10GHz (3cm band) Microwave transverter kit building
Created 3rd February, 2014 - Modified 14th August, 2017
Building microwave transverter kits for 10GHz (3cm band), by Dave VK2JDS
Used for for SSB / Digital weak signal modes, via both Terrestrial and EME DXing.
Microwaves is becoming the new frontier, now that the gear and parts are becoming more accessible, due to
more ex-commercial surplus and more kits available
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PLL Unit
the two incarnations of the VK3XDK PLL board. The first two views are either ends of the same PLL box
PLL board supplies 1242MHz to the VK3XDK multiplier board, which in turn supplies 9936MHz to the actual xvtr board
this is probably the best unit, its got the 10GHz multiplier in it, and only requires two SMA jumper leads to the
transverter. The transverter is in a plastic box and has a 10GHz Austar feedpoint attached to it, it goes straight
onto a Austar dish and feed without mods and the PLL sits along the arm or behind the box connected via hardline.
this is the other incarnation of the VK3XDK PLL board, all working again after PLL chip changed due to failure,
This is to drive the alternate 10GHz transverter for EME, requires a long diecast box to separate the
multiplier from the transverter pcb.
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10GHz (3cm band) Transverter - VK3XDK Version 1 for 10.368 GHz usage
some pics : the VK3XDK v1 10GHz transverter at feedpoint of old austar dish, note the PLL box underneath
overview, minus the 10MHz reference coax and the RG58 to the 432 IF ssb rig
back view of the VK3XDK v1 10GHZ transverter
here is the VK3XDK v1 10GHz transverter, its IF radio is a 70cm rig. Operating freq is 10368.00 and IF freq is 432.00
the transmit/receive feedhorn all built up and working and just bolts to a standard Austar dish.
it requires the PLL module plugged into it and 10MHz reference etc
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10MHz Reference source
You need a similar box and drill a few holes etc and mount the atomic reference. You need to wire it up. This is what it looks like
This is the rubidium source mounted in a box.
The rubidium runs off 12v, connected to the PLL unit, for 23cm connect one cable to the transverter,
for 10GHz plug two SMA cables in and fit a jumper on the PLL end sockets
Alternative 10MHz Reference source:
I have now bought a 10 MHz sine reference unit, with GPS locking, that runs from 12v-15v DC
Another alternative for a 10MHz reference is using a ProgRock kit (from QRP Labs) with GPS locking via 1pps pulse.
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Microwave Info Snippets
The 10 GHz Xvtr + LNA:
the Rx with small dish (90cm or greater) should see a increase in noise when aim at a tree or the ground.
the Rx will see moon noise with at least 2.5m dish or greater,
the Rx will see sun noise with a 90cm dish or greater,
Rcv using spectran/wsjt, the echos off the moon from the 10GHz beacon that uses a 8 metre dish when it is in high power mode, using 90cm dish or greater,
Rcv using spectran/wsjt, the echos off the moon from the 10GHz beacon that uses a 8 metre dish when it is in 50w power mode,using 1.2m dish or greater,
With a 2.5m solid dish (or larger) and 3 watts on 10GHz you should be able to work other EME stations using jt65
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NOTE: only licensed Amateur Radio operators can operate this modified equipment on assigned Amateur frequencies/bands.
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