Hi Michael, Check out Down East Microwave at www.downeastmicrowave.com. From the main page scroll down and click on catalog/Price List on the left. On the next page click on Our Online Catalog. On the left side of the page click on Components. Scroll down a bit to the MMIC section. They are selling MAR-6s for $2.20 a piece with no minimum. There are probably a few other components you can use in your project as well on their site. Their order process is a bit different than usual, but follow the instructions on their online order form and you'll be fine.
Hope this helps, -Zach, KJ4QLP
-----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Michael Sent: Friday, March 15, 2013 11:47 PM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Anyone know a way to get a small qty. of MAR-6 or MAR-7 devices?
I was going to try and roll my own version of the preamp circuit shown in the AMSAT store. I wish I had a spare 50 bucks to just buy one because I know it would go to help FOX but my money is extremely tight right now. Unfortunately when I go to the mini circuits site, I find that their minimum order is twenty and I'd be spending close to 25 or 30 bucks anyway. At that point, I would be better off buying the prebuilt amp if I could afford it! I'm trying to get back ito sats on a budget. I have a DVB-T stick and an omnidirectional scanner antenna that I'm experimenting with as a poor mans RX solution. I've been able to definitely hear transmissions but not make out anything legible from V0-52 and I've had no luck hearing S0-50 at all. Considering that I have about a 30 foot run of RG-6 quad shield from the antenna to the shack, I imagine that a preamp at the antenna would help and give me a definite yes or no if my RX experiment is even feasible. I am using SDR# right now because I find it easier but my eventual plan is to try and use HDSDR with the doppler being controlled by SatPC-32. I could go cheap handhelds and may eventually when I can afford them but given that I like to operate from my shack and not outdoors with handheld beams, I'll still need the preamp. 73, Michael, W4HIJ _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@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