ME2T-PRO & ME2HT-PRO 144MHz Transverter

2014-02-22

ME2T-PRO High Performance 2m transverter

After the successful ME2-T transverter project we decided to build the -PRO version of this transverter.
The ME2T-PRO is a new generation high performance transverter with modern 3rd generation components, has low noise,
very good dinamic range on receiving section and clear and very stable transmitting signal.
You can find the block diagram of the mixer unit here.
The built in military class low phase noise TCXO provide easy work also on FSK modes.
The transverter can work between 144-146MHz with low RX NF and high OIP3.
The Mitsubishi RF module provide good IMD signal and 30W output power.
The ME2HT-PRO basically same as ME2T-PRO but with 80W RF module.
Special thanks for HA8ET for the RF simulations and the most RF design.

Local Oscillator

The high stability TC23-5T type TCXO ( <1ppm btn 0-50 degr. C, <0.5ppm on 25C ) with low phase noise give +5dBm signal on 116.000MHz.
The TCXO frequency possible adjust with inner trimmer capacitor (+-2ppm) but it's not necessary because the stability is better than +-1ppm/Year.
TCXO stability and the phase noise is better than most modern transceiver.
The output signal of the LO is about +17dBm, it produce the ASB ASL550 3rd generation MMIC. The clear output signal provide the built in 2x 5th LP filter.
The output signal of the LO is clear the 2nd harmonics is lower than -70dB.On case high level RX mixers we using 2nd ASL550 amplifier( +22dBm)

The simulated caracteristics of the 5th order LPF filter: The measured TCXO phase noise:

The +17dBm output signal can check on M3 measure pin. This signal is attenuated by -10 and -3dB attenuators to the TX and RX balance mixers.
We using SRA1-H type +17dBm mixer in the RX mixer.+23 or +30dBm mixer is also available( option)
In case the optional +30dBm military class RX mixer (DBM-188) we build in second LO amplifier stage. The real TX and RX LO signals you
can check on M2 and M1 points with DC voltmeter.

The 144-146MHz input signal passes through the input filter to the input of ASB ALN0140WT LNA. The gain is approx. 21 dB, the noise figure is 0.7dB
the OIP3 is >30dBm! ALN0140WT has an exceptional performance of low noise figure, high gain, high OIP3, and low bias current. The stability
factor is always kept more than unity over the application band in order system environment.
Impedance of the MMIC is 50 Ohm both I/O - it provide easy connect to the output 3rd order BPF.
PGA-103+ low noise high dinamic range front end is available from January 2013. PGA-103+ produce around 0.6dB NF and +12dBm IIP3!

Simulated ALN0140WT LNA The simulated caracteristics of the 3rd BPF:

The 144-146MHz signal goes through the band pass filter providing a suitable selectivity. The balanced mixer MX1 mixes the input signal down to 28-30
MHz loosing approx. 6 dB in the process. The IF signal is amplified approx. 10 dB in a low noise high current J-FET (P8002). The final PI filter
increases the selectivity considerably. The output signal is can set to optimal value with the RX gain poti.

Chracteristics of diplexer unit: Caracteristics of 28MHz IF amp. & LPF filter:

Diplexer full simulation: 28MHz LPF simulation

The transmit mixer, MX2 only needs approx. -10dBm 28 MHz IF signal from the transceiver. A suitable level can be achieved by adjusting
P2(TX) in the attenuator. Lot of transceivers has lower or much higher IF output level. To solve this problem we built in
an additional jumperable and variable 5W/-20dB attenuator. You can switch on/off easy the attenuator with different jumpers.
The fine level setting possible with the poti P1 on the attenuator unit across the slots of the top cover.
On latest version we solved vy low level IF out problem of most ICOM radios( -20dBm)
We built in +15dB jumperable IF amplifier so ME2T-PRO is usable easy to this radio types.
The 144 MHz TX signal behind the MX2 mixer is filtered through a two-stage band-pass filter before being amplified in a BF996.

Simulated characteristics of the 2nd order BPF: ME2T-PRO spectrum: ME2T-PRO_spectr (pdf)

The G2 of the BF996 connecting to the ALC circuit on the control unit and to the rear panel PWR poti. We can reduce the final output power to about
5-6Watts.
The controlled gain BF996 amplifier continues the final ASL550 amplifier to a level exceeding more than 100 mW. Through the final pi-filter we can
reduce the harmonics of the TX signal.

Simulated 144MHz LPF : Measured 144MHz LPF:

2m module PA unit

We constructed >25W output amplifier to the base transverter unit. It's built with RA30H1317M Mitsubishi module by Mitsubishi datasheet and applications.
The output signal of the transverter drives the RF module over -3dB attenuator. We set the RF module to AB1 class by a simple circuit applicated by Mitsubishi.
The ME2HT-PRO model PA contains RA80H1415M type 80W RF module.
The output signal can reach the 2m "N" type ant connector across a harmonics filter and a built in G5-V2 relay.
The final unit has MON output to check the output power connecting to the control unit LED bargraph PWR meter and ALC circuit.
The PA contains simple temperature sensor to check the temperature of the heatsink. The external heater fan module is standard on case 60W transverters,
option on case the 30W model.

CONTROL UNIT

To check the output power we use a LED bargraph unit with LM3419 integrated circuit, built on DP6 control unit. On this PCB we found also the high
current DC relay, the ALC circuit with LM358, and the circuit of the external fan speed regulator. The external (optional) fan's speed is 50% when
we are on RX. On case long TX periods when the final module heatsink temperature is higher the circuit modify the speed of the DC fan's. The speed depends
on the heatsink temperature. We can calibrate the normal fan speed with the P2 poti, the ALC level with the P3 poti.
The LEG-12 relay is switching the Vpp voltage to the PA unit. The calibration of the output power is possible with P1 pwr poti on the unit.
NC contact of the relay gives +13.8V voltage across the J6 jumper (on the att/sw unit) to EXTRA-2 or similar mast head low noise preamplifiers.

Switch/attenuator panel

Lot of people want to use different IF level transceivers from home or / portable. The jumperable attenuator can solve the problem on case high level
or low level output transceivers.
You can set ON or OFF the 5W attenuator, and you can select easy between single or dual cable IF operating with the built in jumpers.
The unit consists a switching circuit to the external PA's (red colour RCA, SND output, (can switch max +50V,1A)

The PTT circuit uses two MJD127 for the RX/TX , switching TX when the PTT is grounded. (it's on the transverter unit)
It is intended to the antenna relay and the external PA SND transistor (BD237). The circuit has sequencer: it's delays the TX key while activates the
antenna relay immediately and also the external PA relay. This means that the TX output is delayed approx. 50 ms after the antenna relay is activated.
The antenna relay of the ME2T-PRO and the external PA switches without any TX signal present.

Position of built in attenuator jumpers

Low PWR IF input (-20..+27dBm) 2x IF cable connection		Low PWR IF input (-20..+27dBm) 1x IF cable connection
J1	ON	ON
J2	OFF	ON
J3	OFF	OFF
J4	OFF	ON
J5	ON	OFF(ON- 2nd RX)

High PWR IF input (27..+37dBm) 2x IF cable connection		High PWR IF input (27..+37dBm) 1x IF cable connection
J1	OFF	OFF
J2	ON	ON
J3	ON	ON
J4	OFF	ON
J5	ON	OFF(ON-2nd RX)

The J6 jumper gives DC voltage to HA8ET's EXTRA-2 or similar preamplifier.
Before set the J6 ON check the compatibility of other type mast head preamplifiers.
The output is +13.8V on RX, the max current is 300mA.
Don't use this jumper, if you haven't got preamp!

If you use single IF cable between your radio and the transverter, you connect it to transverter IFin BNC.
On this case the IFout connector is not in use.If you want to use 2nd( SDR for example) RX put on the J5 jumper.(only single IF cable mode!)
Don't forget to connect the PTT cable between radio SND connector and ME2T-PRO PTT input! Otherwise the IF power (5W) kills
the transverter IF output part. The output is saved by antiparallel diodes but it does not help on case high IF powers!
Never use the attenuator more than 5W IF level!
To save the RX if somebody forget to connect the PTT line we built in IF RF VOX in the last version.( later Sept.2012)
The RF VOX start to work over +27dBm IF level, only on case single IF cable mode.

Construction

The base transverter is built on a 1,5 mm double sided glass-fibre epoxy PCB is fitted into a standard metal sheet box measuring 148 x 74 x 30mm.
PA unit is fitted into 148 x 55 x 30mm standard box. Both is fitted with SMD technics.
The external box of the transverter is constructed from 1mm painted iron plate. The heatsink is 150x55mm ALU heatsink material.
If you use the ME2T-PRO continuously on FSK mode you can order optional fan module (2pcs 50x50mm DC fans on holder plate).
No overheating problem on case normal room temperature CW, or SSB and contest mode.
On the front panel we can find the ON/OFF switch, the PWR poti (it can reduce the output power back to 5-6Watts to external PA's) and the LED bargraph
power meter.

Comments, suggestions we are welcome!