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Reviews For: Down East Microwave Inc. 144-28

Category: Transverters

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Review Summary For : Down East Microwave Inc. 144-28
Reviews: 14MSRP: 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.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.downeastmicrowave.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00143.6
PA5MW Rating: 2004-02-13
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: 2003-12-23
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 !)

K4AR Rating: 2003-12-18
Best of Class Time Owned: more than 12 months.
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.

BRIAN_MANNS_EX_W3EME Rating: 2003-10-11
Poor at best! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
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.