Bob -

Sadly, this is another example of an individual getting over his head in acquiring (or starting) a business product

or enterprise for the amateur radio industry/hobby.  A loss for the weak-signal, EME, microwave, and satellite segment of the hobby.

The specific product you are asking about is the RPCB 736ub

http://www.mutekrf.com/rpcb736ub.htm

Chas Mackinnon, GM8LMA has not updated his web site since February 2004 (moved muTek inventory and records to Scotland) http://www.mutekrf.com/index.html

• The physical move took much longer to complete than we thought. Loading and unloading the 7 tonne lorry was quite straightforward but resulted in 5 man months just to classify, catalog, index, sort and identify all the stores. • The development facilities have been finished, together with test and maintenance areas, leaving just production to be completed over the next few weeks. • Our admin area still looks a little "green field" - and the computer room does not exist but is scheduled to be completed over the next three months. • Production evaluation of the RPCB144ub and the SLNA290 is currently in progress. These two products were selected to be done first from the very high number of enquiries.

I am not aware of a replacement board set, liek that offered by muTek Limited (UK).

At this point in technology, many would advocate to forget about upgrades to this classic VHF/UHF platform due to its age (~20 years). The automotive industry went through an identical "attitude period" -- but ironically the classic automotive segment supports a number of after-market firms.

Yes, Software Defined Radios (SDR) are the current state-of-the-art .. but they have issues .. as with any emerging technology.

A "new" design using currently available components, micro-processing/controller capabilities,  and surface mount production could significantly upgrade the capabilities of this platform.

Jim, W6PQL shows you what is possible (and the talent in the hoby) -- using an FT-736R (and other radios) as an IF platform for microwaves

http://www.w6pql.com/

http://www.w6pql.com/parts_i_can_provide.htm

WA7TZY adapted the W6PQL relay seqeuncer to the FT-736R

http://web.mac.com/sdt49/WA7TZY/Other_Components.html

http://web.mac.com/sdt49/WA7TZY/Other_Components_files/sequencer_1.jpg

Greg

w9gb

----- Original Message ----- Date: Thu, 21 Oct 2010 14:43:51 -0500 From: "Bob Schmidt" bschmidt@ecdentalspecialists.com Subject: [amsat-bb]  muTek 736 boards To: amsat-bb@amsat.org

Does anyone have a source for the Mutek RPCB 736 boards.  I don't think they are being made anymore.

If not, are there other options that are similar to these boards?

TNX

Bob, WA9JDR ------------------------------