[Elecraft] K2 & 6m transverters

Tue Jun 25 08:55:01 2002

Hi

I have built both the TenTec and DEM transverters. They both work very we=
ll with the K2. The TenTec is easier to build, has a very good manual and=
 it is very easy to connect to the K2. Just one cable. It has built RF se=
nsing and fast diode T/R switching. It has a front panel antenna switch s=
o it is easy to switch from HF to 6 Meters. The TenTec is not quite as go=
od on power out (6-8 watts) and dynamic range on receive. =20

The DEM will output about 20 watts but is a difficult kit to build. The m=
anual is not very good and there are some surface mount parts to deal wit=
h. There is very little troubleshooting information and the one I built h=
ad the band pass filters prebuilt and aligned on the board from DEM. The =
only problem the manual said not to adjust the filters as they were preal=
igned, but they were not even close. I could only get about 1 watt out un=
til I went through the alignment, then all was well 20+ watts out. It alw=
ays bothers me when a manual tells me not to adjust something because its=
 factory aligned. Even if it is prealigned I want to know how to do the a=
djustment. Anyway if you can get through the build, the DEM is most likel=
y the best transverter on the market. It has relay T/R switching that req=
uires the K2 to provide the switchover signal. If I were building a DEM f=
or myself I would toss out the case and build it in a EC2 or better yet t=
he soon to come EC1.5. This is the case the 100 watt tuner will be in. It=
s a 1/2 high EC2. I think Elecraft is planning to sell it in a blank form=
 like the EC2. It should be possible to mount 2 DEM transverters in the c=
ase maybe a 6 and 2 meter.

If you want try 6 meters and want to build an easy kit with good performa=
nce and easy connection to the K2 then I would go with the TenTec. If you=
 want super performance and don't mind a little more work in the building=
 and a little more difficult interfacing to the K2 then go with DEM. As a=
lways JMHO.

Don Brown
KD5NDB
----- Original Message -----
From: Trevor Day
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2002 4:13 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Elecraft] K2 & 6m transverters

Hi All,
For the past 12 years or so I have been using a homebrew 6m transverter,
of fairly basic design along with a TS430S for 6m which is my main
interest.  Now I have my K2 I would like to update the 6m station by
using the K2 along with a new transverter (preferably kit built).

The only kit with any pedigree that I am aware of is that from Down East
Microwave but, before I commit myself, does anyone have any alternatives
that I should consider?  Additionally, (and this is the lazy bit because
I could probably find it myself) should I be ordering the external amp
kit to assist in switching the transverter, or indeed anything else?  I
plan to build the transverter in an EC2 case.

Any comments welcome,
Tnx and 73
Trev G3ZYY K2 #2637
--
Trevor Day
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