3 ms·
I have built several X-band transmitters, both ground and space qualified. The space qualified GaAs FETs in the latter were $7k each.
by madengr 7y ago
I have built several X-band transmitters, both ground and space qualified. The space qualified GaAs FETs in the latter were $7k each.
- someguydave 7y agoYeah the hard part isn’t the parts, it’s the testing and qualification that’s worth the money.
- madengr 7y agoYep. Tons of documentation and paperwork trail too. We had some silver epoxy slowly degrade (loose conductivity) over 3 years. It was used to put down some thin film RF attenuators, thus the ground lifted and attenuation was lost (slightly), possibly affecting an AGC loop. Had to go back and rework units that were already mothballed for launch, or else (possible) latent failures. I’m glad I no longer do that shit; couldn’t pay me enough. I had nightmares about shit like this: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/NOAA-19#/media/File%3ANOAA-N'_accident.jpg https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/NOAA-19#/media/File%3ANOAA-N...