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

[David Palm]

>> sending CW with a straight key though I have troubles getting slow
enough for every microwave operator. <<

I resemble that remark!  ;o)


On Mon, Aug 29, 2016 at 7:44 PM, Dr. Gerald N. Johnson <geraldj at netins.net>
wrote:

>
>
>
>
> 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.
>>
>>
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