Hi Remco.
That is a really nice solution for a S/X transverter. I guess the LO module is some sort of eval board and works somewhere near 1968MHz on TX.
Working simplex removes any problem of desense to the 10GHz downlink but I wonder if there is an issue where you are unable to hear the 'Leila' signal if it decides to transmit on top of you?
Hope to work you later this year. I see there are a few unofficial sources saying 'August 18'......Although there are an equal number still saying 2016.........I guess we just wait.
73
David G0MRF
I built my second Es'hail-2 transverter with easy available building blocks and junk box / flea market components.
I consider the future (narrow band) transponder as a 'normal' amateur band (with latency) and therefore will operate 'simplex'.
This means the LO frequencies are switched by the PTT (TX-enable).
Picture: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DgZGilPWsAAWSQh.jpg:large
Some technical details: RX / TX LO: ADF4351, programmed by an ATTiny13a TX mixer: HMC213 RX mixer: home brew with ADE-1 + J310 HPA: surplus ex-UMTS module (P-1 dB @2400 MHz = 10W) IF RX / TX: 432 MHz (or something else) Dish feed: 6t 2.4 GHz LHCP helix and 10 GHz LNB 'peek a booing' through the helix
73, Remco PA3FYM