[Elecraft] DEM Transverters

[Neill Taylor]

"Don Brown" <DolfinDon@msn.com> wrote:
>I am sending the 2 meter kit back to the owner and recommending he send it 
>back to DEM and buy a TenTec 2 meter transverter or find someone else to 
>build it. I have built both a 6 meter and 2 meter TenTec transverter and 
>in my opinion they are better designed and easier to build and work on and 
>work better with the K2. At least they have a well written manual.

As I posted to the list last week, I have recently completed the Down East 
Microwaves transverter for 2m for use with my K2.  The performance is 
superb, and coupled with the excellence of the K2 receiver, it is certainly 
the best 144 MHz RX I have ever used in contest conditions (which in the UK 
means many very strong signals to contend with).  And I have used quite a 
few others over my 30 years of VHF contesting.

No, the kit is not a beginners project (but nor is the K2, I would 
say).  The DEM manual is not up to the high standard set by Elecraft, but 
is perfectly adequate and a whole lot better than many others I have 
used.  The surface mount components were a particular challenge, but I did 
get them all mounted in a single evening and didn't need to use the extra 
spare R's and C's that had thoughtfully been provided.  The PC board is not 
screen-printed but is nicely made, with plated-through holes and all 
components fit well.

I've seen the Ten-Tec kits, and sure, they are more straightforward, with a 
manual that leads you through step-by-step, if that's what you need.  And I 
am particularly impressed with the Tx/Rx switching of the Ten-Tec 
transverter (it's the 6m one that I've seen).

But I reckon that the performance of the DEM receiver is hard to beat, and 
it was definitely worth the effort to build it.

Neill
G4HLX
K2 #2425