10 GHz Intermediate Transverter Alternatives

Indirect-IF Transceivers require an external, intermediate transverter in order to provide either a 144 or 432 MHz IF for use with the 10 GHz transverter. Some examples are:

W1GHZ Miniverter

• K144XV from Elecraft (144 MHz only)
• MKU 144 G2 from KUHNE (144 MHz only)
• L144-28INT from DEMI (144 MHz only)
  
• W1GHZ Miniverters (GHZMIN-144 or GHZMIN-432) from DEMI (144 or 432 MHz)
•  L144-28 from DEMI (used 144 MHz only)

Kuhne 2 Meter Transverter

Costs range from $59 (Miniverter kit) up to $350 for the Elecraft K144XV

Intermediate Transverter Comparison Table 

 The Care and Feeding of Intermediate Transverters 

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10 GHz Transverter Alternatives

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A 10 GHz transverter converts RF between an IF (Intermediate Frequencies of usually 144 or 432 MHz) and 10,386 MHz. They're available in many form factors, with various power outputs, from several vendors or DIY (Do It Yourself) articles. You can check-out new or used units on Ebay and microwave oriented swapfests. Several examples are:

10368-144 FA&T or Kit from DEMI 

 MKU 10 G3 FA&T or Kit from KUHNE

DIY 10 GHz Transverter Projects:

1. DIY transverter @ KO4BB

10 GHz Transverter Comparison Table

The Care and Feeding of 10 GHz Transverters 

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10 GHz Receive Pre-amplifier Considerations

The last potential upgrade on your list would probably be a receive pre-amplifier. Unless you have an unusual situation, you'll probably not see much benefit. Unusual situations include:

1. Lossy transmission line between your antenna and 10 GHz transverter.
2. 10 GHz transceiver with a poor noise figure (that can't be fixed).
3. EME operation with low background noise where every fraction of a dB counts.

KC0IYT - Glen has pointed out that you may be able to test your current receive sensitivity by just pointing your antenna towards a noise source (houses, people, trees, etc.) and monitoring for an increased noise level compared to the open sky background noise. Compare noise figure specifications between different transverters and receive pre-amplifiers to determine if the potential improvement is worth the expense and additional complexity.
Commercial receive pre-amplifier sources:  

Kuhne MKU LNA 101AS

DEMI 3-2ULNA

Costs range from around $100 (kit) up to $250.

Surplus receive pre-amplifier Source - Modified KU band LNA's

• K0AWU - Bill uses a surplus KuBand LNA to provide about a 1db NF and 20db gain to overcome superflex cable loss on the receive path from his tower to shack.

•  Modification of TVRO LNBs for 10 GHz - N1BWT and WB1FKF
•  Sheffield Microwave round-table 2008

• DIY roll-your-own for the experienced EMEer

Potential Benefits of Receive Pre-amplifiers:

1. Overcome receive path losses from transmission lines, adapters, relays, connectors, etc.
2. Optimize the transmit path without concern for the receive path, if a choice is necessary.
3. Improve your station's noise figure to compensate for a poor or remote transverter.

 The Care and Feeding of Receive Pre-amplifiers:

1.  Must be connected directly to a low-loss antenna relay for maximum benefit.
2. The potential for severe overload from other stations nearby and/or on adjacent frequencies dictate that you reduce the gain in the receive path down stream of the receive pre-amplifier. A lower gain receive pre-amplifer (single stage, >12 dB) may be better than a higher gain unit (dual stage, >22 dB), depending on your station configuration.
3. Pre-amplifiers must be well protected from any RF power using relays with high isolation.
4. Proper sequencing becomes more important to insure that protection relay(s) have completed switching before any RF power is applied.
5. Never allow your antenna relay to be switched during a transmission!
6. Filtered DC voltage is necessary to avoid injecting power supply noise.
7. Unterminated receive pre-amplifiers can go into self oscillation.
8. Pre-amplifiers are subject to potentially destructive RF transients from adjacent bands.
9. Gain and can deteriorate over time so be sure to measure it while still in new condition.
10. Rain, humidity and vibration can degrade your pre-amplifier electronics and/or connectors performance, over time.

Receive Pre-amplifier Configurations:
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10 GHz Power Amplifier Alternatives

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How much power do you really need to make 10 GHz contacts? 

This depends on many factors:

• The gain of your antenna and your aiming accuracy (both azimuth and elevation)
• Transmission line losses (cable, connectors and relays)
• The mode that you're using (e.g., CW, SSB, Digital, FM, etc.)
• Your receive filtering ability
• Your frequency accuracy and stability
• Atmospheric conditions
• Local terrain
• Distant obstructions
• Other stations capabilities 
• The effectiveness of your liaison method 
• Operator proficiency
• QRM (yes, this can be a factor even on 10 GHz)
• Luck!

However, many contacts can be made with an entry level station using only the transverter output and/or up to a 1 Watt amplifier as the effective radiated power can be up to 1 KW ERP (with a 30dB gain DSS dish antenna).


 The popular Qualcomm based 1 Watt, 10 GHz amplifier:

• The 1 Watt Modified Qualcomm - AF1T
• Modifying the Qualcomm 1W PA - N6IZW
• W1RIL's Qualcomm 10 GHz mods - W1RIL
• K0AWU's Qualcomm based System - K0AWU

The popular DEMI 3 Watt, 10 GHz amplifier:

• DEMI P/N 3-3PA

The popular DEMI 3-8PA 8 Watt, 10 GHz amplifier:

• This amplifier is no longer available from DEMI

The DEMI "combo" transceiver and 3 Watt 10 GHz amplifier:

• DEMI 10368-144 assembled or in kit form

Amateur radio microwave amplifier venders:

• DK2FD 
• KUHNE (DB6NT)
• Down East Microwave (DEMI)

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