KA6U EME Expeditions

  KA6U Update - February 25, 2023 -  2200UTC EME operations from AL/MS on Feb 28 and LA on March 2nd are confirmed. The roving station upgrade for 2023 is now complete. Thank-you everyone who called over the last week to help me test the station.  There are currently NO open items on the punch list (first time). The station has a new 600W PA for 70cm, new 1KW PA for 222, refurbished 2.4M dish, new spare preamps for all bands, new TX and isolation relays for all bands, and all TX coax replaced.  TX feedlines to all antennas are 25' runs of LMR600. 70cm and 222 preamps upgraded to WD5AGO and installed at antennas.  I also carry a spare 600W 23cm PA built from a W6PQL palette which I tested on the air this week. Spare PA and spare preamps can be switched in 5 minutes. I should have better RX performance on all bands and better RFI suppression from external sources using cavity filters for all bands. Everything is now weatherproof (but I don't set up the dish in the rain).  Dish is

  KA6U Update - February 24, 2023 -  0430UTC Next week starting on February 28th I plan to activate AL, MS and LA on 23cm, 70cm and 222 EME. I will start each session with 23cm and 70cm running at the same time.  I will then move to 23cm and 222 operations.  I will operate AL and MS from a location on the border of the two states.  I will start in AL and then move station (drag) across border into MS.  I operated from this location last year on 23cm and 222 EME. I will have excellent (more than I want) cell coverage and Internet access at all sites. Operating Plan: February 28 (UTC) EM50TL - Alabama - 23cm and 70cm at same time then 23cm and 222 EME - 1900UTC - 2200UTC (or until all callers complete) Move station across border into Mississippi - 2200UTC - 2230UTC February 28 (UTC) EM50TL - Mississippi - 23cm and 70cm at same time then 23cm and 222 EME - 2230UTC - 0100UTC March 2nd (UTC) EM31 - Louisiana - 23cm and 70 cm at same time then 23cm and 222 EME - 2100UTC - 0100UTC The EM50TL

  KA6U Update - February 12, 2023 -  2100UTC I am planning my next road trip March 2nd - 6th. I plan to make several stops in the Southeast: Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana.  I will be operating on 23cm, 70cm and 222 EME. I plan to do additional activations March 8 - 11 weather permitting. In the last two months I have upgraded all stations.  On 23cm the dish is rebuilt with better performance.  New antennas for 70cm with switchable H/V polarization.  New preamp for 70cm at the antennas.  222 new preamp at the antennas.  All feedlines are replaced.  All relays replaced with QRO vacuum relays. Replaced extra displays for PC with single larger display on the dashboard.  All RF equipment is now in backseat area.  Storage rack added in back for tripod, poles and anchor stakes.  Result is more compact, less handling and flexing of cables, and faster setup.  New antenna racks on top of car make for easier antenna handling. Room for more equipment :-) Here are some updated photos: