Amateur Microwave It's easier than you think 2024

This is the 2024 update of "Amateur Microwave It's easier than you think"
Since the first edition of this video, Icom has released the IC-905 SHF transceiver. This has added a level of simplicity for those keen to get on the higher bands. It's now included in this video along with new portable operations.
Microwaves are the highest frequency radio bands in Amature Radio. It's the final frontier for many amateur radio operators offering unique challenges with big rewards. This video was made to inspire and encourage the use of these bands. The demands on the spectrum around the world from commercial users have never been so great. If we want to keep these bands, we have to use them.
Learn more at bit.ly/3UHXDFh
00:00 | Introduction
01:19 | Icom's IC-905
03:25 | Electromagnetic Energy
04:02 | Microwave Spectrum
04:26 | Foundation Licence
05:39 | Standard Licence
06:10 | Advanced Licence - 10GHz over 150km example
08:03 | Microwave Spectrum in Australia
08:38 | Resources - Websites, Social Media and Magazines
09:02 | Dubus
10:40 | Radio Clubs and Contests - EMDRC / Brisbane VHF Group
10:37 | MADs
11:10 | Equipment needed and where to get it.
12:32 | IF Radios - FT-818 / IC-705
14:05 | Transverters - SG Laboratory / Kuhne
15:10 | Antennas including PCB test
17:09 | 23cm equipment
18:04 | 13cm equipment
19:04 | 9cm equipment
20:48 | 6cm equipment
21:57 | 3cm equipment
24:13 | mmWave
25:15 | Where and how to buy a 13cm transverter

[@ralphparkhurst]

Wow, what an incredible KZbin video showcasing the Australian amateur radio microwave scene! The production values are truly outstanding, capturing the essence and excitement of this niche community with stunning clarity and professionalism. From the crisp visuals to the immersive sound, every aspect of this video speaks volumes about the dedication and passion of both Andrew VK3FS and participants showcased in the Australian amateur radio microwave scene. The attention to detail and the commitment to excellence shine through in every frame, making it a truly captivating experience. Kudos to you, Andrew, for your outstanding work in bringing this captivating story to life. This is the kind of content that not only entertains but also educates, inspires (and recruits!), leaving viewers with a newfound appreciation for the wonders of microwave radio. Truly exceptional!

[@nikpresservk3ba779]

All he needs now is a Roving Ralph... 🙂

[@VK3FS]

Thanks Ralph. Cheques in the mail 😆

[@nikpresservk3ba779]

If this doesn't get your juices going, nothing will 🙂

[@VK3FS]

😆😂

[@nikpresservk3ba779]

Gold Gold Gold !!!! 🙂 Well done Andrew!

[@jim671671]

I still don't even have my F call yet, but mate you've got me keen as mustard! Great video, cheers from QF32

[@vk3xe]

What a well produced video and well aimed at someone who is comfy on HF but had little idea about microwave

[@VK3FS]

Thanks Alan, see you on the higher bands 😉

[@VK2AAK]

This is an excellent production. Many thanks! :) I will be sending this out to all our club members.

[@VK3FS]

Thanks Andy. 😊 I hope you can get the locals fired up.

[@VK2AAK]

@VK3FS I have gear for 23cm, 13cm and 3cm. I'm on the NSW mid north coast and I've canvassed the clubs to my north with zero response. I'm now trying the clubs to my south. I'm happy to drive somewhere and set up the gear to have a QSO ... but so far I can't find a playmate! :)

[@VK3FS]

Hi Andy, If you haven't already, join VK-Microwave on groups.io. With 194 members there must surely be someone near you. I'm sure I've see activity in your area on this email group in the past.

[@VK2AAK]

@@VK3FS I was in Australia Amateur Radio Microwave Group but have now joined (or applied for) VK Microwave Users Group. Cheers :)

[@ManuelPinner]

I have a ICOM ID52A, Going to get a IC 905, Waiting for the Third Batch of Units to come out,

[@christophef1jky112]

Nice presentation.

[@VK3FS]

Thanks!

[@christurner68]

Fantastic video, definitely inspiring and informative. Even though I’m foundation this video has encouraged me to me to go to the next level. 👍

[@VK3FS]

Do it Chris, once you've upgraded - it's done. The spectrum is your oyster. Sing out if you need a hand. If you're local, come and experience this aspect of the hobby with us locals first hand.

[@christurner68]

@@VK3FS I’m NSW, Vic and QLD seem to be on top of all this, my local radio club does not do much at all except to have coffees and committee meetings on a Saturday morning. I have a IC-705 and interested in getting the SG lab gear to start. Again, thank you for your video, very informative. And willing to come down to vic when you guys are having a field day or just and about do your normal ops.👍

[@VK3FS]

Hi Chris, yes you've described quite a few radio clubs. I'm part of the NERG which fortunately has a heathy microwave community. Is there another amateur you know keen to get active in these bands? It really makes a difference when you have others to work with. It may pay to sign up to VK-Microwave on groups.io You can always put out a message to see if there's anyone active in your area. It currently has 194 members.

[@markstephan636]

Fantastic presentation.

[@VK3FS]

Many thanks!

[@KevinW8BRY]

Amazing video, Andrew. I owe my microwave journey to your videos. I'm on 1.2, 2.4, and 10ghz because of these videos. Thanks for the great overview and encouragement to others.

[@VK3FS]

Thanks Kevin. My work here is done. 😉 I'm chuffed that I've helped you made the move to the higher bands. If you don't mind I'd love to see some pics of your journey and what you've made. Maybe I can use them in a future video? Connect with me through my website and we can chat on email.

[@KevinW8BRY]

@@VK3FS will do. Thank you!

[@ernietech-101]

Excellent video!👍

[@2321brendan]

Nice vid Bloke. Ive been an inactive F call for 13 years. This may give me the kick up the backside to upgrade at least to standard. Minikits seems to make some good gear . I have my sights on an ic705 soon. Then the upgrade will happen . Just need to find a local test location. Brendan VK2QRM

[@VK3FS]

Hi Brendan, Great to hear you may have found he bug again. Good Luck with the upgrade. -A.

[@vk4uh96]

True excellence Andrew, a very inspiring production VK4UH

[@VK3FS]

Thanks Kevin 😊

[@vermontcreekbed]

👍👍👍 Another great video Andrew,

[@VK3FS]

Thanks Jack. Must get some ER FD footage next time!

[@VK8DNTOutbakRadio-tw5io]

Great Video Andrew

[@VK3FS]

Thanks!

[@jano3681]

I think we need more satellites which allow microwaves. Here in Poland I have access to QO100 -2.4GHz uplink, 10GHz downlink. I've build complete staff by mysleve and I'm really happy of that. I get also Khune 10GHz transverter but hard to find other crazy ppl around me to do 3cm band QSO... Again, satellites will bring more microwave users...

[@JosephVE3GKT]

I would like to say that as a ham under 30, I'd love to get on microwaves *if* I can get gear that's good value for money - I.e. something that covers a bunch of bands, even for a performance compromise. There's not much on the entry-level end of the price spectrum. Several hundred dollars to get on one band, plus the absolute headache of making a multiband system, isn't approachable to any except the most technically adept of us. But you can get on every HF band for about $1000 with some very good tech - the FT-891 for instance - or for a lot less with used gear. You can get on repeaters with a Baofeng for $20. How can microwave possibly compete? My $0.02: microwave needs its Baofeng. No, not the harmonics of a UV-5r 😂, but the functional equivalent for the microwave bands - a cheap entry. You can cover all the bands up to 5.7 GHz using a Langstone Project transceiver (I happen to have everything except the actual SDR), but there's no easy way to filter the output. If someone made a $100-$200 add-on board for the Langstone, with multiband input and output filtering, some nominal power output of at least, say, 50 or 100 mW on every band, with a common output for a log periodic to start, and individual band outputs for amps down the road, I am sure it would be very popular, and it would serve as that "Baofeng of Microwave". Another problem to consider is how we as a community might use the massive bandwidth we have available on microwave bands. Narrow bandwidth modes are great, but the approachability of wide bandwidth gear is important too. Just my $0.02 CAD! 73 VE3GKT

[@VK3FS]

You make some valid points Joseph. HF and SHF are a little different. Not much in common except an IF frequency. A transverter and an IF radio can be done for under $1K but that's just one band.

[@MidlifeRenaissanceMan]

I’ve been thinking around this low cost microwave challenge for some time now. The microwave in a box IC905 will set you back a small used car or between 14 to 18 AU falcons. And while it packs an incredible amount of technology value into its bits, it’s a significant outlay for those who can’t afford a fleet of AU Falcons (still, one can always dream) There is a plethora of 2.4Ghz and 5GHz wifi technology out there and some half watt hardware for not a lot of money. It’s an area where someone / some group of smart people manage to put something together that just works well enough for a hundo or two outlay that the B callsign countrymen will make knock offs of and sell them on Ali Express for AUD$38.64 (less with coins) without any credit to the original geniii who came up with the setup in the first place. A Pixie, with a couple of tweaks will get you a QSO in a neighbouring state for under $10. Is there a 2.4GHz equivalent?? Peter Parker found some 2.4GHz walkie talkies for not a lot of money. They use some sort of digital encoding. I have a couple of wireless guitar adapters from Ali Express. I spent $18ish ( plus coins) for one pair and $38 for a different style in a nicer box. Both are crap as a wireless guitar unit, but they work well enough for noodling around the kitchen while I cook. We are not that far off the Beofeng UV5R for microwave, with or without the spurious emissions. A plug in transverter to a firmware flashed Quangshang might be a place to look. Dudes have got those picking up 30cm sigs. Output is in the mW for out of band operation. We live in the new golden age of ham home brewing And there is always the spark gap equivalent of Microwave oven Moon Bounce for those who want to live dangerously. _has anyone done that ?? CW keyed a magnatron pointed at a good size dish pointed at the moon ???_

[@MidlifeRenaissanceMan]

Wow. If you mention _B callsign countrymen_ as a word beginning with C, YT nukes your comment