AN EXPERIMENTAL 5.7-GHZ SSB COMMUNICATIONS-SYSTEM

A SSB communications system, for use in the amateur 5.7 GHz band, is d escribed. This system as several unique features, including the succes sful use of microstrip circuitry printed on low-cost FR-4 substrate, a microwave complex modulator for SSB generation, and a VHF complex dem odulator for SSB reception. There are no conventional narrow-band inte rmediate-frequency stages. The system power output is -6 dBm PEP, and the receive system noise figure is 11 dB. An antenna system is describ ed that provides approximately 23 dBi gain, which is appropriate for l ine-of-sight communication over 16 km paths.