[Repeater-Builder] MSR 2000 simplex base station conversion to repeater
I have an MSR2000 half-duplex base station that was removed from railroad service (161 MHz). I would like to convert it to a repeater for one of our local volunteer fire departments. Does anyone have alist of boards required to make the station act as a full duplex repeater. The output will be in the 154.145 MHz and the input will be 155.205. Thanks, Andy Carstarphen - WY5V
[Repeater-Builder] Homebrew low power Repeater
Hello: I would like to build a low power 5 watt crossband repeater for 2m/440 use. I recall seeing this set up using 2 HT's, also 2 mobile rigs. Has anyone built something to suit my needs, or are there kits available ? Thank you 73 de Fred W1POP
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Homebrew low power Repeater
i built a low power (in band) repeater using 2 IC-2at's and a NHRC-2 controler. that thing worked great for a 3 watt repeater. now you can do the same using a 2, 3, or 4 a, or at walkie. its rather simple. to be honest, if you have the knowledge to pass the tech ham test, you can build this. start off with the NHRC-2 controller. read how the thing works and then get the 2 walkies. trust me. its easy Rev. Dave Stephens Sr KF6WJA Grants Pass Or --- On Mon, 5/18/09, Fred fj...@yahoo.com wrote: From: Fred fj...@yahoo.com Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Homebrew low power Repeater To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Date: Monday, May 18, 2009, 10:13 PM Hello: I would like to build a low power 5 watt crossband repeater for 2m/440 use. I recall seeing this set up using 2 HT's, also 2 mobile rigs. Has anyone built something to suit my needs, or are there kits available ? Thank you 73 de Fred W1POP
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Sinclair dipole array premature failure (noisy)
Paul - Were the U-bolts that attach each element arm to the mast stainless or hot dip galvanized? I do know of one (UHF) Sinclair array that used plated U-bolts and they rusted. Chuck WB2EDV Several weeks ago I posted about my ongoing battle with duplex noise on a 2 meter repeater. I have now found a big piece of the problem (maybe all of it) but I'm a little surprised. I am wondering if others have had similar experiences. Two years ago I put up a new (well... NOS, actually) Sinclair SD2352 antenna (8 dipoles, bidirectional pattern). I had no noise for several months after that, but then it started coming back. By this Spring the repeater had become all but unusable.
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Sinclair dipole array premature failure (noisy)
Chuck, They are hot dip galvanized and there is no sign of rust (yet). When I took this apart I checked every bit of hardware for looseness and rust, found nothing suspect. One thing I did notice when I got the antenna was the factory Y splices and heat shrink over the 1/4 wave 35 ohm matching section were anything but water tight. I added waterproofing (butyl rubber and tape) in which I had total confidence but now paranoia is making me doubt myself. :-) I will rip into it today. Paul N1BUG Chuck Kelsey wrote: Paul - Were the U-bolts that attach each element arm to the mast stainless or hot dip galvanized? I do know of one (UHF) Sinclair array that used plated U-bolts and they rusted. Chuck WB2EDV Several weeks ago I posted about my ongoing battle with duplex noise on a 2 meter repeater. I have now found a big piece of the problem (maybe all of it) but I'm a little surprised. I am wondering if others have had similar experiences. Two years ago I put up a new (well... NOS, actually) Sinclair SD2352 antenna (8 dipoles, bidirectional pattern). I had no noise for several months after that, but then it started coming back. By this Spring the repeater had become all but unusable.
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Sinclair dipole array premature failure (noisy)
Thanks Burt! Great info there. If all the dipoles seem to be OK (not noisy) I am thinking of making my own harness to use 4 of them. I've constructed several multiple-antenna EME arrays so I understand the concepts and the importance of equal lengths, etc. My only concern with making my own harness is that the length of coax attached to each dipole is not long enough to reach a tee connector on the mast and allow sufficient vertical spacing between dipoles. (The original configuration had four bays of two side by side dipoles, so the shorter length was appropriate there.) It will be easy enough to add on some coax but since the impedance at my 147 MHz frequency is not exactly 50 ohms and somewhat reactive it will vary somewhat with the coax length. I don't think it will be enough to cause major issues. I see that I will need to use some odd multiple of a quarter wavelength for the 50 ohm coax sections from the array center tee to each of the outer tees feeding pairs of dipoles. I need to see if I can figure out what failed and why in the original configuration before I go investing time and money into a rebuild though. Its useful service life before becoming too noisy was less than a year! Paul N1BUG Burt Lang wrote: The matching section inside the loop is a 1/4 wavelength of RG-63B 125 ohm coax. The overall outside diameter is the same as RG-214 but the dielectric is semi-air (like a large version of RG-62 93 ohm coax) and the center conductor is quite small, like RG-59. I have a few hundred feet of RG-63B if you want to experiment. The actual length of the matching section in the commercial loop is not however a 1/4 wavelength at the center freq of the dipole but rather on the high side. A Sinclair loop I dismantled had a matching section that was 1/4 wave at 182 MHz. I believe that this is the secret to the extra wide bandwidth of the dipole. Using a matching section that is 1/4 wave at the center freq of the dipole (156 MHz) gives a much better return loss at 156 MHz but is at least 20% narrower bandwidth. I have made a number of clones with both the dipole and the matching section tuned to 146MHz. The return loss was very good at 2m (SWR very close to 1:1 vs the commercial antenna that was 1.2:1 at its lowest point over the 138-174 MHz bandwidth.) I also used the same design in several 4 bay 220MHz versions that have been in service for up to 15 years. Check the following URL for a diagram of my clone design: http://www.gorum.ca/fdipolev.gif One point of warning: It is very hard to insert the coax into the loop. You have to make as short a splice as possible since it must slide past the 180 deg bend in the loop. Avoid messing with this coax unless absolutely necessary. As for the harness, the key point is that the electrical length of the RG-213 from each dipole must be identical. The actual electrical length is unimportant, it just has to be the same for all dipoles. The actual configuration of the harness depends on the number of dipoles. One and 4 dipoles can be made entirely with RG-213 whereas 2 and 8 dipoles require a 1/4 wave section of RG-83 35 ohm coax. The one mystery I have is how Sinclair inserts the harness into the mast for the fully enclosed model. The matching section parts of the harness are completely inside the mast and is beyond the means of us amateurs. However an external harness is very practical. Burt Lang VE2BMQ
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Sinclair dipole array premature failure (noisy)
That is interesting Gran. The noise did not change with weather conditions, be it wet or dry, dead calm or gale force winds. I didn't try spraying with water while testing, but did tap on all the dipoles and wiggle as much coax as I could reach. It didn't seem to react to any of that. It was very noisy during all this testing, but not much more or less so than at any other time. Paul N1BUG Gran Clark wrote: Paul I have recently had to deal with the same problem. Note if the noise goes away when the antenna is wet for frozen. If this is the case try selectively spraying elements with water while whacking the antenna with a rubber hammer. I will leave the mechanics of doing this up to youHI.Feed line noise due to flexing could be eliminated as a cause with this test also. Tightening hardware helped in my case but the final answer was going to all welded construction. Gran K6RIF
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Sinclair dipole array premature failure (noisy)
Hi Paul The info I gave you applied to the SD214 series antennas (old SRL210A4 oe 210C4). I am guessing that it would also apply to the cheaper SD2352 series. Let's hope you don't need to get inside the dipole itself. BTW what is the diameter of the aluminum tubing used on the SD2352? The SD214 uses 3/4in OD. Paul Kelley N1BUG wrote: Thanks Burt! If all the dipoles seem to be OK (not noisy) I am thinking of making my own harness to use 4 of them. I've constructed several multiple-antenna EME arrays so I understand the concepts and the importance of equal lengths, etc. I used an old HP RF impedance bridge to match the harness sections on the antennas I built. It allowed me to match actual electrical lengths to within .01 wavelength. My only concern with making my own harness is that the length of coax attached to each dipole is not long enough to reach a tee connector on the mast and allow sufficient vertical spacing between dipoles. (The original configuration had four bays of two side by side dipoles, so the shorter length was appropriate there.) It will be easy enough to add on some coax but since the impedance at my 147 MHz frequency is not exactly 50 ohms and somewhat reactive it will vary somewhat with the coax length. I don't think it will be enough to cause major issues. You could try using 3/4 wavelength matching pieces to get the extra length. That should be equivalent to 1/4 wave but will be more sensitive to frequency changes. I see that I will need to use some odd multiple of a quarter wavelength for the 50 ohm coax sections from the array center tee to each of the outer tees feeding pairs of dipoles. Never having seen one of those antennas (the SD2352) up close, I am not sure of the harness configuration and how it would compare to the SD214 that I am familiar with. I need to see if I can figure out what failed and why in the original configuration before I go investing time and money into a rebuild though. Its useful service life before becoming too noisy was less than a year! Figuring out the failure mode is the most important first step. Then you can go from there to possible solutions whether it is harness replacement, repair or dig into the dipoles. Good luck Burt Paul N1BUG
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Sinclair dipole array premature failure (noisy)
Hi Burt, Let's hope you don't need to get inside the dipole itself. BTW what is the diameter of the aluminum tubing used on the SD2352? The SD214 uses 3/4in OD. I *am* hoping! They use 3/4 in. OD on these also. The width of the folded dipole is 4.25 inches and the tip to tip (outer radius of bend to outer radius of bend) length is 34.5 inches. You could try using 3/4 wavelength matching pieces to get the extra length. That should be equivalent to 1/4 wave but will be more sensitive to frequency changes. I only need to extend them by about a foot to get ideal spacing between dipoles, so 1/4 wavelength with .66 VF would be enough. Never having seen one of those antennas (the SD2352) up close, I am not sure of the harness configuration and how it would compare to the SD214 that I am familiar with. Total of 8 dipoles. Impedance at end of coax coming from each dipole approximately 50 ohms. Two dipoles connect to a type N tee, so at the tee center should be about 25 ohms. From there, 1/4 wavelength RG-213 to a a factory harness 'Y' splice, coax should transform the impedance to about 100 ohms, divided by 2 at the Y so we're back to 50 ohms coming out of there. From there, approximately 66 inches RG-213 to the center Y splice of the overall harness. This coax should maintain 50 ohms, divided by two at the center Y splice = 25 ohms. There is a 1/4 wavelength of some coax coming out of there, spliced to a length of RG213 running down to the bottom of the mast. I'm assuming the 1/4 wavelength matching section is 35 ohm coax, but cannot confirm that. This description may be clear as mud... I can make a diagram of it later if you want. Figuring out the failure mode is the most important first step. Then you can go from there to possible solutions whether it is harness replacement, repair or dig into the dipoles. I have decided no matter what I'm not putting it back up as an 8 dipole bidirectional array so I will take apart the original harness for inspection. I will also test each of the dipoles on the repeater individually to check for noise. If I do not find any problems in either of these processes, then I will have no clue what caused the problem! Paul N1BUG
Re: [Repeater-Builder] WTB: mastr exec II 13 split
Chris, I *think* I have what you need at the shop. I have not returned from Dayton yet. It's a long story, but I am in Indianapolis while my father-in-law recovers from a massive heart attack. (Prayers are always appriciated) I will see what I have around when I get back to the shop and let you know for sure. I am 98% I have (2) '13' split receiver sections. I'm not so sure about the rest right now. Scott Scott Zimmerman Amateur Radio Call N3XCC 474 Barnett Road Boswell, PA 15531 - Original Message - From: Chris Curtis demo...@rollanet.org To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, May 18, 2009 10:05 PM Subject: [Repeater-Builder] WTB: mastr exec II 13 split Hey gang, I'd like to source a 13 split mastr exec II. Mobile or station, or even just the modules + pa. Thanks for the bandwidth! Chris Kb0wlf Yahoo! Groups Links
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Sinclair dipole array premature failure (noisy)
Paul Kelley N1BUG wrote: Hi Burt, snip You could try using 3/4 wavelength matching pieces to get the extra length. That should be equivalent to 1/4 wave but will be more sensitive to frequency changes. I only need to extend them by about a foot to get ideal spacing between dipoles, so 1/4 wavelength with .66 VF would be enough. Be careful how you splice. I normally used short pieces of thin wall brass tubing of appropriate size to splice the center conductor. You can get this tubing in various sizes (increments of 1/32in diameter up to 9/16 OD) (KS brand) at most hobby shops. You can also use a piece of larger tubing to splice the shields. The most important step is the use of heavy adhesive lined shrink tubing to seal and waterproof the joint. Never having seen one of those antennas (the SD2352) up close, I am not sure of the harness configuration and how it would compare to the SD214 that I am familiar with. Total of 8 dipoles. Impedance at end of coax coming from each dipole approximately 50 ohms. Two dipoles connect to a type N tee, so at the tee center should be about 25 ohms. From there, 1/4 wavelength RG-213 to a a factory harness 'Y' splice, coax should transform the impedance to about 100 ohms, divided by 2 at the Y so we're back to 50 ohms coming out of there. From there, approximately 66 inches RG-213 to the center Y splice of the overall harness. This coax should maintain 50 ohms, divided by two at the center Y splice = 25 ohms. There is a 1/4 wavelength of some coax coming out of there, spliced to a length of RG213 running down to the bottom of the mast. I'm assuming the 1/4 wavelength matching section is 35 ohm coax, but cannot confirm that. This description may be clear as mud... I can make a diagram of it later if you want. That is exactly what I would have expected ie same as the SRL210 series. BTW the Wireman may have RG-83 35 ohm coax available - at least he had many years ago when I inquired. When I got my stock of RG-63B I had to buy a 500 ft roll at many , which was only practical since I intended to make many antennas. I probably only used 175 ft of the roll. The high cost is due to the fact that the cable was true Mil-Spec (complete with compliance records) and small demand/production runs. The same would apply to RG-83. Figuring out the failure mode is the most important first step. Then you can go from there to possible solutions whether it is harness replacement, repair or dig into the dipoles. I have decided no matter what I'm not putting it back up as an 8 dipole bidirectional array so I will take apart the original harness for inspection. I will also test each of the dipoles on the repeater individually to check for noise. If I do not find any problems in either of these processes, then I will have no clue what caused the problem! Consider the possibility that water has got into the RG-213 and corroded the shield. This would likely give noise when RF is applied but not be particularly sensitive to vibration. Look for green copper shields, it is not environmentally friendly :-) Burt Paul N1BUG Yahoo! Groups Links
[Repeater-Builder] 440 duplexer on 3rd harmonic for 1.2 GHz
I've seen references to the use of a 440 duplexer on the third harmonic for 1.2 GHZ use... What would be better, a plain notch type, 4 or 6 cavitiy unit, or a BP/BR type... Thinking that the notch reject would be easier especially when considering it's a 20 MHz split for 1.2 repeaters. Dave WB2FTX
[Repeater-Builder] Re: OT: Value of IC-22A and IC-22U
The Icom IC-22A is crystal-controlled, so has ultimate flexibility (at the price of crystals). The Icom IC-22U came after the IC-22S (23 channel with diode matrix board) -- I had the 22S one in late 1970s (popular unit at the time). Generally, I have seen them sell on eBay for ~ $15 to $50 largely based upon condition (if included box, manual, microphone, cosmetic condition, etc.). Neither unit had CTCSS as a standard option (add-in board, like ComSpec SS-64, required). w9gb
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Sinclair dipole array premature failure (noisy)
Or the white, powder residue. That's just as bad as the green stuff. Chuck WB2EDV - Original Message - From: Burt Lang b...@gorum.ca To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 10:00 AM Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Sinclair dipole array premature failure (noisy) Consider the possibility that water has got into the RG-213 and corroded the shield. This would likely give noise when RF is applied but not be particularly sensitive to vibration. Look for green copper shields, it is not environmentally friendly :-) Burt
[Repeater-Builder] Repeater Antenna
Hey Folks, I have two repeaters here on two and 440 Problem is I have to run one antenna for both...so, dual band antennas work fine...problem is even the heavy duty version (x510) of Diamond and the best Comet have failed... Am running 70 watts on two and 60 watts on 440 In each case the capacitors fail.am tired of climbing up the tower Any ideas on a better dual band that will not fail.. Pulling my hair out. ron
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: OT: Value of IC-22A and IC-22U
Keep in mind that the 22S and possible the other variations had a problem of intermittant solder joints on the steel pins that were used as feedthrus on the circuit boards. Burt Lang Greg Beat wrote: The Icom IC-22A is crystal-controlled, so has ultimate flexibility (at the price of crystals). The Icom IC-22U came after the IC-22S (23 channel with diode matrix board) -- I had the 22S one in late 1970s (popular unit at the time). Generally, I have seen them sell on eBay for ~ $15 to $50 largely based upon condition (if included box, manual, microphone, cosmetic condition, etc.). Neither unit had CTCSS as a standard option (add-in board, like ComSpec SS-64, required). w9gb Yahoo! Groups Links * To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Repeater-Builder/ * Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional * To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Repeater-Builder/join (Yahoo! ID required) * To change settings via email: mailto:repeater-builder-dig...@yahoogroups.com mailto:repeater-builder-fullfeatu...@yahoogroups.com * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: repeater-builder-unsubscr...@yahoogroups.com * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Repeater Antenna
Ron, Have you contacted Diamond's tech support on the 510? They claim that to be the heavy duty repeater version and as such should make it good. I've had pretty good luck with thier support systems on another antenna. I have ordered a 510 for use on a 440 repeater trailer setup I'm building so please let us know what your solution is. I'm only running 40 watts, but I don't want something up there that has a history of failure. 73 de N4SHD From: rwjohn49 skyw...@bellsouth.net To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 11:49:27 AM Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Repeater Antenna Hey Folks, I have two repeaters here on two and 440 Problem is I have to run one antenna for both...so, dual band antennas work fine...problem is even the heavy duty version (x510) of Diamond and the best Comet have failed... Am running 70 watts on two and 60 watts on 440 In each case the capacitors fail.am tired of climbing up the tower Any ideas on a better dual band that will not fail.. Pulling my hair out. ron
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Repeater Antenna
rwjohn49 wrote: Hey Folks, I have two repeaters here on two and 440 Problem is I have to run one antenna for both...so, dual band antennas work fine...problem is even the heavy duty version (x510) of Diamond and the best Comet have failed... Am running 70 watts on two and 60 watts on 440 In each case the capacitors fail.am tired of climbing up the tower Any ideas on a better dual band that will not fail.. Pulling my hair out. ron What's your reason for the one antenna restriction-or better phrased-can you run 2 feedlines? If so, you can take, say, an 8-bay UHF and mount a 4-bay VHF at 90 deg from the UHF elements on the same mast (or a 2-bay VHF on a UHF 4-bay). There's a number of ways to do it and still come out with a more-or-less omni pattern. If you need one feedline, TX/RX and a few others do make commercial grade cross band couplers. Put one at the antenna and one at the repeaters.
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Repeater Antenna
Ron, Telewave makes the ANT 150 and 450 series antennas. We have mounted the UHF to the back side 180deg from the VHF using schedule 80 2 1/2 od aluminum pipe. You will want to top and bottom support the mast due to the length of it but works really well. If you want to use a coupler get a TX/RX splitter and will last years but you will need two of them if you plan to use one coax. Mike K7pfj - Original Message - From: rwjohn49 skyw...@bellsouth.net To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 9:49:27 AM GMT -07:00 US/Canada Mountain Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Repeater Antenna Hey Folks, I have two repeaters here on two and 440 Problem is I have to run one antenna for both...so, dual band antennas work fine...problem is even the heavy duty version (x510) of Diamond and the best Comet have failed... Am running 70 watts on two and 60 watts on 440 In each case the capacitors fail.am tired of climbing up the tower Any ideas on a better dual band that will not fail.. Pulling my hair out. ron
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Repeater Antenna
Dean, I do plan to contact them.Hope they can explain what is going on Ron - Original Message - From: Dean Nash To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 12:12 PM Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Repeater Antenna Ron, Have you contacted Diamond's tech support on the 510? They claim that to be the heavy duty repeater version and as such should make it good. I've had pretty good luck with thier support systems on another antenna. I have ordered a 510 for use on a 440 repeater trailer setup I'm building so please let us know what your solution is. I'm only running 40 watts, but I don't want something up there that has a history of failure. 73 de N4SHD -- From: rwjohn49 skyw...@bellsouth.net To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 11:49:27 AM Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Repeater Antenna Hey Folks, I have two repeaters here on two and 440 Problem is I have to run one antenna for both...so, dual band antennas work fine...problem is even the heavy duty version (x510) of Diamond and the best Comet have failed... Am running 70 watts on two and 60 watts on 440 In each case the capacitors fail.am tired of climbing up the tower Any ideas on a better dual band that will not fail.. Pulling my hair out. ron -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.339 / Virus Database: 270.12.34/2122 - Release Date: 05/19/09 06:21:00
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Repeater Antenna
I only have one tower up at present and it serves for hf and I have a yagi on topsothe repeater antenna is on a mast above the yagi Back 25 years ago, I could climb without too much troublenow that I have gotten into my golden years, I don't climb so well. Guess the time has come to get some young buck to put me up another tower and dedicate it to the repeater system. ron - Original Message - From: wd8chl To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 12:53 PM Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Repeater Antenna rwjohn49 wrote: Hey Folks, I have two repeaters here on two and 440 Problem is I have to run one antenna for both...so, dual band antennas work fine...problem is even the heavy duty version (x510) of Diamond and the best Comet have failed... Am running 70 watts on two and 60 watts on 440 In each case the capacitors fail.am tired of climbing up the tower Any ideas on a better dual band that will not fail.. Pulling my hair out. ron What's your reason for the one antenna restriction-or better phrased-can you run 2 feedlines? If so, you can take, say, an 8-bay UHF and mount a 4-bay VHF at 90 deg from the UHF elements on the same mast (or a 2-bay VHF on a UHF 4-bay). There's a number of ways to do it and still come out with a more-or-less omni pattern. If you need one feedline, TX/RX and a few others do make commercial grade cross band couplers. Put one at the antenna and one at the repeaters. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.339 / Virus Database: 270.12.34/2122 - Release Date: 05/19/09 06:21:00
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Sinclair dipole array premature failure (noisy)
Update... the entire harness looks pristine. No sign of any problem. That goo they put inside the plastic clam shells around the factory Y splices is rather interesting stuff! I hope I find one or more noisy dipoles when I test 'em... otherwise I'll be left with a mystery and have no idea what was wrong. Meanwhile the repeater continues to be 100% perfectly free of noise on the single dipole from this array. It was never this good with the whole SD2352 up there... not even on day one. Paul N1BUG Chuck Kelsey wrote: Or the white, powder residue. That's just as bad as the green stuff. From: Burt Lang Consider the possibility that water has got into the RG-213 and corroded the shield. This would likely give noise when RF is applied but not be particularly sensitive to vibration. Look for green copper shields, it is not environmentally friendly :-)
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Sinclair dipole array premature failure (noisy)
On Tue, 19 May 2009 09:03:51 -0400, Paul Kelley N1BUG paul.kelley.n1...@gmail.com said: I have decided no matter what I'm not putting it back up as an 8 dipole bidirectional array so I will take apart the original harness for inspection. I will also test each of the dipoles on the repeater individually to check for noise. If I do not find any problems in either of these processes, then I will have no clue what caused the problem! Paul N1BUG Paul, You didn't say, but are you running on some other antenna right now. (I'm looking here for how you know it was the Sinclair making the noise, and not some nearby rusty joint problem in a high RF field environment. (Are you in a high RF field environment? Any new transmitters right on top of your new Sinclair antenna?) Just thinking through it and wanting to make sure you didn't do anything drastic to the antenna before you KNOW it was the antenna and not something else nearby... Just a precautionary comment... maybe useful, maybe not... Nate WY0X -- Nate Duehr n...@natetech.com
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Repeater Antenna
Dean, Just talked to Wayne, the tech at Diamond. Turns out that he said static buildup can zap the capacitors in the antenna... apparently, that is what has happened... Have to return it to them so they can put heavier duty caps in the thing Up the tower again.. Ron - Original Message - From: Dean Nash To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 12:12 PM Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Repeater Antenna Ron, Have you contacted Diamond's tech support on the 510? They claim that to be the heavy duty repeater version and as such should make it good. I've had pretty good luck with thier support systems on another antenna. I have ordered a 510 for use on a 440 repeater trailer setup I'm building so please let us know what your solution is. I'm only running 40 watts, but I don't want something up there that has a history of failure. 73 de N4SHD -- From: rwjohn49 skyw...@bellsouth.net To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 11:49:27 AM Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Repeater Antenna Hey Folks, I have two repeaters here on two and 440 Problem is I have to run one antenna for both...so, dual band antennas work fine...problem is even the heavy duty version (x510) of Diamond and the best Comet have failed... Am running 70 watts on two and 60 watts on 440 In each case the capacitors fail.am tired of climbing up the tower Any ideas on a better dual band that will not fail.. Pulling my hair out. ron -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.339 / Virus Database: 270.12.34/2122 - Release Date: 05/19/09 06:21:00
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Sinclair dipole array premature failure (noisy)
You could test the harness with dummy loads connected in place of each element, if you can round up enough dummy loads. And you could install the entire array at a different location and test it there. Two more options to think about. If the single element is mounted in the same location as where the array was, I'd not be terribly suspicious of a near-field noise maker - rusty bolt, guy wire, etc. Chuck WB2EDV - Original Message - From: Paul Kelley N1BUG paul.kelley.n1...@gmail.com To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 1:35 PM Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Sinclair dipole array premature failure (noisy) Update... the entire harness looks pristine. No sign of any problem. That goo they put inside the plastic clam shells around the factory Y splices is rather interesting stuff! I hope I find one or more noisy dipoles when I test 'em... otherwise I'll be left with a mystery and have no idea what was wrong. Meanwhile the repeater continues to be 100% perfectly free of noise on the single dipole from this array. It was never this good with the whole SD2352 up there... not even on day one. Paul N1BUG
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Sinclair dipole array premature failure (noisy)
You didn't say, but are you running on some other antenna right now. (I'm looking here for how you know it was the Sinclair making the noise, and not some nearby rusty joint problem in a high RF field environment. (Are you in a high RF field environment? Any new transmitters right on top of your new Sinclair antenna?) Nate, I would call it a low RF environment. There are two cell towers, both about 500 feet away, neither has any VHF or UHF repeater tenants. The nearest broadcast station of any type is at least 15 miles away. There are one or two other VHF transmitters nearby but they are very rarely up and I had noise all the time. Right now I am running on one single dipole removed from the Sinclair array and it is working perfectly. Zero noise. Just thinking through it and wanting to make sure you didn't do anything drastic to the antenna before you KNOW it was the antenna and not something else nearby... I appreciate it! This problem has really had be baffled. In fact I DON'T KNOW it is the Sinclair. Here's the story: Two years ago my very old top-mounted PD220 failed (repeater signal dropped, lots of crackling noise). No surprise there, I had been wondering when that thing would die. I replaced it with the Sinclair but unfortunately I extended the tower at the same time so I introduced many new variables. I noticed right away there was some noise every time my transmitter came up but couldn't find any obvious cause and most of the time it wasn't enough to really be an issue. A year later the noise started increasing rapidly, sometimes some crackling but more often a highly variable white noise, basically just an unstable increase in receiver noise floor. It got worse and worse until at the end I had at least 10 dB noise increase every time my transmitter came up, varying to sometimes more than 30 dB. Ouch! Much testing and fooling around was done over a period of several months... dummy load at duplexer (no noise), at top of tower (no noise), swapped out the transmitter (no change), swapped out receiver (no change), tried using two antennas (that helped especially when the Sinclair was NOT the transmit antenna, but did not get rid of the noise entirely). Shook, wiggled, prodded and aggravated every metal and quasi-metal object within several hundred feet... nothing seemed to react. A week ago I pulled the Sinclair off the tower and stuck an old IsoPole up in the same spot. Zero noise! Huh? I increased transmitter power by several dB, still no noise whatsoever. I now have one dipole removed from the Sinclair on the tower, and there is no noise at all with that arrangement. My gut tells me this is a rusty bolt / bad connection kind of thing, but it goes away when the Sinclair isn't on the tower. I know that doesn't prove anything, but I have no idea where else to look other than the Sinclair antenna. I'm open to suggestions. Paul N1BUG
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Sinclair dipole array premature failure (noisy)
A TOTALLY crazy idea Paul... Just going off of your comment that it gets better when you split antennas but is always there when the Sinclair is on the tower... Could the Sinclair be doing something funny to your transmitter and causing it to throw spurs? Things would be really bad when duplexed on it, and get better as you move the receive antenna away from it. Just a thought... would need to look at your output on a spectrum analyzer to see that one... preferably first on one of the antennas that works and then on the Sinclair. Nate WY0X (Sleep deprivation will lead to some creative thoughts, I'm finding today. It was a lng night last night.) -- Nate Duehr n...@natetech.com
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Sinclair dipole array premature failure (noisy)
There's nothing crazy about that idea Nate! I get creative thoughts when sleep deprived too. :) I had been thinking the transmitter might be doing something funny. I don't have easy access to a spectrum analyzer, but I think I've ruled out spurs as the primary cause? Correct me if my logic is flawed. I did some tests before I pulled the Sinclair off the tower. With the Sinclair and another antenna on the tower, here is what I found: RX TX on Sinclair SEVERE noise, 10 to 40+ dB RX on other ant, TX on Sinclair moderate noise, peaks to 10+ dB RX on Sinclair, TX on other ant... mild noise, nil to maybe 5 dB RX and TX on other ant... maybe traces of noise??, barely detectable RX and TX on other ant, Sinclair removed from tower... no noise detected... dead quiet I think this suggests something in the Sinclair is generating noise, and that even when transmitting into another antenna it picks up enough RF to make some noise? You wouldn't believe how many pages of notes I have on various tests and experiments over the last year or so... I don't even know what's in there any more! I was hoping to get up to the site today to do a brief test duplexed into each of the other dipoles pulled from the Sinclair, but no go. Maybe tomorrow. Paul N1BUG Nate Duehr wrote: A TOTALLY crazy idea Paul... Just going off of your comment that it gets better when you split antennas but is always there when the Sinclair is on the tower... Could the Sinclair be doing something funny to your transmitter and causing it to throw spurs? Things would be really bad when duplexed on it, and get better as you move the receive antenna away from it. Just a thought... would need to look at your output on a spectrum analyzer to see that one... preferably first on one of the antennas that works and then on the Sinclair. Nate WY0X (Sleep deprivation will lead to some creative thoughts, I'm finding today. It was a lng night last night.)
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Sinclair dipole array premature failure (noisy)
I'd agree with your observation Paul. It looks like something with the Sinclair. Now you've just got to try each element individually and rule more out. Chuck WB2EDV - Original Message - From: Paul Kelley N1BUG paul.kelley.n1...@gmail.com To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 5:49 PM Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Sinclair dipole array premature failure (noisy) There's nothing crazy about that idea Nate! I get creative thoughts when sleep deprived too. :) I had been thinking the transmitter might be doing something funny. I don't have easy access to a spectrum analyzer, but I think I've ruled out spurs as the primary cause? Correct me if my logic is flawed. I did some tests before I pulled the Sinclair off the tower. With the Sinclair and another antenna on the tower, here is what I found: RX TX on Sinclair SEVERE noise, 10 to 40+ dB RX on other ant, TX on Sinclair moderate noise, peaks to 10+ dB RX on Sinclair, TX on other ant... mild noise, nil to maybe 5 dB RX and TX on other ant... maybe traces of noise??, barely detectable RX and TX on other ant, Sinclair removed from tower... no noise detected... dead quiet I think this suggests something in the Sinclair is generating noise, and that even when transmitting into another antenna it picks up enough RF to make some noise? You wouldn't believe how many pages of notes I have on various tests and experiments over the last year or so... I don't even know what's in there any more! I was hoping to get up to the site today to do a brief test duplexed into each of the other dipoles pulled from the Sinclair, but no go. Maybe tomorrow. Paul N1BUG
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Sinclair dipole array premature failure (noisy)
Paul, One test I have not noticed listed is if you've tried the Sinclair while it was not attached to the tower (and a reasonable distance away from anything that could affect it). Ed Yoho W6YJ Paul Kelley N1BUG wrote: There's nothing crazy about that idea Nate! I get creative thoughts when sleep deprived too. :) I had been thinking the transmitter might be doing something funny. I don't have easy access to a spectrum analyzer, but I think I've ruled out spurs as the primary cause? Correct me if my logic is flawed. I did some tests before I pulled the Sinclair off the tower. With the Sinclair and another antenna on the tower, here is what I found: RX TX on Sinclair SEVERE noise, 10 to 40+ dB RX on other ant, TX on Sinclair moderate noise, peaks to 10+ dB RX on Sinclair, TX on other ant... mild noise, nil to maybe 5 dB RX and TX on other ant... maybe traces of noise??, barely detectable RX and TX on other ant, Sinclair removed from tower... no noise detected... dead quiet I think this suggests something in the Sinclair is generating noise, and that even when transmitting into another antenna it picks up enough RF to make some noise? You wouldn't believe how many pages of notes I have on various tests and experiments over the last year or so... I don't even know what's in there any more! I was hoping to get up to the site today to do a brief test duplexed into each of the other dipoles pulled from the Sinclair, but no go. Maybe tomorrow. Paul N1BUG
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Sinclair dipole array premature failure (noisy)
humm maybe o/t sinclair antenna has not be solded to comprod antenna sometime ago 73/s all gervais ve2ckn -- From: Nate Duehr n...@natetech.com Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 5:04 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Sinclair dipole array premature failure (noisy) A TOTALLY crazy idea Paul... Just going off of your comment that it gets better when you split antennas but is always there when the Sinclair is on the tower... Could the Sinclair be doing something funny to your transmitter and causing it to throw spurs? Things would be really bad when duplexed on it, and get better as you move the receive antenna away from it. Just a thought... would need to look at your output on a spectrum analyzer to see that one... preferably first on one of the antennas that works and then on the Sinclair. Nate WY0X (Sleep deprivation will lead to some creative thoughts, I'm finding today. It was a lng night last night.) -- Nate Duehr n...@natetech.com Yahoo! Groups Links
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Sinclair dipole array premature failure (noisy)
I did see Paul's reply also Nate,, I'm betting if he had some of those spurious products with the numbers he has given, they would be too small to see with even the best gear. I had a similar noise level issue that turned out to be an amp and I couldn't see squat with my HP8921a, (weak S/A) but I was warned by elmers it may not be measurable. Your suggestion is a good one. Paul, the lesson I learned on that event was that just because the problem went away on the dummy load, don't assume all the tested good on a dummy load parts are eliminated. Don Kirchner W5DK -Original Message- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:repeater-buil...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Nate Duehr Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 4:05 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Sinclair dipole array premature failure (noisy) A TOTALLY crazy idea Paul... Just going off of your comment that it gets better when you split antennas but is always there when the Sinclair is on the tower... Could the Sinclair be doing something funny to your transmitter and causing it to throw spurs? Things would be really bad when duplexed on it, and get better as you move the receive antenna away from it. Just a thought... would need to look at your output on a spectrum analyzer to see that one... preferably first on one of the antennas that works and then on the Sinclair. Nate WY0X (Sleep deprivation will lead to some creative thoughts, I'm finding today. It was a lng night last night.) -- Nate Duehr n...@natetech.com Yahoo! Groups Links
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Sinclair dipole array premature failure (noisy)
Ed, That is true. I stupidly neglected to do that after removing it from the tower and have been kicking myself ever since! I will probably end up re-assembling it to try that... but of course now everything has been disturbed so it may or may not act as it did before. I did do a brief test on it before it went up the tower two years ago and noted a couple dB of noise. I dismissed it as probably somehow related to the antenna being too close to the repeater equipment etc. but had about the same observed noise after mounting it on the tower. It held that way for months and then started getting worse. Paul N1BUG Ed Yoho wrote: Paul, One test I have not noticed listed is if you've tried the Sinclair while it was not attached to the tower (and a reasonable distance away from anything that could affect it). Ed Yoho W6YJ
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Sinclair dipole array premature failure (noisy)
No, Comprod is a separate company. Yes, the products look like Sinclair clones. Chuck WB2EDV - Original Message - From: gervais ve2...@hotmail.com To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 6:04 PM Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Sinclair dipole array premature failure (noisy) humm maybe o/t sinclair antenna has not be solded to comprod antenna sometime ago 73/s all gervais ve2ckn -- From: Nate Duehr n...@natetech.com Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 5:04 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Sinclair dipole array premature failure (noisy) A TOTALLY crazy idea Paul... Just going off of your comment that it gets better when you split antennas but is always there when the Sinclair is on the tower... Could the Sinclair be doing something funny to your transmitter and causing it to throw spurs? Things would be really bad when duplexed on it, and get better as you move the receive antenna away from it. Just a thought... would need to look at your output on a spectrum analyzer to see that one... preferably first on one of the antennas that works and then on the Sinclair. Nate WY0X (Sleep deprivation will lead to some creative thoughts, I'm finding today. It was a lng night last night.) -- Nate Duehr n...@natetech.com Yahoo! Groups Links Yahoo! Groups Links
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Sinclair dipole array premature failure (noisy)
Chuck Kelsey wrote: You could test the harness with dummy loads connected in place of each element, if you can round up enough dummy loads. I like that idea. I would have to buy a bunch of loads though, not much chance of borrowing that many around here. And you could install the entire array at a different location and test it there. I wish I had at least checked it at ground level after pulling it off the tower... I goofed there! If the single element is mounted in the same location as where the array was, I'd not be terribly suspicious of a near-field noise maker - rusty bolt, guy wire, etc. It is at the same location, but is not mounted with the same hardware. Paul N1BUG
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Sinclair dipole array premature failure (noisy)
I have been reading the mail and it occures to me that some of your repeater must need rack mount kits. I sell Motorola Dual Maxtrec radio size (2.04x7.04 inch) rack mounts, and just introduce our CDM 1250/1550 Dual rack mount. I sell these on eBay at $89.95, but discount $10 ($79.95) for direct sales. Units are in stock, can ship in a couple of business days. I accept PayPal, so ordering is ease. Also looking for the interest level for the Motorola CDM 750 size dual rack mounts. drop me an email with any questions. 73's and Thanks Dick K4EIH/6 San Diego, CA jazz...@san.rr.com - Original Message - From: Ed Yoho To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 3:00 PM Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Sinclair dipole array premature failure (noisy) Paul, One test I have not noticed listed is if you've tried the Sinclair while it was not attached to the tower (and a reasonable distance away from anything that could affect it). Ed Yoho W6YJ Paul Kelley N1BUG wrote: There's nothing crazy about that idea Nate! I get creative thoughts when sleep deprived too. :) I had been thinking the transmitter might be doing something funny. I don't have easy access to a spectrum analyzer, but I think I've ruled out spurs as the primary cause? Correct me if my logic is flawed. I did some tests before I pulled the Sinclair off the tower. With the Sinclair and another antenna on the tower, here is what I found: RX TX on Sinclair SEVERE noise, 10 to 40+ dB RX on other ant, TX on Sinclair moderate noise, peaks to 10+ dB RX on Sinclair, TX on other ant... mild noise, nil to maybe 5 dB RX and TX on other ant... maybe traces of noise??, barely detectable RX and TX on other ant, Sinclair removed from tower... no noise detected... dead quiet I think this suggests something in the Sinclair is generating noise, and that even when transmitting into another antenna it picks up enough RF to make some noise? You wouldn't believe how many pages of notes I have on various tests and experiments over the last year or so... I don't even know what's in there any more! I was hoping to get up to the site today to do a brief test duplexed into each of the other dipoles pulled from the Sinclair, but no go. Maybe tomorrow. Paul N1BUG
[Repeater-Builder] Re: Sinclair dipole array premature failure (noisy)
There are known problems with this series of antennas... see my previous posts bad-mouthing Sinclair regarding this same situation. I was only told that Sinclair has reworked the model and the update reportedly fixed the problem. I never received a return phone call or Email regarding my same type of problem with a lot of similar type/model Sinclair antennas I purchased. So I bad mouth that antenna model/series all I can and give Sinclair grief about their customer service and engineering at the IWCE Convention. So far they haven't cared to resolve my, nor 3 known similar customer/owner problems. When you start to stack more than one of that series/type folded dipoles into an array... they start to glitch themselves up pretty bad with IMD/PIM Issues. You will find the same type/series of antenna under a few different labels/model numbers. But it/they are still a very bad design. Search back through the group archives for more details regarding my previous posts. It's not a happy story... cheers, skipp skipp025 at yahoo.com Paul Kelley N1BUG paul.kelley.n1...@... wrote: Several weeks ago I posted about my ongoing battle with duplex noise on a 2 meter repeater. I have now found a big piece of the problem (maybe all of it) but I'm a little surprised. I am wondering if others have had similar experiences. Two years ago I put up a new (well... NOS, actually) Sinclair SD2352 antenna (8 dipoles, bidirectional pattern). I had no noise for several months after that, but then it started coming back. By this Spring the repeater had become all but unusable. Recently I took down the Sinclair and installed a temporary antenna. Noise gone! Huh? I subsequently disassembled the Sinclair to check for problems. Every piece of hardware was tight. I found no evidence of water in any of the N connectors on the harness, which I had wrapped with Scotch 23 rubber tape followed by Super 88 vinyl tape. The impedance of the complete array and of each individual dipole was still nominal, as it had been prior to being installed. I have now put one dipole from the array on the tower and it is running absolutely noise free. Moving it around on the tower doesn't have any affect... it is noise free wherever I put it. Lacking any other explanation it would seem something in the array became noisy after a short time. I don't know if it is a problem with one or more of the dipoles or perhaps something in the factory assembled portion of the harness. I have not yet attempted to do a post mortem on the factory harness assemblies. I am wondering if this is a unique experience or if this is a common failure mode in exposed dipole arrays? I don't recall hearing much about such arrays becoming noisy, at least in such a short time. Since these dipoles are 50 ohms, I think it would be easy enough to build two 4-dipole cardioid arrays from it, *if* the problem lies in the harness and not in one or more of the dipoles. I wonder if anyone knows what (if any) gimmick Sinclair used to get such broad SWR bandwidth on these dipoles? The exposed portion of the coax on each dipole is RG-213, 50 ohms... but I'm wondering if they may use some quarter wavelength (or ???) of some other impedance on the part hidden inside the dipole, especially since these things exhibit a clear double dip SWR curve (one dip near the low end of the design range, 138 MHz, and another dip near the upper end, 174 MHz, with a somewhat reactive bump in between). 73, Paul N1BUG
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Sinclair dipole array premature failure (noisy)
Boy, for some reason, there's a discussion I don't recall. Oh well. The only array from Sinclair I was aware of as being trouble was their SRL222/SD222 series. Chuck WB2EDV - Original Message - From: skipp025 skipp...@yahoo.com To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 7:01 PM Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Sinclair dipole array premature failure (noisy) There are known problems with this series of antennas... see my previous posts bad-mouthing Sinclair regarding this same situation.
[Repeater-Builder] Radio rack mounts
Dick, you misspelled MAXTRAC. Are these for station racks, 19 racks? Mobile console rack? Dick K4EIH/6 San Diego, CA wrote: I sell Motorola Dual Maxtrec radio size (2.04x7.04 inch) rack mounts, and just introduce our CDM 1250/1550 Dual rack mount.
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Sinclair dipole array premature failure (noisy)
That's interesting Skipp. I'm searching. I did find a couple references to PIM/IMD problems and one about poor signal with this type antenna. The latter caught my eye as I've been sitting here half thinking coverage with this single dipole I tossed up there *seems* to be as good as with the whole array. I can't be sure since I haven't been out there to really see for myself what it is doing. At this point it's just a funny feeling I keep getting. Might be nothing to it... I'd have to go drive around for half a day to be sure. I will keep digging for old posts on the subject... Paul N1BUG skipp025 wrote: There are known problems with this series of antennas... see my previous posts bad-mouthing Sinclair regarding this same situation. I was only told that Sinclair has reworked the model and the update reportedly fixed the problem. I never received a return phone call or Email regarding my same type of problem with a lot of similar type/model Sinclair antennas I purchased. So I bad mouth that antenna model/series all I can and give Sinclair grief about their customer service and engineering at the IWCE Convention. So far they haven't cared to resolve my, nor 3 known similar customer/owner problems. When you start to stack more than one of that series/type folded dipoles into an array... they start to glitch themselves up pretty bad with IMD/PIM Issues. You will find the same type/series of antenna under a few different labels/model numbers. But it/they are still a very bad design. Search back through the group archives for more details regarding my previous posts. It's not a happy story... cheers, skipp
RE: [Repeater-Builder] MSR 2000 simplex base station conversion to repeater
Andy, What a coincidence! My radio club just received a working MSR2000 base station a week ago, and I am digging into it right now. First of all, please advise what the complete model number is. This should be something like C73KSB-3106B, but some digits or letters will differ. Please include all suffix letters. Next, please advise the black ink-stamped part numbers on the exciter and receiver circuit boards. The exciter is the horizontal board on the left as you face the front of the station, and the receiver is on the right of the same shelf. You might have to remove a shield cover from the front of the shelf in order to reach these two modules. The exciter will probably have a number like TLD9232BPR, and the receiver will probably have a number like TRD6302APR. These number are usually stamped on the bottom of the circuit boards, so you must pull each card out of the shelf to read them. While you have them out, please make a note of the transmit and receive frequencies that appear on the channel elements. Some models of MSR2000 stations were fully-shielded, and suitable for repeater service, even though they were sold as base stations. You may be able to convert your base station to a repeater station by changing to a duplex exciter and adding a squelch gate and TOT modules, but until we know exactly what you have, it's difficult to give you a shopping list. Do you have a service manual for this station? If not, be aware that the MSR2000 VHF station service manual 68P81061E50-C is out of print but is being scanned into full-page PDF at my local graphics house, and should be posted on the RBTIP within a few weeks. The other manual you need is the Control and Audio manual 6881061E40. The good news is that it is still available from Motorola Parts. The bad news is that it costs about $60. Due to copyright restrictions, it will not be scanned while it is still available for purchase. One last thing: Is there a blue Anderson PowerPole connector on the side interface panel, below the antenna connector? If so, your station may be equipped with the optional battery charger power supply, which is a good thing. 73, Eric Lemmon WB6FLY -Original Message- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:repeater-buil...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Andy Carstarphen Sent: Monday, May 18, 2009 3:28 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Repeater-Builder] MSR 2000 simplex base station conversion to repeater I have an MSR2000 half-duplex base station that was removed from railroad service (161 MHz). I would like to convert it to a repeater for one of our local volunteer fire departments. Does anyone have alist of boards required to make the station act as a full duplex repeater. The output will be in the 154.145 MHz and the input will be 155.205. Thanks, Andy Carstarphen - WY5V
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Sinclair dipole array premature failure (noisy)
yes Chuck they are ex:engineer from Sinclair and they start thir company many years ago,i have done business with them,they are professionnal as Sinclair. 73/s gervais ve2ckn -- From: Chuck Kelsey wb2...@roadrunner.com Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 6:23 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Sinclair dipole array premature failure (noisy) No, Comprod is a separate company. Yes, the products look like Sinclair clones. Chuck WB2EDV - Original Message - From: gervais ve2...@hotmail.com To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 6:04 PM Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Sinclair dipole array premature failure (noisy) humm maybe o/t sinclair antenna has not be solded to comprod antenna sometime ago 73/s all gervais ve2ckn -- From: Nate Duehr n...@natetech.com Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 5:04 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Sinclair dipole array premature failure (noisy) A TOTALLY crazy idea Paul... Just going off of your comment that it gets better when you split antennas but is always there when the Sinclair is on the tower... Could the Sinclair be doing something funny to your transmitter and causing it to throw spurs? Things would be really bad when duplexed on it, and get better as you move the receive antenna away from it. Just a thought... would need to look at your output on a spectrum analyzer to see that one... preferably first on one of the antennas that works and then on the Sinclair. Nate WY0X (Sleep deprivation will lead to some creative thoughts, I'm finding today. It was a lng night last night.) -- Nate Duehr n...@natetech.com Yahoo! Groups Links Yahoo! Groups Links Yahoo! Groups Links
Re: [Repeater-Builder] MSR 2000 simplex base station conversion to repeater
I have the -B version of the VHF manual already scanned, but it's 44 megs. George, KA3HSW / WQGJ413 - Original Message - From: Eric Lemmon wb6...@verizon.net To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 8:20 PM Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] MSR 2000 simplex base station conversion to repeater [snip] Some models of MSR2000 stations were fully-shielded, and suitable for repeater service, even though they were sold as base stations. You may be able to convert your base station to a repeater station by changing to a duplex exciter and adding a squelch gate and TOT modules, but until we know exactly what you have, it's difficult to give you a shopping list. Do you have a service manual for this station? If not, be aware that the MSR2000 VHF station service manual 68P81061E50-C is out of print but is being scanned into full-page PDF at my local graphics house, and should be posted on the RBTIP within a few weeks. The other manual you need is the Control and Audio manual 6881061E40. The good news is that it is still available from Motorola Parts. The bad news is that it costs about $60. Due to copyright restrictions, it will not be scanned while it is still available for purchase. [snip]
[Repeater-Builder] Beer barrel duplexers.
Guys, An update on the beer barrel 2m duplexer project. (please read the embedded .pdf file for background information) http://www.radiohamzone.com/Beer_Barrel_MK3/Beer_Barrel_MK3.htm Ian G8PWE
[Repeater-Builder] 440/ 70cm Duplexers 1.6 mhz shift
Guys, Update on the 70cm duplexer project using surplus Tetra/Dolphin motorised cavities. http://www.radiohamzone.com/DolphinDuplexers/dolphin_duplexers_build.htm Ian G8PWE
