ERA-02 as a multiplier
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Greg - ZL3IX
Does anyone have experience of using the ERA-02 as a tripler from around 3.5 GHz to around 10.5 GHz? I know they work in triplers up to 3 GHz, but I was wondering whether they have a respectable performance higher up, or whether one needs to use an MMIC that actually has some gain at 10 GHz.
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KENT BRITAIN
According to Zack at the ARRL, they have modest harmonics out to 24 GHz. Kent WA5VJB/2E0VAA
On Sunday, January 24, 2021, 01:36:57 PM CST, Greg - ZL3IX <zl3ix@...> wrote:
Does anyone have experience of using the ERA-02 as a tripler from around 3.5 GHz to around 10.5 GHz? I know they work in triplers up to 3 GHz, but I was wondering whether they have a respectable performance higher up, or whether one needs to use an MMIC that actually has some gain at 10 GHz.
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Yes, I've used then for both X3 and X4 to 10GHz. They work very well. Operate at a bit lower than the recommended bias level to increase non-linearity. IIRC, I got something like 0dB tripler gain at 0dBm. May have remembered that wrongly tho. Try it and see - play with the optimum biassing. And, BTW, an MSA family modamp was used as a doubler in the Inmarsat-3 satellite, in the frequency generator module. So if it's good enough for a spacecraft ... Andy
On Sun, 24 Jan 2021 at 19:36, Greg - ZL3IX <zl3ix@...> wrote: Does anyone have experience of using the ERA-02 as a tripler from around 3.5 GHz to around 10.5 GHz? I know they work in triplers up to 3 GHz, but I was wondering whether they have a respectable performance higher up, or whether one needs to use an MMIC that actually has some gain at 10 GHz.
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geoffrey pike
But when you get to 10.5 GHz you will probably want to amplify that so perhaps just get a handful of NLB-310 from the outset (which i use in my multiplier), But perhaps you have a handful of ERA-02s that you want to use up. cheers Geoff GI0GDP (-2C outside)
On Sunday, 24 January 2021, 19:36:57 GMT, Greg - ZL3IX <zl3ix@...> wrote:
Does anyone have experience of using the ERA-02 as a tripler from around 3.5 GHz to around 10.5 GHz? I know they work in triplers up to 3 GHz, but I was wondering whether they have a respectable performance higher up, or whether one needs to use an MMIC that actually has some gain at 10 GHz.
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Colin Ranson
Greg,
The Gali-2 is good to 8GHz....... I ‘rats nested’ one from 1278 – 2556MHz, think I set bias at about 2.2-2.5V with a 723 regulator. Yet to build on a proper PCB.
Regards
Colin de G8LBS.
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
From: Greg - ZL3IX
Sent: 24 January 2021 19:36 To: UKMicrowaves@groups.io Subject: [UKMicrowaves] ERA-02 as a multiplier
Does anyone have experience of using the ERA-02 as a tripler from around 3.5 GHz to around 10.5 GHz? I know they work in triplers up to 3 GHz, but I was wondering whether they have a respectable performance higher up, or whether one needs to use an MMIC that actually has some gain at 10 GHz.
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Ouch Still using the 723 regulator? That thing is so complicated to connect up compared with an LM317. And, I believe, a lot noisier. Isn't it so old that the reference inside it is an actual Zener? If so, no wonder it's noisy. I formally learnt about them in 1976 - remember it well. Andy
On Sun, 24 Jan 2021 at 22:26, Colin Ranson <g8lbs@...> wrote:
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Colin Ranson
Andy, I just happened to have two separate 723’s on a piece of veroboard that came with a W1GHz simple personal beacon for 10GHz. (bought at a uW MRT many years ago) Each one was used to control the bias on the Multiplier MODAMPS.
Just seemed handy to use ! I will of course use something more appropriate like an LDO1117 adj. Or similar when I lay out the PCB.
Colin de ‘LBS.
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
From: Andy G4JNT
Sent: 24 January 2021 22:30 To: UK Microwaves groups.io Subject: Re: [UKMicrowaves] ERA-02 as a multiplier
Ouch Still using the 723 regulator? That thing is so complicated to connect up compared with an LM317. And, I believe, a lot noisier. Isn't it so old that the reference inside it is an actual Zener? If so, no wonder it's noisy. I formally learnt about them in 1976 - remember it well.
On Sun, 24 Jan 2021 at 22:26, Colin Ranson <g8lbs@...> wrote:
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Greg - ZL3IX
I still use the occasional 723 regulator, especially if I want variable current limit. I also first came across them in 1974, immediately after graduating. I don't think the internal ref can be just a zener; it's too stable for that.
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Greg - ZL3IX
Thanks for that Andy - very encouraging, and I'll try it out.
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Dominique Dehays
Hi ,
The 723 regulator is an excellent device and much better than the 317 regarding noise 73 Dom
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