[NLRS] Has anyone BUILT a DEMI 10 GHz transverter kit?

[W0ZQ@aol.com]

Scott, I have not built the DEMI 10 GHz kit, but I have built other DEMI 
kits, and I have built the DB6NT 10 GHz kit.   If you order the full kit from 
either supplier it will come complete with everything minus the RF relay.   DEMI 
also offers SMA relays.   

I don't know about the DEMI design and your comment about nine pipe cap 
filters, but the DB6NT has two that need to be soldered onto the PCB .... in fact, 
on the DB6NT you need to solder the two pieces together that make the box, 
solder the PCB down into the box, and solder several "large" shielded inductors 
and the two pipe caps down to the PCB, so there is "big" soldering followed by 
lots of "little" soldering.   For the big soldering I used a large iron with 
careful application of solder resin and all the big parts including the pipe 
cap filters went on with ease.   For the little soldering I used my small 
soldering station.   

In summary, with the right tools, both the big and the little kit parts 
soldered well.   At the same time I would not recommend the 10 GHz kit as a first 
time kit .... it can be done, but having some experience under your belt prior 
to taking on the 10 GHz kit is recommended.  I think in many ways its hard to 
beat the DEMI 2w completed unit for $625.   

The good news is that there is a lot of help around to get it running.   In 
the DB6NT design the most difficult part of the tune up is adjusting the tuning 
screws in the two pipe cap filters as the thread is somewhat course (ie; 
"touchy") and application of the locking nut pulls the threaded screw out of 
alignment ... that plus if the locking nut isn't somewhat tight the screw 
electrically floats (kind of) and the readings on your voltmeter jumps around.   It 
sounds worse than it really is because after a few minutes of playing around you 
discover a way to slowly advance the tuning screw while keeping the locking 
nut snug ... its a two handed operation that is easier to do than to explain.   
All the tune up (in the DB6NT) is done with a simple volt meter.

73, Jon
W0ZQ


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