|
New to Ham Radio?
My Profile
Community
Articles
Forums
News
Reviews
Friends Remembered
Speak Out
Strays
Survey Question
Operating
Contesting
DX Cluster Spots
Propagation
Resources
Calendar
Classifieds
Ham Exams
Ham Links
List Archives
News Articles
Product Reviews
QSL Managers
Site Info
eHam Help (FAQ)
Support the site
The eHam Team
Advertising Info
Vision Statement
About eHam.net
|
| Reviews Summary for Down East Microwave Inc. 144-28 |
|
Reviews: 14
|
Average rating: 3.5/5
|
MSRP: $395 build/ 295 kit
|
|
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.
|
|
More info: http://www.downeastmicrowave.com
|
|
Email Subscription
You are not subscribed to this review.
Subscribe!
My Subscriptions
Subscriptions Help
|
You can
write your own review of the Down East Microwave Inc. 144-28.
|
K4TAX
|
Rating: 4/5
|
May 31, 2009 20:14
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Very good performer
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
I've owned two different ones. I found both to perform quite well and as expected. One took a lightning hit and was totally wiped. I've been able to work several EME stations with the transverter, a 150 watt brick and a single 10 ele yagi using CW mode. The transceiver behind the transverter is a Tentec Omni VII for the 28 MHz IF. Overall, when service or info was needed, I found the folks at DEMI to be good, prompt, and technically very competent and helpful. It is not and item for the appliance operator as it does require one to be able to create and build their own interface if such is desired. They offer a good one for a few dollars. The unknowledgeable user can destroy the unit and not even realize it.
Overall, I would not hesitate to purchase another one or different model if needed. Very good value for the dollars spent.
|
|
KM3F
|
Rating: 4/5
|
Dec 28, 2008 22:08
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Transverter reoptioned and upgraded.
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
Bought a 1994 version of this unit for use with a Kenwood TS 480.
It was not compatable for transmit without some type of interface.
Sent back to DEM for recieve Fet upgrade and a 10 watt adjustable input pad with T/R relay.
It now has sensitivity and low noise allowing recieve of stations never heard before in distant outlying areas.
The transmitt pad came set for max of 7 watts output out of a spec of 30+ watts.
A re-adjustment of the pad to increase the output to 30 watts with less than 5 watts drive, made the output as it should be.
I have a dozen SSB contacts with very good reports.
As far as drift goes, you cannont expect the internal local oscillator to remain stable in a closed box where the 'brick' and rest of the circuit is producing heat.
I will install a cooling fan in the bottom cover and provide an exhaust port both with RF shielding to keep out 10 meter local signals.
This should improve the drift problem and increase the life of the brick.
So far am delighted with it's operation and plan on adding a power amplifier.
There is an LO xtal trimming cap to correct frequency if after enough contacts shows a pattern of being sleightly off the calling frequency or others' dials suggest you are off some small amount.
So far I would buy again if I decide to go 440 SSB.
|
|
WA2ODO
|
Rating: 0/5
|
Feb 18, 2008 15:50
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Not sure whats worse Transverter or company
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
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.
|
|
W1JHR
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Oct 20, 2007 06:12
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Disparity between reviews
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
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.
|
|
N5KDA
|
Rating: 0/5
|
Nov 30, 2006 20:15
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Save your money
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
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...
|
|
N8ERM
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Oct 22, 2006 11:50
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great product
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
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.
|
|
ON6AB
|
Rating: 0/5
|
Aug 19, 2005 13:02
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Dead (again) and forgotten
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
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!
|
|
PY2RN
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Mar 1, 2004 01:42
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Vy Satisfied
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
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 $$$$$.
|
|
PA5MW
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Feb 13, 2004 08:03
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Still happy after almost 3yrs of use.
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
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!
|
|
G0UWK
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Dec 23, 2003 06:03
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Tops
|
Time owned: 3 to 6 months
|
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 !)
|
|
If you have any questions, problems, or suggestions about Reviews,
please email your Reviews Manager.
|
|
|
|
|
