CubeSat-sized linear transponder developed

William Leijenaar, PE1RAH, has developed a small 435 to 145 MHz (mode UV) linear transponder that will fit into a cubesat.

Developing a linear CW/SSB transponder that will fit into a Cubesat is a great acheivement. The basic Cubesat structure is just a 10 cm cube and to-date the smallest satellite to fly a linear transponder has been Delfi-C3 (DO-64) which is 10*10*30 cm.

William PE1RAH had previously developed a much larger 435/145 transponder used on the successful VUSAT (VO-52) Amateur Satellite.

A video of the new transponder is available on YouTube, (see below) the description says Ultra small Mode-UV linear transponder that will fit for amateur satellites (CubeSat size) or amateur baloon missions.

The transponder runs on 3.6Vdc (cellphone battery), weights 30grams, and is ultra small sized (9cm x 9cm x 5mm incl. mounting strips).

The output power is some 300mW PEP (FM/AM/SSB/CW) on 2m band, and all the freq are PLL programmable. To make the whole story complete, it has also a CW beacon integrated on the board.

Watch the video below:

PE1RAH website
http://www.qsl.net/pe1rah/