2-metre band converter

If you have a general coverage shortwave receiver available and would like to extend its frequency range with the two-metre amateur radio band, the present design is for you. Easy to build from low-cost parts, the converter should make an excellent entry-level project for budding radio enthusiasts. The converter is also a prefect companion to the general-coverage multi-mode SW receiver described last year in this magazine.The 2-metre radio amateur band is still the most popular band worldwide. It extends from 144 to 146 MHz in most European countries, and from 144 to 148 MHz is some other countries like the U.S.A. and Australia. Traditionally, the band is associated with short-range communication over distances of up to 50 miles or so using narrow-band frequency modulation (NBFM) and power levels up to about 50 watts. This is also called ‘local traffic’ by some radio amateurs. Thanks to the relatively short antenna lengths and general profusion of cheap Japanese hightech rigs and converted PMR kit, the 2-m band is also the place to be for mobile and portable communication, witness the presence of amateur-built and operated repeater stations in many countries and areas.