[NLRS] Sequencing DEMI transverters?

[John P. Toscano]

Scott wrote:
> I'm building a DEMI 902 transverter and have a basic question.  Does it 
> require any sort of T/R sequencing?  My unit is the stock 10 Watt unit 
> and at present no external amp or pre-amp.  I will be using the common 
> IF connector and common RF connector.  Seems to me sequencing will be 
> unnecessary in this application.  Comments?

You may get different opinions on the matter.  Properly-done sequencing 
can't hurt, and may help.  I've been running my DEMI 902 transverter 
with no sequencing at all for several years, without problems.  FWIW, I 
am using the split IF and split RF options, but plan to change over to 
common IF to match my 2304, 3456 and 10368 transverters one of these 
days.  I have an older 1296 DEMI transverter that also uses split IF and 
split RF, but have a simple plug-in upgrade to common IF for it, and at 
that point, all 5 transverters will be configured similarly, to maximize 
flexibility and minimize the chances of blowing something up in the 
"heat of the battle".

Once you get into higher-power RF amps, it becomes more important to use 
sequencing.  Having said that, I must also admit that my old 1296 
transverter has an extremely sensitive and low NF external cavity 
preamp, and an external power amp, still with no sequencing, and no 
problems.  But the PA is "only" 36 watts max output, and in the current 
configuration, it doesn't put out more than 10 watts, so it's still 
considered a low-power system.

I do plan to sequence all 5 transverters at some point, before I move 
into the high-power class, with the amps I have available for 902, 1296, 
2304, and 3456 MHz, but which are either still not connected, or are 
under-driven to stay under 10 watts of output for the low-power VHF class.

I'm glad we could at least make a brief eyeball QSO at Central States 
this year.  Good luck on the project!

73 de W0JT