[NLRS] 2m-440 Rigs

Mon Mar 25 10:46:15 EDT 2013

This thread is timely as my next planned purchase is a DEMI transverter for
2M. I am wondering how significant the difference is between 25W and 60W on
144 SSB weak signal. Obviously more is usually better, but what I am asking
is with 25W the next step might be to an amplifier at 100W, but is 60W good
enough to hold you over for a while considering there's only about a $100
premium between the 25W and 60W models? Thanks.

Russ
K0WFS

On Mon, Mar 25, 2013 at 9:11 AM, <w0zq at aol.com> wrote:

>
>
>
> Hi Kirk -
>
> This is a complex question that entails a lot of variables ... how you
> prioritize all those variables leads you to different answers.   For
> example, are you an appliance operator or do you like to dive in to work on
> interfaces and even customize software?  Roving, fixed, or both?  What
> bands?   Is FM important to you?  Contesting?   How big is your band
> account.   Etc, etc.
>
> For me, I like to contest so I need to be able to listen on three bands at
> one time; 6m, 2m and the microwave band (ie, 902, 1296, etc).   Bill, AWU,
> and others, have had good success using SDR-like radios so that they can
> not only listen on multiple bands simultaneously, they can "watch" them as
> well.  The SDR formats work well for this, much better than the older
> technology that is on the HF radios like the Icom Pro III's (which work
> very well on 6m).  So however you do it, you need to be able to listen on
> 6, 2, and your uW IF rig all at the same time.
>
> Regarding radio performance, lots to consider.   Here in the big city we
> are close to lots and lots and lots of RF signal source including other in
> band VHF ops.   Dynamic range and strong signal handling capability is
> important.  We cannot use RF gain and preamps as easily as those who live
> out in the sticks.  Most 6 & 2m preamps are fairly wideband and those out
> of band, but adjacent, signals can be a problem on 6 & 2m.   Aiming your
> antenna up (EME) can help some, but for terrestrial, it is what it is.
>
> For 6 and 2m, from a performance perspective (ie, a blend of sensitivity,
> dynamic range, and selectivity), it will be hard to beat a quality
> transverter feeding a quality HF rig.   This was true years ago and its
> still true today.  Obviously some station integration is needed if you are
> going to use a transverter and its harder to take roving!   Check out the
> DownEast catalog at http://www.downeastmicrowave.com/cat-frame.htm &
> click on the 2m transverters and read up on their design and how their
> receive side is designed to address these issue.  Then, after transverter
> design discussons, the next discussion usually turns to what is the best IF
> (HF) rig to work with such a transverter.  There you will have the same
> topics/discussion as the HF guys have regarding the best noise blanker,
> operator controls, etc, etc.   Dynamic range for the IF rig is important
> too .... you don't want to spend money on a high performance transverter
> only to feed it into a crummy HF rig.
>
> If you are willing to trade off some performance for convenience, its hard
> to beat the TS2000, FT897, etc, etc, style radios.  My experience is that
> where these radios tend to fail is in dynamic range and with birdies ....
> usually sensitivity is not an issue.  I suspect that both are due in large
> part to what also makes them such a marvalous rig ... they lack selectivity
> being more of an open receiver front end.   However, if you live out in the
> sticks with a low RF environment, you may find that these radios work just
> as well as the transverter route discussed above.  Note that the FT857 and
> FT897 are exactly the same radio with different external wrappings.  These
> are marvelous radios, often 160m through 440, that provide good performance
> in a plug and play way.  Currently my home station for 2, 222, and 432 is a
> FT897 that also forms the basis of my VHF+ rover station ... I use it both
> fixed and when roving.  That said, be aware that I am not active on EME or
> digital modes
>   right now .... if I was I would be in the market for a good 2m
> transverter to feed my Pro III.
>
> For 902 and up, I use an old 2m monoband rig, the TR751A.  This also goes
> with me when roving.  Some have been using SDR IF rigs to help them find
> the other stations as frequency stability is sometimes an issue along with
> sharp beams and weak signals.
>
> So in summary, if you are looking for top performance for a fixed station,
> its hard to beat a transverter into a good IF rig.  That IF rig could be an
> SDR, or a top grade HF rig.   It depends on how much work you want to do on
> station/system integration; maybe both hardware and software.   For
> contesting, you need to be able to listen on 6 and 2m at the same time ...
> that means two radios.  If you run any of the uW bands, that means three,
> albeit you could use whatever your 6m rig is as a switchable IF on the uW
> bands too if you are willing to be off of 6m when your running uWs.
>
> Hope this helps !
>
> 73, Jon
> W0ZQ
>
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