[Repeater-Builder] Re: NHRC-2 DTMF Problems
Problems solved!! Thanks guys for all your help. The problem was exactly that Eric wrote. I had a broken cap on the input to 8870 resulting with about 3 V DC. I changed the capacitor and then i worked perfect. I am going to hook the controller to a low level LF instead also :) Thanks again, Merry Christman!! 73 de SM6URQ --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, Eric Lemmon [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Christopher, I suspect that you are overloading the DTMF decoder by sending it speaker audio; it is intended to work with very low-level audio. Try to find a low-level audio source that is upstream of the volume control. It may be necessary to de-emphasize the audio in order to keep the high and low tones at equal values. There's another precaution to take, and that is to ensure that there is a DC blocking capacitor in the audio feed to the decoder. Any DC bias from an op-amp or similar circuit can upset the decoder's operation. 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 Christofer Lind Sent: Thursday, December 21, 2006 6:40 AM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com mailto:Repeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com Subject: [Repeater-Builder] NHRC-2 DTMF Problems Hello to you all! I bought the NHRC-2 controller Kit (Rev-E). My plan was to hook it up with an ICOM IC-F410S. Everything works fine, but i can not get the DTMF-decode to work. The audio comes from Speaker-jack and i use NO deemphasis on the controller. The MT8870 decodes some tones, mostly 0 and # (3 never works). I have tried different levels from the radio with no success. The Audio output is very good from the repeater, no distortion whatsoever. Anyone has any ideas? Merry Christmas from Sweden de Christofer, SM6URQ
[Repeater-Builder] A Different (not quite a) Mystery Signal
Hi all, A local repeater around here has a similar problem to the one that has been discussed recently. In our case, an APRS packet can be heard over the repeater, only when the repeater is active. Sometimes it's very weak and is only heard during the squelch tail, other times it's strong enough to overpower repeater users. The strange part is that when I tune to 144.39, the interfering signal on the repeater coincides perfectly with packets coming across that frequency. This makes me think that it's not just someone with a radio on the wrong frequency. I haven't been able to record this happening yet, but hopefully I will soon...I've got a VOX recording program running now. Hopefully we'll be able to track down the APRS signal source, but how is it ending up in the repeater? Is this an intermod thing? Many thanks in advance, Andy KB9JOZ
[Repeater-Builder] Re: VHF Duplexer problem - help?
6 can duplexor won't tune smoothly, generates RX noise... Lightning hit, Yep, its probably flashed over on one of the first cans from the ant, you might have carbon tracks and a twisted/melted cap. Also inspect your connectors, Ts and the coax itsself as a possible source of noise after a lightning hit also. Difficult to tune, if the interconnect coax is supposed to be 1/4 wave length, or multiples, 1/2 3/4... What worked good at 160mhz, will not work good at 146 mhz. Been there, done that! It will do something, but you will have high insertion loss, and your deepest notch for best rx sensitivity will not be real deep. You will not get best performance until you get the correct length coax between cans. Somebody suggested removing the bad can, and running 2+3. That might work if your tx is clean, and you arent trying to run high watts, if the other cans are ok, and coax is tuned right. Try it, it won't cost you anything cept time and some additional hair loss from scratching your head. 73 Ed N3SDO
Re: [Repeater-Builder] A Different (not quite a) Mystery Signal
It's probably mixing with something and showing up as intermod. Tell us the repeater's frequencies and perhaps someone will come up with a scenario. Bob M. == --- Andy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi all, A local repeater around here has a similar problem to the one that has been discussed recently. In our case, an APRS packet can be heard over the repeater, only when the repeater is active. Sometimes it's very weak and is only heard during the squelch tail, other times it's strong enough to overpower repeater users. The strange part is that when I tune to 144.39, the interfering signal on the repeater coincides perfectly with packets coming across that frequency. This makes me think that it's not just someone with a radio on the wrong frequency. I haven't been able to record this happening yet, but hopefully I will soon...I've got a VOX recording program running now. Hopefully we'll be able to track down the APRS signal source, but how is it ending up in the repeater? Is this an intermod thing? Many thanks in advance, Andy KB9JOZ __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
RE: [Repeater-Builder] A Different (not quite a) Mystery Signal
Andy, Without knowing the frequencies of the victim repeater, it's difficult to postulate a cause. However, I suspect that the APRS radio you hear is transmitting spurious signals in addition to the fundamental. A spectrum analyzer will reveal that as a cause, if you can get close to the offending radio. If you can determine the callsign of the APRS radio's operator, you might be able to locate it. If only one particular APRS radio is causing the interference, it is likely to be defective. Radios that go spurious are not always Amateur-grade radios. My GMRS repeater was once beset with spurs being transmitted by a Motorola M100 radio used as a SCADA base station by a nearby petroleum company. In addition to its fundamental, it was transmitting a healthy signal just 75 kHz away. Replacing the radio cured the problem. 73, Eric Lemmon WB6FLY -Original Message- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Andy Sent: Thursday, December 21, 2006 4:04 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Repeater-Builder] A Different (not quite a) Mystery Signal Hi all, A local repeater around here has a similar problem to the one that has been discussed recently. In our case, an APRS packet can be heard over the repeater, only when the repeater is active. Sometimes it's very weak and is only heard during the squelch tail, other times it's strong enough to overpower repeater users. The strange part is that when I tune to 144.39, the interfering signal on the repeater coincides perfectly with packets coming across that frequency. This makes me think that it's not just someone with a radio on the wrong frequency. I haven't been able to record this happening yet, but hopefully I will soon...I've got a VOX recording program running now. Hopefully we'll be able to track down the APRS signal source, but how is it ending up in the repeater? Is this an intermod thing? Many thanks in advance, Andy KB9JOZ
[Repeater-Builder] Re: A Different (not quite a) Mystery Signal
Andy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi all, A local repeater around here has a similar problem to the one that has been discussed recently. Only one repeater problem has been discussed..? :-) just kidding... In our case, an APRS packet can be heard over the repeater, only when the repeater is active. I normally would get really silly at this point and ask how would you be able to hear the problem when the repeater is not active... but listening to the repeater input frequency is one of a few possible tests you might try. In cases where friends and fellow hams have remote bases on their repeaters ... you can sometimes ask them to program their remotes to your repeater input frequency for testing. Sometimes it's very weak and is only heard during the squelch tail, other times it's strong enough to overpower repeater users. The strange part is that when I tune to 144.39, the interfering signal on the repeater coincides perfectly with packets coming across that frequency. This makes me think that it's not just someone with a radio on the wrong frequency. I haven't been able to record this happening yet, but hopefully I will soon... I've got a VOX recording program running now. Your really don't need to record the problem signal... but you should try to decode the source radio, which might be an aprs type node. Contact the node owner and ask him about the aprs system. Before you point a finger... make sure your own equipment is clean and working well/properly. I've seen a lot of well intentioned hams place amateur grade radio gear direct to an antenna at a busy repeater site. Often they don't know their non band-pass filter protected ham radio makes a real nice high powered mountain top located signal mixer. Your problem might be that simple... and it might not be... Hopefully we'll be able to track down the APRS signal source, A great idea... one of the first things I'd do. but how is it ending up in the repeater? Is this an intermod thing? It's a groove thing... actually it can get into your equipment via a number of methods. Your equipment, his/their equipment and a third or fourth party at some other location might even be a player in the fun. Even the phone and power wires make nice antennas in the wrong application. Many thanks in advance, Andy KB9JOZ Find the aprs radio source, be nice to the other guy (the spirit of amateur radio) and see what type of equipment he/they are using. You didn't describe what repeater equipment you're using so we can't know where to point the problem finger until we have all the proper information. Report back what you find... cheers, skipp
[Repeater-Builder] Motorola Accy Connector Crimpers
After nearly a year of searching ebay, I finally found an Amp/Tyco crimp tool for use with the Motorola mobile radio 16 and 20 pin accessory connector. (Amp Modu MT Connectors) I hadnt bothered to delete that search and now, a few months later, I have received an email letting me know there are two of these rare items for sale on eBay. Item # 330065270480. This is the good ratcheting version. The part numbers I had been searching for were 91541-1, 91516-1, 91517-1. Current price is $39.99, with no bidders. Thats a much better price than what i paid, and amazing compared to the current retail ($551 at Digi-Key). If you do much with the Moto accy connectors, this tool will make your life easier, and your connections more reliable. For the lawyers...I have no financial interest in this, nor do I know the seller. For the grumpy old men...Yes, I know eBay notices contribute to the noise floor of a group, but I decided to pass this on anyway. Sorry. For the rest of you... Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Duane AB8QU
[Repeater-Builder] Want: Spectrum Repeater Controller Board Diagram (yeah it's self abuse)
Re: Want: Spectrum Repeater SCR Controller Board Diagram Well... the Repeater Builder web site doesn't have a Spectrum Repeater Equipment section. Can you imagine..? Since I seem to be into self abuse this week... I've pulled a tired old Spectrum VHF Repeater off the shelf for repair. After much restoration and repair I've got the receiver, transmitter and ID board working (could you hear the hammer?) pretty well but the previous owner heavily modified the main power supply - controller board. I'd like to return it to nearly original condition. Do any of you have a Spectrum Repeater Manual Scanned? ...or in the case of begging... have the diagram of the power supply - controller board avaiable as something you could Email a copy to me? skipp025 at yahoo.com If any of you need Spectrum 224 MHz Receiver and Transmitter Diagrams... I've already scanned them into free pdf files I can and have emailed out already. The the power supply controller board scan is not yet available. Anyone already made the power supply controller board scan? cheers, skipp skipp025 at yahoo.com
Re: [Repeater-Builder] For Sale Midland Base Tech Transmitter Receiver 450 - 470 MHz
Its been awhile what Companies still make good Preamp preselectors for repeaters not overly expensive? VHF and UHF I am also looking For someone near central NJ that can reprogram a Motorola R-100 UHF repeater for me and Flat pack duplexer. I know Dont ask for a copy Of the RSS software I wont But will accept it just for this frequency programming change then loose it... HELP Neal KA2CAF
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Want: Spectrum Repeater Controller Board Diagram (yeah...
Skipp I've got the following boards from the SCR-1000 repeater that you can have if they can be of any help to you getting that kludge going: TRA-1 Timer Reset ID250 TTC100 (couple of 'em) PRM200 Power supply board Also have the original schematics and parts layout diagrams for them. Let me know if any of this will help. Bruce K7IJ In a message dated 12/22/2006 9:58:14 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Re: Want: Spectrum Repeater SCR Controller Board Diagram Well... the Repeater Builder web site doesn't have a Spectrum Repeater Equipment section. Can you imagine..? Since I seem to be into self abuse this week... I've pulled a tired old Spectrum VHF Repeater off the shelf for repair. After much restoration and repair I've got the receiver, transmitter and ID board working (could you hear the hammer?) pretty well but the previous owner heavily modified the main power supply - controller board. I'd like to return it to nearly original condition. Do any of you have a Spectrum Repeater Manual Scanned? ...or in the case of begging... have the diagram of the power supply - controller board avaiable as something you could Email a copy to me? skipp025 at yahoo.com If any of you need Spectrum 224 MHz Receiver and Transmitter Diagrams... I've already scanned them into free pdf files I can and have emailed out already. The the power supply controller board scan is not yet available. Anyone already made the power supply controller board scan? cheers, skipp skipp025 at yahoo.com
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Want: Spectrum Repeater Controller Board Diagram (yeah it's self abuse)
If you send stuff to Mike, I'm sure a Spectrum section can be born. Seems odd that a repeater manufacturer isn't represented on r-b. Bob M. == --- skipp025 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Re: Want: Spectrum Repeater SCR Controller Board Diagram Well... the Repeater Builder web site doesn't have a Spectrum Repeater Equipment section. Can you imagine..? cheers, skipp __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Want: Spectrum Repeater Controller Board Diagram (yeah...
In a message dated 12/22/2006 11:38:18 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: If you send stuff to Mike, I'm sure a Spectrum section can be born. Seems odd that a repeater manufacturer isn't represented on r-b. I'm not at all surprised that this repeater manufacturer isn't represented on r-b.
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Want: Spectrum Repeater Controller Board Diagram (yeah...
Spectrum is one of the manufacturers where the best support would be to provide no supports. -- Original Message -- Received: Fri, 22 Dec 2006 02:33:11 PM CST From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Want: Spectrum Repeater Controller Board Diagram (yeah... In a message dated 12/22/2006 11:38:18 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: If you send stuff to Mike, I'm sure a Spectrum section can be born. Seems odd that a repeater manufacturer isn't represented on r-b. I'm not at all surprised that this repeater manufacturer isn't represented on r-b.
Re: [Repeater-Builder] For Sale Midland Base Tech Transmitter Receiver 450 - 470 MHz
For Preamps try http://www.advancedreceiver.com/index1.html Neal Newman wrote: Its been awhile what Companies still make good Preamp preselectors for repeaters not overly expensive? VHF and UHF I am also looking For someone near central NJ that can reprogram a Motorola R-100 UHF repeater for me and Flat pack duplexer. I know Dont ask for a copy Of the RSS software I wont But will accept it just for this frequency programming change then loose it... HELP Neal KA2CAF Yahoo! Groups Links
Re: [Repeater-Builder] For Sale Midland Base Tech Transmitter Receiver 450 - 470 MHz
thanks vincent for the pictures i am looking for a small uhf repeater,programmable,best would be 2 portable cabled as a repeater i dont need power where it will be located 73/s merry christmas gervais ve2ckn Original Message Follows From: Vincent Caruso [EMAIL PROTECTED] Reply-To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] For Sale Midland Base Tech Transmitter Receiver 450 - 470 MHz Date: Fri, 22 Dec 2006 16:27:42 -0500 For Preamps try http://www.advancedreceiver.com/index1.html Neal Newman wrote: Its been awhile what Companies still make good Preamp preselectors for repeaters not overly expensive? VHF and UHF I am also looking For someone near central NJ that can reprogram a Motorola R-100 UHF repeater for me and Flat pack duplexer. I know Dont ask for a copy Of the RSS software I wont But will accept it just for this frequency programming change then loose it... HELP Neal KA2CAF Yahoo! Groups Links _ Voyez vos amis en faisant un appel vidèo dans Windows Live Messenger http://imagine-msn.com/messenger/launch80/default.aspx?locale=fr-ca
Re: [Repeater-Builder] VHF Duplexer problem - help?
Hello Dave Here is a quick way to test for duplexer internal intermod-result of signal rectification resulting from lighting burn damage, tuning under power damage, corrosion, bad connectors etc. Put a transmitter on the REC. and TRANS ports tuned to REC and TRANS pass frequencies of each--for ham work, a couple of similar power mobiles work well. Put sample T and an adequately big, known to be good, dummy load on the duplexer antenna port--- 40 db. or so of suitable power attenuator is another OK way to go here. Now, with a spectrum analyzer connected to the sample T or attenuator string, run both transmitters at the same time (max. power) and look at what comes out of the duplexer. antenna port. If all is well, you will see only the two transmitter frequencies--similar display heights if the transmitters are of similar power and the pass losses of the duplexer are similar. If all isn't well, you will see the two transmitters and mix products tooand if you do, this is bad news--you may have to look down a way you should not be able to see any mix products. I have used this method to identify a couple of bad duplexers that desensed badly in service that looked absolutely perfect in tune up and checkout using the usual tracking oscillator / service monitor and or high-grade network analyzer methods. Scott, N6NXI - Original Message - From: ve7ltd To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, December 21, 2006 2:32 PM Subject: [Repeater-Builder] VHF Duplexer problem - help? I was helping a local group tune a 6 cavity Sinclair Q2330 VHF duplexer. With a spectrum analyzer, I was able to get the pass/notch looking really good into a dummy load. I did notice that one of the capacitors did not tune linearly. All of the other caps would tune the notch smoothly as it approached the correct notch frequency. This one cap would tune weird. As you rotated it on one direction, it would tune the notch closer, then farther, then closer, then father. All the other caps would only move linearly in one direction when rotated. When hooked up at the site, there is not a lot of loss either on the RX or the TX. But as soon as the transmitter comes on, no matter what the power output, there is a huge amount of RX noise generated, whether terminated with a load or the antenna. The noise is also intermittent - It comes and goes. If that suspect cap is turned under any transmit load, it crackles loudly. None of the other caps exhibit this behaviour. The noise desenses the receiver badly. I have not scoped the transmitter yet, but it was working fine when removed from service (GE MASTR II 40 W station). I also have used and tuned many of these in the past, and they all have worked fine. There was signs of lightning damage on an old antenna they removed from the site a few years ago (the cable harness in a Sinclair 210C- 4 was burned in one dipole. I am unsure if they replaced the feedline. There is no reflected power. The duplexer also was originally tuned in the low 160's and I am aware that the harness may need to be changed. Here are my questions: 1) Besides the weird behaviour, is there any way to test if the cap is bad? 2) If there is lightning damage, where/how may it be visible? Is it repairable? Where would I find a replacement cap? 3) Does the fact that the system works fine with a signal generator and sprectrum analyzer suggest that the problem is in the duplexer? I have set up many repeater systems, and never had a problem like this before. Any ideas? Thanks all. This group is a great resource for people like me that want to get into repeater building. I would not be able to be where I am without the help you all provide. Dave Cameron VE7LTD
[Repeater-Builder] ACC shackmaster 100 and FC 900 current users
Please email me off list if you currently use either one please. Happy holidays NB2A Tom
Re: [Repeater-Builder] For Sale Midland Base Tech Transmitter Receiver 450 - 470 MHz
Hey Vincent Thanks I know about ARR for preamps but Im looking for a Preselector Preamp like the old GLB units.. BTW Vincent I know your in NJ who has a GMRS repeater on 462/ 467.675. I hear and can key a machine with my HT and rubber duck. Its running PL #24 (on my icom U-16) My motorola R-100 is on that frequency Running PL#21( I am assuming its 141.3) because thats whats written Inside the machine. Because of this other repeater I want tro change frequency. this is why I asked If anyone in NJ has the RSS software so I can reprogram my machine. Thanks Neal- KA2CAF/WQEN680 Vincent Caruso wrote: For Preamps try http://www.advancedreceiver.com/index1.html Neal Newman wrote: Its been awhile what Companies still make good Preamp preselectors for repeaters not overly expensive? VHF and UHF I am also looking For someone near central NJ that can reprogram a Motorola R-100 UHF repeater for me and Flat pack duplexer. I know Dont ask for a copy Of the RSS software I wont But will accept it just for this frequency programming change then loose it... HELP Neal KA2CAF Yahoo! Groups Links mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [Repeater-Builder] ACC shackmaster 100 and FC 900 current users
In a message dated 12/22/2006 7:10:20 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Please email me off list if you currently use either one please. Happy holidays NB2A Tom I've got 'em but they're not on the air - just gathering dust.
Re: [Repeater-Builder] For Sale Midland Base Tech Transmitter Receiver 450 - 470 MHz
At 07:40 PM 12/22/06, you wrote: Hey Vincent Thanks I know about ARR for preamps but Im looking for a Preselector Preamp like the old GLB units.. Check out www.anglelinear.com Mike WA6ILQ
