10G SOTA for under a tenner

Old Reflector
1

Anyone wanting to have a go at 10GHz from SOTA hills can try receiving signals very cheaply. Modern dual-band satellite LNBs are basically 10GHz receiver converters and many are stable enough for SSB reception. All that is needed is a suitable scanner or other RX to attach to the LNB to get a very sensitive 10GHz receiver. Alternatively a mixer could be made to convert the output to 70cm.

The UK microwave group’s series of contests/activity days would be an ideal time to test such an arrangement. One-way contacts “count” for this contest so even without a 10GHz transmitter, you would be in demand for tests. You would need some sort of talk-back, 2m SSB is popular.

Advice and tips on this approach are available at:

73

Richard
G3CWI

2

In reply to G3CWI:

Hi Richard, I have not yet got on to the Yahoo group as awaiting approval so I haven’t seen anything there, but it occurs to me that if a Blue Cap LNB can be converted for TX maybe a twin LNB could be modified for TX on one side and RX on the other. Hopefully this is the case as I have several kicking around in the garage from the old analog days.

73 Steve GW7AAV

3

In reply to GW7AAV:

Steve

A few ideas of what might be done are here:

http://www.g4hjw.metahusky.net/

I don’t think LNBs need any modifications for use as an RX converter - but they do need to be powered up correctly.

This may help:

http://ea4eoz.ure.es/lnb.html

He claims SSB is not possible - but he is wrong. Some LNBs are stable enough for SSB.

When you get on the microwave group try searching the message archives - or just ask.

73

Richard
G3CWI

4

In reply to G3CWI:

Tnx Richard, I now have little light reading for the night shift while we are all broke down ;0D

Steve

5

In reply to G3CWI:

Here it seems to be popular to use Mont Blanc as a reflector for these microwave signals. I found information on this kind of beacon

http://f1uri.free.fr/beacon.htm

73, Jaakko OH7BF/F5VGL