Transverter success with 6500

Mike VE3CKO

I was impressed with the  K4DSP video nice work Doug, in fact is was such a good instructional video, I ordered the 144, 222 and 432 UT5JCW transverters from transverters-store.com and were they promptly delivered, have been using this 144 transverter exclusively since and I must say, on my 6500 it seems to be out performing my factory installed VUK on my 5000A as the SmartSDR WNB feature is HUGE on 2m. It drops band static noise an easy 2 S-units or more without distorting audio as the NB can do. NB on 2m does reduce static at the expense of audio quality but does nothing to reduce the noise floor. The ability to see the whole band is nice. Switching back and forth to some weak 2m SSB there is more signal, about an S unit which really means nothing but more importantly I can hear through the noise better and I attribute that to the 6500. Been getting phenomenal reports from local SSB guys I talk to regularly so they are honest reports. The transverter is stable, doesn't drift so far and I can also report the transverter works fine with 5 to 6 watt output to my M2 2M-1K2 amplifier.

I got 3 identical project boxes for each transverter and mounted boards inside using some old pentium heatsinks. The front panel has power switch and LED and a transmit LED as I designed a simple low active circuit with a 2N3906. Back panel are BNC connectors for 28mHz in and antenna out as well as connectors for PTT and power and fuse. I contemplated not putting in a fuse holder but this is experimental.

Only downside with 6500 is when transverter is selected that's all that can be use. Can't use HF on another panadapter because it has just one SCU. Will have to get a 6700, hmmm. When trade-up program coming to Canada?

Follow my updates on my QRZ page for VE3CKO. Trying to get a yagi for 222 so I can test it and the 432 board during the VHF contest coming up.

Rick

I'm very interested in this follow up post to the K4DSP video as I've been watching these transverters for some time. Please continue your reports especially with the 432 MHz version as I'm gun shy of its stability vs the 2 meter which sounds pretty good. Hard to be,I eve it's better than the 5000A I have. At the moment I'm using an IC 9100 for uplink and the 6300 with down converters for downlink and it's working very well on satellites. 73, Rick, W2JAZ

WA2SQQ

I found that you can clean up the output a bit by adjusting the bias to the output device. This is done with the **** on the PCB. You need to do this while watching the output into a spectrum analyzer. While there are better transverters, these are hard to beat for the money - definitely the way to go if you are just getting into the transverter aspect of the hobby.

Doug Hall

I share Rick's interest in the 432 MHz version. Keep us posted, please!
73,
Doug K4DSP

Mike VE3CKO

I'm awaiting delivery of more BNC chassis connectors, if they don't arrive before the weekend I'll have to use something else for testing. Will keep you informed.

KENT HUFFORD

Watching the video, and reading the reviews here, I bought a 2m and 440 Transverter from the store. Took a couple of weeks for them to show up.

The 2m one works great. Followed all the video instructions. Works great on FM and DSTAR. Neat being about to use the waterfall on 2m seeing the other noise and transmissions. However, I have not been able to get the 440 transverter to work. It acts deaf. And does not transmit. I must have something set wrong. The Serge offered to replace it. But, I am still seeing if it is me.