[NLRS] The road to 10 GHz

[Jon Platt]

OK, here is a short summary of the email replies that I received =
regarding various ways to get on 10 GHz narrowband.

DownEast Transverter:   Specs are 10 mW output with a receiver NF of < 2 =
dB for a cost of $395.   For $50 more you get the SMA t/r relay and the =
appropriate t/r relay driver hardware.  This same product is available =
in kit form, but I noticed that the specs are derated to 5 mW output =
with a < 4 dB NF for the receiver.  Kit price is $275 and the SMA t/r =
relay option is not available.  Ed, MNK, has reported that he has built =
two of these kits.   He reported that soldering the pipecaps was easy by =
using a hotplate.  He thought the harder part was peaking all the =
filters and "the large number of SMT components".  His summary is that =
the cost savings is not worth the effort although he did learn about =
what does & does not work at 10 GHz.   DownEast also offers a 2 watt =
power amp for $350.

DB6NT Transverter:   The "new" MKU 10 G2 10 GHz transverter offers a 1.2 =
dB NF with 200 mW output.   You need to do your own t/r switching.  The =
price from SSB Electronics is $580.   The same product & specs is =
available in kit form for $385.  Matt, KF0Q, is working on the kit =
version and reports that the board doesn't fit in the "tin box" without =
trimming and that getting the board soldered to the sides of the box has =
been difficult.   Matt reports that there is "much less to do than a =
typical DEM unit" on the plus side.  Also, only a DVM is required for =
test equipment, but access to a microwave power meter is helpful.   Matt =
indicates that the DB6NT instructions could be better.   On the plus =
side the unit is very compact and simple (about 2"x7"x1").   Matts work =
is still a work in progress.   Marc, N8KWX, has also built this kit =
(about a year and a half ago).  On the up side, Marc notes the great NF =
(1.0 dB), its relatively stable, and 200 mW's output (using a FT817 IF =
rig and a 18 dB horn he has worked 90 miles to Bob, K2YAZ).   The 200 =
mW's output is a good power level to get started with as its 13 dB over =
10 mW while only 7 dB under one watt (a Qualcomm PA could be added =
later).  Marcs thoughts is that the DB6NT transverter may be easier to =
build than the DEM, but that you should be an experience kit builder.   =
SSB Electronics does offer a DB6NT 1w and a 2w PA for $340 and $470 =
respectively.

Qualcomm:   Chuck, WB6IGP offers a "kit" (my term) based around a =
Qualcomm unit (commercial equipment) that is modified by you, the kit =
owner, following the established instructions.  You need to check out =
the San Diego Microwave Society web site at =
http://www.ham-radio.com/sbms/sd/ to find the technical papers on this =
modification (which includes some excellent pictures of the =
modifications that are need to make the Qualcomm stuff work on 10368).   =
What is offered is what they call the lamb chop board that provides =
about 10 mW output after the mod for $100.  In addition, the lamb chop =
board requires a 10 MHz TCXO which you can purchase from Chuck for $10, =
so, for $110, plus some work at the bench, should provide you with a =
quality 10 Ghz transverter (for $110).  A 1w PA is also sold for $55 =
that also require modifications.   If you are interested, my suggestion =
is to check out their website.   Jon, K0FQA, has recently purchased this =
kit and plans to do the needed modifications this winter.  =20

Hope this summary was helpful.  Thanks to Matt, Marc, Ed, Jon, and =
others that I may have missed for responding to my original email on =
this topic.

73, Jon
W0ZQ.


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