At 02:26 PM 2/23/2010, Jim wrote: >Has any one used the Drake 2880 downconverter on the air. > > > >I have 2 of them 1 I did the mod on and one that has not has any thing done >to it. > > > >Jim > >K7UDG > >_______________________________________________ >Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! >Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
I have two Drakes that were used on AO-40. One is converted to 435-MHz IF and the second unmodified runs with 123-MHz IF. I feed both with a MKU-232A2 preamp directly connected to a 6-1/4 turn helical feed in front of a 85cm (33-in) offset feed dish. I have not re-installed my Drakes but the dish/preamp are ready for use. The Drakes do not have very good noise figure (~7 dB) so a low-noise preamp is mandatory. The db6nt preamp has 0.6 dBNF with 40-dB gain, easily able to feed both Drakes thru a coaxial tee. I also have a DEMI 2400-MHz preamp which I am thinking of feeding with a patch antenna. I am thinking that the patch should provide ample gain for S-band Leo satellites. The two antenna/preamps will be connected to the Drakes via a cross-over relay (not yet installed). I will need auto-tracking/tuning for S-band operation on Leo's. 73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45 ====================================== BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com 500-KHz/CW, 144-MHz EME, 1296-MHz EME DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubus...@hotmail.com ====================================== _______________________________________________ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
