John, I certainly can't dispute the fact that an MTR2000 repeater is far more expensive than a TKR-850 repeater, nor can I dispute the fact that a BMW is far more expensive than a Yugo. The MTR2000 is a high-tier, heavy-duty, very reliable unit that can operate continuously. The TKR-850 is a low-tier station that is equivalent to the Motorola RKR-1225, and similar offerings from Icom, Vertex, and Ritron. If you want quality and durability, buy a high-tier station. If you feel that your needs do not warrant such an expenditure, stick with the more economical units. If you want a high-tier Kenwood station, look at the TKR-840 rather than the TKR-850. The TKR-840 is intended to drive a separate power amplifier, since it puts out 1 to 5 watts. The local public-safety agencies use a TKR-840 with a 100 watt TPL amplifier running at 75 watts. That combination is in the $3,500 class. The TKR-840 is the BMW of the Kenwood LMR product line. The TKR-850 is, well, not a BMW.
I chose the MTR2000 stations for my systems simply because I wanted basic communications that was absolutely reliable. All of them are bare-bones stations that use the internal controllers and have the integral power supply. One of my UHF MTR2000 stations is on 100% solar power, and in an unheated concrete shelter on a mountain ridge. Like the other and similar stations, it has performed flawlessly. The last 100 watt MTR2000 station I bought, more than a year ago, cost about $3,900 delivered to my door. That figure does not include the programming software, programming cable, speaker, microphone, or a service manual; those add another $500 or so. Be very careful about where you buy such a repeater, because some dealers look upon your purchase as a means to make a real killing- and you can pay many hundreds of dollars more than a fair price. As I noted in a short article a few years ago, I sent an RFQ (Request for Quote) for a MTR2000 station to more than a dozen Motorola dealers around the country as well as to two local radio shops. I included a list of options I wanted, with instructions to not vary from the list. What an eye-opener! There was more than $2,000 difference between the highest and lowest bids, and the highest came from one of the local radio shops. The owner of that shop had the gall to boast that he prided himself on being very competitive, and he was sure that he would get my business. No chance! I suggest that you evaluate the trade-off between a 40 watt MTR2000 and the 100 watt station. Not only is the 40 watt station about $600 cheaper, but you can also cut about $200 by ordering the DC-only version that will run on 14 VDC. The 100 watt DC-only station requires 28 VDC. Personally, I prefer to use an integral AC power supply for reliability. 73, Eric Lemmon WB6FLY -----Original Message----- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of John Transue Sent: Saturday, November 22, 2008 2:48 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] MTR 2000 Eric, Your questions are answered below. 1. What transmit frequency (within 1 MHz) will the repeater use? Answer: The repeater TX frequency is 448.375 MHz. RX is down 5 MHz. 2. Do you want a 40 watt or 100 watt transmitter? Answer: I'd like to have 90 watts out but it doesn't have to come from the repeater. We are currently using a Mirage power amp that boosts our repeater power from 5 watts to 90 watts. 3. Do you intend to add an external controller, or use the internal controller (Morse ID, but no courtesy beep)? Answer: We are currently using a RC-96 by ACC. I'd like to continue using it, but this is not an absolute requirement. Several people on RB have indicated that the MTR 2000 is far more expensive than the Kenwood TKR-850. I would like a ball-park cost figure to see for myself about what the difference would be. Thanks for your interest and help. John Transue >-----Original Message----- >From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com <mailto:Repeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com> [mailto:Repeater- >[EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:Builder%40yahoogroups.com> ] On Behalf Of Eric Lemmon >Sent: Saturday, November 22, 2008 12:19 PM >To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com <mailto:Repeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com> >Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] MTR 2000 > >John, > >I have a total of six MTR2000 repeaters in service, in both Amateur >and >commercial applications, with two more to be added in a few months. >I have >learned what options are necessary or desirable, and which can be >deleted to >save money. In order to provide you with a ballpark figure, and >offer a >shopping list, I need to know the following information: > >1. What transmit frequency (within 1 MHz) will the repeater use? >2. Do you want a 40 watt or 100 watt transmitter? >3. Do you intend to add an external controller, or use the internal >controller (Morse ID, but no courtesy beep)? > >73, Eric Lemmon WB6FLY > > >-----Original Message----- >From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com <mailto:Repeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com> >[mailto:Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com <mailto:Repeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com> ] On Behalf Of John Transue >Sent: Friday, November 21, 2008 10:37 AM >To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com <mailto:Repeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com> >Subject: [Repeater-Builder] MTR 2000 > >To help me determine whether the Motorola MTR 2000 is out of my >club's >funding range, would someone tell me approximately what a ham radio >club >would have to pay for such a repeater? > >John > > >------------------------------------ > > > >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > >__________ NOD32 3632 (20081121) Information __________ > >This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. >http://www.eset.com <http://www.eset.com>
