As reported to the Australian VHF-UHF Internet e-mail reflector,
on Friday 18 July 1997,
Neil Sandford VK6BHT, portable at Quinns Beach a suburb north of Perth, worked
Walter Howse VK6KZ, portable at Falcon, a suburb of Mandurah, south of Perth,
on 24 GHz over a distance of 102.7 km.
Using SSB, reports each way were 5-4 at 0453 UTC.
It was an over the sea path with both stations about 10 metres above sea level.
This contact exceeded the current Australian
distance record of 85 km held by the same operators.

 Tests from Two Rocks over a longer path were unsuccessful,
although Neil VK6BHT did hear brief snatches of VK6KZ transmissions.

 The following morning, with each operator rising at 5 am local time,
they ventured to Two Rocks and Falcon hoping for better propagation.
At 0037 UTC on 19 July,
contact was established with VK6BHT/p at Two Rocks giving VK6KZ/p
at Falcon a report of 3-1 (later amended to 4-1) whilst VK6KZ/p gave a 3-1 report.
This contact on 24 GHz was also over an ocean path,
the distance of 120.6 km will be the basis of a claim for a new Australian distance record.

 The current world record is 396 km for a two-way contact
and the one-way record about 410 km.

 Gear at both ends of the paths was similar, with DB6NT Mark2 transverters
providing noise figures of about 4 dB and power outputs of about 20 mW.
Dishes of 570 mm diameter with 'penny' feed were used.
Temperatures were 11 degrees and relative humidity 64%,
according to Wally House's report.
Both operators are looking forward to the summer months, he said!

 Wally House VK6KZ is the current WIA Western Australian Division
President and Federal Councillor.

Profile VK6KZ