10 GHz and Up Contesting

At the higher microwave frequencies, making successful QSO's generally depends on more than simply having adequate equipment. It almost always requires either a clear line-of-sight path between the two stations, or else that each station have a clear line-of-sight path to a large object at an intermediate location which can act as a reflector of microwave energy (such as downtown skyscrapers, large water towers, etc.) The NLRS crowd has been actively searching out good locations from which to work the bands on 10 GHz and up. The link below will take you to a page where some of the good sites found so far are documented. It also offers links to useful software tools for 10 GHz and up operating, such as computation of bearing and distance, creating a log for the ARRL 10 GHz And Up Cumulative Contest, etc.:

Interested in getting active on the bands from 10 GHz and up? Many of the NLRS locals started by putting together a 10 GHz WBFM (Wide-Band FM) rig, and here are a few links to get you started. Most of us are using narrow-band (SSB, CW, FM) rigs now on 10 GHz, but some of us still use WBFM on 24 GHz.

• SHF Micro, a source of Gunnplexers, other parts, and kits
• Advanced Receiver Research, parts and complete systems
• Down East Microwave, 10 GHz transverters (and more)
• SSB Electronics USA, 10 GHz and 24 GHz transverters (and more)
• VE3SMA WBFM Web Page