I've started to enjoy ham radio microwave activities. The 50 MHz and Up Group in the SF Bay Area is very active and has several members with deep history contributing to amateur radio microwave. Despite the name, most of the activity is actually at 10 GHz and up.

After setting up a 10 GHz rig with an old, used DEMI transverter and a horn, I'm still working on mounting the horn to my used 18“, offset-feed dish. I usually use a Leo Bodnar GSPDO for the 10 MHz reference. While using the rig, I've developed some interest in references and LOs. Also, I'm very slowly accumulating the components for a homebrew rig.

I discovered the Oscilloquartz 8663's on Ebay and Paul Versteeg's blog describing a project around the 8663. I created one and it works great.

I've invested in a https://www.tinydevices.org/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=TinyPFA.HomepagetinyPFA. That helped me work on the insulation. I've got several measurements that are worth posting and reviewing. We'll save that for another post.