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23cm - simpler than you think
Most amateurs lack the equipment for 23cm or the 1296 MHz bands. Most commercially made amateur gear only goes up to 70cm and amateur activity at higher frequencies can be limited.
Still devotees of the band are an enthusiastic lot willing to help newcomers. And if you've got hills, lakes or beaches nearby you can span some amazing distances with milliwatts.
These videos document my receiving and transmitting activities on the 23cm band with a minimum of equipment.
Progress starts with receiving. Having a 24 hour 23cm beacon helps. When your equipment and antenns are limited you do initial tests near the beacon where its signal is strong. Then
as these improve you can try more distant locations. Being able to hear the beacon near home is a big help in refining your receiving setup.
Having proved you can receive 23cm activity the next step is to try a crossband contact (you listening on 23cm and transmitting on 2m or 70cm). That gives a further indication of your
receiving capability. Your understanding of propagation will also improve. Even if locations are not line of sight you may be able to bounce signals off mountains or city buildings.
The next step is some form of transmitting capability. I went for a passive diode frequency tripler connected to a 70cm FM handheld transceiver. This will enable FM and even CW capability.
As your deviation will be tripled you should set your 70cm transceiver up to transmit a low deviation or just talk quietly and further from the microphone.
As you will see in the videos even this rudimentary setup can give good contacts.
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Books by VK3YE
Ham Radio Get Started (USA)Australian Ham Radio Handbook (Aust) More Hand-carried QRP Antennas 99 things you can do with Amateur Radio Getting back into Amateur Radio Illustrated International Ham Radio Dictionary Make your Passion Pay (ebook writing)
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