> "Coy Hilton" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> I converted a MSR2000 VHF radio to repeater service.
> I did not have the beloved Squelch Gate card. So I
> didn't use any cards. They are always a source of
> problems in the audio path AND the card connectors
> tend to get flaky.
I nor the 50 plus MSR-2000 repeaters I have placed
in service ever had an audio path problem failure
sourced to a control shelf module. Yep, you read
it right 50+ refurbished MSR2K boxes in various
repeater applications.
Nor have I or my commerical customers ever had a
card connector get flaky. This includes some of
the legacy Micor Repeaters we still have in service.
The factory backplane parts are some of the best
possible connectors for this type of
service. One has to keep the mouse pee off them
and the micor control shelf interconnect boards.
The owner also has to PM the boxes at least once
or twice a year.
Not that problems doen't ever happen, but the
factory modules do work very well and last a
long time (like a sugar daddy).
Each person is obviously able to pick an external
controller interface method, which makes them happy.
Most hams seem to want quick (get it on the air loud
and fast) plug and play. The longer route might
provide better results. An alternative route might
not also take longer.
> I used a few push-on jumpers on the
> back plane to bring all of the necessary connections
> to one of the card connectors in the shelf from the
> receiver and transmitter exciter. I built a DB
> interface on a stripped card and did full
> alignment of the transmitter and receiver. The
> deviation from input to output is very nearly
> the same because we made the adjustments in
> the controller that way, using a DTMF 3 It tracks
> very well.
With no cards, you used ungated descriminator audio
to the controller? You would have to de-emph the
audio in the controller unless there is internal
controller option jumpers, which can be set to apply
de-emph audio to the dtmf decoders. Else there
is unlevel tones are provided to the dtmf decoder.
The above would reduce reliable dmtf operation in
weak signal (coverage) areas.
How do you filter the sub tone (CTCSSS or PL) from
the main voice audio?
Did you then pre-emph the tx audio? ... and how?
> Some like using all of the cards that they can find.
> I beleave in KISS, "Keep It Simple & Sanitary".
Who are these "some (people)" and why would they add
extra modules to a control shelf?
Have you ever had to upgrade your external controller
firmware? There is more of a chance your external
controller will lock up (possibly placing the rptr
transmitter on the air) vs any problem caused by
the factory time-out-timer removing it from the air
after... say 10 minutes hard keydown.
I realize much of the country doesn't use sub-tone
(CTCSS), but busy places with serious noise problems
make it worth having. Some of my own service vehicles
have computers, which generate moving rf birdies well
through and into the UHF Band. With full CTCSS or
LTR operation, I don't have to hear these squawks.
Many of the high level repeaters out here have multible
sub tone capacity for Emergency Service and similar
functions. Having the original control shelf modules
in place make it easy to add the above mentioned
features. Both the Comm-Spec TP-3200 and CSI Tone
Panels (along with LTR Panels) work killer on the
MSR-2000 and Micor Repeaters.
> As far as Echolink, IT is one of the BEST pieces
> of software EVER WRITEN for the ham community,
> with 1 exception and it is not Jonithans fault.
> The Software DTMF decoder doesn't work well, I
> beleave this has to do with suttle deviations
> in clock frequency from sound card to sound card.
> I added a hardware decoder after a few weeks of
> fighting the software one. And have had NO problem with
> it sence.
> 73 and good luck
> AC0Y
Echo Link, IRLP and other rebroadcasting sources are
taking many West Coast Repeaters by storm. There is
now alternative real Amateur Radio source audio, where
once was once was the local old timers medical condition
nets. A welcome relief for some of the more casual
repeater listeners.
cheers
skipp
www.radiowrench.com/sonic
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