[amsat-bb] Re: Satellite Transceiver

[Jim Jerzycke]

IIRC, the IF-232 is just a simple TTL-to-RS232 interface. it should be fairly easy to homebrew on with any of the available chips out there, like the Maxxim MAX232.
jim  KQ6EA


--- On Sun, 4/5/09, Sebastian <w4as at bellsouth.net> wrote:

> From: Sebastian <w4as at bellsouth.net>
> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Satellite Transceiver
> To: "AMSAT BB" <AMSAT-BB at amsat.org>
> Date: Sunday, April 5, 2009, 10:41 AM
> I will agree with you about 90%.  The FT-736R has been THE
> radio the  
> satellite community has talked about for years, and will
> continue to  
> talk about.  However, there are some things that need to be
> considered.
> 
> First, the power supply is a known problem.  Certainly not
> a huge  
> problem, since if it goes out, you can run it with an
> external power  
> supply.
> 
> The other problem is it's age; lack of replacement
> parts available for  
> them; and eventual break down of the values of components
> due to it's  
> age.
> 
> Additionally, while you can certainly find them used (and
> your price  
> of $600 is way too low, I would buy a good one at that
> price - they  
> easily go for about $900 now), the other problem is
> interfacing them  
> with a computer, which from what I recall, requires an
> IF-232, and I  
> think those are quite difficult to find today.  I don't
> know if there  
> is an easier or cheaper way to interface them since I
> haven't owned  
> one for many years, but not being able to use computer
> control on such  
> an excellent radio would be a shame.
> 
> Last, their output power is not very high by today's
> standards.  Sure  
> it's high enough to work the satellites, but it's
> probably not enough  
> for meteor scatter, without an amp.
> 
> I'm not knocking the 736, I agree it's an excellent
> rig.  It's just a  
> shame there is only one true 100% satellite radio currently
> being  
> manufactured.
> 
> 73 de W4AS
> Sebastian
> 
> On Apr 5, 2009, at 10:31 AM, MM wrote:
> 
> >
> > i am running the Yeasu FT-736R.
> > it supports 6/2/440/1200.
> > its the best Sat rig ever made and you can find good
> ones for under  
> > $600.
> >
> > wf1f
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