As I stated in a previous email, I use a diplexer as a filter in front of the preamp to black out if band influence. For the 70 cm preamp I have a duplexer that is only passing the 70 cm band from the 70 cm antenna into the preamp. There is a similar duplexer feeding 2 meters only to the 2 m antenna, and that after the 2 m preamp.  

I will probably try one of the SSB preamps, which have a higher power rating than the ARR that I have in hopes that the increased margin of error will cause things to hold up better. 

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 28, 2022, at 12:28, Paul Andrews <[email protected]> wrote:


The 70cm band is hamonically related to the 2m band.

2m into 70cm 3rd harmonic interference is more likely than 70cm into 2m.

Happy New Year.

73 - Paul - W2HRO

On Wed, Dec 28, 2022, 10:00 tjschuessler--- via AMSAT-BB <[email protected]> wrote:

I do not believe it is RF from the 2 Meter transmit that is leaking into the antenna side, as I run a duplexer in front of the preamp input.  70 CM portion of arrow through a duplexer with only the 70 cm signal passing through that duplexer.  I do the same on the 2 Meter side.  This arrangement almost totally eliminates any de-sense of the RX on 70 CM from 2 M transmit. 

 

From: Paul Andrews <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, December 27, 2022 9:02 AM
To: [email protected]
Cc: AMSAT-BB <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [AMSAT-BB] UHF preamps

 

Tom,

 

Are you relying on the transmit RF sensing feature of this 432 MHz preamp?    RF sensing can be unreliable.  You might use the FT-847's RF amp enable output to trigger the external preamps.

 

Another thought.   It is possible that your 2m transmit signal is leaking into the input of the 70cm preamp.   It's likely that significant coupling is occurring at the arrow antenna.

 

You might consider using separate preamps and isolating relays.

 

73 - Paul - W2HRO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Mon, Dec 26, 2022 at 11:32 PM tjschuessler--- via AMSAT-BB <[email protected]> wrote:

For my portable/temporary satellite antenna rig, I have need of using a UHF preamp, which I have strapped to the tripod that holds and aims my Arrow antenna.  I find that my FT847 is just not as sensitive on 70 CM as it is on 2M.  I have been using an ARR (Advanced Receiver Research ) SP432VDG which is supposed to have a maximum power pass through imitation of 25watts.  I try to be pretty careful as to how much output I run through the thing, maybe limiting to 15 watts or so.  Unfortunately, I have blown the preamp out several times, even with being conscious of the RF level.  I sent the pre to them, they repaired and sent back.  I recently discovered that I had blown my unit again.  Symptom is that it adds noise to the output, but does not amplify any signals coming into it from the antenna.  I have sent the unit in to ARR in the past for repair.  This time I am contemplating replacing this one with a more robust device that might be able to handle more RF running through it (RF sensing means you will still hit the device with an instantaneous burst of RF before the internal relays kick in. 

 

A friend has confided that he has the higher power version of the ARR Preamps, but has had similar problems with killing the things.  Thus I am in the market for maybe another option.  While I oft times, will stroll over to the antenna tripod, and barrel off the cables going to and from the preamp to bypass completely from the transmit chain, this is kind of a pain, even in a portable situation.

 

I looked at M2s web site and can find a 2 Meter amp, but no 70CM (Might be missing something.  I have heard a lot of good things on the SSB preamps, but the only pace I can see them being sold, is Dolstra in Europe.  Don’t see a US vendor. 

 

Looking for suggestions.  I would be interested in buying pre-owned,  if someone had a Preamp that would like a new home.

 

I do have a question for Yaesu FT847 users.  With that radio, you can power a Preamp via the built in Bia- T power inserter, And assume that when this mode is turned on, it cuts the inserted DC to the preamp as the tranciever goes into transmit.  Does this work fast enough to protect, even RF switched preamps?  That might be a good safety measure as I have traditionally used external DC to power my preamps.

 

Wisdom from the cloud here would be much appreciated.

.

Tom Schuessler, N5HYP


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Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed
are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA.
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