First UK QSO on 241 GHz

[Eene de Weerd PA3CEG]

Hi folks
The first UK QSO took place today 19-02-2016 at 15:00z on the 241GHz (1.2mm) band
between Roger G8CUB/P and Chris G0FDZ/P in locator square JO01EP. The
distance was 30 metres and the CW signals were 559 and 589. With signal
to spare both ways an attempt was made to increase the distance to over
50M but with deteriorating weather likely, a decision was taken to limit
to 30M as antenna alignment was taking a very long time to achieve. A
full report on today's QSO and the work that led up to it will appear in
the next Scatterpoint. Photos and video will be available soon.
Regards
Chris G0FDZ

[Eene de Weerd PA3CEG]

I was transmitting 0n 241.01, Chris was on a nominal 241.02 though it was 1.3MHz low on 241.0187 MHz. We used separate TX & RX. All TXs were derived from Elcom synths. Chris's LO also, though I was using 16.0385 as LO (x15) into a Tektronix mixer. Chris used a 1mm dia. hole in the block on RX with cut-off around 175GHz, I used a piece of WR-03 - 173GHz cut-off

My TX used 11.4766 x3 to 34.43, then X7 to 241.01. Chris's TX used the 1301 synth. on 13.390 x3 to 40.17 x6 to 241.02. That tx was only intented as a low level source. It uses a DB6NT 240G pcb, on an old metal plate, held down with solder tags!

Roger

Roger
G8CUB