[Moon] VK3UM 70cm

[Doug McArthur]

VK3UM 
 DUBUS European Contest (70cm) 15/16 March 2008
Conditions
Sun noise measurements taken at 2300z Saturday 
15/3/08. sfu 65 ..70cm 17.1dB, 23cm 18.9dB  (as 
predicted VK3UM EMECalc) cs/term 6.2dB at +37c 
air temperature. Moon rise 15/03/08 .. Faraday 
was aligned .. slow QSB but at ~10° elevation 
polarity changed to ~45° and stayed that way 
until ~1220z when significant liberation, deep 
fading, and widely swinging polarity made 
conditions quite challenging. Sunday 
16/3/08,  similar conditions to that of previous 
day but considerably less Libration.  Locally, 
while Northern Hemisphere Stations were battling 
with snow, wind and gale force winds, I had 
temperatures of +41c on both days! (if only we 
could share!). This was measurable with my 
cs/termination reading as seen above. (normally ~6.8dB)
Summary. Conditions were good to excellent for 
most of the time at this location. The 45° 
Faraday offset reduced signal levels of course, 
but it probably helped those with fixed 
polarisation. Patience was required to 
combat  the fading but I managed to work single 
and 2 yagi stations without querie (YYY). As an 
aside (for new stations a tip),  please be aware 
that increasing your CW speed is far better than 
slowing it down. Try and duplicate the other 
stations speed is always good practice. I battled 
with a couple of guys during periods of Libration 
where that would have been and advantage from my 
view point. Thanks for their persistence.
Activity
Very good. I was very pleased with the NA turn 
out (compared with previous months) and, although 
the number of stations has diminished 
significantly over recent years, there was plenty 
of activity to keep all quite busy. The operating 
technique and manners was exemplary from what I 
heard in keeping with 70cm tradition. It was a 
‘pleasant’ change to have to work for your QSO’s 
given the Libration, QSB, swinging polarity. 
Everybody was spread out and mutual QRM seemed at 
a minimum, contrary to sometimes happens on 
another  band. I think I worked all available, 
with the exception of WW2R (not a trace Dave) 
and  9H1TX whom I realised after my Moon set. If 
I missed someone please accept my apology as it got pretty hectic at times.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable weekend, most 
fitting to the dedicated memory of our highly 
respected and sadly missed friend,  Jose EA3DXU SK.

15/03/2008 O458 VE6TA 55N 57N, O507 K2UYH 55n 
55N, O513 JA6AHB 55N 55N, O517 KL7M 56N 56N, O528 
NC1I 57N 57N, 0536 WA6PY 53N 54N, O555 W8TXT 55N 
56N, O605 N8CQ 54N 55N, 1025 SM3BYA 54N 54N, 1930 
UA3PTW 55N 56N, 1035 SD3F 55N 56N, 1038 OZ6OL 55N 
56N, 1043 SP6JLW 56N 56N, 1047 SV3AAF 55N 55N, 
1055 RW3PX 54N 44N, 1103 DL5FN 55N 56N, 1112 
DL7APV 56N 56N, 1118 UT2EG 55N 55N, 1130 F3VS 44N 
54N, 1138 JA9BOH 54N 54N, 1142 SV1BTR 56N 57N, 
1145 G3LTF 55N 55N, 1150 DL1YMK 55N 55N, 1158 
SP5CJT 53N 55N, 1209 SM3JQU 53N 55N, 1228 SP7DCS 
53N 55N, 1231 DF3RU 56N 55N, 1239 G4RGK 54N 55N, 
1248 DL9KR 57N 57N, 1337 DK3WG 54N 55N, 1320 
I5CTE 55N  56N, 1342 OH2DG 55N 55N,
16/03/2008 O605 WE2Y 54N 55N, O615 K1RQG 57N 57N, 
1148 OZ4MM 57N 57N, 1212 DG1KJG 53N 54N, 1248 
I1NDP 55N 55N, 1301S53RM 55N 55N, 1330 SM2CEW 55N 
56N, 1341 UA6LGH 55N 56N, 1415 HB9Q 57N 57N, 1426 IK2RTI 55N 56N.
42 random QSO’s  (4200) 39 Multipliers giving a Claimed Total Score of 163800

73 de Doug VK3UM
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