For communication via satellite QO-100 a transmitter in the 13 cm band is required. One way to get such a signal is to use transverter. LZ5HP manufactures several transverters at SG Laboratory Ltd. The 13cm transverter is based on the 70cm band.
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Universal transverter for 13 cm
The advantage of the transverter is that the frequency of the oscillator can be set to 1870, 1886, 1888 and 1968 MHz. This allows use for both satellite and terrestrial communications. The entire transverter is in one tin box with dimensions 114x104x25mm. They are on the side three SMA connectors (2300-2425 MHz RX/TX, or only TX, 2300-2410 MHz RX and IF 430-440 MHz). The 12V/1A power jack is inserted through the hole in the panel. The classic jack connector serves as an input for PTT a sequencer. The sequencer is an NPN transistor with an open collector 30V/30mA with a delay of 30ms compared to PTT. It's on the back panel input SMA connector for 10 MHz reference signal.
They are here too two three-color LEDs. The input LED lights up orange if the excitation signal is low, green if it is optimal, and red when the transverter is being woken up. The output LED indicates PSV antennas. Those who need a more accurate measurement can output voltages from the PSV detector to an external meter.
There are two adjustment trimmers inside. It is set first gain of the receiving part to 0 to +10 dB. The second one sets the optimal level of the exciter.
There is also a jumper that adjusts the power supply method. The transverter can also be powered via a coaxial cable. The second option is the implementation of PTT by applying a voltage of 5-15V through a coaxial cable. The second jumper sets the time of the VOX detector. The last jumper allows disconnecting the internal reference to supply a 10MHz reference signal for frequency stabilization.
Properties of the 13cm transverter
LZ5HP declares nominal RF power 2W and noise figure 1.5 dB, or 1.9 dB. Unwanted products should be suppressed by more than -55 dBc. Excitation is possible in the range of 0.2 to 5W. The delivery also includes a tiny antenna on a printed circuit board, which is suitable for experimental testing.
Using the transverter for the QO-100 satellite
I used the transverter for hundreds of satellite connections QO-100. I use a Kenwood TM-455 as a driver. All functions of the transverter work perfectly. Even the VOX, which is a circuit I don't have much confidence in, works very well.
Evaluation
I also appreciate the compact design and the possibility of powering via a coaxial cable allowing to place the transverter directly under the antenna. The price of the transvettor is also very favorable considering the quality of the design. More on https://www.sg-lab.com/TR2300/tr2300.html