10GHz and 5.7Ghz transverters for sale with FT-817

[Mike Lewis]

Surplus to my needs - I have working 10GHz and 5.7Ghz transverters for sale.  Both are around 90mW out.  I also have a 2W amp for 5.7GHz that can be easily added on.  They currently use an FT-817 as the IF rig, which is also for sale separately.  Other IF rigs could be used with a new PTT cable and appropriate drive level adjustments.

 

This email details the 10Ghz transverter.  A 2^nd email will detail the 5.7Ghz transverter.   I mention them both here since they currently share a common IF rig.  Asking price is negotiable with the goal to get it into the hands of someone who will use it, and if the FT-187 is part of the sale or not.  If buyer has a 10GHz dish they prefer, I may keep this one for a more compact travel setup.  I have a 28dB gain BBQ sectional dish for 5.7 also.

 

The 2 transverters use the same DIN cable to the FT-817 Acc jack for PTT.

 

On the 5.7 unit, besides PTT, it uses the FT-817 analog band data signal and TxInhibit to lock out TX unless the band (430Mhz) is correct.   The FT-817 is configured to output a very low -8dBm on 430Mhz via the factory cal menu.   Jumpers can disable this feature.   I have a spreadsheet of all the FT-817’s cal settings and the changes I made to a few of them on 430MHz to get the power down.  I also have a compact homebrew 2W 5.7Ghz amp module with fan that can be easily plumbed in and some spare parts (transistor, isolator schematic).

 

10GHz System (requires LO and IF rig, both not included).

 

 

144.1 = 10.368.1 with 2556Mhz LO (The LO seen here is my DigiLo-HS weak signal source box in silver aluminum box under the dish).

This is a MA/Com white box conversion I built into a surplus case.

I use the FT-817 on 2M at the L1 power setting for the IF rig.

 

The dish is 1ft and mounted on the back are 2 SMA relays to switch a TRW amp module for RX preamp.  TX bypasses the RX preamp and allows easy addition of a 10GHz PA module.  It has a splash feed with a radome cover.  The dish was drilled out slightly and a ¾” copper tube inserted as the waveguide.  An SMA probe and several tuning screws are mounted on the tube end cap.  Next to the SMA feed probe is a bi-directional coupler for output power measurement and I use it to inject a weak signal source.   The small grey box on the right of the back of the dish is a weak signal source based on harmonics of a very stable 24Mhz TCXO.  It used to work fine at 10.368,090Ghz but today I only see it at 6Ghz and lower for some reason.  With a PA unit the dish could be mounted at a distance from the transverter box.

 

This unit requires an LO of 2.556GHz that you will need to supply.  I use my Q5/DEMI Weak Signal source (not included).  The output level is just right for the x4 multiplier and its related amp module.  I recommend a DigiLO board be mounted inside, maybe with a 10Mhz OCXO or GPSDO.

 

The transverter and dish are mounted to a plywood board and I mount that on a tripod (also available).

 

The front panel has power switch, IF TX drive attenuator (0-30dB), power output meter, Peak power LED (stretches short peaks), power LED.  There are 2 metal hoops on the plywood base that act as carry handles.  The box is strapped down to the board with blocks that keep it from sliding around.

 

 

 

Inside the box

1. LO input isolator
2. Qualcomm 12GHz x5 multiplier I modified to x4 for 10GHz with 2.556GHhz input.
3. LO amp module get 10GHz LO drive to 16dBm
4. Custom PCB for sequencing, -5V bias, and other control, peak LED power indicator and power level meter drive.
5. Common IF T/R relay
6. 144 to 10Ghz transverter
7. -5V, 12V, and 15V power board.
8. JFW dual SMA attenuator for the 144 IF TX drive level.  0-30dB to accommodate a wide range of IF rigs.  I think it is limited to 2W.  It is in the TX-IF path only so a larger fixed attenuator can be installed if needed.  There is already one SMA 2W attenuator installed at the IF relay TX port.  The meter should be at 2/3 for +20dBm out.

 

Documentation provided for the multiplier, other white box conversions, and my control PCB (with PCB files).  There is room to install an internal dedicated LO PLL module if desired.  A DigiLo with High Stability option, or a regular DigiLo with and GPSDO or OCXO work great.

 

 

On the box rear panel is

1. T/R and power connector for the dish mounted T/R relays and amp module.
2. 144Mhz Common IF BNC
3. Dual power poles, one input 12V, the other for 12V to the IF rig (or external LO if external).
4. IF rig control DIN connector for PTT

 

 

 

 

Mike Lewis, K7MDL

CN87xs