Like I said, "Fusion digital mode which I don't particularly care for".
I don't intend on erecting a repeater and getting it coordinated in the NYC area. There is no way I'm going to waste time 1. trying to find an appropriate frequency pair 2. trying to work with Metrocor's vastly outdated old method of application via mail when 1. other coordinators like NESMC have a very well worked online application system and 2. even when coordinated there are still conflicting repeaters in the area and 3. since I just don't have the clout or "brand name" in this egotistical subset of amateur radio that we call NYC. Metrocor should see how RSGB (Radio Society of Great Britain) conducts coordination - absolutely beautiful. And if the ARRL could get into coordination somehow, it would mean standardized coordination across the country. I digress. I'm currently playing with a Motorola Quantar in R1 bandsplit that after I'm done playing with and programming, is going to get racked as an immediate backup to another club repeater of a similar configuration upstate. We have no intention of using it's ASTRO 25 capabilities. It will be an analog voice narrowband FM repeater at 50W and nothing more. It cost 3k at the time on the used market. Programming software (CPS) cost 300 dollars +/- 10 dollars. Compare that to this DR-1X which can be had for 500 over it's market 1700 and can be programmed on the fly from the front. Lets not mention that it's lighter, less rackspace footprint (2U), and like you said: "It's the controllers that are in need of modernization to enable new functionality." Really cool stuff - the club may get 4 for future proofing. Re: DMR - fun stuff. I won't rely on it for volunteer events just yet since you'd have to coordinate with repeater owners, nor would it be accessible to everyone since an XPR 6550 goes for 400 and programming software is 190 or so (although you could get a CS 700 for 260 but I haven't played with that myself) but the DMR-MARC is one of the better organized networked international and national repeater systems. No I have not, any specifics on that project? And my friends and I have a HackRF that we're playing with together. Absolutely useful for out applications. --leee On Sun, Mar 8, 2015 at 2:27 PM, Robert Terzi <[email protected]> wrote: > On 3/8/2015 4:40 AM, Eugene Lee via ARECS-List wrote: > > Yaesu is currently doing a "Club Special" for their DR-1X repeater. >> > [...] > >> I don't have much money at the moment but I'm considering just >> getting one for the sake of having current model equipment at such a >> stupidly low price. >> > [...] > Thoughts? > > Not to be negative, but I can't see this being a good use of your > resources for a number of reasons. Nothing but my opinions > here so take it with a grain of salt. > > There are a number of challenges to putting up and maintaining > a repeater, starting with the problem that it is difficult to > get a coordinated frequency to put a repeater on because the > available frequencies are in-use by a glut of mostly unused > repeaters. Even if the repeater is down for an extended > period of time, people don't give back the frequency pair > because it's hard to get, they might want to use it again > someday, etc. > > My take on Yaesu after owning an VX-8DR and an FT-857d is that > Yaesu's strength is providing fairly good value and functionality > as far as the analog radio side goes. However when it comes to > things digital, such as firmware, software, protocols for > programming and computer control, Yaesu just doesn't "get it". > > For example: Yaesu implemented APRS on the VX-8, FTM-350, but > they left out a lot of key functionality that would have made it > really useful, so at best it is just sort of a neat thing to > play with. > > My impressions of Yaesu are obviously pre-System Fusion and > things could have changed. However my impression of Yaesu's > proprietary digital attempt is that it is a non-starter for > most of the US. > > Regarding digital modes, While I haven't looked at it in detail, > the DMR world is starting to look promising for amateur radio. > Particularly when compared to the proprietary, single vendor > offerings from the big three Japanese radio manufacturers. > > There seems to at least be some interoperability between > manufacturers including several Chinese sources. I will > probably pick up a DMR handheld in the next year or so. > > If you are interested in repeaters, given your interests, it > would be a lot more educational to build a repeater from > components with your own programmable controller. I'd be > willing to bet that there are a bunch of open source projects > for building repeater controllers using an RPi or BBB. > > Note: Many repeaters are built out of re-purposed commercial gear. > AFAICT, The RF parts haven't really gotten any better recently. > It's the controllers that are in need of modernization to > enable new functionality. > > Have you talked to Charles about the digital projects he > was working on using some old Motorola gear and RPis to > make digital nodes that could be deployed throughout the city? > > Or, you could take the $500 and get yourself both a HackRF (blue) > and an AirSpy for lots of radio fun. > > Just some opinionated thoughts, hope this helps, > --Rob > > > > > > > > > > > >
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