3 and 5 GHz Project.
After constructing the DB6NT 3cm transverter and having great success with that transverter, the group consisting of VK5NC, VK3XPD and myself, decided to embark on building transverters for 3 and 5 GHz.
It was decided that to ensure that we all completed the construction of the transverters together, that we would use a assembly line process where one person would be responsible for the construction of all oscillators, and another for all transverters, another for cases and control etc.
This method worked very well and we soon had three transverters ready for testing and alignment, eliminating waiting for the slow constructor to catch up.


Placing components onto the transverter board.
Here the transverters are under final construction with the 1302 FET's being placed into position.
There is little visual difference between the DB6NT 10Ghz, 3Ghz and 5Ghz transverters. The noticeable difference is the size of the printed capacitors, otherwise their layout, use of pipe cap filters etc, are the similar.


The assembled transverter chasis with transverter, oscillator and mutiplier shown
Here the transverter has been assembled into the chassis ( a piece of G10 double sided PCB), along with the G4DDK oscillator and a X2 multiplier using a 1302 FET and pipe cap filter.
It was decided to mount both the 3Ghz and 5Ghz modules into a single case with relay switching of the RF to the dish feed. The feed was interchangeable depending which transverter was in use.
The idea was to reduce the number of dishes that had to be transported to a remote site, when all bands were required. Later some operators split their systems so that each transverter had a permanent dish and feed, simplifying the control layout and servicing of the transverters.


All the equipment used in the VK4 Expedition.
The photo shows just how much gear is required when taking 5 microwave bands on a DX expedition. Shown here is the line up for the VK1,2,4,8 record breaking expedition made in 1997.