Intermod (was: RE: [ICOM] Query)

[Adam Farson]

Hi Mac,

You are correct. A 5- or 6-stage varactor-tuned or stripline preselector is
a costly subsystem. 

By using only PMR radios, I have made many compromises:

channelised operation (field-programmable without a PC).

single band (148-174 MHz VHF, 440-470 MHz UHF, but will cover the amateur
band).

no frippery-trumpery, gewgaws, frills or furbelows (bezounds, forsooth!) The
money thus saved went into the front end.

Reduced sensitivity (0.35 uV/20 dBQ) vs. 0.15 uV or better for the ham
units.

But...these rigs are totally intermod-free, even in a congested urban
environment. They also have independently-programmable PL encode and decode,
with "chicken-burst" (tone is cut before carrier drops). The non-microphonic
sripline VCO tank is nice too.

I purchased them new on close-out, so the price level was competitive with
that of ham gear. 

Cheers for now, 73,
Adam VA7OJ/AB4OJ




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