Hello Ev
I have been playing on 432 and 222 MHz of late. It seems that a power
level of 100 watts will allow you some limited success on 432, but only
with the most well equipped stations. I would strongly suggest rapid
polarity adjustments. That is easy with a single long yagi. The other
suggestion would be to have a very good and selective front end. A big
copper cavity in front of your preamp is probably needed if you are
going to travel to different spots. I can almost guarantee that strong
digtal TV stations on the low end of the UHF TV band will kill most
preamps. I have had serious trouble both on 222 and 432 that really
compromised my hearing ability. After the re packing of the UHF TV
channels, there is probably a multi megawatt TV station nearby that will
kill your 432 front end. The end result is that digital noise gets into
the preamp and s/n ratios go South!
I tried today with KB7Q who was portable in Hawaii. I have a mid level
station and had a bunch of trouble due to poor EME conditions. I used 4
X 12 el with polarity rotation. Gene had a single long yagi (9wl) and
450 watts. Polarization was quite diffused much of the time, with V and
H not being much different. It made Gene's signal very difficult to hear
even with his 450 watts. I am sure a better day would have been easier,
but you have to realize that many days will be less than optimum.
I think 432 is your best bet with low power. I have tried 100 watt QSOs
on 222, but success is fleeting. I have done it with my four big yagis,
but it is barely possible. I am sure that 144 is even worse unless you
are talking about 2 or 3 "super stations". Good luck.
Dave K1WHS
On 9/27/2024 7:47 AM, Ev Tupis via VHFcontesting wrote:
Of the 6, 2, and 70cm bands (those that are most likely to be in a modern HF+ radio), which
band has been shown to support EME with the least overall ERP? I'm thinking
"portable EME" where it isn't possible to transport big antennas or a generator to
have a kw amp. :-)
Assume that this portable station would target QSOing with only the "top tier"
of well equipped DX stations.
I'd be interested in only recent experience rather than "back in the day". Also
interested in both CW (human decode) and FTx (machine decode) modes.
How little power and antenna (ERP) has been successful in making EME contact(s)
and on what band/mode?
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