Member |
KD4APP - (AO-40) X-band Information |
Status | I have decided
not to purchase the DB6NT
MKU-10-OSCAR receiver ($300), since it looks like the AO-40 X-band
(10GHz) TX is not functional.
I did purchase a full fledged commercial surplus X-band transverter system made by MA/COM - the "RAPAC" unit, also called a "white box" - so I can learn about X-band. I am converting this to work in the 10Ghz HAM band. |
My 60cm X-band dish. | |
MA/COM RAPAC X-band transverter system - aka "white box" - as received. | |
Conversion Info | |
The first step is to remove all but the essential components. I added the WR-90 to SMA adapter (with red cover on SMA) for testing. The box on the left is the LO and the other contains the TX and RX mixers, etc. | |
Here's the T/R relay switch for the IF (144MHz) radio interface. It is a AOS144 from Down East Microwave. This will also attenuate the output of the IF transmitter down from 25W to 100mW to avoid damage to the White Box. I built the power supplies - see below. |
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The 20 volt power supply I built. | |
-5v power supply I built - top and bottom views. I have not added the 1uF filter capacitors on the input and output leads of the 7805 because I accidentally threw them away - those little surface mounts sure are small. | |
New power supplies mounted in the original power supply lid. | |
January 31, 2002: Current status of my "White Box". | |
The 106.5MHz crystal to change the LO to make
a 144MHz IF = 10.368GHz TX/RX. Crystals are available from: Vectron International (513) 542-5555 - Ask for Kay KWright@vectron.com $50.00 ea.. + shipping + COD Here's the specifications I gave them... Part # 184-07-14 106.5 mHz 1ppm (5ppm or better OK) HC36U holder Oven temperature of 70 degrees Celsius |
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The tripod I will use with my system. |
Last updated: April 15, 2002
KD4APP@AMSAT.ORG