[NLRS] Cheap 10GHz LNBF mods for sat downlink.

[Dr. Gerald N. Johnson]

On 8/29/2016 5:52 PM, Doug Reed wrote:
>
>
> The LNBF is an interesting idea, but the Es'Hail-2 satellite will be
> centered over the Middle East at 25 degrees East. Brazil is about as
> far west as it will
> be heard..... I hadn't checked that before. But it is still a cheap
> option for a receiver.
>
> A little secondary reading does still suggest the standard crystal
> will have enough short-term stability for CW of SSB. But probably not
> for long as it heats up. But it may not be too much worse than chasing
> some of the rigs just after turn-on.

I helped my transverter a lot by adding a PTC thermistor to heat the 
crystal to 40 C, and then I surrounded the crystal and thermistor with 
bits of Dow blueboard. I still dump a couple watts into the IF dummy 
load and need to go in and take out the TX attenuator so I can drive it 
with milliwatts but so long as its working and no one is complaining I 
might not get to that soon. I worked about 140 contacts roving last 
weekend. Gary worked a few more that were too weak for me to hear 
without a preamp. I turn the transverter power on when I leave for the 
first rover site or the hill so it has ten to 20 minutes of warming up 
and keep it powered all day and my drift is probably noticeable but gets 
no comments.

Moving the crystal to a separate temperature controlled enclosure could 
be a benefit.
>
> A cheap LNBF was very useful test equipment for microwave on the W0AUS
> work bench. He plugged it into an ancient spectrum analyzer for the
> display, but these days a rtl-sdr dongle would do a fine job.

Its a perfect front end for any vintage spectrum analyzer, dongle or 
rack of HP hardware.
>
> But even if the SDR dongle worked great, we'd still have serious
> problems with visibility of the computer screen in the daylight.... I
> have been wondering how well those cardboard or plastic smart phone
> holders work in bright lights. Wear the display like dark glasses?

I've been beside MHC on the hill a time or two and he hid the computer 
screen for his Flex under a cardboard box with and opening in the side. 
I also worked more rovers than he did that year. I don't know what Glenn 
uses while roving digital modes or what Donn has been using for the 
digital modes on the hill. Glenn didn't get out last weekend at all. I 
like the simplicity of logging with pen or pencil (for rainy days) and 
sending CW with a straight key though I have troubles getting slow 
enough for every microwave operator.

The smart phone holders might need a hoody to hide them from the sun. 
Might prove to be uncomfortable on a day like last Sunday heading up 
into the 80s or 90s.

73, Jerry, K0CQ
>
> 73, Doug.
>