Flex 6700 and the Q5 Signal Five Band Transverter - what options to order?

Dick Bean

I have seen a number of positive posts about using the new Q5 Signal five band transverter, but I am not sure what options to select when ordering the transverter. Could someone please share their suggestions?

common or split IF?
common or split RF?

IF drive level, which of the three choices:
-20 dBm to 0 dBm
0 dBm to +20 dBm
1 W to 10 W

PTT polarity:
low (GND)
high (> 1.7V)

Last choice was custom or 28 MHZ IF and I am assuming 28 MHZ.

Thanks!

Dick, K1HC

KD0RC

Oh… I misspoke slightly. When I mentioned RX amplification, that is when you want split RF, not split IF. For the Flex, split IF is normally the way to go.

Once you get your transverter, check out this utility:

Here is a link to the discussion:

https://community.flexradio.com/discussion/8029504/flex-repeater-spots-utility

Here is a link to the utility on GitHub:

https://github.com/KD0RC/FlexRepeaterSpots

KD0RC

Hi D.ick,

I prefer common IF so that I don't have to mess with an additional cable and use up an RX port. On the other hand, if you are planning on using external filtering or RX amplification, you might want split IF.

Check to see what Max Power limits your 6700 has for transverter output. My 6400 goes from -10 to +10 dBm in which case, either of the first two choices you list will probably be OK. I think that I would choose the second, as you will never overdrive it, but check with Q5 to see if you get full power out with +10 dBm of drive using the 0 - 20 option.

PTT polarity would normally be low unless you are trying to match other equipment that is the reverse.

Most of us who use transverters run with a 28 MHz IF. The 6700 has an internal transverter for 2 Meters, so I am not sure if that would affect your decision to go with a different IF (like 50 MHz). Q5 will be able to guide you here as well.

Dick Bean

HI Len-

Thanks for your insights! My Flex hardware manual (P.14) indicates the transverter port power output is 0 to +15 dBm and the 6700 can be used with either common or split (section 10 of the manual), but I just wasn't sure of the reasons for using one way versus the other. Thanks on the PTT answer as well as the 28 MHZ IF comment.

Thanks again for the helpful answers!

73,

Dick, K1HC