[NLRS] DEMI 2304 transverter vs 2400 MHz

[John P. Toscano]

Thank you to all who took the time to reply to my request, and
particularly to Bob (W0AUS) and Donn (WA2VOI) who actually took
some measurements on their 2304 systems at 2400 MHz.

Their results seemed to agree with one another, that there is
a penalty of 11-13 dB in being that far off the design frequency.

I had considered putting a T/R relay right at the antenna, and a
preamp right at the receive side of the relay, then bringing down
separate Tx and Rx coax feeds about 35 feet to the attic of my
garage (the tower is a Glen Martin Engineering rooftop model),
so I might have gain to spare on receive and would be able to 
get at least 10 watts back up to the antenna from a 15 watt PA
on the transverter.  (Another 65 feet of feedline to the shack
from the garage attic, but it doesn't matter at IF frequencies.)

But, darn it, after all that, I discovered that the FT-847 won't
receive 240 MHz (nor any frequency between 174 and 420 MHz), so the
idea is all for naught anyway.  (I knew beforehand that the Icom
IC-706 MkII wouldn't go above 200 MHz, so I had already discounted
that option from the outset.)  Looks like it's back to a separate
MMDS downconverter for Oscar-40.  Fortunately, I have 2 of them,
two different styles, both waiting to be modified for the purpose.

And while Donn's comment about satellites not necessarily being in
the "weak signal" category, the Oscar-40 2.4 GHz downlink has been
characterized on the AMSAT-BB list as being a bit harder to hear
than expected, needing a good antenna and a low NF preamp ahead of
most MMDS converters (or a real receiving converter made for the
purpose with a low NF).  The 2 meter beacon on Oscar-40 was LOUD,
while it lasted.  But it takes pretty good "ears" to hear the 2.4
GHz downlink, from what I've read.

Oh well, on to plan "G".

(What, you thought I meant plan "B"?  No way.  One of the few
benefits of procrastination is that you get to toss out so many
ill-conceived plans before they get too far along!)

Again, thanks all.
73 de KB0ZEV