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| Reviews Summary for Down East Microwave Inc. 144-28 |
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Reviews: 12
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Average rating: 3.4/5
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MSRP: $395 build/ 295 kit
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Description: High Dynamic Range 144 MHz Transverter,linear output 25W, 35W on FM/CW. Noise figure 0.8 dB. IF= 28Mhz Including metal enclosure and heatsink.
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More info: http://www.downeastmicrowave.com
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You can
write your own review of the Down East Microwave Inc. 144-28.
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WA2ODO
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Rating: 0/5
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Feb 18, 2008 15:50
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Not sure whats worse Transverter or company
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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The only reason I'm giving it a zero is because there are no negative numbers I can pick. I have a 144/28 (Factory wired) that was sent to them for tune up and xtal change. The repair workmanship looks like they had 3-5 year old do it, but it does work...sort of. Repair actually made the drifting worse ...not better. If you do not mind a 300-400hz drift from Tx to Rx and during Rx to Tx. This never showed up till I tried to use it with WSJT (EME 1 minute TX cycles). On intermittent SSB use it isn't too badly noticed.
When I contacted the "Tech Guru" there, he seemed to have an attitude of higher than mighty...and screw you attitude. He didn't have this attitude when he takes your order and/or money. He danced around answering my questions...with usless questions of his own about when it was bought, etc. I agreed with him...yes it was out of warantee..."I'll pay for repair"...yet his dancing continued....this while I currently have (had) 2 other HP transverters on order to the tune of over $1600....the order which is now canceled.....Because he stated that what I had was as good as it gets....so he admits that they drift and he can't fix them (or doesn't know how).
If you want a good transverter this is not the product to buy or the company to look for one with...look at the German ones...or anyone elses for that matter.
To their defence...some of his products (their sequencers and interfaces are great (I use them and love them) and they are cheap....but build it yourself and don't expect any help from them if there is a problem...he is too busy making money to help people.
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W1JHR
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 20, 2007 06:12
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Disparity between reviews
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I find there is substantial inconsistency between the reviews for the DEM 144-28 and the DEM 222-28. Apart from a few component values they are essentially the same product on the same board. I am not running digital modes or doing anything to evaluate or compare oscillator stability beyond using my ears and a frequency counter. I am using 0 dbm as drive at 28 MHz and have not had a problem with the DEM line from 50 MHz to 222 MHz. except the inability to zero the 50 MHz unit which required a replacement crystal. The units work flawlessly at home as well as in the field. I have built all three units and must say that I found them somewhat difficult to build and get working properly. I am no stranger to kits having built DEM’s whole microwave transverter product line from 903 to 10 GHz. I actually find the microwave units easier to build and get working. Perhaps this is because the functions have been split between 3 boards. Things do get easier once you have built a couple of units too. I would recommend factory built units unless you are an experienced builder. I also own the Elecraft XV 50 through 222 transverters.
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N5KDA
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Rating: 0/5
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Nov 30, 2006 20:15
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Save your money
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've owned the high power transverter since 2003. This is the one made to match the transverter output of the IC-756 Pro II. Since I have owned it, I have lost output FOUR times. I just got this back from DEMI in May of 2006 and it has less than 100 hours use on it since then. I know of others that have very bad frequency stability problems. We call them drift masters. A transverter and nice HF rig is a great way to go but run away from DEMI. I now have a Kenwood TS-790A for a primary rig and will keep the DEMI for a backup. Run Forest run...
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N8ERM
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 22, 2006 11:50
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Great product
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This unit was purchased from another ham. He ran it in a rover over ROUGH rodes and beat it up pretty badly. He never had it fail. This unit has a hot reliever and is selective. I put it in a new box and it keeps on ticking. A great product.
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ON6AB
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Rating: 0/5
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Aug 19, 2005 13:02
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Dead (again) and forgotten
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Another review about this piece of junk.
Well, not exactly a review, more an in memoriam.
It's dead again. I'm not interested in what's wrong this time since it's not going to the repair man but to the junkyard. I've had it with this clumsy built, poor quality, awfull, ugly piece of misery built in a cheap DIY aluminum housing! Time to buy something decent!
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PY2RN
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 1, 2004 01:42
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Vy Satisfied
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I'm very satisfied with DEMI transverters, I have 3, 144-28, 430-28 and 1268-144 I'm using them in a very "noisy" region, it beats by far the RX of a TS2000 and FT847 on both 144 and 430MHz. I Higly recommend their transverters, they are not 100% designed for the "appliance operators" you have to know what you're doing. If you are looking for beauty such fancy panels, silk screen, nice meters and lights (usually everything that an appliance op looks for) go to SSB/DB6NT line of products, they are real nice but be prepared for the big, big $$$$$.
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PA5MW
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 13, 2004 08:03
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Still happy after almost 3yrs of use.
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Have this transverter in use for almost 3 yrs now, see my first review below.
The combination with the Elecraft K2 as HF rig is just fantastic on reception. Have been very succesfull using it at fieldday setups.
Blew the front end GaAs-FET due to a stupid mistake, ordered a new FET by e-mail and got it delivered a.s.a.p.
Defenitely a keeper!
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G0UWK
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 23, 2003 06:03
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Tops
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Still great,in fact i am currently building mine into a pretty case with a 60 watt PA,
(i should have ordered the 60 watt version in the first place !)
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K4AR
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 18, 2003 06:36
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Best of Class
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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My 144-28HP is simply superb.
at 144.200, receive sensitivity was measured independently at -154dBm, compared to my FT-100D (-132dBm) & IC-706MK2G (-134dBm). Using my TS-850, Selectivity under crowded band conditions is greatly enhanced over the other two rigs.
There was a frequency stability issue, however this was addressed in my unit, and in later issues. The 115 Mhz Local Oscillator in my unit (SN # 441 has been measured at a maximum deviation of 22Hz, during 5 minute tx, 5 minute rx cycles at 150 watts output over a 150 minute period including one 25 minute key down period. Typical deviation is only 5 hz (data taken 10/2/02).
In the case of my unit, the factory wiring job is neat and orderly.
I have not had a problem getting parts even when ordering by fax over the weekend. Generally, if a question arises, DEMI is prompt to call back.
Performance on the band has been nothing short of phenomenal, with copy on extremely weak signals not intelligible on the other rigs.
Summary - with the technical support by DEMI, and the bang for the buck, DEMI 144 Mhz transverters are still hard to beat.
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W3EME
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Rating: 1/5
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Oct 11, 2003 14:58
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Poor at best!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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The MAJOR problem is frequency stabilty. Don't plan to be able to run any digital modes ie;
WSJT....the unit can't hold frequency over 2 minutes. Cheap parts...toggle switch fell apart;
internal wiring is a rats nest....save yourself
some grief....get an Elecraft.
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