Hi Gene, I've tried about one of everything that Hamtronics has ever made or sold. I very much enjoy building kits and you often learn things building kits that you'll probably never learn in most any other method.
I buy Hamtronics, VHF Engineering, Melco & Maggiore and Spectrum... what I call "Kit-builder" Radio Gear off Ebay and from flea markets because many people don't want to get into the details of how and why a circuit might not be performing 100%. I easily restore the surplus equipment to operation because they are often minor problems and a great dollar value option/source of usable equipment. Last month I picked up a used UHF REP-200 Repeater. After I removed the previous owner/user circuit modifications the unit fires up and works pretty well. The basic UHF Repeater output is about 10 watts. After the OV1 crystal ovens come up to temp the frequency stays rock solid. I've also operated these repeaters without ovens and they stay close enough on frequency in most temp controlled rooms (with good crystals and some thermal insulation in place). The internal controller is a fairly simple micro controller with a modest (but enough) number of available control functions, which include a telephone autopatch. I just paid $30 to have a replacement eprom made with my callsign and default conditions setup. The new eprom arrived in just a few days of making my order. So the refurbished repeater is now in full tilt test mode. We plan to park it at a solar only repeater site so the low power drain of the REP-200 is a real advantage. There are a lot of things to say both pro and con regarding any repeater brand or type of equipment. I don't have a problem saying very good things about a pre-made Hamtronic REP-200 Repeater. If you are able to trouble-shoot, make repairs and align used radio equipment many of the Hamtronics, Spectrum, Melco, Maggiore & VHF Engineering boards can be refurbished into very nice systems. If you bought the equipment new your system would be pretty much plug and play. My 1981 Hamtronics Six Meter Repeater gear still works very well, just like the day I constructed it. Please feel free to contact me direct or through the group if you have any questions. cheers, skipp skipp025 at yahoo.com > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Anyone with experience with the Hamtronics 200 or 200T repeater > please advise of your satisfaction rating/comments. . > > We are considering one for the local ARES standby repeate and > your inputs are important.. > Thanks in advance. > Gene
