New world record set on 47 GHz

On September 19 during the ARRL 10 GHz and Up Cumulative Contest, Frank Bauregger, W6QI, and Gary Lauterbach, AD6FP, claimed a new world distance record on 47 GHz after they completed a contact over a distance of 290 km.

W6QI operated from Shuteye Peak (DM07gi) just south of Yosemite, while AD6FP operated from Frazier Mountain (DM04ms) north of Los Angeles.

Although it was officially still summer, W6QI had to brave 30-degree temperatures and snow while modifying the radio in order to complete the contact. Signal margins were 40 dB on the W6QI end and about 8 dB on the AD6FP end. The contact was completed using a combination of narrowband FM and CW. The two reported weather conditions were quite unusual for September with scattered rain showers in the central California Valley between Shuteye and Frazier.

Source: ARRL Letter - courtesy of The American Radio Relay League

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