[Rover] Transverter construction question

Wed, 22 May 2002 09:17:34 -0700

Hi Mike & Jacob & All,

Mike gave several very good tips.  I started out much the same way.  A local
friend made me a very good deal on a used Icom 271a, 2m all mode.  This was
a very good rig.  A little big for Rovers, but it put out about 30 watts and
had an excellent receiver.  These are often available on the used market for
around $300.  The built in power supply is optional, but I would highly
recommend the built in pre-amp.  Beware of the dreaded by trim caps, though.
Any of the older Icom rigs that haven't had the caps replaced will need it
done sooner or later. It's not a complicated repair, but something to be
aware of.

My first couple of Rover trips were 2m only.  Then I managed to swing one of
the Ten-Tec 1209 transverters to put me on 6 with a wopping 5 watts:-)  Not
exactly a big station, but I made a LOT of QSO's with that setup.  If you
are willing to go through the trouble of putting up a lot of aluminum, you
can do a lot with 5 watts.

Not long after adding an amp and a few other accessories I looked around and
realized I could sell all of my old equipment and raise enough money to buy
one NEW rig:-) I narrowed my choices down to 4 rigs.  The FT100, the
706mkIIg, the FT847, and the Icom 746.  After much research and deliberation
I went for the Icom 746.  One of the main factors for me was this was to be
my ONLY rig, so I needed something that I would be happy with at home and
Roving.  I'm still not sure I made the right decision, but I'm very happy
with my 746.  Although I may have been just as happy with the 847....  Now
I'm in the process of adding a DEM 432 transverter to the setup.
Unfortunately, the used transverter I bought didn't work so I sent it back
to DEM for repair.  Status is doubtful for the contest:-(

One thing that I picked up I would highly recommend is the DEM transverter
interface box.  Basically, this little gadget hooks into the ALC circuit of
your IF rig and drops the power out to the level required by your
transverter.  It also splits the tx and rx lines, so no mods to the IF rig
required!  A little jewel.

One last bit of advice, antennas are the best, and easiest way, to improve
any station:-)

73
Dan
Dan Evans N9RLA
Scottsburg, IN 47170
{EM78}
IN-Ham list administrator
QRP-l #1269
1/2 of the N9RLA /R no budget Rover Team
Check out the Rover Resource Page at:
http://www.qsl.net/n9rla

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Wechsler" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>; "Greg Robinson" <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2002 3:50 AM
Subject: Re: [Rover] Transverter construction question

> Good Morning Jacob,
> Perhaps another view of how to get on the bands as a rover with limited
> resources.....like me..first let me preface my remarks by saying that I
have
> several DEM transverters and love them, they are very good gear.
>
> HOWEVER, my advice is for the money and also for ease of operation ,
> you have a couple of choices....both come down to money available.  Bang
> for the buck so to speak.
>
> Buy a used 706mkII, they are going now for 600 or so.....then you will
have
> two
> bands for the same price or less of using a transverter....then when you
> get to
> add a 222 transverter you can use that same radio as a IF to run
> it.....same for
> 432 transverter.....simple is the best way as a rover, less wires less
> problems.
> By the way, the original 706's are even less, but I would opp for the
MKII.
>
> Second choice.
> We have used the Kenwood 751 2mtr rig with great success, they are a fine
rig
> for a rover and lots are using them.....priced from 300-400....great
> overall rig for fm
> or ssb work, has memories, small and easy to use with a nice full display.
> Yes they are used and you can get burnt, but that has not been my
experience.
> You now have a top of the line rig for your best band, you won't regret
> spending the
> money for this one.  Other rigs are also good choices, this is one that I
> use and know
> well.
>
> Probably the best money spent to get on 6mtrs is the ten tec transverter,
> not entiredly
> problem free but I work a ton of them on six, and they sound well.  You
can
> pick them up
> already built and working for less than 100, buy from someone you trust.
>
> BACK TO THE USE OF TRANSVERTERS
> Negatives of use
> 1. they have to have a IF radio set up specifically for transverters or
> just use rf sensing.
> 2. More than one transverter using a common IF radio needs some kind of
> switching
> between transverters with RF and PTT lines.....more complicated , more
lines,
> more problems........(Rule one "Simple is Good")
> 3. Easy to fry the front end of your transverter.....been there done
> that'........with a common
> radio  with multible bands that cannot happen but with transverters you
> sometimes are sending
> rf from another band into them.......something to watch.  When you have
> antennas closely
> mounted  you can have this problem.......separating them cures this
problem.
> 4. Cost.......2, 432, 6mtrs.....buy them and you have spent more than you
> would have in a
> good modern day 706 or ft100 rig, or even a 847 or 746 radio......but
> getting the
> initial money for one of those rigs is almost impossible for some of
> us.  Buying one
> band at a time is our only choice it seems.  Say....I just thought of my
> best radio,
> the Yaesu FT 726r.....great choice for a rover....kind of a poor mans
> 736.  Only
> ten watts out but three band modules available for them, Mine has 2, 432,
> and 440.
> You can get 6mtr and 28mhz (rare)......I really like mine and use it as IF
> for 903,
> 1296, and 2304 transverters and now for 10ghz, (I think).  Take your time
and
> you will find a good buy.......
>
> Tips for getting your transverters.
> Instead of you attempting to build them, just buy them on the use
> market.  I see them all
> the time at reasonable price.....most of the time they are the price of
the
> kit, but they work.
> instant gratification to put them on the air.....and you can get parts for
> them.  Buy from
> someone that use the item, that knows it works properly.
>
> I can't build transverters but I will put grids on for the big
> stations....they like that a lot,
> especially when the rover fills in a nice hole in their grid map.......
> THEY WILL BUILD TRANSVERTERS FOR YOU IF THEY LIKE YOU.  THEY LIKE ME
> and that is how I got most of my transverters, someone else built them for
> me, I am forever
> in their debt for this kindness.  So........talk to other technicial guys
> and see if they would
> be willing to build a transverter for you.....keep in mind thay they need
a
> long time frame.
> Sometimes I waited 6mo or more ......they did it when they could.  Find a
> tech friend or two.
>
> 10% off,  Get in on a club buy from Dem and get the discount.....every
> little bit helps.
> Quanity buys .......they are good.
>
> So Jacob....let me know how I can help.....if you are interested in used
> gear, I could send
> you info on what I find available........Keep the Rover Fire.  Please let
> me know your
> opinions on my suggestions.
>
> 73  Mike Wechsler  N4OFA/R EM86 AND BEYOND
>
> t 10:12 PM 5/21/02 -0400, you wrote:
> >I am in the process of selling my Alinco DX-70T HF+6M radio so as to
raise
> >some money for a Downeast Microwave transverter.CHEAP!!!
> >
> >*** If interested in this radio, contact me directly.  [email protected]
> >
> >My question is how difficult are the transverter kits to build? I have
only
> >built one other kit in my ham life (Tentec 1210) a couple of years ago
and
> >it worked when finished.
> >
> >Debating whether to buy a kit of spend the extra money for a built and
> >tested unit since I only have basic electronics tools ie... soldering
> >iron,DVM,small tools.
> >
> >Would hate to spend $300.00 and it not work or be ready for the Sept VHF
> >contest use! When for $400.00 I can relax and enjoy the radios instead of
> >the frustration.
> >
> >PS: Patience is not my biggest virtue...
> >
> >Jacob Tennant - K8JWT
> >
> >_______________________________________________
> >Rover mailing list
> >[email protected]
> >http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/rover
>
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