Thanks Skipp, that helps a great deal. I've found a lot of usefule information on repeater-builder.com over the years, but I just finally signed up for the yahoo group yesterday, I don't know why I waited.
Bomar sounds like a good place to start with. I got this MSR-2000 for $25 at a hamfest because the guy didn't want to load it up in his truck to take it back home. I was buying a Kenwood TKR-820 and he said, "I'll tell you what, I'll give you the pair for $50." How could I go wrong? The Kenwood is working great thanks to repeater-builder.com. On another note, I sent you a message a few days ago, but sometimes yahoo blocks my messages....not sure why. I was wondering if you had any information about a CSI-32 tone panel and possible firmware upgrades. The EPROM inside has a sticker on it that says the following. 128 v4.0 6289 (I think, hard to read) © CSI - Jeff -------------------------------------------------- From: "skipp025" <skipp...@yahoo.com> Sent: Sunday, July 11, 2010 10:52 PM To: <Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com> Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Recrystal MSR-2000 Channel Elements (and a guacamole recipe) > > > Recrystal MSR-2000 Channel Elements > >> "Path_Finder.Geo" <kb1...@...> wrote: >> Hi everyone, I am going to post this message here because >> batlabs didn't approve my post. Apparently it's too harsh >> to tell people, "PLEASE DO NOT TELL ME TO HAVE SOMEONE >> ELSE DO IT." > > Hi Jeff, > Apparently you do not play the BatLabs Game very well? I'm > sure you'll survive with the ever so perky bunch over here. > >> I am looking for information on how exactly to re-tune >> a channel element for a MSR repeater. I've seen >> instructions as far as what to adjust on the element >> itself, but what I really need to know is; what equipment >> is required, how to hook that equipment up to the channel >> element, and what to look for while adjusting the channel >> element. > > The transmit channel element is best adjusted for frequency > center by using a Communications Service Monitor setup to > sample (off the on-air signal) read the main carrier > channel/frequency. The simple way to set the IDC Control/Pot > is to set the Transmit CTCSS (PL) Tone deviation to about 750Hz. > In a stock MSR-2000 the repeat audio level is then set using > the level pot on the Squelch Gate Module. > > If you don't have access to a Service Monitor, a decent Frequency > Counter will at least let you "net" (adjust) the frequency to > F-center (on the desired frequency). > > If you move the transmitter more than say... 500 kHz from its > last alignment location, you should repeat the Service Manual > Alignment steps on or near the new frequency. > > The Receiver is a different animal. Take the Receiver frequency > and add and/or subtract the receiver IF frequency (most often > 10.7 or 10.8 MHz for the VHF Receiver). The formula you use > depends on your receivers IF Frequency and "Injection Chain", > which translates to which side of the IF the multiplied crystal > frequency ends up on. In your example it's probably F-frequency > minus the IF Frequency equals the multiplied Channel Element > injection frequency, which is what you want to set/align. > > Put a X1 Scope/Text Probe on your Service Monitor (or Frequency > Counter) Antenna (Low Level RF) Input and place it down onto/near > the receiver circuit board. You can also use a decent quality > frequency counter if you're more careful. At some location on > or near the board you will be able to monitor and measure the > output of the RX Channel Element Frequency, then set it for the > expected Injection Frequency. > > As an example: A receive frequency of 151.625 MHz minus a 10.7 > IF frequency equals 140.925 MHz. "Sniff" around the receiver > board until you observe a signal in that area, then "net" > (adjust) the channel element frequency to the expected 140.925 > F-center location. If you can't find the expected frequency > you might run the numbers for a 10.8 IF Frequency and sniff > around 140.825 for the channel element injection frequency. > > In both the above examples, a X1 (times-1) Scope Probe or something > similar is handy to use. If you can't get/find a signal, make a > short antenna probe by clipping a small length of insulated > regular wire onto the end of the probe. The end of the wire held > by the Scope Probe "jaws" should obviously be stripped bare. > Try not to allow the sampling wire and/or probe to directly > contact/short any of the exposed metal parts on the receiver > board. > >> Now I realize that I need a new crystal as well, and I >> realize it can all be done professionally with temperature >> compensation. > > Yeah but in many cases "professional" is a lot more expensive > than it really has to be. > >> But what I want to know is how I can do it myself just >> to get started and make sure everything is going to work >> the way I want before I pay out big bucks to have it all >> done the right way. I have an extra set of channel >> elements, so playing around with one set isn't going to >> affect having the other set done professionally if I >> mess something up. > > For me there are two regular places to order crystals. The > first is International Crystal Manufacturing, always high > quality but you will find the pricing a bit steep for any > casual crystal/channel element work. > > The second location for me is Bomar, where I pretty much > buy all my channel element crystals. Their quality, pricing > and wait time is in my opinion more than fair. Their only > down side (to me) is their $50 min order amount. So you might > need to order a few extra crystals to make an order amount. > Not a problem if you think ahead or pal-up with someone else > to place an order. > > I call Bomar with a Visa Card in the other hand, tell them I > want Crystals for Mitrek/MSR-2000 Channel Elements KXN-1086 > and KXN-1088 types. There are other MSR Channel Element numbers > you can use, but the above model numbers are the most popular > and should be interchangeable with anything you might have. > At a price of about $15/$20 per crystal (last time I had some > cut) I order at least 4 crystals to make the min order amount. > > Wait the normal time (they do have rush service for more $$) > and the "rocks" show up at your door. > > Carefully remove the Channel Element Cover along with the > insulating sleeve and desolder the old crystal, replacing it > with your new rock. Replace the cover, label the channel > element with the new frequency and your ready to rock and > roll. > >> Thanks for any help you can give me, >> Jeff - KB1SPH / WQEX694 > > There are other places to buy crystals but I haven't used > their services so I obviously have no qualified comments on > those sources. > > Good luck Jeff... jump in, the water is fine (but it's deep) > > cheers, > s. > > http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/perfect_guacamole/ > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > >
