ve1alq.com/F1EHN htt // f1 h /• F1EHN - http://www.f1ehn.org/

• W2DRZ -http://www.w2drz.ramcoinc.com/index.htm

• K2AH – www.k2ah.com• W1GHZ – www.w1ghz.org

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NTMSHB9Q Loggers Microwave

Society

HB9Q Loggers

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NTMSReceiver SensitivityMicrowave

Society

y

• Tsystem = Tantenna + TreceiverTsystem Tantenna Treceiver• Tsys = Tant + (Noise Factor - 1) * To• Noise Factor = inv log ((NF(dB) / 10)• Noise Factor = inv log ((NF(dB) / 10)• If NF(dB) = 3 dB then Noise Factor = 2

If NF(dB) 2 dB th N i F t 1 58• If NF(dB) = 2 dB then Noise Factor = 1.58• Etc.• Also T is in Kelvins or K• 0K = -273C, 273K = 0C, 290K = 17C

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NTMSReceiver Sensitivity ExampleMicrowave

Society

y p

• Tsys = Tant + Trcvy• Tsys = 25K + 170K = 195K for a 2dB NF• Tsys = 25K + 75K = 100K for a 1 dB NF

a system sensitivity improvement of 2 9dB which is justa system sensitivity improvement of 2.9dB which is just 10 log 195/100 = 2.9dB

• Tsys = 25K + 35K = 60K for a 0.5dB NFf th t iti it i t f 2 2dB fa further system sensitivity improvement of 2.2dB for a

total of 5.1dB for a 1.5dB reduction in NF• Tsys = 25K + 28K = 53K for a 0.4dB NFy

At this system NF another 0.1dB can provide an additional .54 dB system sensitivity improvement!

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NTMSNoise FloorMicrowave

Society

• Noise Floor= -174dBm/Hz + 10 log(bw) Hz + 10 g( )log (NF + Ta/To – 1)where NF is noise factor expressed asa ratio and To = 290K and Ta which is also in kelvins isand To = 290K and Ta which is also in kelvins is the equivalent antenna temperature which could be as low as 25K on 2304 MHz

• If Ta = To then the noise floor changes dB for dB with the noise figure

• If Ta is less than To then we start to see some drastic improvements in receiver sensitivity when noise figures go below 2 dB

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when noise figures go below 2 dB

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NTMSNoise Floor ExampleMicrowave

Society

p

• Noise Floor= -174dBm/Hz + 10 log(bw) Hz + 10 log (NF T /T 1)+ Ta/To – 1)

• Ta = 25K• For 2 dB NF (1.58 noise factor), noise floor = -175.8 dBm ( )

in a 1 Hz bandwidth• For 1 dB NF (1.26 noise factor), noise floor = -178.6 dBm

in a 1 Hz bandwidth (Δ = 2.8dB)• For 0.5 dB NF (1.12 noise factor), noise floor = -180.9

dBm in a 1 Hz bandwidth (Δ = 2.3dB)• For 0.4 dB NF (1.096 noise factor), noise floor = -181.4 ( ),

dBm in a 1 Hz bandwidth (Δ = 0.5dB)• Total improvement when decreasing noise figure from 2

dB to 0.4 dB is 2.8 + 2.3 + 0.5 = 5.6 dB

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NTMSMicrowave

Society

Slides will be uploaded to www.ntms.orgft th fafter the conference

H t k 2304 MHHope to work you on 2304 MHz

A ti ?Any questions?

7373Al Ward W5LUA

5l @ b l b l tWWW.NTMS.ORG 53

w5lua@sbcglobal.net

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NTMSHow do we compare sun noise

di ? Microwave

Societyreadings?

Converting (S+N)/N to S/N

S + NN

= SN + 1

Since we have very low sky noise on the microwave bands, we measure our sun noise and moon noise over cold sky. When comparing sun noiseN N

Therefore SN =

S + NN

1_

sky. When comparing sun noise readings among amateurs with different systems in order to determine one’s performance versus someone l it i l tConvert dBs to ratios, then substitute in equations

(S+N)/N S/N20 dB 19.96 dB10 dB 9.54 dB

else, it is common place to compare these readings. At low S meter readings the measured level is actually signal plus noise and when we compare it to

7 dB 6.03 dB5 dB 3.35 dB3 dB -0.02 dB2 dB -2.33 dB1 dB -5.87 dB

p pthe noise level we must first convert (S+N)/N to S/N before making relative dB comparisons

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NTMSExamplesMicrowave

Society

p

Converting (S+N)/N to S/N If station A is measuring 20 dB of sun

S + NN

= SN + 1

gnoise and station B is measuring only 10 dB of sun noise then the difference is 19.96 - 9.54 = 10.42 dB or a change in sensitivity of 10 42 dBN N

Therefore SN =

S + NN

1_

in sensitivity of 10.42 dB.

Now comparing station C who is receiving 10 dB of sun noise to station

Convert dBs to ratios, then substitute in equations(S+N)/N S/N20 dB 19.96 dB10 dB 9.54 dB

D who is receiving only 3 dB of sun noise then the difference is 9.54 - -.02 = 9.56 dB or a change in sensitivity of still nearly 10 dB for a 7 dB drop in7 dB 6.03 dB

5 dB 3.35 dB3 dB -0.02 dB2 dB -2.33 dB1 dB -5.87 dB

still nearly 10 dB for a 7 dB drop in sun noise.

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