24 in dish, LNA  with 2 dB noise figure measured into waveguide switch. 2 watts output measured at output of waveguide switch.

On receive 10.368 GHz is converted to 128 MHz via a local oscillator that uses an analog devices AD9956 to phase lock a 640 MHz VCO to a 10 MHz TCXO. The 640 MHz is multiplied by 16 to produce 10.240 GHz. The 128 MHz is  mixed with a 100MHz DDS output from the AD9956, which is filtered with a 100MHz crystal filter, down to 28 MHz. A Elecraft K2 is used as the tunable IF.

The Transmitter uses the reverse path to that of the receiver.  The power amplifier being a solid state amplifier with 38.9 dB gain and a 34.5 dBm 1 dB compression point.

Power sources.

• The Elecraft transceiver, LNA and power amplifier will be powered by a 14.4 volt bank of Ni-MH 2400 mA hour batteries charged by a 45 watt solar panel.
•  128 MHz transvertor, 640 MHz oscillator, X 16 multiplier and LO amplifier are powered by 4 AA Ni-MH 2400 mA hour batteries.
• An additional 12 volt bank of 8, 3 amp/hour lithium,  AA cells are stacked above the 14.4 volt supply to provide the 24 volts required by the antenna relay and post LNA pre PA relay.

Equipment Data.

Current consumption of 10368/28 MHz conversion 0.4 amps at 5 volts.

Current consumption of LNA 80 mA at 12 volts.

Current consumption of power amplifier 3A at 12 volts.

The solar panel is being exchanged for a 55 watt version as the 48 watt version showed that we would only get 30 watts at expected operating conditions. The 55 watt version may still not permit a 90% transmit time, so we will need to back off on this as we see how the batteries last.

Weights:

• Dish and all radio equipment including the LNA and power amplifier for conversion from 10.368 to and from 28 MHz: 10.556 lbs.
• 28 MHz transceiver with internal lithium batteries for 30 hours continuous use: 3.712 lbs.
• 55 watt solar panel  4.4 lbs.
•  2.4 amp/hour AA cell: 0.064 lbs
• lithium 3/amp hour AA cells: 0.034 lbs
• Paddlette keyer and support. 0.248 lbs
• Headset and microphone 0.426 lbs.
• Total  32 lithium batteries 0.864lbs.
• Total  40 NiMH battery weight 2.57 lbs.
• Elecraft transcever with 30 hour battery life:3.712 lbs
• Palm Tungsten T3 with 2 battery packs: 0.710lbs
• Solar panel battery/radio interface: 0.638 lbs.
• Tripod: 2.8 lbs.
• VX-7R 0.616 lbs

Total equipment weight 31.252 lbs.

Optional

6 element 450 MHz antenna. 1.365 lbs

Sony PCG-TR3A computer with all of its batteries at 4.25 lbs. PDA would not go if computer is take which results in a weight difference of : 3.54 lbs.