902 And Up Fall Microwave Sprint

  902 and Sprint Summary AA2SD/R

For this Sprint I am pleased to report that I made 2 contacts on 5 GHz with my new horn set up thanks to the help of construction from Ray N3RG and Bob W2SJ. Early Saturday morning I met up with fellow Pack Rats Rosti KC3FQF and Jim KC3BVL. We easily worked with each other in the first Grid at FN20 AD located at Sunny Crest Log just West of Morgantown at 800 ft elevation.

As a Rover I use the Sprints to test equipment functionality and I am a newbie to the Micro Bands. My Bias T switching arrangement worked flawlessly for the trip. I was also testing a new Horn on5 GHz with a 5 Watt power amp. This set up also proved to work out. 

I only stayed at the first GRID FN20AD 800 ft overlook for 1.5 hours and moved to FM19XX at 700 feet at the Linville High School parking Lot Near Gap PA. I finished the Mini Rove just in time in FM29FU located at 445 Ebright Azimuth in Delaware. It difficile to stay on time as a Rover with driving times and the condensed sprint times.

Overall this was a very successful trip with 21 total QSO made, and I worked 1296, 903, 2.3 and 5.6 GHz. Most of the activity was centered on 1296 and 903, and the 2.3 and 3.4 GHz bands appeared to be very difficult. The temperature at the start of the Sprint was a brisk 38 degrees at the first location.

Thank You to all operators that worked with me, keep a lookout for the upcoming 2026 Jan VHF Contest as I plan to Rove for this event. Many thanks to the Mount Airy PackRats VHF Club for sponsoring this fun event.

Video of 5 GHz contact is here

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ymP-uX7v08o?si=RagdhDXUjGSLDzdY

Summary

• 21 Total QSO’s made

• 3 Grids Visited  FN20AD FM20FU an FM19XX

• (2) 5 GHz Contacts made with a horn set up

• (8) Contacts on 1296 and (8) contacts on 903

• (3) Contacts on 2304

• No FT8

Mount Airy Pack Rats 902 and Up Fall Sprints

Fellow Operators I will be on a quick Rove with (4) microwave bands to (3) high elevation overlook areas in the local Lancaster and Gap PA area. I have tested these locations and they all play well. I will have 1296 - 50 Watts, 903- 63 watts, 2.3 Ghz - 32 watts, and 3.4 GHz - 20 watts. I may also have 5 GHz with a Horn to test.  I will only be staying at each location for no more than 1 hour to stay on schedule.

The plan is to start in  GRID FN20 13 miles south of Reading at a good overlook, and to move South to FN10 Wesh Mountain Overlook, On the way home I will stop in Delaware at Ebright 445 ft FM 29 and finish in Mullica Hill at FM29,

Call Sign AA2SD/R   follow me on for antenna pointing https://w3sz.com/map.php

Please note I am using my direct cell phone for texting during this mini Rove - 609 254 7120

You can join my new Microwave Text List Here to receive one text from each location only.

https://eztxt.net/QHrHyM

1. Stop A  -  8:00 AM - 9:30   FN20AD87JB  Starting Point Parking Lot Sunnycrest Home 835 ft Elevation Morgantown

2. Stop B -  10:00 - 11:00      FN10XC90RX Welsh Mountain Overlook 1109 ft Elevation

3. Stop C    12:00 - 1:00        FM29FU70ON Ebright Azimuth Delaware 445 ft Elevation

4. Stop D     1:30  -  2:00       (back up grid for FM29 ) FM29JR86AP  Mullica Hill Inspire Hospital Lot  137 ft

You can find info on the Fall Sprints here

https://packratvhf.com/index.php/fall-sprints​

902 and Up Fall Sprint Rover Rack for the Contest with Loopers