Made good progress on the 2nd homebrew 10GHz TVTR this weekend. Old school modular approach, based on W1GHZ + G3WDG designs with new PMA5-123-3W MMIC PA. TX path above deck, LO, VRegs, sequencer and RX plus LNA below.
144MHz IF, 2.5W out on 10368MHz.
#GHz_Bands
Adding an Ali screen between the two sections, and some absorber material on the underside of the lid seems to have stopped any unwanted oscillations. The 10GHz PA is finally happy in its new enclosure. 😊
Currently max 2.5W out / 23dB gain.
An interesting learning curve.
#GHz_Bands
I’ve just received my first order placed on JLCCNC. I’m very pleased with their end product. Also that I appear to have submitted a design file (step) without any undocumented features. 😉😀
The recently upgraded GB3MHZ 23cms beacon, now running Q65-30B, piqued my interest. I made a Bi-Quad antenna yesterday, and have it pointing towards Stansted, roughly 90 degrees off GB3MHZ.
Getting some really good AS decodes, the best at -4dB.
Not too shabby for a simple indoor antenna.
#GHz_Bands
10GHz /P TVTR positioned indoors pointing skywards. Trying a new 3D-printed horn antenna to monitor beacons via RS.
Three beacons seen so far, L to R 10368.755 GB3CAM, .945 GB3PKT and .960 GB3CMS.
10368.720 is my personal QRPp test source / beacon. 🙂
The PMA5-123 10GHz PA is working well. After a couple of minor HW changes and two parameter changes in the DC-bias MCU SW I can now measure 2.5W with 24dB gain. A nice add-on for my homebrew TVTRs. Now to think about a suitable enclosure and putting the second one together.
Thanks Simon. With the exception of the LNA, 10MHz OCXO and PLL board it’s all homebrew.
My new 10GHz masthead TVTR is finally taking shape. All the individual modules are working. RX / TX tested, working with 144MHz IF, currently 1.5W output. Now to shoehorn everything into the enclosure. Metal “bashing”, my least favourite part of any project. 😊
It’s the PMA5-123-3W chip and PA board from MMRT plus the bias board from Maarten - PA0MHE
With everything crossed I powered up the PA. No magic smoke escaped! Calibration ran okay.
A very quick test (with low bias current) indicated it’s giving 22dB gain.
These boards have been a real challenge, 0603 parts and QFN devices are at the limit of my soldering capabilities now. #GHz_Bands
I was near Combe Gibbet earlier today. As I had my 10GHz gear with me I took the opportunity to visit.
Wow! Location location… ✔️✔️
Unprepared, no headings etc. GB3CMS & PKT both audible via RS. GCT was S9++ on open WG, 1st time I’ve used uW gear at a decent site, different to /P in Essex.
#GHz_Bands
Thanks Gareth. Okay on G4RFR, have worked the team several times. Always an amazing signal, one that you can’t really miss. 😊
I was very pleased to work K5DOG -19/-19 for Initial 47 and KM0T -12/-21 on 10GHz EME today. Two quick Q65-60D contacts. Both stations were using a 1.8m OS dish (1.2m OS & 10W my side).
#GHz_Bands
Enjoying a lovely day up on the Suffolk coast.
Ran out of time to put everything in an Ali diecast box so sticky pads 🥴 are holding the new 10GHz TVTR modules together in preparation for measurements at MMRT tomorrow.
Looking forward to another excellent uW event.
It’s an old (and rather heavy) 10-12W output MAL PA originally used on 11GHz digital links.
Conditions and activity on 10GHz EME has been good over the last two days. Completed with 10 different stations (smallest being 1.5m / 30W). This has resulted in 4 new initials and 2 new DXCC.
Not too shabby for my 1.2m OS dish, 10W and manual tracking on Moon noise setup.
Fun on the #GHz_Bands
A 100mm length of WG16 waveguide drilled in preparation for copper tube posts and end caps to be soldered in place to form a 10GHz BPF.
Waiting on some copper tube and then I will be melting more solder. 😊
Fun on the #GHz_Bands
After a 4 month winter break, my 10GHz EME gear went back up on the dish yesterday. Pleased to start the new EME year off with Slawek, DL6SH in the log for a new initial (#36).
It was lovely to be outside in the sunshine today. I compared a new (to me) 58cms dish + Cassegrain feed with my original PW 47cms dish + Penny feed.
Based on Tsky/Tsun measurements (10GHz) using the SDR Console Continuum mode the bigger dish measured 3dB which was 1dB up on the original PW dish.
My 2nd 10GHz TVTR build is progressing well. The 10224MHz LO and receive modules are all working. Now to finish the next module to produce some RF output at 10368MHz.
I ventured out yesterday for a brief /P session to check out the 10GHz setup with the new SDR + RPi display. GB3CMS was 59+ as expected over the short 10km path. Looking forward to the warmer weather. 😊
My G3WDG-002 10GHz Receive Converter finally completed and working. As I still had all the parts in my spares box I decided it had to be finished. Just 30 years in the making! 🥴
#GHz_Bands
After nearly 10 years of almost daily use, I had to take the lid off my Anglian TVTR to make a minor adjustment. Xtal ageing had caused the onboard 116MHz LO to be almost 1kHz off and as a result the ZLPLL was struggling to ref-lock. All working fine again today. 😊
An excellent piece of 2m kit.
Caught some 10GHz RS earlier. Both GB3PKT and GB3CMS beacons visible on the waterfall. First time I’ve been able to see CMS using the /P gear indoors. Really must try to get some uW kit up on the main mast this year.
HNY #GHz_Bands
Home made 10GHz TVTR with an FT-818 used as the 432MHz IF. On top of the 818 sits rather precariously an unboxed 5” touch screen and RPi that’s being used as a Panadapter.
Back panel of the Panadapter removed to show a RPi and NooElec SDR. A 5” touchscreen plus a 12/24V to 5V Buck Converter are also shoehorned in this Hammond 160x105x53mm enclosure.
Front view of the Panadapter and 3D-printed bezel. Screen shows QRPp shack beacon / signal source on the waterfall.
After setting up a new RPi and Octoprint today I got my 3D-printer working again. A test print produced a reasonably decent bezel to put the finishing touches to my RPi Panadapter. This will be used primarily with the 10GHz /P setup. I’ve found it to be very useful when there’s RS about.
#GHz_Bands
After some cutting, bending and soldering my new liteVNA 64 was put to good use today 😊 Very pleased with this new piece of test gear.
I now have a 9cms bi-quad feed for my dish setup. Planning to get out /P on 3 & 9cms in the NY.
#GHz_Bands
