Any microwavers here? I am thinking of having a play.

[Chris Wilson]

I want to make a start with microwaves, but am unsure just *where* to
start. My limitations (apart from financial.... ) are that I will be
installing my antenna mast, a Versatower P60 (60 foot mast), some way from my "shack
room" in our bungalow. This is set in stone, neither I nor my wife
want it in the front garden near the house. So I either try and
operate using an antenna on the mast, about 60 metres at best from the
house, or site something much lower and nearer, on say the chimney of
the bungalow. I sort of understand feeder losses, but don't quite
follow what is involved in running and remotely controlling say 144 or
28 MHz from my transceiver in the house to a transverter in a box at
the base of the mast. No cabling is currently installed, nor is the
mast up yet, so I need to address this before groundworks start.

I need advice on what frequency to start with, I am only interested in
verbal communications, not CW or data, so what band might I be best
starting with? I am at SY13 2BT, in north Shropshire, England UK.

I  have  an  old but really nice Yaesu FT-902DM transceiver which will
run 28 MHz, and a Yaesu FT-2800M 2 metre transceiver that will output
5  watts  on  its lowest setting. I am told that it should not spike a
high output on initial transmit, is there a simple way to test this?

I would have more confidence in my project if i could buy a basic
microwave receiver and convince myself reception from this low lying
place is possible at all, before spending a lot on a permanent aerial
installation and a means of transmitting.Can anyone recommend a
suitable receiver and basic aerial to test this out with?

Thanks.

[vk6zgo]

Chris,I think hams are a bit thin on the ground here.
I would suggest joining QRZ.com,or maybe VK Logger,but obviously there must be a major Amateur Radio site in the UK.
After all,there are a lot of hams in the"Old Dart".
 PS:I found one!

http://www.aruk.org.uk/
                         

[deephaven]

http://www.rsgbshop.org/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Microwave_11.html

[siliconmix]

where did that saying come from "Old Dart"

[G7PSK]

"8 mhz is short wave and 144 is 2 meter band that's VHF if you want microwave you are talking about 1.2 Ghz in the uk for amateur use. If you want to play with micro wave I have some transmitters and receivers that fell of the back of a military airfield. 

[sonicj]

you definitely don't need a 60' tower to play...

search "attic dipole", "inverted vee" & "random longwire antenna"
-wd4awb

[steve_w]

Dartmoor prison?

[deephaven]

you definitely don't need a 60' tower to play...

search "attic dipole", "inverted vee" & "random longwire antenna"
-wd4awb

Those aerials are ok for short waves but a 60' tower definitely helps working at microwaves frequencies!