Moin,
can someone confirm if I can connect an Adalm Pluto directly to the Amsat Downconverter without an attenuator?
Pluto mit Amsat Downconverter
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Hi,
when you use a Pluto you don't need a downconverter.
Detlev
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No, the modified Amsat LNB needs an external clock. I use a 10 dB attenuator between an unmodified LNB and my Pluto.
How do you intend to transmit?
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Hi,
If you have many meters of coax you do not need attenuation. In my case I have 60m!!! You must take into consideration the coax attenuation.
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Hi Manuel,
for transmitting I use a Yaesu FT-818 on 432 MHz, 1.5 W, a dx patrol upconverter Mk. 2 (attention, unwanted sidebands if fully driven) and a 20 W amplifier from PE1CMO. The upconverter is connected to an 10 MHz OCXO (Bliley). My antenna is a 60 cm dish with a homemade 6 turns helix and an unmodified LNB. Length of the antenna cable 7 m Hyperflex 13.
For receiving the unmodified LNB is connected to an unmodified Pluto. I use SDR console and synchronize to the middle beacon.
73 Detlev
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That‘s why I thought to use my Amsat Downconverter in combination with the modified Amsat LNB for RX.
For TX I thought to use the new 6W PA for SDR with 46dB.
My basic station equipment is a Kenwood TS-2000 but I want to integrate a Pluto in the same setting as second station.
That should work perfectly with Adalm Pluto.
In fact, the Downconverter V3d was designed to deliver the 40 MHz reference to the Adalm Pluto as well.
Thus both your Up- and Downlink can be GPSDO stabilized...
73s Peter
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Hi Peter,
But you don't need a down converter for that
73 Detlev
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Hi Detlef,
Yes - we know that it's technically not necessary to have a down-converter with Pluto, but likewise an UpConverter is also not necessary
But DO5MSH explained why he prefers to use the DownConverter for both his TS2000X and Pluto.
And this way he does not depend on SDR console beacon stabilization and has everything fully GPSDO controlled, including the Pluto for transmit, even without UpConverter.
73 Peter
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DB2OS
Changed the title of the thread from “Pluto an Amsat Downconverter” to “Pluto mit Amsat Downconverter”. -
Hi Peter,
when I synchronize my LNB and Pluto with an external clock I don't need the upconverter anymore. My external clock (10 MHz OCXO with Si5351 synthesizer and arduino nano) for 25 MHz and 40 MHz isn't finished yet.
73 Detlev
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Hi DO5MSH,
i use the Amsat Downconverter (old version with 2m output only) attached to a FT-290. I need a >20dB attenuator at the 2m output, even after 50m coax between lnb and downconverter , otherwise the FT-290 RX is overdriven. I suspect this will also happen if you hook it up to a Pluto. OTOH, you can set an attenuation in the software when you use the PLUTO. You can't do that when you use an analog radio. So "versuch macht kluch".
73, Martin
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Hi Manuel,
do you have a Pluto Rev. C?
73 Detlev
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Yes, the last Rev. is Rev. C . You need an U.FL - SMA cable for the connection to the extern reference clock. You can buy it on ebay. You find the commands for switching to the extern reference in the forum. When you switch to extern and there is no clock, the Pluto will stop.
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No soldering, but drilling a hole for the SMA socket.
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I bought cables 10 cm long
