For several weeks now I've been exploring what's available to allow me to be active on 630 meters once that allocation is granted here in the US.
And, although I don't yet have an antenna for that band, I am able to receive several of the experimental stations currently operating as WSPR beacons on 474 kHz using my Flex 6300 and (gasp!) triband Yagi (my 30-80m dipole is down for the summer thunderstorm season).
I have two methods of generating a lo-level signal - either with my Flex's transverter output or with a second Ultimate 3S that is not yet built. Each of these options produces less than a watt of output - far too QRP given that any antenna I eventually build will reduce the ERP back to QRP levels even with substantial power out of the transmitter.
But I have an idea to re-purpose an older 80m transmitter and that is the reason for the kit described here.
Shown below is the 630m Transmit Downconverter from MF Solutions. To call it a downconverter tells only half the story since it is also a non-linear amplifier as well, boosting a <1 watt 80m input to a 20-watt 630m output.
The kit arrived today, well-packed and with all parts plainly labeled. A 15-page manual was emailed to me detailing theory of operation, assembly & alignment procedures, parts list and even antenna considerations for medium frequencies and instructions on how to provide an optional 10 MHz reference signal.
I plan to build the kit this weekend.
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Rudy Severns N6LF has written 2-articles on the antenna subject for these new freqs. Here's link...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.antennasbyn6lf.com/
http://www.antennasbyn6lf.com/2017/04/630m-2200m-talk.html
http://www.antennasbyn6lf.com/2016/08/160m-2200m-receiving-antenna.html
73 de WA2ONH Charlie @ SNJ
Thanks Charlie. If/when we get this band I hope to see numerous articles in QST and elsewhere and maybe a few new kits from the usual sources.
DeleteI've been running on 630M as wg2xiq/1. I use an 80M dipole with a variometer and a home brew transmitter. We did some math, it's about 1W in and a few mW out.
ReplyDeleteSteve, I read a bit about your operations here:
Deletehttp://njdtechnologies.net/wg2xiq1-heard-by-wg2xjm-in-western-pa/
Sounds like a fun band with lots of opportunities for experimentation. I'm looking forward to gaining access to it.
I finished my kit last night and it works as expected. Driving it with 200mW on 3700kHz from my Ultimate 3S pegged the meter of my WM2 wattmeter on the 10-watt scale - and pegged it with authority.
ReplyDeleteI'll use another meter to determine the output with various drive levels and post that info later in the week.