Transverters for 24 GHz CW & SSB

Transverters for Transverters for 24 GHz CW & SSB24 GHz CW & SSB

Steve Kavanagh, VE3SMASteve Kavanagh, VE3SMA&&

Bob Golden, VE3OIKBob Golden, VE3OIK

OVHFA Annual Meeting, Toronto, Oct. 11, 2003OVHFA Annual Meeting, Toronto, Oct. 11, 2003

ContentsContents

• Background

• VE3SMA Transverter Description

• VE3OIK Transverter Description

• Results So Far

• Demonstration

BackgroundBackground

• 24 GHz local activity on Wide Band FM:– VE3SMA (2 rigs)– VE3VXO– VE3OIK (2 rigs)– VE3FHM– W2EV (2 rigs) – no other nearby US stations– Others using borrowed rigs: VE3MNA, VE3EZP,

VE3NPB, WB2VUO, etc.– VE3EZP is building, VE3VZ has most parts needed– Best DX so far: VE3OIK-VE3VXO 74 km


• Narrowband (CW/SSB) on 10 GHz– Active in Southern Ontario:

• VE3OIK, VE3SMA, VE3FHM

– Best DX so far in Southern Ontario: • 308 km - VE3SMA (EN92fn)-K2AXX(FN12cs) under poor-to-

average conditions• VE3OIK has had several 280-290 km QSOs with W8’s• VE3SMA heard K2UYH in NJ (about 550 km) in August• Compare with best of about 175 km on wideband FM under

very good conditions (VE3EZP – N2JH)

– Much easier to work >100km on narrowband


• Nearby Activity on 24 GHz Narrowband– Rochester Area

• K2DH, K2AXX, K2EHF, K2LDU/K2LDT, WO2P, N2EZS, WB2BYP, W2DYY

• They have already worked paths up to about 200 km• K2LDU/VE3 broke Canadian 24 GHz DX record, working

K2EHF at 134 km from FN14 (near Colborne)– Detroit Area

• WW8M, NE8I, WA8HGX– Eastern Ohio

• KB8VAO

• So why not give 24 GHz CW/SSB a try and see if we can work more/better DX ?


• Commercial or Homebrew ?– Only one source of commercially built transverter:

Kuhne Electronic (DB6NT)• Most Rochester & Detroit ops are using these• Approx. CDN$675 for basic transverter with 2m IF (200

microwatts output)• Add approx. CDN$740 for preamp + power amp to 100 mW

(not including antenna relay, 24 GHz bandpass filter and interconnects, not available from Kuhne Electronic)

– Bob and I both prefer to spend little and homebrew a lot so the obvious choice was to design & build our own rigs….what little we knew then !

VE3SMA TransverterVE3SMA Transverter

• Many design options were considered

• Choice driven by availability of two parts– W5LUA LO-doubler/mixer board kit obtained

from K2DH (described in Microwave Update ’97)

• 10944 MHz LO input, 2304 MHz nominal IF for 24192 MHz RF (calling frequency is 24192.1 MHz)

– Qualcomm Q0410 PLL synthesizer board thrown out by my former employer


• Block Diagram

ImageFilter

W5LUADoublerMixer

2304MHzXvtr

FT-290R2m Xcvr

Antenna

Doublerx4Qualcomm

Q0410Synth.

10944 MHz

5472MHz

1368MHz

145.9MHz

2304.1MHz

24192.1MHz


• Qualcomm Synthesizer– Q0410 is demonstration board using (now obsolete) Q3036

synthesizer chip– Specified for 1-7 mW output at 900-1600 MHz (mine works over

about 750-1700 MHz)– Requires +/-5V and +12V so had to provide some power

supplies to run from +12V only– On-board 10 MHz frequency reference oscillator is not very pure

or stable – I used an external 12 MHz TCXO module removed from a surplus UHF radio board

– Added switches to control PLL divider ratios – makes a good multi-purpose UHF signal generator

– Thanks to N6IZW for providing a copy of the manual


• LO Quadrupler (1368-5472 MHz)– Own design using amplifier MMICs– Quite broadband, covers about 5.4-6.1 GHz– Lessons learned:

• Normally well behaved ERA-3 can oscillate when driven non-linear

• Input and output impedance of 50-ohm MMIC is not 50 ohms when driven non-linear

MAR-8Doubler

MicrostripBandpass

Filter

MAR-3Amplifier

ERA-3Doubler

MicrostripBandpass

Filter

MGA-64135Amplifier


• LO Doubler (5472 -10944 MHz)– Own design using microstrip circuit with

MGF1902B GaAsFET– Short section of WR-75 waveguide after this

doubler to eliminate any 5.472 GHz output– Using 13 GHz spectrum analyzer (tnx to

VE3TCK) could not detect any spurious outputs after this doubler/waveguide


• 2304 MHz Intermediate Transverter– Single connector for Tx & Rx from/to FT-290R

• 100 mW Tx from FT-290R on low power• FT-290R provides DC on coax on transmit for T/R control

– Single connector for Tx & Rx to/from 24 GHz mixer• 1 mW output at 2304 MHz in transmit

– Unusual features• High side LO at 2450 MHz (allowed the use of an available

crystal and tiny surplus 2450 MHz ceramic filters in the LO chain)

• Use of GaAs FET RF switch ICs for T/R switching (thanks to AD6A for providing them !)

– Modified Down-East transverter a good alternative


• 2304 MHz Transverter Block Diagram

GaAsSPDT Switch(AS169)

9dBpad

9dBpad

(MSA-0786)

MicrostripBandpass

Filter




(MSA-0786)

(MGA-86576)To 24 GHzMixer

ToFT-290R

T/R Control

Control voltagesto switches andamplifiers

40.833 MHz Osc./tripler(2x2N5770)

122.5 MHzAmplifier(2N5179)

245 MHzDoubler

(2N5179)

450 MHzDoubler

(2N5179)

Diode Quintupler

(2x”VE3EZP”)

2450 MHzAmplifier

ERA-3+ERA-1

RF

DC

(WJ MY84-1)

VE3SMA TransverterVE3SMA Transverter• W5LUA LO Doubler/Mixer

– Uses ATF-36077 PHEMT doubler and HSMS-8202 dual Schottky diode in rat-race mixer

– About 13 dB conversion loss, in prototype• In this transverter this implies Rx noise figure of about 15 dB

and Tx output of about 50 microwatts.– Al says he has some boards left but hasn’t given me a

price. DEMI no longer stocks the HSMS-8202.• Coax-to-Waveguide Transition

– To get from microstrip mixer to waveguide filter– Uses .085” semirigid coax soldered to mixer board

and to 3/8”x3/16” hobby brass tubing waveguide.– Performance unknown as no way to measure !


• 24 GHz Bandpass Filter– To remove 19.584 GHz image signal & 21.888 GHz LO leakage– 2-cavity post filter in 3/8”x3/16” hobby brass tubing waveguide– Designed using WGFIL program by WA4LPR (described in

Microwave Update ’89)– 4-40 tuning screws though broad wall of waveguide at midpoint

of each cavity

~.33” (inside)

.335” .335”End posts .032” dia.Centre post .078” dia.


• Antennas– 1st QSO with 17 dBi horn made from hobby

tinplate sheet– 1 foot surplus dish with “Penny Feed” in

3/8”x3/16” hobby brass tubing• Feed dimensions (thanks to VK3ZQB)

– Slots 6.2 x 0.6 mm– Disk 12.5 mm dia. x .032” brass sheet

• Got reasonable SWR without any tuning

VE3OIK TransverterVE3OIK Transverter

• Some design options were considered• To use 23 GHz P-Com surplus modules

acquired in Dayton, would have to build a 3456 MHz transverter for the IF.

• The design chosen was to use a lower IF frequency based on the availability of parts.

• Took advantage of using 12 GHz Microwave L.O. bricks that I acquired.

VE3OIK Transverter

Flex w/g

+24vdc In

TX gndto TS-700A

1st RX IF in220 MHz

2nd TX IF out

2nd TX IF in 2 Ft Dish

2 * 1pf silvermica capsin series

1st RX IF out220 MHz

Coax Mixer

Coax Mixer

W/G BPF 4 pole24192 MHz

W/G BPF 4 pole24192 MHz

12/24 GHz DoublerNE32584 Fet

12/24 GHz DoublerNE32584 Fet

DB6NT LNA Board3 * NE32584 Fet's

24 dB gain

DB6NT LNA Board3 * NE32584 Fet's

24 dB gain

SMA Relay

SMA Relay12 GHz

Brick L.O.Ref. Osc.

96.874 MHz

Coax to W/G feed

IF in/out144 MHz

to TS-700A

TX/RXSwitching

dB

dB dB

20 dB padMAR-6 MMIC

20 dB gain @ 144 MHz

12 * 680 ohm 2 wattresistors, 24w, 56 ohm load

3 dB pad

DPDT RF relay SPDT RF relay

Coax Mixer

2nd L.O.364.388 MHz

TX IF relays +12v

TX RF relay +24v

TX L.O relay +24v

TX/RX 24 ghz Modules +12v

12206.124 MHz24 GHz Transverter - VE3OIK

W/GHPF

W/GHPF

BPF 220 MHz

MAV 11MMIC -20 VDC IN

Toshiba Amplifier0.5 watt, 36 dB gain

220 MHz Amplifier20 dB gain


• 144/220 MHz IF Section– DPDT RF relay to switch 144 MHz path for

the IF rig either in transmit or receive.– The receive path contains a 20 dB pad and a

MAR-6 MMIC to protect the IF mixer– The transmit path contains a resistive dummy

load to terminate the transmit power from the IF rig and provide 1mw of transmit power.


• 144/220 MHz IF Section, cont’d– The coax mixer is used for transmit and receive.– The Local Oscillator frequency is 364.388 MHz – When mixed with 144 MHz it produces a 220 MHz

signal for transmit.– On receive it allows a 220 MHz signal to be

downconverted to 144 MHz. – SPDT RF relay selects either the transmit or receive

path from the 24 GHz modules. – The transmit output is about 200W.


• 24192/220 MHz Downconverter– The 24 GHz coax mixer is used to convert

24192 MHz signal to 220 MHz RX IF.– The L.O. is fed from a 12/24 GHz doubler

which takes a 12 GHz signal from a Megamicrowave Brick L.O.

– It is then doubled to 24 GHz using a NE32584 FET.

– The HPF after the doubler filters out any products below 24 GHz.

VE3OIK TransverterVE3OIK Transverter• 24192/220 MHz Downconverter, cont’d

– The 4 pole waveguide filter filters out the image frequency.

– Ahead of the waveguide filter is a DB6NT LNA board• bought as a kit containing an etched PCB, 3 *NE32584 FETs, and

some brass foil for making the z-wires during construction. • This amplifier has about 25 dB gain and 2 dB noise figure.

– An SMA relay rated for 18 GHz is used as an antenna relay• The loss is slightly higher at 24 GHz but very useable for amateur

radio purposes. – A small piece of 0.085 semi-rigid cable is used to connect the

downconverter module to the RX port on the SMA relay.

End posts .062” dia.

Centre post .125” dia.Intermediate posts .125” dia.

.42” (inside)

.331” .331”.373” .373”


• 24192/220 MHz Upconverter– The IF input to the 24 GHz coax mixer is 220 MHz, which is

filtered by a 220 MHz BPF and amplified by a MAV 11 MMIC. – The filter chooses the desired IF frequency of 220 MHz from via

the first TX mixer in the IF section then amplifies it drive the IF port on the 24 GHz coax mixer.

– The coax mixer is used to convert 220 MHz Tx signal to 24192 MHz Tx signal.

– The L.O. is fed from a 12/24 GHz doubler which takes a 12 GHz signal from a Megamicrowave Brick L.O.

– It is then doubled to 24GHz using a NE32584 FET. – The HPF after the doubler filters out any products below 24

GHz.


• 24192/220 MHz Upconverter, cont’d– The 4 pole waveguide filter filters out the image

frequency.– After the waveguide filter is another DB6NT LNA

board. – This amplifier has about 25 dB gain.– The DB6NT amplifier also drives a 0.5 watt Toshiba

commercial amplifier.– A small piece of 0.085 semi-rigid cable is used to

connect the power amplifier to the TX port on the SMA antenna relay.


• 24 GHz Power Amplifier– The Toshiba power amplifier was purchased from EBAY for $85

USD.– The output power is rated at 0.5 watt.– The frequency range of this commercial amplifier is 23 – 26

GHz. Ideal for 24192 MHz.– The output from the upconverter module is fed to the amplifier

input via coax to waveguide transitions.– The amplifier output is equipped with a waveguide to coax

transition.– This is connected to the TX port of the SMA switch with a short

piece of 0.085” semi rigid cable.


• Coax to Waveguide Feed– The SMA TX/RX relay is attached via a SMA barrel connector to

a coax to waveguide transition.– A length of WR-42 waveguide is used to cut down the losses of

the transmission line to feed the dish. – A fish hook feed is constructed using a flex piece of waveguide

and a small pyramidal horn to feed the 2 FT antenna with an F/D of 0.45.

• Parabolic Antenna– The antenna is a 2 ft. (60 cm) diameter dish with an F/D of 0.45.– Antenna was purchased from Down East Microwave.– The waveguide protrudes through the dish via a cut out.


• 12 GHz L.O Brick– The 12 GHz L.O. brick is a made by

MEGAMICROWAVE. – These bricks can be found surplus at Ham flea

markets. Other names such as California Microwave, Frequency West, Collins work very well.

– This particular brick has an external reference oscillator connection.

– Most of the PLL bricks have internal crystals and don’t need external crystal reference.

– The reference oscillator frequency is 96.874 MHz.


• 12 GHz L.O Brick, cont’d– This reference frequency locks the brick to 12206.124

MHz. – The reference frequency was chosen using trial and

error to come up with a usable choice for the right up/downconversion IF frequencies.

– The multiplication factor is shown below: 96.874MHz * 14 * 9 = 12206.124 MHz– This means the total multiplication factor is 126. – This signal is then fed into a 12/24 GHz doubler to

achieve a fundamental L.O. at 24412.248 MHz.

Results So FarResults So Far

• Lots of time spent by both of us on design, parts scrounging, construction, debugging, etc. !

• We have concluded that, compared to the time spent on the homebrew rigs, DB6NT transverters are well worth the money ! But not as educational, or satisfying.


• Initial QSOs– July 29/03 VE3SMA-K2LDU 0.6 km & 4 km paths

across Niagara River • Frequency calibration was only 15 kHz different from

Charlie’s. Minimal drift (by 24 GHz standards!) and good CW note were noted.

– Sept. 9/03 VE3OIK-VE3SMA 3 & 10 km paths in Cambridge/Kitchener area

• VE3OIK at 2.5 mW output (without power amp)• Very loud signals• Drift stabilized after about 15 minutes warm up


• 2003 10 GHz & Up Contest (24 GHz NB)– VE3OIK (FN14ba) – W2DYY (FN12ev) 127 km– VE3OIK (FN14ba) – N2EZS (FN02xu) 130 km– VE3OIK (FN14ba) – KB8VAO (FN02xu) 130 km– VE3OIK (FN14ba) – W2DYY (FN02xu) 130 km– VE3SMA (FN14ba) – W2DYY (FN02xu) 130 km– VE3OIK (EN92ci) – KB8VAO (EN91kt) 85 km– VE3SMA (EN92lp) – KB8VAO (EN91kt) 94 km– VE3OIK (EN92fn) – KB8VAO (EN91kt) 89 km– VE3OIK (EN92fn) – VE3SMA (EN92lp) 44 km

What’s Next ?What’s Next ?

• VE3SMA needs preamp, power amp and antenna switching between them

• Graham, VE3FHM, is collecting parts and starting to build a transverter !

• An attempt on the VE-to-VE dx record

• An attempt on the VE-to-W dx record

Transverters for 24 GHz CW & SSB

Documents

demonstration board

basic transverter

ve3fhmbest dx

dx record

morebetter dx

doublermixer board kit

southern ontario

ve3sma en92fnk2axxfn12cs