[600MRG] Fwd: Re: Testing new Transmit downconverter

[Edward R Cole]

Just a comment from the peanut gallery:

I think the goal for frequency stability on 600m should be +/- 1 Hz 
(if possible).  My K3 with EXREF option uses an external 10-MHz freq 
reference and is less than 1-Hz below about 10-MHz (rating is 0.1 ppm).

New WSJT QSO modes are forthcoming on HF which would be nice to use 
on 600m if regulations permit it.  I don't believe currently WD2XSH 
stations are allowed to run JT65 or JT9 (just WSPR).  When 600m is 
approved for ham radio use, this would be beneficial.  JT65 is 10-db 
better than CW for weak-signal detection.

73, Ed - KL7UW

At 08:18 AM 4/25/2013, John Langridge wrote:
>Oh I certainly understand that problem.  I've been fortunate so far with my
>yaesu rigs to be relatively stable and I realize that my situation may be the
>exception rather than the rule - both the FT1000 MkV and the FT 920 
>seem to be
>pretty good.
>
>That said, I'm not too interested in the longer modes personally, and really
>prefer QSO's but I do think there is a lot of value in the data 
>recovered from
>WSPR2.
>
>Thanks again.  What I really like about this option is that it gives an
>affordable solution to get on than band that is not surface mount.  I am sure
>there will be others that come out of the woodwork shortly.
>
>73,
>
>John /XIQ/NJD
>
>
>
>
>________________________________
>From: pat bunn <pbunn at patbunn.com>
>To: 600mrg at w7ekb.com
>Sent: Thu, April 25, 2013 10:58:52 AM
>Subject: [600MRG] Fwd: Re:  Testing new Transmit downconverter
>
>
>
>
>-------- Original Message --------
>Subject:     Re: [600MRG] Testing new Transmit downconverter
>Date:     Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:56:15 -0400
>From:     pat bunn <pbunn at patbunn.com>
>To:     John Langridge <jlangridge at sbcglobal.net>
>
>
>
>John,
>
>The one that I built worked flawlessly also - That was not my point - The
>stability is in the transceiver driving the transverter - Most 
>transceivers are
>not frequency stable enough in transmit mode to work with slow mode
>transmitting. They get hot and drift a few cycles.
>
>If you can find a transceiver that will be stable during long 10-15 minute
>transmit cycles, you will have no problem.
>
>Pat
>
>
>On 4/25/2013 10:06 AM, John Langridge wrote:
> > Hey Pat - sorry to hear about you experience.  The one I built 
> based on the
> >G3XBM-design driving the GW3UEP amp worked flawlessly through the 2012/2013
> >season and continues to function pretty stable even using a 3.2 
> rock for an LO.
> >
> > For CW I use a homebrew VFO and separate amp but could use the 
> transverter with
> >good success.  I just hate dealing with the offset that the radio 
> automatically
> >applies to the carrier freq which is why I prefer the home brew VFO.
> >
> > John Molnar's board is very unique in that it has an option for 
> and out board
> >10 MHz GPS locked LO instead of the crystal.  That is something I 
> will look at
> >going forward. The board seems to do well and is good value for 
> someone who may
> >be new to putting kits together and wants to get on the band.  I give it a
> >thumbs up so far and I am doing some tweeking this morning to make 
> sure I got
> >the toroids wound properly.  My original downconverter does not 
> use toroids but
> >had equal adjustments that had to be made to make sure I was 
> getting max power
> >and best wave form.. Too bad we can't just wind them and put them in HI!
> >
> > thanks for the comments.  SO far I like what I see on the board 
> XKA designed.
> >Its certainly much easier than the dad bug design I used for the 
> original box!
> >
> > 73 and looking for you in the noise!
> >
> > John /NJD/XIQ
> >
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > *From:* pat bunn <pbunn at patbunn.com>
> > *To:* John Langridge <jlangridge at sbcglobal.net>
> > *Sent:* Thu, April 25, 2013 8:45:59 AM
> > *Subject:* Re: [600MRG] Testing new Transmit downconverter
> >
> > My experience with transmitting down converters is not all that 
> good - actually
> >bad. They are easy to make from scratch, but the problem is with 
> stability in
> >the transmitter or transceiver. I found my IC718 to be worthless for WSPR,
> >especially WSPR-15 even at 1 watt output due to thermal heating causing
> >significant frequency drift. I think Dex also had the same problem 
> with a newer
> >ICOM tranceiver.  The IC718 set at one watt out got physically hot to touch
> >after a 15 minute WSPR transmission and was impossible to decode 
> by Dex,  80
> >miles away( a very strong signal) due to drift
> >
> > They are probably fine for CW, but for long QRSS or other long 
> transmit modes,
> >you are likely to be disappointed.
> >
> > After testing several different methods to stabilize the 
> transceiver, I bought
> >a used HP signal generator to generate my transmit signal to feed 
> the class D
> >Amps. I have this GPS disciplined and am very happy with this solution.
> >
> >
> > Pat
> > WG2XCT
> > N4LTA
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > On 4/24/2013 8:47 PM, John Langridge wrote:
> > > First of all, let me say thanks to all of the stations that continue to
> >listen
> > > and transmit on 630m as the days seem to get longer at an 
> alarming rate and
> > > noise keeps going up.  The last month has been brutal here in 
> NTX but the
> >last
> > > few nights have shown some improvements.  Thanks again!
> > >
> > > Tonight I am testing a new transmit down converter developed 
> and kitted by
> >John
> > > Molnar, WA3ETD/WG2XKA.  The kit is pretty sweet, with a minimum 
> of parts and
> > > appears to be capable of producing close to 20 watts using an IRF510 at
>13.6v
> > > and around 2 amps.
> > >
> > > SO far I really like what I am seeing.  Anyway, I will be 
> testing it tonight
> >but
> > > plan on letting it run in some capacity over night, whether as 
> exciter only
> >or
> > > driving the amp, I have not yet decided.
> > >
> > > 73 and again, thanks for listening!
> > >
> > > John KB5NJD/WG2XIQ
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > 600MRG mailing list
> > > 600MRG at w7ekb.com <mailto:600MRG at w7ekb.com>
> > > http://w7ekb.com/mailman/listinfo/600mrg_w7ekb.com
> > >
> >
>
>
>
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