1296MHz Y1986-2005

My activity on 1296 MHz, started in the fall 1986, with an home made transverter, designed by OE9PMJ. It was love at first glance with the new band!
The OE9PMJ was good for the very first taste of the band, but not enough reliable for my portable operation.
However, in late ’80, I took part togheter with my friends IK4MTS (ex IW4BES),IK4IDP (ex IW4APP),IW4BFF, IK4PNJ (ex IW4BTF) to the ARI Trophy, getting the 5th place.
In the 1990 I moved to a more reliable gear, designed by a german ham, and available in kit.
Time goes by, and in the middle 2002, I decided to upgrade my TSVT with the last one released by DB6NT. This one impressed me for the really good quality and reliability.

Today, I’m only set for portable operation, with two different configuration:

• light: 1 dB NF, IC202, M57762 PA, 69 element h.b.

• full: 1dB NF, IC706, 2x3CX100 water cooled PA, 69 element yagi h.b.

Here some picture of my gears:

The “full power” station (but not the antenna of course, HI) has been used in the Medicina’s radio telescope during the Marconi celebrations of the 12 december 2001, performing in a totally reliable way.

When I use the “light” configuration, to hold the small pole with the 69 elements yagi, I’ve built a sort of “kart”, that I can tow behind me with a rope, on the hills.
In the white box I stove all my essential radio gears during the transportation and while in position, the white box, cleaned out from the radios, can accommodates several stones found on place, for a better stability in case of wind. On the other side of the mast support, take place the battery, that with its weight contribute to hold the structure in position and lower the gravity center of the whole assy.

Here some picture of this device and of my YL, Manuela 🙂

And here June 2001 contest from Col Visentin JN66ca

With the station shown above (configuration light), I’ve been 5th on the Alpe Adria 2001 (1st italian), and 2nd on the Italian uwave contest of june 2001.

In the Y2002, I took part to the ARI Trophy, real portable (in spite to those are “portable” just because out of their own home), getting the 2nd place, a great goal for me. Here few pictures of such experience….