Using a Transverter on 442 - 448

Martin Boroff

I am considering a purchase of a VHF/UHF transverter. It is 144 & 432. I asked the seller if it could work on 440 - 450. He replied if I could make the Flex work on 34 - 44 MHz. I know I can not transmit on those frequencies. I am wondering if the offset calculated on the xvrt tab will allow this unit to work if I chose a base frequency of 28 MHz and operating 442 MHz?

Mike-VA3MW

Len is correct.

The transverter port has TX and RX from about 1Mhz to 54Mhz at +10dbm output max. This is different than just above every other HF radio available today. You are not limited to the 2Mhz that most are at 28Mhz. This is what makes the FlexRadio an amazing IF radio.

The bigger question is if the transverter is able to operate over a range from 432Mhz to 450Mhz. You may want to RX at 442Mhz, but my guess is that will want to use a repeater and you'll be transmitting at 447Mhz.

The FlexRadio is a great HF and weak signal radio. It is a not so good at being an FM / Repeater radio. It will do what you ask, but I think you'll find a $150 Mobile radio will be a better performer for FM work.

Martin Boroff

Mike thanks for the answer. I have multiple mobile radios that cover 2 meters, 220 and 70cm at my QTH. One is a node radio on Allstarlink tuned to my club’s repeater which has a weekly net I regularly attend. I am in a Chicago suburb but spend January through May in Florida. I do not have a method to remotely change the memory channels on this node. Adding a dual band 2m / 70 cm transverter might give me an opportunity to access additional repeaters and play in the vhf contests or play in the satellite area.

KD0RC

Hi Martin, assuming a Flex 6000 series radio, yes this will work. You would specify the lowest frequency of the transverter, 432 in this case, and associate it with a 28 MHz IF. The radio will calculate the 404 MHz LO frequency for you.

The transverter port on the Flex will transmit from 28 to 46 MHz (even though Ant 1 & 2 won't) to give you 432 to 450 MHz output.

KD0RC

I use my Flex 6400 for FM repeaters often (including remotely) using a 2 meter transverter. It is REALLY nice to see band activity without having to scan. I can instantly see which repeaters and simplex frequencies are in use. I find that the only thing I miss is tone squelch.

I wrote a small utility called Flex Repeater Spots that puts "permanent" spots up on the SmartSDR screen for my local repeaters and simplex frequencies. The utility uses a simple configuration file (or you can use the Flex memories) to specify spot freq, name to display (usually the call sign of the repeater), mode, offset, offset direction, tone on/off, tone value, squelch on/off and squelch level. With this utility, you just click the spot and the utility sets all of the specified repeater options.

Link to the Flex Community thread:

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

Link to the User Manual and latest release of the software on GitHub:

https://github.com/KD0RC/FlexRepeaterSpots

Here is a screen shot of SmartSDR with my local repeaters and a couple of simplex frequencies:

I also have entries for 6 and 10 meter repeaters. My naming convention is repeater callsign, repeater group or club, kilohertz portion of the frequency. You can, of course, do whatever makes sense to you.

Don't hesitate to post any comments, questions, suggestions, etc to the Flex Community thread. I am always happy to help.

Mike-VA3MW

Nice Len!

I did a couple of tests using NodeRed to send those type of spots to the Panadapter. I had forgotten you built a utility.

73

KD0RC

Thanks Mike! I also use it to set spots for HF nets and W1AW bulletins making it super easy to get there without having to open the Memory screen.