transverter and FLEX 6600

James Kennedy-WU5E

I'm need help- when ordering a Transverter  
they offer this Available
OptionsIF ConfigurationCommon IF
Split IF


RF ConfigurationCommon RF HP (+$35.00)

Split RF


IF Drive Level-20dBm to 0dBm

0dBm to +20dBm

1W to 10W


PTT PolarityLow (GND)

High (>1.7V)


Local Oscillator StabilityStandard

High Stability 0.28ppm (+$45.00)


Custom IF


Standard IF - 28MHz


Which option do I need my set up is FLEX 6600  2m amp and 432 amp  so puzzle which options i should do?

Jim
WU5E

Tom Worthington

I use a DEMI transverter (2m) with separate Rx and Tx.  +20 dBm input is fine and easy to adjust with the Flex controls.  PTT low is standard (I think) and will switch the Flex properly.  I use the 10MHz output from my GPS locked Flex to keep the transverter on frequency with a standard 28 MHz IFoutput.  I use it for EME operation.  Once it is setup in the Flex it operates without any problem.
73, Tom, NH6Y

Tom Worthington

I should have said, the first choice is: do you want to run separate Rx and Tx coax cables to your antenna?  If you want to put a preamp at the antenna then you will need to add a T/R relay at the antenna and run two cables.  In that case you will need to ask for separate Input and Output connections on the transverter.  If you decide to use a single coax to the antenna and use the T/R relay in your amplifier then you want the combined output option for the transverter.  With your Flex you can use either a combined IF or separate Tx IF and Rx IF.  I run separate and select RX_A for the receive antenna and XVTA for the output antenna.  If the transverter has combined IF then you would select XVTA for both the receive or transmit antennas.  
73, Tom, NH6Y

Watts - K4QJZ

I should ask first what do you want to do with 2M and 70CM? The configurations can be optimized based on what you want to do such as Satellite work or Terrestrial such as repeaters and DX. I wanted to do both if I could, you can.

I recently purchased two units, one for 2 Meter and one for 70CM, in both cases the manufacture Q5 (the manufacture of the DEMI, Down East Microwave, Inc., units) and the folks at DownEast were very glad to discuss my applications and the pros and cons of the different configurations.

I hope to use the units for both areas of interest, Satellite and Terrestrial DX. Below is my configuration for each and a short note why, hope this helps. Note: I do not have a 10MHz reference but wish I did but it’s not required to start. (There is lots of past discussions on the accuracy of the VHF side of the 6700 with many saying the GPSDO option (Internal 10MHz reference option) is really needed? Only tried the repeaters in the area so far with no issues?)

 

432-28HP

1.     50 Watts (max power I would need for Satellite work and reasonable for local repeaters, etc.)

2.     Antenna out, Common TX/RC (RF Option) I am using the same antenna for transmit and receive on 70CM and at 50 Watts one can purchase quality RF preamps which will RF sense and switch themselves in and out as required if needed.

3.     Separate TX and RX (IF Option) needed to work duplex Satellite comms, very helpful to know how you sound over the satellite and the manufacture recommended the configuration for satellite work with 2M up and 70CM down or 70CM up and 2M down. (You will also need to purchase their DIPS device, duplexer/switch) (As noted in the previous Email you will drive the unit via the transverter port and receive via RX-A or RX_B)

4.     IF Drive, -20db to 0dbm (Matches up very well with the transverter output level on my 6700 (100 Watts on the SmartSDR software scale when using the transverter port will now equal 100% out.)

5.     Keying option, PTT-L (to ground) matches the TX ports 1-> 3 output levels, you will use one of these to tell the transverter when to transmit.

6.     One other option to allow dual use, order the wideband Optimized preamp (430-450MHz) internal.

2MLDPA

1.     75 Watts

2.     RF Output Common

3.     RF drive level, 10MW max

4.     LNA Option (yes via a fused Coax bias) this support a future preamp ant the antenna which get its power via the coax cable.

5.     DC Power Enable, Remote (my station gets more use remotely and it makes it easy to switch between the two transverters as the Transverter signal from the Flex is automatically passed to the 70CM transverter if the 2M unit is off.) I can control this via the Flex software using the optional remote cable.

6.     LNA enable, Remote again as I can control this via the Flex software using the optional remote cable.

7.     Transmit Enable, Remote again, I can control this via the Flex software using the optional remote cable.

8.     Sequencer Enabled

9.     DIPS control options: be sure to order the Remote option (RCA connector)

 

Hope this helps, I am still learning as I go but as I said before the folks at both companies were very helpful and I did not feel they were trying to sell me on options. Others may have different suggestions, this is what has worked for me.

  Watts

  K4QJZ

Kenneth Petersen

Hi All
Using My flex6600 with a Kuhne TR 144 - PRO, Transverter Using split IF XvertA and Rxa, and also Split RX/TX on 2meter side. Coax relay in the mast, with Kuhne preamp. I use a Kuhne transverter for UHF, but this one is setup for common IF on XvertB for both RX and TX, and Split RX/TX on output. Coax before the PA, after that biasT for mast preamp switching.
Sequencing on both systems.
The flex6600 can be used in many different configurations.
see https://www.qrz.com/db/OZ1HDF for more info.
br
oz1hdf Ken

Dwayne_AB6A

Common IF - This is what was recommended to me and what I am using. Flex 6600 with  TX/RX XVTR Port A and B and RX Port A and B. Each Transverter has a single cable that plugs in the XVTR TX/RX port. I believe it is a simple mod to split or combine IF on the Transverters if needed.

Common RF - XVTR plugs into one of three Triplexer ports. 

0dBm to +20dBm

PTT PolarityLow (GND)

Local Oscillator StabilityStandard - They have an input port for a 10Mhz reference clock and I already have a GPSDO I use for my Flex.

Standard IF - 28MHz

I'm using Yagis without preamps for satellite work so a single cable to two antenna bands split using a duplexer.  If I was to add preamps, I would add them after the duplexer and sequence TX/RX for the individual bands.
Attached pic is a mock up of my antenna end to support 2m/70cm/23cm. Each band has two linear phased antennas. Power converters for each band to a duplexer. Any preamp I add would be between the power converter and duplexer.