At 06:07 AM 07/15/08, you wrote: >Hey guys, just trying to figure out a quick and dirty way to >automatically cycle power to a repeater one time per day for a short >period of time. Been having problems with the repeater that I >maintain. Basically figuring it's a controller glitch, but >occasionally the repeater will lock up on transmit until power to >the repeater and controller are cycled. I am pretty sure it's a >glitch in the controller as this has happened on and off for years >but for some unknown reason it has occured more as of late. It's >not a huge deal, but it is a pain in the rump to drive to the site >every time that it occurs to do a manual reset. So what I have done >over the years is install a 120V timer in line with the power supply >and cycle the power once per night for 1 minute at a time and that >keeps me from driving 30 miles, through 4 gates, cow patties, and >jungle-like conditions each way to get to the site. At any rate, I >basically need a timer that will run on 12V, that can power a relay >that can cycle power to the repeater (and controller specifially, >but want to do both) as I would like to get this repeater back on >it's battery backup without having to drive up there every time that >it has a glitch to do a full power cycle when what I am speaking of >will atleast solve the problem 1 to 2 times per day depending on how >many times I have it recycle daily. It would not be a big deal to >drive up there as I used to do when I was single and had no >children, but nowadays when the thing locks up on transmit it's >never at a conveinient time now that family life is a big concern >and my phone rings off the hook (with hams that never use the >repeater, unfortunately) with people calling me to let me know the >repeater has hung up again on transmit and sometimes I simply can't >get away quickly to fix the problem. Not that it's needed >particularly as the solution could apply to any repeater, but it's a >GE Mastr II UHF 100W repeater with a CAT-300DX controller. If >anyone else has had this problem then let me know what you have came >up with. Of course, if anyone has a better idea other than cycling >power to it once or twice per day automatically I am open to that >idea as well. I would absolutely love to have a remote radio up >there with a dtmf decoder and some type of EXTERNAL controller up >there on an extra control frequency that I can use to control an >external relay to fill this function. I have a good spare 2m mobile >that would be perfect for the cause. If anyone can lead me in the >right direction please respond back to me (preferably direct). My >email is ae4bkatyahoo.com Spelled out the @ to help avoid potential >spam issues that can result from various reflectors....Thanks in >advance.....Rusty
Personally I'd fix the controller, but a $40 24 hour Paragon time clock would do it. Any swimming pool supplier would have it, probably even Home Depot. Set the time on the time clock, and have the on and the off trippers side by side at the time you want the repeater to reset. Just have the time clock contacts switch +12vDC through a BIG electrolytic to a relay coil. Connect a 10K resistor or so across the cap to create a very slow discharge path. When the contacts close the cap charges up through the relay coil and it is closed for as long as it takes to charge. Pick a coil resistance and a cap size so that the relay stays shut for couple of seconds when the timer contacts close. Wire the controller power through the normally closed contacts of the relay. Then once a day the contacts pull in for 5 to 10 minutes (the minimum time between the on and off trippers) and the relay pulses. But I'd still fix the system so you don't need the reset pulser. Reliable controllers can be done, a while back there was a comment thread on the Scom list where several folks mentioned that their controllers had been running for YEARS without being restarted (one was over 10 years). - - - - - Another idea. Do you have an extra cellphone on service, or that can be put on service ? Some plans around here offer 4 phones with a total number of airtime minutes that collectively is cheaper than three phones. Or can you buy a phone that is strictly a pay-by-the-minute service? Around here one of the companies has a phone that is 10 cents an air time minute on originated calls, and free incoming. Either way, make sure the phone has a vibrator ringer, and open it up. Trace the motor wires and replace the motor with a relay coil. Wire the relay contacts into the controller power path. You now have an instant remote reset, you can even have it as a one-button dial on your phone. Dial, let it ring once, hangup. No outgoing airtime minutes. Mike WA6ILQ
