1 Oct 2014

Australian 472kHz transverter

See http://www.vk3xdk.net46.net/89_31_600M-472Khz-479Khz-Transverter-V2.html . This is a 472kHz, mostly SMA parts, tranverter which is available from Australia for 180 Oz dollars ready built and tested. That is around £90, but this does not include shipping or duty. The transverter uses a 28MHz packaged oscillator. My own design (see www.g3xbm.co.uk website) is built "dead bug" style. Both the VK3XDK and G3XBM designs put out about 12W into a 50 ohm load. 472kHz is a fascinating band and even very compromised antennas work.  I have nothing special WRT antennas. I tune up the feeders to my V2000 vertical and Par end-fed and use a mains earth. This far from ideal arrangement gets out ( best DX is 896km with 5mW ERP and best RX DX is 1190km so far this season).

Recommendation: give 472kHz a go.

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