Project Moonbounce
< CCCamp2011
< MetaFunk
Language: | English • Deutsch |
---|
Radio communication over a distance of at least 2 light-seconds using the Moon as reflector.
Anyone interested in actually talking to him/herself? We can do that - you're welcome.
About Project Moonbounce
Project Moonbounce's aim is to provide the visitors of 2011's Chaos Communication Camp some interesting insights into amateur radio in general and into one of its most spectacular varieties in particular. Earth-Moon-Earth (EME, Moonbounce) radio communication directly on the campsite and for everyone's amazement. Since the camp's language is mostly English due to the very international audience, this site is as well.
Project Moonbounce is part of Metalab's Leiwandville 3.0 and provided by the people of MetaFunk in cooperation with amateur radio operators from the CCC (Chaoswelle) and from all over the world!
This site is used for organizational purposes. Pse add all infos/thoughts/help offers/donations and whatever you think might help us to reach our goal!
Facts
- We will work in the 2m band (≈144MHz) using 2 long Yagi antennas and a high power amplifier.
- Togehter with the Chaoswelle we will also be partaking in all other hamradio activities on the camp.
Organization
- Who:
- OE4DNS, Andi
- OE1RFC, Clemens
- YOU!!
Setup
Equipment
Active Components (radios etc.)
Part | Who | How | Transportation | Cost [€] | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Antennas / two long 2m (EME)-Yagis | OE1RFC | buy used or new | tbd | 100 - 400 | ordered (OE4DNS) |
Kuhne 2m EME LNA MKU LNA 144 A | OE1RFC | get new one | small piece | 224,00 + heat sink | ✓ |
Transceiver | ?,? | IC7000 from OE1RFC at worst | tbd | ? | ✓ |
Passive Components (cables etc.)
Part | Who | How | Transportation | Cost [€] | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
coaxial power splitter | ?,? | ? | tbd | ~60 (Wimo) | ordered (OE4DNS) |
Kuhne SEQ2 sequencer | OE1RFC | ? | - | ✓ | |
coaxial relay, 2kW PEP, >70-80dB isolation | OE1RFC | ? | tbd | ? | ordered (OE1RFC) |
coaxial relay PA/LNA switching for TRX | ?,? | ? | tbd | ? (cheap) | |
Low Loss Coax + N connectors | OE1RFC | ? | ? | - | ✓ |
High Power Dummyload | ?,? | ? | tbd | ? | |
High Power SWR-Meter | ?,? | ? | tbd | ? |
Mechanical Components
Part | Who | How | Transportation | Cost [€] | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
vertical(4-6m?) / horizontal(~3.5m?) mast | OE4DNS, Andi | steel tubes exist | Since I don't transport the Phone cell, there is space for a mast. Zem | - | ✓ |
Erdanker | OE4DNS | existing | ? | - | ✓ |
steel cable | OE4DNS | existing | ? | - | ✓ |
elevation rotator | OE1RFC | Kenpro KR-500 (similar to Yaesu G500) | medium size | 0 | ✓ |
azimuth rotator | OE3ATC | Hy-Gain ??? | medium size | 0 | ✓ |
Thrust bearing (Oberlager) + Rotator platform | OE1RFC | if we need one, depends on setup | small | ? | ordered (OE1RFC) |
Misc
Part | Who | How | Transportation | Cost [€] | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
halogen spotlight for nightly repair work | 1 from OE1RFC, several from OE4DNS | we have it | we takes it | zero | ✓ |
crime scene tape ("Achtung Hochspannung") | ? | ? | ? | TODO | |
green laser (for rotator calibration) | ? | ? | ? | - |
Testing
After collecting all equipment a testing setup will be created to check if all components are working, if nothing is missing and if we can improve our setup.
Clemens suggests Stadtflucht4 (roughly 1 month ahead and 2 weeks after Ham Radio)
Transportation
At least one truck and one big van with trailer.
-> see ORGA Leiwandville 3.0
Deployment
_ __\-o\-\-\-\-\ /. \ / / | O | [LNA]-[R]---O # \ o_ / | | \ /| | | \-o-|\-\-\-\-\ | | | | | |- | | || | | || | | || ___/ | || ____ _____ / | |# | PC | | TRX |o-----[R]--[PA]---+ | |____|-|_____| ____/ \____ (cc-by-sa oe1rfc, oe4dns)
Working the Moon
Call sign
There will be a special event callsign for the camp that we can use. An alternative would be using home-call signs with DL prefix.
Software/Setup
WSJT v7 using JT65B
Conds - Space-Weather/Moon constellation
- Moon is full which does not really matter but looks nice :-)
- Earth-Moon distance: 395000 km - could be closer but we're not going to change that.
- Path in the sky at Finowfurt...
How it worked
We were very successful in producing a readeable signal that was heard from many stations on the northern hemisphere. Unfortunately and most likely due to heavy QRM at the campsite we were not able to complete a full two-way QSO. We did hear and decode some signals tough.
There is a chat-log from the chris.org JT65 EME chat. Here is a Copy to read.