SB SPCL @ ARL $ARLX029
ARLX029 Record set at 3456 MHz
 
ZCZC AX98
QST de W1AW  
Special Bulletin 29  ARLX029
From ARRL Headquarters  
Newington CT  July 13, 1995
To all radio amateurs 
 
SB SPCL ARL ARLX029
ARLX029 Record set at 3456 MHz
 
Extraordinary conditions for tropospheric propagation in the US
Midwest have resulted in a new overland record on the amateur 3456
MHz band.
 
At 1224 UTC on July 12, Al Ward, WB5LUA, in Allen, Texas, worked
Gary Morhlant, WA0BWE, in Maplewood, Minnesota, a distance of 841
miles.  The previous record of 736 miles was set on May 1, 1992,
between WB5LUA and W9ZIH, in Malta, Illinois.
 
As is often the case, this record-breaking activity began lower in
frequency, with an initial contact between WB5LUA and WA0BWE on 432
MHz, with signals ''59'' both ways, according to Ward.  An equipment
problem forced them to skip 1296 MHz (where the overland record is
1287 miles).
 
2304 MHz came next, and the first Texas-Minnesota 2304 MHz QSO
(where the record is 940 miles).   Contact was then ''easily
established'' on 3456 MHz.  WA0BWE was running about 5 watts;  WB5LUA
was running 100 watts to a 5-ft dish at 65 feet.
 
On July 13, excellent tropospheric propagation continued in the
midwest, with perhaps more distance records to come as a result.
Thanks to WB5LUA for prompt reporting of these developments.
NNNN
/EX