Thursday 9 January 2020

First FT-8 signals transmitted on 432 MHz

Yesterday I transmitted my first FT-8 signals on 432.176 MHz. PA3EWP received those signals:



At the moment of transmission the 28MHz-432MHz transverter delivered 2 Watts only.




Off-topic (1):


Collection of WO2 communication equipment in the 'Oorlog- en verzetsmuseum', Overloon.

Off-topic (2):


Garden Art

Monday 6 January 2020

28 MHz - 432 MHz transverter

I started to work on a transverter that converts 28 MHz (10 m band) to 432 MHz (70 cm band). I use a FT450 to process the 28 MHz signals. At 432 MHz the transverter is capable of delivering about 5 Watts RF. A Power Supply Unit from an old PC was used for the 12V/12 Amp and 5V/20 Amp electrical power supply .




Frontview transverter


The transverter and control board I used were purchased in the Ukraine. See http://transverters-store.com/ and also ebay.


                                           Transverter board


Control board with 50 ohms/10 Watt load


First results are promising. I could listen to repeater signals in FM. I hope it will be possible to work with digimodes later on. I will consider adding a PA stage to increase the RF output (to 10..20 Watts).

Friday 3 January 2020

Kilrock Radio

On Medium Wave I discovered 'Kilrock Radio'. 




They broadcast rock music from the '50-'80s. This is a small radio broadcast station located near Dordrecht. They transmit with 100 Watt RF power on 1287 kHz. I discovered that they can be received on my car radio receiver on various locations in Zeeland and Zuid-Holland. In the evening/night they are often 'overruled' by a Spanish station.

https://kilrock.nl/