Re: 220 repeater > So it look like the general recommendation is a converted > GE or Micor.
A lot of people mentioned using Hamtronics Modules if you plan to build your own from scratch. You might go back over the Group Posts starting around May through June of O9, you'll see posts I made regarding the complete construction of a number of 224 MHz Repeaters using the Hamtronics Modules. And some folks mentioned they were very happy with the performance of their turn-key Hamtronics Repeater. There is a folder in the Group Files Section with pictures of the first few repeaters I constructed. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Repeater-Builder/photos/album/1157128983/pic/list > That is kind of the direction I was leaning for the group. The GE and Micor Conversions are not to discounted. I suspect the end cost of doing a conversion would probably be a bit less than using new Hamtronics Modules. But you will need to find a radio and buy or build the modification (kit). I was initially worried the Hamtronics Receiver "front-end" wouldn't handle a busy mountain top location very well. But I was more than impressed with the receivers performance and red-hot sensitivity. One would expect the multi stage helical front end of the GE and Motorola receivers to better handle busy repeater site strong RF issues. But I have both commercial and home-brew 224 MHz repeaters operating on the same antenna system (yes, I have a 224 MHz antenna combiner system) and everyone of the installed boxes works very, very well. More options: I also bought and installed a Hi Pro 224 MHz RF Deck and I'm very happy with its performance. I had to rewire their factory repeater chassis to allow the use of a Com Spec TS-32 (which works just killer) and its been on the air ever since. http://www.hiprorepeaters.com/ > As for conversions, what are folks using for final amps? A lot of the GE & Micor Conversions replace the original PA with Hybrid RF Modules. The exciter (transmitter) puts out less than 1 watt in the typical conversion, which can be higher or even a fraction of (1 watt) depending on the radio used. The Hybrid RF Module resultant power output is normally between 10 to 20 watts depending on the module used and drive level. The Hamtronics transmitter puts out over 1 watt so I have used a number of different PA's... some of them shown in the pictures mentioned above. I just built a two-stage 224 MHz Amp and I'm getting about 35 watts output with the Hamtronics exciter drive level. I would say a lot of the choice will come down to how much money you want to spend. Building and aligning a solid state PA is not a recommended first time project for most people. There are not a lot of obvious choices for 224 MHz Repeater Amplifiers out there... but Hamtronics, TE (Southern Calif.), MFJ (Mirage) and a few other mfgrs make them available. What power level you have to drive an amplifier with will mean everything... You'll realize that as you move forward... > Thanks, > Dan > KA8YPY Good luck in the contest... s.
