Hi Ryan Kevin is on the money, with antenna discussions connected with repeaters very welcome to be sure.
A couple of suggestions before anything else is tried. If you want to see if you have a broken antenna solder joint you can test the antenna easily, especially since you have such a short tower climb. Your antenna is about the top of the line for VHF antennas and they are very reliable for decades. If they are used in a unusually high wind environments(60+ MPH common speeds) then their lifespan will come down without any top support which of course you don't have since it is top mounted. Just climb the tower with a walkie and a Bird 43 with the low power slug in it. Connect right on to the antenna and look at forward and reflected readings. Run the test during a period off enough wind that the antenna is moving and you should see if you have an intermittant. Your reflected power will be changing as the antenna is moving if it is bad. One other point. You stated that you changed feedline from Heliax or other hardline to RG214. The difference between the two both on xmt and rcv is like NIGHT AND DAY. Assuming about 80 feet of run at VHF you have added well over 3 db of loss, which of course means your system is going to be deaf on rcv and way down on xmt E.R. power in real terms compared to on a good Heliax or other hardline. I would be betting on the feedline degrade but I would certainly run the antenna test to be sure. 73 Glenn N1GBY -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ryan Sent: Saturday, November 15, 2008 12:18 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [Repeater-Builder] OT: Stationmaster Pd-220 Hi Group, My club has a the never design Station master Pd-220 bought new in 1998. Antenna is top mounted ( Rohn 45G 50 ft.) The problem were having is the Rx went to crap since recent temperature season changes in PA. What has been noticed is the Rx is a bit deaf (MastrII with ARR Preamp at .050mv sens. and Wp-642 cans) Rpt was ruled out as the Rx levels are the same. and the TX is right on the money. There was a issue with the Hardline from a hungry critter and was replaced last week with RG-214 untill spring than run new hardline. thinking this was the problem Distance users that could get in with 5 watts or less with a 5-9 signal can't key up the Rpt with 50 watts in a 30 mile radius. We Have SWR of 1.8 across the 2meter band. Was 1.3 when checked in years past. Local users ( less than 5 miles line of sight) have noticed RX signal changes. We know the station master is old by todays standards and duplex situations and top mounted have there issues.The question asked is how are the newer stationmaster taken apart? Searches online and repeater- builder and no pictures. Is this a lost cause to think about fixing. Ryan n3ssl No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.199 / Virus Database: 270.9.4/1790 - Release Date: 11/15/2008 9:32 AM
