[NLRS] ARRL UHF Contest 2016 cancelled

[John Toscano]

One possibility along the lines that Gregg is asking about would be to
start by building the log periodic antenna in the latest QST which covers
222 through 1296 in one antenna. Mate this to a HackRF (SDR) board which
can transmit or receive (half-duplex, not simultaneously) between 10 MHz
and 6 GHz, but in the case you ask about, limit it to those first 4 UHF
bands (222, 432, 902, 1296). Now the HackRF all by itself would not do it
all in a satisfactory manner. You would need to add a good preamp for each
band and a good power amp for each band, preferably with some good bandpass
filtering for each band, But it would be less expensive than a full
transverter for each band. I guess you'd need a splitter or a 4-way RF
switch to separate out the 4 bands from the HackRF to go to the separate
filters, preamps, and power amps, and then another splitter (or another
4-way RF switch on the other end) to re-combine the bands for the log
periodic antenna which has a single feed for all bands. I'd probably use
SP4T SMA relays since I have them, or even SP6T SMA relays since I have
some of those and could continue up the bands to 2304 and 3456 MHz, but
would need either antennas for those bands or a re-design of the log
periodic to go higher in frequency. But I know, KISS (Keep It Simple,
Stupid!)

So lots of fabrication effort needed, but perhaps a way to get on those
first 4 UHF bands at a reduced cost. And the fabrication is not at the
level of surface-mount components and finicky RF testing/tweaking, but more
in the way of bolting the proper components together. Now I have to admit
that this is NOT something that I have actually done, so I can't say how
well the HackRF would perform if supplemented by the filtering,
preamplification, and power amplification I mentioned, so I guess it would
be best to test such a solution before recommending that a whole bunch of
folks jump in and do it that way.

John Toscano, W0JT/5

On Fri, Mar 11, 2016 at 3:15 PM, Gregg Lind <gregg at thelinds.net> wrote:

>
>
> *"The Committee will solicit member comments in the near future, as it
> weighs several alternatives." *
>
> In trying to keep this positive - and try to keep the sport going and
> encourage growth and participation in the contest... I think this is a good
> action for NLRS to submit a recommendation to the ARRL.  There is good
> information in this email thread and lets collect it and make a
> suggestion...
>
>
> On another idea ---  I think we need a solution that make UHF more
> affordable and attainable to amatuer radio community.  I have a
> suggest proposal
> / solutions is finding a solution for transverter in a single package that
> will cover -- 222 MHz, 432 MHz, 903 MHz and 1296 MHz. Since I have started
> to do roving and getting involved I have run across a number of people that
> do not have the money or ability to setup transverters, but may enjoy the
> rover aspects or even fix site operation if a simple cost effective
> solution. This is a bigger technical commitment that most people this is
> a stretch to put 4 DEMI transverters etc together and relays, and multiple
> IF etc.... I have great Engineers and local VHF/UHF people to tap and get
> help form so I have access to people that can help me...  I have had the
> ability to purchase my equipment mostly DEMI used or some new. But for
> someone to buy into this your almost 600-900$ per band or build this it is
> a task..  Or even finding the equipment on the used market is not easy.
>
> I was thinking to promote this contest and get more people on the radio is
> there someone or a group may be interested in building or designing a
> solution for a single transverter and PA on these bands...  I think if we
> had a 4 band solution this would promote more contest involvement...
>
> On Fri, Mar 11, 2016 at 9:25 AM, Chris Cox <chrisc at chris.org> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > This is rather disappointing news:-
> > http://www.arrl.org/news/view/arrl-2016-august-uhf-contest-cancelled
> >
> > Chris Cox, N0UK
> > chrisc at chris.org or chrisc at britishcaranddriver.com
> >
> > Next June join me in beating Multiple Sclerosis!
> >
> >
> http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?px=6901434&pg=personal&fr_id=27006&s_src=BF_emailbadge
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
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