N.E.W.S. Group VHF-SHF club July 10 PICNIC:
Knights of Columbus pavilion, Enfield, CT (20 mi N of Hartford)
featuring:
BARBECUE - 11:30am to 1:30pm grilled Dogs and Burgers etc.
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The President’s Corner:
Hello NEWS members
The annual NEWS picnic will have a new twist.
In addition to the MDS testing of 10 and 24 GHz
equipment, we will have a clinic on the lower
microwave bands to include antenna testing on
a detailed level. Not only will antennas be tested
for gain if you so desire, but we will also do a
more individual test to account for interaction
between antennas, VSWR of systems, isolation
between bands etc. We hope to cover 900 thru
5760 MHz. The goal is to provide a tweaking
service for rovers, as well as a test bed for fixed
station antenna performance.
The test system will be centered around an
HP 8753D vector network analyzer with capabil-
ity to 6 GHz. In tandem with the 8753D will be a
laser printer to provide a printed record of the
test results. Fred, N1DPM and I will provide the
gear and help you to unravel any potential prob-
lems in your lower microwave setup. We will
bring antennas for each band as well as cabling
and such to make a variety of measurements
during the picnic. This is not a gain competition.
In fact we will not be setting up a highly accurate
antenna range, but concentrating on providing
resources for solving individual problems in
rover gear or microwave antennas themselves.
A swap shop of sorts is also planned, so bring
any goodies you are inclined to trade off. We will
set aside an area to display your junk
aka treasures!
All this promises to be a fun experience and a
profitable exercise to evaluate your microwave
systems. In short, a perfect geek holiday! I hope
to see many of you at the annual picnic.
73, Dave K1WHS


Weather forecast prediction is for a sunny, warm upper 80's day.
This is a good time to show off your latest project, socialize,
and informal tailgate swapping and selling is encouraged as well.
You don't have to be a member to attend although we may try to
sign you up if you're not (like we did to K1PXE and WA2LTM last year).
Anyway we must be doing something right because no-one's ever complained.
The bulk of our activities usually run from noon til about 4pm.
See our July NEWSLetter.

N.E.W.S. MDS and ERP Testing

At the annual N.E.W.S. picnic, we will do MDS (Minimum Discernable Signal)
and ERP testing on 10 GHz and 24 GHz.
To test for MDS, we set up a distant signal source. After everyone has
a chance to peak up on the signal, the signal level is reduced one dB
at a time - when you can no longer hear it, then you have found the MDS
for your system. You decide how well it works, and whether you can hear
as well as Don and Dale. As a doublecheck, the frequency is moved a
few KHz, then the signal level is increased one dB at a time. If you
weren't kidding yourself, you should be able to find it at the same
level as before. Usually, it takes a few more dB to find a signal.

Finally, we also check relative ERP, transmitting one at a time and
recording the relative power received at the distant point.

Results in 2005 were pretty good, with 22 participants on 10 GHz
and 5 on 24 GHz, plus a couple of higher frequency stations for show.
This isn't a competition, just a chance to check out the gear with
friends around to help. Most folks had 10 GHz stations that worked
pretty well, while a few found problems to fix before the 10 GHz & Up
contest in August. Not only do we know our equipment works, but also
that there will be some other good stations to work.

I-91 exit 48 onto Rt 220 East (Elm St). 
Bear left at fork onto Shaker Rd. 
At 9th traffic light from exit 48, 
turn left onto Washington Rd., K of C 1 mile on left.
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Lost going that way? Try this: 
I-91 exit 49, go south on Enfield St Rt.5
Drive 1/2 mile, take a left on Brainard Rd. 
Drive 2 miles, take right on George Washington Rd. 
K of C picnic area will be on the right.