file: uwave.txt update: April 28, 1993 Microwave Bibliography and sources for microwave components. Zack Lau, KH6CP, Internet: zlau@arrl.org 903 MHz 144 MHz IF transverter July 1991 QST p.25 20 mW output, under 4 dB NF. 28 MHz IF operation is possible if tighter filters are used. Unfortunately, such filters normally require tuning or a precision machine shop. Precision teflon board filters are also possible, except that nobody has done the work necessary. Ordinary G-10/FR-4 is not made to high tolerances, so precision work with this involves adapting the design to each production run of board. Recommended way of getting to 10 watts on this band is to buy a hybrid module, such as the Hitachi PF0011 (DEM), and hook it up according to the data sheet. DEM also sells kits. If linear operation in necessary, make sure your hybrid is linear. Many class C hybrids are available, though the newer ones tend to be linear to allow the power to be controlled. 125 watts, 10 dB gain. April 1988 QEX Two 7289s on 903 MHz. An air cooled amplifier that is rather complex mechanically to build. It is assumed that the builder knows how to build the amplifier in the March 1970 issue of Ham Radio for 23 cm. 1296 MHz 144 MHz IF transverter ARRL Handbook p 32-15. Boards are available from DEM. Unfortunately, board artwork is not available from the ARRL. 28 MHz IF transverter ARRL Handbook 32-5. Requires a fair amount of tuning to get going. 10 mW to 3 watt power amplifier. 1993 ARRL Handbook p. 32-18. DEM sells kits and parts. The only critical traces on the circuit board are the input and output 50 ohm microstrips. They could be replaced with coax. 7 and 18 watt power amplifiers. 1993 ARRL Handbook p. 32-19. Perhaps superseeded by hybrid modules such as the M57762. These are available from DEM amd RF Parts. 250 watt amplifier. 1993 ARRL Handbook p. 32-29. 2C39 tube operated in excess of rating, but is the most common way of generating lots of power on this band. Lots of metal work needed. Caution is needed, since this much power can easily be dangerous. Power combining 250 watt amplifiers to get 400 watts. April 1991 QST pp. 28-30 2304 MHz. No-Tune Transverter Dec 1992 QST. Artwork is available from the Technical Department secretary. A 0.8 dB NF 14 dB gain preamplifier appears in the May 1989 QST, p 31-36 and the ARRL 1993 Handbook p. 32-22 to 32-28. While no-tune, adjusting the bias current is sometimes necessary for optimum performance with these preamps. If a 14 or 15 volt supply is available, the Avantek UT0-2013 hybrid module in a TO-8 case will deliver 20 dBm. This unit is sometimes available in surplus assemblies. The ATF-10135 may work as a power amplifier, except that device variations (within specifications) as well as biasing/stabilizing circuit limitations often limit the power below its 20 dBm power specification. A repeatable no-tune 2304 power amp has yet to be published for getting above the 20 mW level. The adventurous may wish to take nearly any power GaAs FET available, put it on a board with half wavelength 50 ohm traces, bias it according to the manufacturer's specification sheet (or whatever seems reasonable), and tune it for maximum output power with copper foil. A major difficulty is that power GaAs FETs basically aren't designed for 2 GHz operation in mind--perhaps indicating the lack of a big customer. 28 volt bipolar devices are available, except that amateurs don't seem to be interested enough to develop designs. 3456 MHz. No-Tune Transverter June 1989 QST. Etching your own high accuracy teflon board isn't recommended, though the author will supply artwork. Most people buy etched boards from DEM. A 0.9 dB NF 23 dB gain preamplifier appears in the May 1989 QST, p 31-36 and the ARRL 1993 Handbook p. 32-22 to 32-28. While no-tune, adjusting the bias current is sometimes necessary for optimum performance with these preamps. WA8NLC sells a pair of boards for using the AT-8140 and Avantek IMFET. The AT8140 should put out a watt with 10 dB of gain. The IM2935-3 IMFET costs about $300+ new, but is one way to get 4 or 5 watts on this band. Much of the high power work is done with surplus TWTAs and solid state amplifiers. 5760 MHz Simple transverter with no RF amplifiers. A Single-Board Bilateral 5760 MHz Transverter," QST October 1990 pp 27-31. Mixers, filters, and low level (4 mW??--data sheet says 5 mW at 4 GHz) amplifier. 1992 Microwave Update. Mixers, etc. for 5760 MHz, Paul Wade p. 71-79. A 1.2 dB NF 18 dB gain preamplifier appears in the May 1989 QST, p 31-36 and the ARRL 1993 Handbook p. 32-22 to 32-28. While no-tune, adjusting the bias current is sometimes necessary for optimum performance with these preamps. Much of the high power work is done with surplus 5 watt solid state amplifiers and TWTAs. 10 GHz A transverter for duplication by experienced microwave experimenters has been written up for QST and is currently being edited. It puts out 10 to 20 mW and has a noise figure under 3 dB. The Microwave Update 1991 and the Microwave Handbooks by the RSGB describes some kits sold by Petra, G3WDG's XYL. The kits will run about $500 U.S. The claimed noise figure is 3 dB and the saturated power output is +20 dBm. There are many tuned stages to adjust for proper operation. (circa March 92) Petra Suckling 314A Newton Road RUSHDEN Northants NN10 0SY UK Tel 8-01144-993-411446 NF 18 dB gain preamplifier appears in the May 1989 QST, p 31-36 and the ARRL 1993 Handbook p. 32-22 to 32-28. While no-tune, adjusting the bias current is sometimes necessary for optimum performance with these preamps. A 0.8 dB NF 11 dB gain preamp appears in the Dec 1992 QEX. A template is available for an sase from the Technical department secretary. SHF Microwave Parts Company 7102 W. 500S. La Porte IN 46350 She sells a wide variety of 10 and 24 GHz Gunn modules (new and used), as well as a small selection of parts and small horn antennas. For the Really Ambitious: 5.7 and 10 GHz transverters that put out over 1 watt, 100 mW 24 GHz transverter. Noise figures are 2.4, 3.0, and 4.0 dB for the LNAs. Parts availability could be a problem, as the author is Japanese. Microwave Update 1992 5.7-GHz, 10-GHz, and 24-GHz All-Mode Linear Transverter p.100-146. SSB/CW Equipment concepts for 24 and 47 GHz. 1989 Microwave Update. How you might go about building equipment for these bands, assuming you can find the right pieces. It took Tom two years before serious construction of the 47 GHz unit could begin, and he knew what he was doing. 24 GHz Low Noise Amplifiers. 1991 Microwave Update. How to build amplifiers that take hours to tune up, even with experience and expertise. 10.8 dBm output for the best transmit amp, 3.5 dB NF for the best LNA. Various Parts Sources RF Parts MGF 1302, MGF 1402, and Hybrid Modules Mainline Electronics P.O. Box 235 Leichester LE2 9SH England has MGF1302, MMICs, and other semiconductors Dayton 92 Microwave Components of Michigan P.O. Box 1697 Taylor MI 48180 313-753-4581 Wide selection of parts, including MMICs, diodes, and teflon board material. DEM=Down East Microwave Box 2310, RR1 Troy ME 04987 phone 207-948-3741 FAX 207-948-5157 MCM=Microwave Components of Michigan M/A-Com Semiconductor Products Inc Burlington MA 01803 Phone 617-272-3000 Probably not as helpful to amateurs as when the company was owned by a well known amateur. Advanced Receiver Research Box 1242 Burlington CT 06013 is a distributor for MA/-Com. phone 203-582-9409. They sell complete Gunnplexer transceivers with genuine FM for 10 and 24 GHz. Where to Get the Pieces Here's a list of vendors that supply the parts used in the 10-GHz transverter.*** Catalogs and/or price lists are available from each listed supplier. Down East Microwave, RR1 Box 2310, Troy, ME 04987, tel 207-948-3741, fax 207-948-5157, and Steve Kostro, N2CEI, RFD 1 Box 341A, Frenchtown, NJ 08825, tel 908-834-1304 (days) or 908-996-3584: MMICs, MGF1302, chip capacitors, SMA connectors, mixer diodes (only DEM carries the HSMS 8202; both stock the HSMS 2822). Mainline Electronics, PO Box 235, Leicester LE2 9SH, England: MGF1302, MMICs, transistors, voltage regulators. Microwave Components of Michigan, PO Box 1697, Taylor, MI 48180, evening tel 313-753-4581: MMICs, 15-mil 5880 board material, MGF1302, HSMS 2822, chip capacitors, UT-141, SMA connectors, feedthrough capacitors. Nemal Electronics, 12240 NE 14 Ave, N Miami, FL 33161, tel 305-893-3924: SMA connectors, semirigid cable. Ocean State Electronics, PO Box 1458, Westerly, RI 02891, tel 401-596-3080, fax 401-596-3590: LM555, 78L05, 2N3906, 2N2907A, ICL7660, 1/4-watt carbon-film resistors, electrolytic capacitors, tantalum capacitors. SHF Microwave Parts Co, 7102 W 500 St, La Porte, IN 46350: HSMS 2822, MMICs. Also sells Gunn transceivers. Small Parts, PO Box 4560, Miami Lakes, FL 33014, tel 305-557- 8222: brass sheet stock, stainless-steel screws, #2-56 taps, many other items of interest to microwave-equipment builders. RF Parts, 1320 Grand Ave, San Marcos, CA 92069, tel 619-744- 0700, fax 619-744-1943: MGF1302. ***This is not intended to be a complete list of dealers that carry these products. [end of sidebar 2] From: zlau@arrl.org (Zack Lau) Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc Subject: Re: North Texas Microwave Date: 26 Apr 93 02:30:30 EDT Organization: American Radio Relay League In rec.radio.amateur.misc, willis@cs.tamu.edu (Willis Marti) writes: >Anyone have a snailmail, Internet email, packet address or phone number >for the North Texas Microwave Society? North Tesas Microwave Society c/o WA5TKU Wes Atchison Rt. 4 Box 565 Sanger TX 76266 NTMS Feedpoint comes out 6 times a year. They sponsor the Microwave Update, but it is a local club in many repects--monthly meetings and tune-up sessions for getting the gear running. BTW Wondering about the Eastern VHF/UHF conference? Latest rumors heard on 2 meter SSB indicate that the conference has been postponed to mid-summer. It will probably be held around the Springfield MA area. Zack Lau KH6CP/1