[Elecraft] VHF/UHF coverage

[Edward R. Cole]

Jim,

Adding VHF+ frequencies to a HF/6m radio has nearly always been some 
kind of transverter.  Afterall most modern receivers (transceivers) 
are based on the superhetrodyne design, which mixes down to a low 
enough IF for proper filtering/detection of the signal.  A 
transceiver is just a single stage of mixing up/down (usually).

Then "all of a sudden" we are making direct-conversions radios, 
again, only they also do conversion to digital and we call them SDR's 
(because filtering, noise reduction, and demodulation is done better 
in the digital world).  I would say the KX3 "IS" that all the way to 
54-MHz? (since I have to guess - not seeing a block diagram).  A the 
present state of the art operating higher in frequency requires 
conversion (mixing) down the base SDR frequency (aka 50-54).  It 
won't be long until direct conversion SDR will operate to 1296 (does 
anyone remember 8-MHz cpu clocks?).

Whether the conversion (transverter) is done inside one case or an 
add-on it still is a transverter.

So all it really takes is the willingness to make one for whatever 
band, be it 144, 222, 432, or ...???

In fact it is really a business decision.  Is there a market?  Is 
there competition?  What is the return on investment (ROI)?
The 220 (and now 222-MHz) band has always been a "orphan band" 
because it is not a world-wide amateur radio allocation.  That means 
the market is smaller (ergo ROI is smaller).

It sort of like that decision we as hams make whether to spend money 
on equipment for a band with little activity!  What it the ROI for 
buying such?  How much fun per buck?

Well, I will say if we based all of our ham decisions totally on ROI, 
we would not have opened up the "upper highs above 200m" a century 
ago.  Someone has to be first, and hope that others will be 
interested in following.

I am just finishing my 222-28 transverter which will connect to the 
two 11-element 220 yagi's I put up in Nov. 2008.  This to talk to 
possibly a half-dozen stations 70-miles away (closest 222 
activity).  That amounts to about $60 per initial QSO (just on the 
transverter cost).  The total ham pop in Alaska is 3800 and over half 
only do HF.  Probably there are several times that in LA, alone!

I would guess Elecraft is forward looking enough that you may 
(eventually) get your wish for adding 222 to the KX3.  Look how quick 
they responded to desire for 144.

(BTW don't even ask me what my ROI is for the $8,000 dish I put up 
for 1296-eme; better one is the one contact on 10-GHz in AK).  In 
fact eme is the "justification" for my spending very much on such 
esoteric bands; I have the whole world to work.

PS:  My understanding is that the power level of the KX3 is 
adjustable down quite low making transverter interface possible.  It 
still might require adding attenuation on transmit.


-----------------------
What the heck, since everyone is making wishes.  Has there been any
consideration of an all-mode 222-MHz option?  That would really make
Elecraft stand out in the field even more.

Yes, I know that they offer an external transverter.  I might consider that
if there is a low-level output to drive it with the KX3.  I have a K2
but not
the 60m/transverter interface.

Oddly, from my research, there is precious little 222 MHz activity in the
greater Los Angeles/Orange County area except during contests, and quite
a bit of that is FM simplex.  Thus, it's an expensive option,
considering the
need for an antenna as well.

73 de Jim - AD6CW



73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45
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BP40IQ   500 KHz - 10-GHz   www.kl7uw.com
EME: 50-1.1kw?, 144-1.4kw, 432-QRT, 1296-?, 3400-?
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