Using the 857d with a transverter

[KE7IHG]

I've been reading that the power on the 857 can be turned down from 5 watts on low by using the "hidden menu" in the 857.

Has anyone done this....any if I did this would I have the power spike problem?

I getting one of the SG labs 1296 transverter's, I know it says it will work with 5 watts but would you really want to drive it that hard?

Steve/ KE7IHG

[Darryl Holman]

Steve,
  I originally used an FT-857D with a SSB Electronic 903 MHz transverter.   I changing the minimum VHF output power in the service menu.   Instructions for accessing the menu are here:  http://www.iw5edi.com/technical-articles/ft-857-hidden-menu

  I believe one must only change menu 42 to a lower setting, but I did this awhile ago, so I don't remember specifically.

  Be sure to record the original settings.   The settings are specific to an individual transceiver.

  I did one UHF contest with with the FT-857D and the 903 MHz transverter before acquiring an FT-290D as an IF rig.   I had not heard of the power spike issue at the time.  The transverter survived.

Best,
 Darryl 

--
~The Voice of the Pacific NorthWest VHF Society~
You are subscribed to the Google Groups "PNWVHFS" group.
To post to this group, send email to PNW...@googlegroups.com
To read message history, visit http://groups.google.com/group/PNWVHFS
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "PNWVHFS" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to pnwvhfs+u...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

[Mark McCarthy]

The manufacturer is very helpful.

 

73 Mark, KE7MSU

-------------------------

 

Hi Mark,
Мany of our customers use similar transceivers to drive transverters.
Widely used  FT857 and FT897 make even greater spike. So far we have no
information about damaged transverters. The transverter output power can
not be exceeded, but some spurious can be seen in output spectrum during
spikes.
No problem to drive the transverter with 5W, just keep in mind possible
overheating during prolonged use. If there is any problem with the
transverter, our support is sure.
I can offer PCB HB9CV antenna at 5 USD/pcs. Shipping price for such
package is 6.50 USD.
73, Hristiyan LZ5HP



На 2014-10-19 23:07, Mark McCarthy написа:
> Hristiyan,
>
> I am extremely pleased with the transverter.
>
> I drive it with an Icom 706MKll which normally puts out 20W on 2m.
> I reduce its power level through a menu setting which uses the ALC.
> It has been noted that this results in a short spike when first keyed.
> Will this harm the transverter?
> Have you heard of other users with this concern?
>
> Some radios are are rated at 5W. Will driving the transmitter at 5
> watts harm it?
>
> I would also like to buy 3 of the small PCB antennas.  Do you sell
> them?
>
> Thanks again for the great product,
> Mark, KE7MSU
>
>
> -----Original Message----- From: in...@sg-lab.com
> Sent: Saturday, September 27, 2014 7:44 AM
> To: mark.m...@comcast.net
> Subject: Transverter 1296 MHz
>
> Hello,
> The Transverter for 1296 MHz was sent on September 27 by bgpost.bg.
> Your tracking number is RI205372265BG
> You can track it using following link:
> http://www.track-trace.com/post
>
> Simple HB9CV PCB antenna with 5 dB gain added to the package- can be
> used
> alone or as feed for dish antenna.
> The datasheet of the transverter is in attached file.
> If You have any question or need of support, do not hesitate to write
> me.
>
> Best Regards: Hristiyan - LZ5HP
> Sofia, Bulgaria

[Etienne-K7ATN]

Steve -

In using an the FT-100D - the predecessor to the FT-857D - I turned the power output all the way down to zero (out of 100) to drive a DEMI transverter that I had set up at 0.5W from my FT-817. It worked fine. You might see if you can find an accurate QRP power meter (I've one if you'd like to borrow) and see what your rig puts out at the lowest power settings. 

Etienne-K7ATN

[ERIC OLSON]

I am not sure if the "hidden menu" way of turning the power down will stop the spikes.  I also believe that will turn the power down on ALL bands so be aware.

I drive my 222 MHz DEM transverter with an FT-857 at about 20W on 28MHz but I use an external attenuation and T/R relay scheme to get the TX drive down to the I.F. level.  I have considered trying the ALC input to knock the output down which should be easy as it is just a 1/8" jack in the back but I just need a "round tuit".

-Eric N7EPD

---

Date: Sun, 19 Oct 2014 10:14:34 -0700
From: ke7...@gmail.com

To: pnw...@googlegroups.com
Subject: [PNWVHFS] Using the 857d with a transverter

[Darryl Holman]

One other thing to keep in mind in using the FT857 as an IF rig is that the
power spike problem is, apparently, most troublesome in the HF bands. To quote
one source (http://ka4cid.blogspot.com/2008/11/rf-power-issues-with-857d.html),
"Not all bands produce the same results, the spikes were at their worst in the
mid HF bands and almost non existent on 2m."

Unfortunately, the original investigation that generated the quote seems to be
gone.

Darryl
ww7d

On 10/21/2014 5:24 PM, ERIC OLSON wrote:
> I am not sure if the "hidden menu" way of turning the power down will stop the spikes. I also believe that will turn the power down on ALL bands so be aware.
>
> I drive my 222 MHz DEM transverter with an FT-857 at about 20W on 28MHz but I use an external attenuation and T/R relay scheme to get the TX drive down to the I.F. level. I have considered trying the ALC input to knock the output down which should be easy as it is just a 1/8" jack in the back but I just need a "round tuit".
>
> -Eric N7EPD
>

> Date: Sun, 19 Oct 2014 10:14:34 -0700
> From: ke7...@gmail.com
> To: pnw...@googlegroups.com
> Subject: [PNWVHFS] Using the 857d with a transverter
>

> I've been reading that the power on the 857 can be turned down from 5 watts on low by using the "hidden menu" in the 857.Has anyone done this....any if I did this would I have the power spike problem?I getting one of the SG labs 1296 transverter's, I know it says it will work with 5 watts but would you really want to drive it that hard?
> Steve/ KE7IHG
>
>
>
>

[Jeffrey Benedict]

On Oct 21, 2014, at 5:24 PM, ERIC OLSON <eric...@msn.com> wrote:

> I am not sure if the "hidden menu" way of turning the power down will stop the spikes. I also believe that will turn the power down on ALL bands so be aware.
>
> I drive my 222 MHz DEM transverter with an FT-857 at about 20W on 28MHz but I use an external attenuation and T/R relay scheme to get the TX drive down to the I.F. level. I have considered trying the ALC input to knock the output down which should be easy as it is just a 1/8" jack in the back but I just need a "round tuit".
>
> -Eric N7EPD

DEM also has an attenuator box to go between the IF and the transverter to bring the power down to a lower level. Maybe it would filter out power spikes although DEM does not say that it will do that.

Jeff KB7AIL CN88