Summary of DXpedition TK/DL1YMK 2012

 

Hi all,

for the ninth time in sequence we were able to accomplish a multiband EME-DXpedition. For a second time (after the GI-activation) we brought TK on five bands to the moon. As TK politically belongs to France, our favorite band 9 cm was not licensed. During a fortnight of Moon-bounce activity we made 178 CW-QSO's with a total of 139 initials. On 23cm 29 different countries were worked, on 13cm 22 and on 70 cm 20 DXCC-entities were logged. As expected, our stressed dish is not really suited for 6cm, however, we managed to contact 5 initials. For the first time we used a second solid dish (1.8 m with 30 W at the feed) for 10GHz and were able to log 7 initials with our marginal set-up. We heard more stations than we were actually able to work, so consequently we need more power on that band.
Only 3 stations worldwide were in a position to work us on all five bands: LX1DB with every time a huge and rock-solid signal on all bands, OK1KIR (despite an exploded 70cm PA) and F2TU. We have received many mails during the DXpedition, stating many feed changes, repairing PA's and LNA's, just in order to work us on Corsica, so many many thanks to all of you, who were on the moon for the DXpedition. A very positive side effect of our DXpedition was a significant increase in Moon-bounce activity on those bands, where we showed up. Consequently a large number of initials were worked by other active stations.
The log will be transferred from paper to Zdenek's website after our return home, please be patient a little while. If you decide to QSL direct, may we ask you to include SASE. A special TK-QSL will be designed as usual by Monika. A warm thank you goes to Zdenek for hosting the special website, and also to LX1DB and OK1KIR, who with endless patience have produced beacon signals for us on the higher bands. On 23cm the ON0EME beacon operated by ON7UN/ON4BCB was most helpful.

vy 73 de M & M - team

 

TK/DL1YMK last update

 

Hello lunatics,

the last three days were a little stress, as we changed sequentially between 4 bands, in order to give TK to a maximum number of stations.
Tuesday, 29th of May, we showed up for a second time on 70 cm, due to less degradation and no wind at all, we had all the moon pass own echoes. We worked on 70cm only in CW: JA6AHB, ES5PC, G4RGK, PA3DZL, G4YTL, SM4IVE with a huge signal, DJ3JJ, OK1KIR, G4FUF, K2UYH and WA4NJP. The next day, Wednesday, 30th May, we were for the last time on 13cm and worked: JA4BLC, G4RGK, DF3RU (in CW, then in SSB), CT1DMK (first SSB, then CW), W5LUA and K2UYH.
During the following two nights we ran tests with K5GW on 10GHz, we could copy Gerald with a very substantial signal, but no 2-way contact could be established.
Today, 01.06.12, we knocked down both dishes, dismantled the station, stuffed all back into Monika's car and are ready to enter the ferry to Toulon tomorrow afternoon.

vy 73/88 de M & M

 

 

28.05.2012

 

Hi lunatics,

we have to give an addendum to our 23cm contest report, as some more stations were worked on Sunday after ON5RR. Those are as new ones: CT1DMK, S59DCD, and ON5TA. In the former report DL3EBJ turned into DL3EBW, a mere typo, sorry. Today we have taken the challenge to activate 3cm for the first time during a Moon-bounce DXpedition with a portable set-up. it was a hard piece of work, as we could hear more stations than we actually could work. RXing was very competitive by a WG-LNA from DB6NT (NF=0.6 dB @ 25 db gain) and a tailor-made round WG-feed with chaparral ring, provided by Willi, LX1DB, but the RF-power was confined to some 30 W in the feed, generated with two homebrew SSPA's. After Willi, whom we worked already 25.05.12, we are happy to have made another 5 country-firsts from TK on 10 GHz. Worked were PA0EHG, OK1KIR, DL7YC, F2TU, W5LUA and with a super signal W7CJO. Thanks to all other stations, who tested with us, but did not succeed in a 2-way contact - we just need more goo on that band!

 Please remember: Tuesday, 29th will be the last chance for 70cm and Wednesday, 30th for 13cm. 

vy 73 de M & M

 

 

27.05.2012

 

Hello lunatics,
the DUBUS contest was an enormous boost in activity on 23 cm and gave us the opportunity to work 27 new initials from Corsica. Even smaller stations tried it and it was often possible to give them TK! The new stations are: SP6JLW, OK1CS, RA3AUB, LZ2US, G4CCH, SV1BTR, RA3YF, DL3EBW, HB9SV, OE5JFL, N2UO, WD5AGO, OK2ULQ, PA3DZL, WW2R, WA6PY, PA2DW, W5LUA, VE6TA, N2NQI, WB2BYP, IZ1BPN, PA7JB, IK1MTZ, IK6EIW, K5GW, ON5RR,  In total we now have made  90 QSOs so far on 23 cm from Corsica, more than the half of them during the contest. TNX to all takers and to Joachim Kraft for arranging the DUDUS contest.

The timetable  for the last 3 days of activity is as follows:
Monday, 28.05: 10 GHz, certainly only possible with stronger stations, as the second, solid dish is very small (1,80m) (see photos)

Tuesday, 29.05: back on 70 cm

Wednesday, 30.05: last trial on 13 cm On 13 and 70 cm we will be active at any case also on moonrise and moonset, so we hope for activity from JA and US!

Yesterday Knut Theurich, the editor of the well known magazine "Funkamateur" and his wife played us a visit, as they are spending their holidays on Corsica and met us in the supermarket! Knut was very interested and got the opportunity to follow moon-bounce traffic. We hope to make additional QSO´s during the last activity sessions from TK!
Vy 73 de M & M

26.05.2012

Hello lunatics,

yesterday we made the first TK - LX on 3cm! We tested our portable set-up, which we installed yesterday in the noon sun, with Willi, LX1DB, in order to find out, if it is at all possible to reflect 

a signal off the moon with a small dish. And yesss, it is possible to run 10G on a DXpedition. Of course, our station is marginal, and it needs an optimized RX on the other end. 

we are using an 1.8 m solid prime focus dish with a WG feed in vertical polarization, the feed being supplied by Willi, LX1DB. 

The TX power is about 30 W from 2 combined homebrew SSPA's. We heard Willi with a steady readable signal, and received 539 at 

best from him! Unfortunately, a trial with F2TU failed, this means we only have a chance to succeed with big guns on 3cm. 

We hope for other QSO's on Monday, 28th.

vy 73/88 de M & M

10 GHz setup	Visit from Funkamateur magazine
Monika and dishes

SSPA mounted to the feed pole	LNA and Feed horn for 6cm band
Dish with 6cm setup