10 GHz - Reducing the Uncertainty Factors for Microwave QSOs

There are many factors that tend to introduce uncertainty when attempting QSOs on the microwave bands. Some of these include:

• Precise aiming (Azimuth and Elevation) of your highly directional antennas.
• Precise control of your transmit frequency.
• Precise control of your receive frequency.
• Finding very weak signals whose frequencies are are drifting up and down the band.
• Determining your relative transmit power at the antenna output.
• Determining your relative MDS (Minimum Discernible Signal) at the antenna input.
• Providing a 50 ohm reference noise source for comparative noise measurements.

These uncertainty factors are especially difficult to solve for tower mounted microwave systems which require remote control/monitoring of their status and performance. 
This is the topic of an Aurora/2012 presentation. Click here.


Aiming requirements differ depending on your station type, mode of operation, propagation conditions and station mobility.

• Roving stations have difficulty with accurate azimuth bearings as their frame of reference changes every time they move to a new location.
• Fixed and roving stations are challenged when propagation conditions alter the calculated bearing (Maidenhead based) for best signals (e.g., rain scatter, airline scatter, etc.).

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