[Elecraft] [K3] K3, P3E, Transverters (Satellites)

[Lyle Johnson]

> Maybe wait for future K3 VHF/UHF modules?
> Perhaps a KM1 weak signals oriented (CW, SSB) DSP based VHF to
> microwave transceiver? Maybe vaguely similar to Bob W7PUA's DSP-10 2m
> SDR/DSP transceiver. :-)

One of the problems with gear for 900 MHz and higher is that you really 
want the RF deck mounted at the antenna, if possible.  A weatherproof 
transverter, if you will.  Feedlines affordable to most of us have too 
much loss.  AN alternative is to remote a preamp and power amp, and let 
the feedline loss attenuate the Tx output of the shack-based exciter to 
the drive level needed by the power amp at the antenna.

With satellites, you often have a situation where you only want/need a 
Tx or an Rx converter.  L band for satellites in the Amateur Service are 
restricted to 1268-1270 MHz, uplink (transmit) only.  Until now, S-band 
(2.4 GHz) has been downlink (receive) only.  So traditional transverters 
may not be the most cost effective solution.  For VHF/UHF this is not 
the case, where 2m and 70cm are used for both up- and downlink and 
feedline losses are manageable (even if the antennas aren't!).

Another consideration is full duplex operation for satellites, which 
suggests you want different IFs for Tx and Rx.  Finally, you probably 
want VHF IFs for microwave operation for image rejection if nothing else.

73,

Lyle KK7P