A hybrid upconverter has a low noise amplifier and a two port parametric amplifier. The parametric amplifier has a first port to receive an input signal to be amplified and upconverted and a second port to receive a local oscillator signal and to output the amplified, upconverted signal at upper and lower sideband frequencies. The parametric amplifier further has an antenna coupled to the second port to receive the local oscillator signal and transmit the amplified, upconverted signal at upper and lower sideband frequencies. The low noise amplifier drives the first port of the parametric amplifier. The two port parametric amplifier has a pair of varactor diodes connected between the first port and the second port. The diodes are connected in parallel from the first port and in series from the second port. The low noise amplifier is connected directly to the pair of varactor diodes.