Ray James GM4CXM came through from Bearsden to present a very comprehensive

and well-illustrated Powerpoint lecture, "A Beginner's Guide to DXing and Contesting

on 70cm and 23cm" on 9th March 2011.

The list of topics which Ray discussed, and the websites provided was:

Transceivers with 70cm and 23cm coverage

Use of Transverters

Antennas

Choice of Coax Cable to minimise losses

Finding Locators:

                http://f6fvy.free.fr/qthLocator/fullScreen.php?locator=io75tw          

Effects of Location and Antenna Height on the transmitted signal:

                http://www.heywhatsthat.com/        

Internet resources for Tropo Lifts, Beacons, and DX Clusters:

                http://www.beaconspot.eu/home.php

Weak Signal reception using Waterfall Displays:

                http://www.weaksignals.com/

Aircraft Reflection Contacts - with examples and aircraft location resources:

                Finding mid-point for aircraft reflection:
                     http://sm7lcb.shacknet.nu/maps/qso_map/sm7lcb_pathmap.htm

                Aircraft Sites:
                      http://planefinder.net/
                      http://www.flightradar24.com/
                      http://www.radarvirtuel.com/

Contesting

Meteor Scatter

Moonbounce, including a QSO with KP4AO at Arecibo

The following are just a few of the many slides shown by Ray: 

Choice of Transceivers available with 70cm & 23cm coverage.

Map showing the small area of reflection (red circle) possible for Aircraft

Reflection QSOs, in this case between Bearsden and the Hague. The

diameter of the circle is determined by the antenna beamwidths as they

overlap at the mid-point between the stations.

 Comparison of Ray's "Peashooter" station and a "Big Gun" for Moonbounce.

The biggest "Big Gun" station in the world - KP4AO at Arecibo, Puerto Rico,

which Ray has successfully contacted.