Re: [amsat-bb] Mode-S Antennas

[Dan Carlisle <carlisle@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Essentially, its already been done (sort of).  Instead of modifying a 
Drake with a MGA86576 and Toko Dielectric filter, build a converter 
with one it to start with.  Receive converters are simple:
LNA (MGA86576), Filter (Toko Dielectric), Mixer (Mini-Circuits if you 
wish) and LO.  Ok the Local Oscillator is the hardest part.  You 
could use either a clean low phase noise PLL or crystal multiplier 
chain.
Several years ago, when I first saw that Digikey started carrying the 
Toko Dielectric Filters for 2450 MHz, I thought ...oooh great for 
making a S band downconverter.  Then I received my Amsat Journal and 
G0MRF had published a design using one!
You can find a copy of his design on his website at:
http://www.g0mrf.freeserve.co.uk/sat.htm
You can even buy the entire kit from him including box for a really good price!
No, I don't have one...I just though that it was a cool design when I 
first read it in the Amsat Journal.

73 de W0UHF,
Dan

>on 2/12/01 3:30 PM, Gene Harlan at atvq@hampubs.com wrote:
>
>>  Also, they sell Downconverter and mixer IC's that covers the 2.4 GHz range.
>>  Have not read yet, but I downloaded the PDF spec sheets. Seem to be cheap
>>  parts if they can be put together to make a new version of the Drake 2880???
>
>You know, this isn't a bad idea.  Perhaps one of us with a Drake should
>deadbug a design and publish it so that others could build them.  Certainly,
>the circuitry could be done for fairly minimal cost.  I'll admit I have
>opened my Drake up yet, but I can't imagine there is that much in there.
>With all the knowledge, I would think we all could put our brains together
>and reverse engineer a kit.
>
>73,
>
>Jon
>NA9D
>
>-------------------------------------
>Jon Ogden
>NA9D (ex: KE9NA)
>
>Member:  ARRL, AMSAT, DXCC, NRA
>
>http://www.qsl.net/ke9na
>
>"A life lived in fear is a life half lived."
>
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