transverter hookup

James Kennedy-WU5E

FLEX 6500 , I have a transverterstore 2m Transverter.

I have a patch cable from the TX3 to the PTT on the Transverter

I have a BNC to BNC from the XVTER port on my FLEX 6500

I have a valid 2m Transverter built in SmartSDR

Smart SDR see the signal to the XVTER port

When I speak into the Microphone the Transverter TX turns Green

I have a RF cable from the Transverter to my 2m AMP

don't key the AMP

The Transverter Keys but no power out

what am I missing

Jim

George KF2T

Enough RF to drive the Amp? Or trigger the RF-sensing relay (if it has one)? Can you try a cable from TX2 to the amp PTT?

Joe - KC2TN

Did you "Enable" TX3 IN Radio Setup under the TX tab?

James Kennedy-WU5E

the AMP is Mirage B-320G RF sensing, I just key and listen the local repeater in town on my HT and SMARTSDR received it.

I have tried 3 watts in Nothing

I have tried 5 watts in Nothing

My 2m FM radio with 5 watts out drives the amp to  202 watts out

Either the Flex 6500 Transverter port  is NOT driving enough power to do anything

This is the Transverterstore 2m Transverter , I just got it in the mail today.

Jim

WU5E

James Kennedy-WU5E

YES YES YES TX3 is enabled

AA0KM

James Kennedy-WU5E

Just measured the output power of the Transverter port on my Flex 6500 with it set at 10 watts and key down zero power out

Jim

AA0KM

The transistor will only handle 10-15 watts CW. So I used the 13dbm accordingly.

Puts out about 2-1/2 watts SSB and 6 watts FM 10 watts CW.

Adjusted with input to dummy load no more than 10 watts CW and i came up with 13dBm.

May I suggest watching this great video. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8JQ0SIUlI8

James Kennedy-WU5E

I have watch that video 17 times before this Transverter  came in the mail today.

if I measure zero power out on the Transverter port. My dam FLEX is not working as prescribed.

Joe - KC2TN

It sounds like your Transverter is setup to take a Higher power input than the 6500 transverter port puts out. 

The 6500 ONLY puts out about 100mw max (20dBm) when set to 100.

Here's a reference for the slider settings on the 6500 from Eric - KE5DTO about 3 years ago.

When transmitting on the XVTR port below 80MHz, the RF Power slider is set to put out -11.5 to +15 dBm (-11.5 at setting 1, +15 at setting 100). Above 80MHz, this range is -11.5 to +8dBm.

Perhaps you can change the input power level range to accept a lower wattage to get the output you desire.

I've done that with most of my Demi transverters.

Dennis Terry W4SG

If you happen to buy the pre-built transverter that has the attenuator board in it you will have to disable the attenuator.  I did it with my 6300 by cutting the diode on the attenuator board so that the attenuator is not enabled but the transverter transmit is still enabled.  I plan on adding a switch to put the diode back in the circuit when needed.  Just my 2Cents...
 

James Kennedy-WU5E

Joe you win the cookie. thanks I was so careful about input power I had the RF Slider at 10 watts

thanks, Now I have to find the right balance to get between 150 and 200 out on my amp.

Jim

Joe - KC2TN

I am NOT familiar with your transverter, but i just looked it up and it appears it comes designed to work with an IF input of 1-50mw.to get 10 watts out.

IF input power  -  1 ... 50 mW (0.05 W max.) or 0 ... 17 dBm

So the Flex should be able to work with it!

So, if you can measure in the milliwatt range at 28Mhz and the Flex gives the appropriate output on the Xvtr Port, i'd start looking at the Transverter not working properly.

Hope ALL this helps??

Been in your shoes plenty of times myself.

Joe  - KC2TN

AA0KM

Glad you got going! Adjust the dBm to suit power output and looks like your ready to go.

My main issue was getting freq (LO) adjusted correctly using only fm repeaters for start then on air usage. Mine seemed to change around a bit. Maybe burn-in time.

73 Jeff

Joe - KC2TN

Mark - K9MQ

Where on the attenuator board did you cut the diode? 

Dennis Terry W4SG

I cut one end of VD3 which activates K1 & K3 which enables the attenuator or not.  On my board it is a thru hole device.  Looking at the web site it looks like they are now surface mount, so you will have to remove the diode.  See: http://transverters-store.com/attboard.htm  Hope this helps.