Transverter
Encyclopedia
A transverter is a radio frequency
device that consists of an upconverter and a downconverter in one unit. Transverters are used in conjunction with transceiver
s to change the range of frequencies
over which the transceiver can communicate.
A transverter is a universal electrical power converter that can combine, convert, analyze and control any combinations of DC or AC power.
to convert radio transceivers designed for use on the HF
or VHF
bands to operate on even higher frequency (microwave) bands. A transceiver used in this fashion is referred to as an IF radio, indicating its role as the "intermediate frequency" stage in the chain of radio electronics. Common transceiver/transverter combinations include transverters for 50 MHz
, 70 MHz
, 144 MHz
, 222 MHz
, and 432 MHz
designed for use with 28 MHz IF radios, and transverters for 50 MHz, 902 MHz
, 1296 MHz, 2304 MHz, 3456 MHz, 5706 MHz, and 10368 MHz designed for use with 144 MHz IF radios. Some transverter units include transmit/receive switching built into the design, whereas other units require external switching. The use of external switching is popular in applications where preamps and amplifiers are included. Many transverters are built into waterproof enclosures for installation on a radio tower
or other antenna support structure to get the device as close as possible to the antenna
so as to reduce signal loss in the transmission line
.
bands are available around the world to amateur radio operator
s, licensed experimental stations, and some unlicensed hobbyists. Transverters for these LF bands generally use HF transceivers as the IF radio. Some are used for communications where one or more of the stations are underground.
locally, which creates significant reductions in transmission loss for the grid.
Historically a "transverter" was an electromechanical device used to produce high-voltage direct current from AC sources for long distance transmission, invented in Britain in the 1920s.
Radio frequency
Radio frequency is a rate of oscillation in the range of about 3 kHz to 300 GHz, which corresponds to the frequency of radio waves, and the alternating currents which carry radio signals...
device that consists of an upconverter and a downconverter in one unit. Transverters are used in conjunction with transceiver
Transceiver
A transceiver is a device comprising both a transmitter and a receiver which are combined and share common circuitry or a single housing. When no circuitry is common between transmit and receive functions, the device is a transmitter-receiver. The term originated in the early 1920s...
s to change the range of frequencies
Frequency
Frequency is the number of occurrences of a repeating event per unit time. It is also referred to as temporal frequency.The period is the duration of one cycle in a repeating event, so the period is the reciprocal of the frequency...
over which the transceiver can communicate.
A transverter is a universal electrical power converter that can combine, convert, analyze and control any combinations of DC or AC power.
Amateur radio use
Transverters are used in amateur radioAmateur radio
Amateur radio is the use of designated radio frequency spectrum for purposes of private recreation, non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, and emergency communication...
to convert radio transceivers designed for use on the HF
High frequency
High frequency radio frequencies are between 3 and 30 MHz. Also known as the decameter band or decameter wave as the wavelengths range from one to ten decameters . Frequencies immediately below HF are denoted Medium-frequency , and the next higher frequencies are known as Very high frequency...
or VHF
Very high frequency
Very high frequency is the radio frequency range from 30 MHz to 300 MHz. Frequencies immediately below VHF are denoted High frequency , and the next higher frequencies are known as Ultra high frequency...
bands to operate on even higher frequency (microwave) bands. A transceiver used in this fashion is referred to as an IF radio, indicating its role as the "intermediate frequency" stage in the chain of radio electronics. Common transceiver/transverter combinations include transverters for 50 MHz
6 meters
The 6-meter band is a portion of the VHF radio spectrum allocated to amateur radio use. Although located in the lower portion of the VHF band, it nonetheless occasionally displays propagation mechanisms characteristic of the HF bands. This normally occurs close to sunspot maximum, when solar...
, 70 MHz
4 metres
The 4-metre band is an amateur radio frequency band in the lower Very High Frequency spectrum.Before World War II, British radio amateurs had been allocated a band at 56 MHz. After the war ended, they were allocated the 5-metre band instead...
, 144 MHz
2 meters
The 2-meter amateur radio band is a portion of the VHF radio spectrum, comprising frequencies stretching from 144.000 MHz to 148.000 MHz in International Telecommunication Union region Regions 2 and 3 and from 144.000 MHz to 146.000 MHz in ITU Region 1...
, 222 MHz
1.25 meters
The 1.25 meter, 220 MHz or 222 MHz band is a portion of the VHF radio spectrum internationally allocated for amateur radio use on a primary basis in ITU Region 2, and it comprises frequencies from 220 MHz to 225 MHz...
, and 432 MHz
70 centimeters
The 70-centimeter amateur radio band is a portion of the UHF radio spectrum. This band is used by amateurs engaged in emergency communications where portable and mobile radios are frequently used. Many such radios have dual-band capabilities, operating on both the 70-centimeter and 2-meter bands.-...
designed for use with 28 MHz IF radios, and transverters for 50 MHz, 902 MHz
33 centimeters
The 33-centimeter or 900 MHz band is a portion of the UHF radio spectrum internationally allocated to amateur radio on a secondary basis. It ranges from 902 to 928 MHz and is unique to ITU Region 2. It is primarily used for very local communications as opposed to bands lower in frequency...
, 1296 MHz, 2304 MHz, 3456 MHz, 5706 MHz, and 10368 MHz designed for use with 144 MHz IF radios. Some transverter units include transmit/receive switching built into the design, whereas other units require external switching. The use of external switching is popular in applications where preamps and amplifiers are included. Many transverters are built into waterproof enclosures for installation on a radio tower
Radio masts and towers
Radio masts and towers are, typically, tall structures designed to support antennas for telecommunications and broadcasting, including television. They are among the tallest man-made structures...
or other antenna support structure to get the device as close as possible to the antenna
Antenna (radio)
An antenna is an electrical device which converts electric currents into radio waves, and vice versa. It is usually used with a radio transmitter or radio receiver...
so as to reduce signal loss in the transmission line
Transmission line
In communications and electronic engineering, a transmission line is a specialized cable designed to carry alternating current of radio frequency, that is, currents with a frequency high enough that its wave nature must be taken into account...
.
Low band use
Transverters can also be used in applications where the transverter frequency is lower than the transceiver frequency. Several low frequencyLow frequency
Low frequency or low freq or LF refers to radio frequencies in the range of 30 kHz–300 kHz. In Europe, and parts of Northern Africa and of Asia, part of the LF spectrum is used for AM broadcasting as the longwave band. In the western hemisphere, its main use is for aircraft beacon,...
bands are available around the world to amateur radio operator
Amateur radio operator
An amateur radio operator is an individual who typically uses equipment at an amateur radio station to engage in two-way personal communications with other similar individuals on radio frequencies assigned to the amateur radio service. Amateur radio operators have been granted an amateur radio...
s, licensed experimental stations, and some unlicensed hobbyists. Transverters for these LF bands generally use HF transceivers as the IF radio. Some are used for communications where one or more of the stations are underground.
Energy conversion use
Transverters are used to convert and combine different types of electrical power such as solar panels, batteries, wind generators, fuel cells, the grid, generators and both DC and AC loads. By automatically analyzing and converting the power between different voltages and AC or DC, it allows for energy to flow between all types of devices. With the advent of the Smart Grid it is becoming very popular since it combines renewable energy, demand management and community energy storage within the home or office. Transverters also correct for power factorPower factor
The power factor of an AC electric power system is defined as the ratio of the real power flowing to the load over the apparent power in the circuit, and is a dimensionless number between 0 and 1 . Real power is the capacity of the circuit for performing work in a particular time...
locally, which creates significant reductions in transmission loss for the grid.
Historically a "transverter" was an electromechanical device used to produce high-voltage direct current from AC sources for long distance transmission, invented in Britain in the 1920s.