1. Getting started on 10 GHz band
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

2. Getting started on 10 GHz band
Overview
On 10 GHz, not many hams did build anything at industrial scale.
Before 1995 the only choice was the 10 GHz SSB-Electronic transverter Kits and also total assemblies, but only a few « on shelf » ready to use ones.
After 1997, DB6NT did really democratise the SHF transverter. Not only on 10 but from 1.3 to 24 GHz and also above.
In 2008 the 3rd generation with a MHz self Quarz oscillating LO is replaced by a tcxo locked to a 10 or 100 MHz precision reference frequency (also GPS referenced)
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

3. Getting started on 10 GHz band
Abstract
1- 10 GHz beacons, SCPs and QSOs from JN18gr
2- 10 GHz SSB-Electronic transverter (<1995)
3- 10 GHz DB6NT transverter
Version 1:
schematics & practical
LO frequency drift
Versions 2 and 3 : Rx Nf and principally LO stability improvements
4- Indoor, then outdoor operations with a single 49 cm Procom dish
5- FT-817nd modifications
- Positive tension added on Tx mode to the 144 MHz coaxial cable for PTT purposes
S-meter desensibilisation
6- Prime-focus & offset dish gain comparaison
7- IK1GEX 5.7 / 10 GHz double horn
Isolation measures between both bands
8- Antenna settings of well known french « hyper » dXers
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

4. Getting started on 10 GHz band
1- 10 GHz beacons and QSOs with 1W
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

5. Getting started on 10 GHz band
10 GHz beacons
Beacons direction from JN18gr
QTH
F (MHz)
D (Km)
Dir
FT-817nd T>30 min
Comments
F5XBD/77
JN18js Favières
.072 17
73°
.0775
F5HRY  .072
F5ZTR/60
JN09xj Beauvais
.842 88
329°
F1XAI/45
JN07wt Orléans
.865
115
207°
.851 prévue sur .860
F5ZWM/19
JN05we
.919
395
188°
F1XAU/21
JN27ih
.825
165
133°
F5ZPS/33
IN94qt
.282
496
210°
F1URI/73
JN35kt Mt Blanc
.928
461
F6KPL/50
IN99io
.315à.321
290°
Pas dans la table !
LX1DB
JN39co
.893
282
69°
HB9EME
JN36lx
.866
277
33°
Essais
HB9AK
JN47li
.985
ON??
JO20ht
.875
572
82°
DB0UX
JN59bd
.882
DB0JK
JO30lx
.874
401
50°
Synthé règlé à MHz donne MHz
Appel sur .100 réel ou .125 affichés
Voie de service MHz
Appel sur MHz
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

6. Getting started on 10 GHz band
10 GHz beacons
French 10 GHz beacon list
 MHz
Constantly
50% time
Occasionally (RS)
QRT définitif  dpt 43 ?
HB9EME/b MHz
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

7. Getting started on 10 GHz band
10 GHz rXed beacons from JN18 : geographical positions
Constantly
50% time
Occasionally (RS)
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

8. Getting started on 10 GHz band
10 GHz SCPs for RS
Example of qso with F6DRO via scp in JN26
SCP = scatter point
RS = rain scatter (thick thunderstorm cumulonibus)
F5DQK
F6DRO
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

9. Getting started on 10 GHz band
10 GHz QSO’s
June /July 5008 from JN18gr via tropo & principally RS
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

10. Getting started on 10 GHz band
2- 10 GHz SSB-Electronic
2 separate Rx and Tx mixers boxes
2.556 GHz self oscillating LO with MHz quarz
Pout > +20 dBm or 100 mW
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

11. 10 GHz SSB-Electronic Transverter Getting started on 10 GHz band
Rx converter scheme
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

12. 10 GHz SSB-Electronic Transverter Getting started on 10 GHz band
Rx converter layout
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

13. 10 GHz SSB-Electronic Transverter Getting started on 10 GHz band
Tx converter scheme
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

14. 10 GHz SSB-Electronic Transverter Getting started on 10 GHz band
Tx converter layout
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

15. 10 GHz SSB-Electronic Transverter Getting started on 10 GHz band
2.556 GHz local oscillator
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

16. 10 GHz SSB-Electronic Transverter Getting started on 10 GHz band
Boxed transverter
XTM-1 above
XRM-1 under
SMA/WR-90 transition
24V TRx relay
2.556 GHz LO
Output PA
DC/DC converter
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

17. Getting started on 10 GHz band
3a- 10 GHz DB6NT transverter vers 1
1 Rx and Tx box
same GHz self oscillating LO with MHz quarz
Pout = +7 dBm or 5 mW
That was my choice
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

18. Getting started on 10 GHz band
10 GHz DB6NT Transverter
Transverter version 1 Tx
(1991)
LO GHz
15mW
2.556 GHz X4
buffer
GHz
144 MHz Rx
V1 : Pout 10 à 15mW, NF=3dB
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

19. Getting started on 10 GHz band
10 GHz DB6NT Transverter
Transverter version 1 layout
NF=3dB
Pout
10 à 15mW
GHz resonators
5.112 GHz resonator
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

20. Getting started on 10 GHz band
10 GHz DB6NT Transverter
Transverter version 1 hardware
2.556 GHz LO in
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

21. Getting started on 10 GHz band
10 GHz DB6NT Transverter
Outside GHz MKU25 LO with MHz quarz
X4 inside the transverter
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

22. Getting started on 10 GHz band
10 GHz DB6NT Transverter
Alternative to constant LO drift with temperature: JWM Model 2556-ALN phase locked oscillator
Ext lockin output
2.556 GHz +17 dBm
10 to 12 dB attenuator needed
10 or 100 MHz ref in
Price $
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

23. Getting started on 10 GHz band
10 GHz DB6NT Transverter
5 to 200 mW first amp
16 dB gain
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

24. Getting started on 10 GHz band
10 GHz DB6NT Transverter
HEMT Nf=1 dB, gain=24 dB preamp
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

25. Getting started on 10 GHz band
10 GHz DB6NT Transverter
10 GHz transverter inside view
-0.7 dB !!
-0.3 dB
+12V DC relay
LO = GHz soit
(106.5 x 24), P=10 mW
-0.3 dB
+12V TRx relay
-0.08 dB
DG1VL preamp
23 dB, Nf=1.3 dB
0.1Win/1.3Wout 11 dB amp I=0.5A
5mWin/200mWout 15 dB amp
Pin 144 MHz <= 2W
Pout 10 GHz fiche N 29.8 dBm ou 0.76W
Pout direct dBm ou 1.26W
Rx 12V 180 mA, Tx 1.15 A
DB6NT transverter V1, Pout=15 mW
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

26. Getting started on 10 GHz band
10 GHz DB6NT Transverter
10 GHz transverter : how getting 0.5 dB more on Tx
-0.18 instead of -0.7 dB
Transverter version 1
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

27. Getting started on 10 GHz band
10 GHz DB6NT Transverter
Oscillator drift after ½ hour heating compared to F5XBD/b 77 frequency
T °C
Oscillator drift (kHz)
+21
+10
+25
+30
-20
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

28. Getting started on 10 GHz band
3b- 10 GHz DB6NT transverter vers 2
Whole GHz LO with MHz quarz inside
External MHz LO input for far better stability
Pout = +23 dBm or 200 mW
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

29. Getting started on 10 GHz band
10 GHz DB6NT Transverter
Transverter version 2
(2003)
NOW: like V1 and
-Pout=200 mW, nF=1.2 dB
-LO totally on same board
Option 1 is:
106.5 MHz external ocxo fitting a subsidiary SMA connector
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

30. Getting started on 10 GHz band
10 GHz DB6NT Transverter
Transverter version 2 layout
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

31. Getting started on 10 GHz band
10 GHz DB6NT Transverter
Transverter version 2 hardware
106.5 MHz separate ocxo
LO feeding
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

32. Getting started on 10 GHz band
10 GHz DB6NT Transverter
Transverter version : ocxo schematic (Eisch-Kafka)
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

33. Getting started on 10 GHz band
3c- 10 GHz DB6NT transverter vers 3
LO=106.5 MHz ocxo at 40°C
External 10 MHz ref input for rock stability (ocxo or GPS)
Tx Nf improvement
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

34. Getting started on 10 GHz band
10 GHz DB6NT Transverter
10 GHz DB6NT Transverter
Transverter version 3
(2007)
NOW: like V2 and
106.5 MHz with internal PLL
LO with internal oven
Ext 10 MHz ref input for frequency stability like the GPS
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

35. Getting started on 10 GHz band
10 GHz DB6NT Transverter
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

36. Getting started on 10 GHz band
4- 10 GHz indoor & outdoor tryings
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

37. Getting started on 10 GHz band
10 GHz DB6NT Transverter
First RS tryings with open window in the shack room
Alu fixation tube for
definitive 3 to 5° elevation
DC bias-tee for 1st Tx tries
25M DC wire for ΔV measures
in future mast mounting
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

38. Getting started on 10 GHz band
10 GHz DB6NT Transverter
Transverter DC pinning
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

39. Getting started on 10 GHz band
10 GHz DB6NT Transverter
Summer configuration « complement »
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

40. Getting started on 10 GHz band
10 GHz DB6NT Transverter
Zoom on 10 GHz ensemble
Procom Φ48 cm prime-focus dish
F/D=0.4
F=19.2 cm
Gain 27 dBd (37 dBd à 24 GHz)
Elévation 3 à 5°
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

41. Getting started on 10 GHz band
10 GHz DB6NT Transverter
DC & RF measures
Transverter 10 GHz sous 12V :
Rx 180 mA
Tx, 1.15A
Pout max avant transition guide – = dBm ou 960 mW
Pout sortie directe ampli 1.2W dBm ou 0.76W
12.77V descendent à 12.2 V dans 25 m câble 2 x 1.5 mm2
ΔV = V
Pin 144 MHz <= 2W
Pout 10 GHz fiche N 29.8 dBm ou 0.76W
Pout direct dBm ou 1.26W
Le point de rain-scatter se comporte comme une antenne avec un diagramme de rayonnement qui est celui d'un dipole, dont l'un des max est orienté vers l'observateur (diagramme en 8). Ce diagramme présente des nuls à 90 degrés et évolue en sinus carré ( en densité de puissance), çàd que l'énergie reçue est plus ou moins forte selon où se trouve le correspondant.
Dans les cas où ceux-ci sont du côté des 90°+/- 10 deg, ça ne marche pas .
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

42. Getting started on 10 GHz band
5- FT-817nd mods for Tx purposes
Gives a positive voltage in the 144 MHz coaxial while tXing
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

43. Getting started on 10 GHz band
10 GHz DB6NT Transverter
FT-817nd mod for DC addition in coax while Txing (upper side)
Or « reversal PTT » !!
BNC socket
4.7 kΩ
1 nF serial cap
DB6NT transverters need +V in coax cable for switching in Tx mode !!
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

44. Getting started on 10 GHz band
10 GHz DB6NT Transverter
FT-817nd desensibilisation procedure
With only noise, S-meter then drops doww from S8 to S1 to the 144 MHz Rx
TX OFF - appuyer simultanément sur A B et C et conserver les 3 BP enfoncés
mettre en marche le 817 envoie une série de bips et passe en mode config - sélecteur à gauche pour faire défiler les menus - choisir menu 5 VHF RXG  ( gain Réception en VHF )  valeur initiale= descendre à la valeur 56  S1 de QRM ce qui ne saturera plus le FT-817nd
Atténuation pour ramener S8 à S1 dans la ligne 144 MHz : environ 14 dB
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

45. Getting started on 10 GHz band
10 GHz DB6NT Transverter
FT-817nd automatic CW with MixW2 : configuration
FT-817nd en mode USB
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

46. Getting started on 10 GHz band
6- 10 GHz dish comparaison
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

47. Getting started on 10 GHz band
10 GHz DB6NT Transverter
Frequency stability measures after ½ hour
Appareil utilisé
F lue (GHz)
Après
Synthé HP 8672a
Compteur Marconi 2440
5 min
à TCXO
Analyseur spectre Tektronix 494 span 50 Hz
20 min
Analyseur spectre Tektronix 492bp span 200 Hz 1H
dérive naturelle
Synthé HP 862a
Tektro 492bp
Tektro 494
Sortie FI (MHz) RF
Mesure LO de MHz
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

48. Getting started on 10 GHz band
10 GHz DB6NT Transverter
Gain comparaison of prime-focus and offset dishes
Dish
Heigth (cm)
Width (cm)
Depth (cm)
Gain
Procom Prime-focus 49 na
32 calculés
Worldsat offset 80 73
6.4
36.1
Echostar offset
131
121
11.5
40.5
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

49. Getting started on 10 GHz band
7- 10 /5.7 GHz IK1GEX double horn
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

50. Getting started on 10 GHz band
IK1GEX 5.7 & 10 GHz double Horn
10 to 5.7 GHz isolation
5.7 to 10 GHz isolation
Scalar analyser HP 8757a + sweep HP 8350b
Target : double 5.7 & 10 GHz feeding on one same 80 cm offset dish
Cure : far better isolation must be done on the 5.7 GHz Rx
NB: in opposite side of a coax cable, the guide acts like a HIGHPASS filter !!
10 GHz feeding – measures on 5.7 GHz SMA input
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

51. Getting started on 10 GHz band
IK1GEX 5.7 & 10 GHz double Horn
Compromise of different phase center positions on each band
- Dixit F6DRO, the gain on each band cannot be optimised - - the phasing center on every band is at 2 different locations.
- Not yet discussed
- Under construction
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

52. Getting started on 10 GHz band
8- 10 GHz setup of some french dXers
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

53. Getting started on 10 GHz band
F4BUC or F4DRU/p setup
6W on 10 GHz & offset Φ85
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

54. Getting started on 10 GHz band
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

55. Getting started on 10 GHz band
F1BZG/45 setup
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

56. Trépied F1PDX + 74 cm offset Getting started on 10 GHz band
Fixation à retourner de 180° ?
Environ 55°
Poids 5.2 Kg
Environ 25 à 30°
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

57. Getting started on 10 GHz band
HB9AFO/p setup
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

58. Getting started on 10 GHz band
Antenna setup of F5HRY
50 MHz DXSR 3 élts
1296 MHz F9FT 4 x 23 élts
432 MHz F9FT 9 élts
2300 MHz Wimo 2 x 40 élts
60W
24 GHz Andrew Φ 33
0.5W
5.7 GHz Prime focus Φ 70
10 GHz offset Φ 75 9W
12W
144 MHz 10 élts
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

59. Getting started on 10 GHz band
Antenna setup of F6APE
1st TOWER
10 GHz Prime focus Φ 60
3 W
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

60. Getting started on 10 GHz band
Setup of F8BRK
Sequencer
DB6NT preamp
8 W
10 GHz Prime focus Φ 85
3 W out
5.7 GHz Prime focus Φ 150
DB6NT 2W amp
F5DQK August 2008
Getting started on 10 GHz band

61. Getting started on 10 GHz band
Setup of F2CT/p
F5DQK August 2008
10W à 10 GHz & offset Φ 1.20
Getting started on 10 GHz band