I was fortunate to travel to Dayton OH last weekend to attend Microwave Update 2018. I’ve been tinkering with microwave gear for a few years now, and this was my first time attending a microwave conference. It was inspiring to meet so many of the leading amateurs in this field, whose articles and projects provide so much critical information and know-how.
Highlights for me included:
- Brian Justin WA1ZMS talking about extending test equipment with mmWave mixers, including how to possibly repair them.
- Jeff Kruse WA3ZKR describing how he designed and built a DSN ground station (with a 2KW uplink and a cryogenic LNA).
- Barry Malowanchuk VE4MA talking about his 47 and 78 GHz systems.
- Paul Wade W1GHZ showing how he’s been building waveguides and horns for 47 GHz, utilizing machining resources at a maker space.
- Tom Williams WA1MBA describing his work on a mmWave multiplier with output around 47 GHz, with some of the hardware being made available as a kit (soon). This is to foster use of the 47 GHz band, which is under threat.
I’m now very keen to explore the world above 10 GHz. Stay tuned… 🙂
A PDF of the proceedings can be downloaded here, and photos of the event have been published on facebook.