EME "Go Work Yourself"

As you may know or not know I am a Ham Radio Operator. I have did or at least tried about everything that the hobby has to offer. EME (earth moon earth) is the hardest contact to make. I have contacted more than sixty stations throughout the world that encludes stations on all continents (WAC). Here is a video that will describe some of the high points of a EME station....... Jack WB9OTX
See my EME logbook   See my EME antennas

EME "Go Work Yourself"
Pete N8PR dropped by our booth in Orlando to tell us a story, and we roped him into talking about one of this passions - EME (Earth-Moon-Earth). With new software and techniques, you don't need that monster station anymore. But you'll need more than an HT. Somewhere in between....

A few words over morning coffee

After a long break from this blog I am back posting a few listings. Just a little time killing as I have my morning coffee.

All good things must come to an end. Yesterday Saturday May 12th W8KT Bob travailed a great distance to help disassemble my EME (moon bounce) antenna system. After two hours of hard work Bob pulled out of my driveway on his way home to his new EME adventure. I hope he can enjoy the great fun that I experienced making contacts via the moon.

Also yesterday I taught a traffic handling class to ARES members local and surrounding counties. The class went very well and I'm sure we (including myself) all learned a few things. It was fun.

A great and memorable day

After more hard work a friend and I added two more 15 element antennas and an "H" frame to my EME (moon bounce) array. This morning was my first chance to be on the air with the new antennas. Twelve stations were contacted in Europe, Asia, & Africa believe it or not I even had a pile-up with three stations calling at the same time. The photo shows what a big antenna it takes to transmit and receive signals reflected from the moon, about 480,000 average miles round trip..... Jack WB9OTX
See my EME Logbook

Ham Radio via the moon

I have peaked a lot of interest with my latest contacts via the moon. Other local Hams want to try EME (Earth Moon Earth) and want information on how to set up a station. I as a novice can give a few pointers, but by no means am I an expert. If you read some of the articles posted to the internet it would seem fairly easy. I speak from my trials, "it is not easy". Contacts have been made using a single antenna and a power of 50 watts, but this is a rare thing. I think the bare minimum you should shoot for is two high gain antennas phased together either with an expensive power divider or phasing lines. An elevation and azmath rotor, as short of a run of coax or hardline (7/8 inch) LMR 400 can be used if the run is short. Also you need at least 300 watts of power and a very sensitive SSB 2 meter receiver. Not a must but very helpful, a mast mounted pre-amp. With this minimum set up you will with good conditions be able to make a few contacts. You may try for days without any contacts, but you can work the very large stations (big guns) in time. I have been very lucky, I have worked 8 stations in 2 weeks. I think this is very good but I have exhausted hours of time accomplishing these 8 contacts. Prepare to miss meals, appointments, and sleep. Be warned it is habit forming and expensive. But the greatest thrill will be seeing your call sign coming back via the moon on the computer screen. I am now in the process of adding 2 more antennas mounted on an "H" frame hoping for a better chance of making more contacts..... Jack WB9OTX EM79ib

WB9OTX Makes Moon Bounce Contact

11:50 EDT (15:50Z) July 3, 2011
Today at about noon I worked my first moon bounce EME station. It was UA3PTW located in European Soviet Union. All the expense, problems, work, and sweat finally paid off. I have dreamed about this for many years and today it has come to be. This is one of the hardest contacts to make in Ham Radio and also the longest distance. It is 240,000 average miles to the moon and another 240,000 miles return. It takes 2 1/2 seconds for the signal's round trip. I have a very modest station consisting of two 15 element Yagi antennas and the power of 300 watts. A big thanks to my wife Betty for reheating all the meals that I have missed trying for this contact........... Jack Demaree WB9OTX

*** Update ..... I have now contacted Spain, Italy and the USA. I am adding 2 more antennas on a "H" frame, 7/8 inch hard line, and a quad input power divider as soon as all the parts come in. Look out moon !