RE: [Repeater-Builder] DB224A new harness
Howdy, Not intended to disrupt the thread here,,but on the 220 comments. Ron KG5BZ just climbed a tower in Austin to measure loops (and spacing I hope) on an old 220 ham cut DB product. He told me he already had the original 220 harness specs from DB. I offered to help him get the info together to be posted to the group. I will try to follow-up with him to share the info. 73 Don Kirchner W5DK From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:repeater-buil...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Tom Manning Sent: Thursday, February 18, 2010 4:58 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] DB224A new harness Hello Andrew and Norm If you are trying to figure out the lengths needed for 144-148Mhz I can measure what you need to know but not in a hurry. I have a DB products antenna that is cut for the two meter band that I ordered from DB Products about 10 years ago. What I need to know is the measurements for 220Mhz. I also have several DB224a's that have been removed due to problems. These could easily be modified to cover 220Mhz. 73 de Tom Manning, AF4UG - Original Message - From: NORM KNAPP mailto:nkn...@twowayradio.net To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 10:35 PM Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] DB224A new harness The unknown coax type is/was VB-83 (35 ohm). The VB-8 is of course 50 ohm and the VB-11 is 75 ohm. I hope that is the info you needed. It would be great if you could figure out what the open stub is for and can we use that for adjustments. If you need more info, let me know. 73 Norm From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com on behalf of allan crites Sent: Wed 2/17/2010 9:29 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com mailto:Repeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] DB224A new harness I tried to work backwards on a Smith Chart from the dipole to the 1/2 WL O.C. stub to determine a reason for the stub but it appears the unknown coax types are causing erroneous and confusing answers. Can you confirm the coax types shown on your diagram? a. --- On Wed, 2/17/10, NORM KNAPP nkn...@twowayradio.net mailto:nknapp%40twowayradio.net wrote: From: NORM KNAPP nkn...@twowayradio.net mailto:nknapp%40twowayradio.net Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] DB224A new harness To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com mailto:Repeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com Date: Wednesday, February 17, 2010, 3:57 PM I got the harnesses at no charge from Andrew. I contacted customer support and told them I had 3 fairly new DB224's (2 a models and a b model) that had water intrusion/contamina tion in the harness where they were supposedly seal by the factory. I offered pictures and they accepted. Upon seeing the photos they asked that I give them serial numbers and requested I send the defective harnesses to them. I did and they offered and I accepted replacement harnesses. The two db224's that I have (personally) are the A models. The B model belongs to my shop. I often end up with abandoned and or defective db224's and other antennas as I work for a two way land mobile dealer/shop. Unfortunately, I have yet to get any DB224e's or any DB304's, just tons of DB224a's and an occasional DB224b. Hats off to Andrew for shipping me free replacement harnesses. I am still gonna ScotchKote those moldings regaurdelss. If you look at the attached photoes from my initial post, you will see that the open 25 VB-8 (50 ohm) stub is 12.5 from the T where the top half and bottom halves of the harness come together, down the main feed to the hardline (or whatever you feed the antenna with). Last night I connected the Sitemaster up again and I noticed the the SWR will come down some when I firmly secure the harness to the mast with the metal tape. How far down remains to be seen. I will keep you posted. 73 and thanks! de N5NPO Norm image001.jpg
Re: [Repeater-Builder] WTB: 220 MHz pass cavity
Bob I had replied and dropped the ball on checking my inventory. I just pulled down a two bp cavity series set from a combiner down from storage and swept one cavity. It's from sinclair and is part 4 of 5 model ctr28140. What spec do you need? Don W5DK Sent from my iPhone On Feb 13, 2010, at 4:57 PM, n...@no6b.com wrote: A while back I posted a WTB for the above. A few people responded but unfortunately the e-mail chain on the one good prospect seems to have gotten lost. So once again I'm looking for a used 220 MHz pass cavity (not pass- notch, not window filter a la DCI). Thanks. Bob NO6B Yahoo! Groups Links
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Duplexer vs Split Level Antennas
I'll chime in. I would definitely mount the 2nd ant low enough below the 450 ft one to provide enough vertical separation to run without the duplexers. That way you always have the option. 60 plus feet on vhf. Somebody can run you the numbers if you provide station specs. It's a trade off. DB Loss of the stand alone ant receive path vs rx loss of a duplex antenna through the duplexer path. Not to mention the cost of the 2nd feedline and ant. I have a system on the air using the top ant for RX, works well. Don -Original Message- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:repeater-buil...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of wb0goa Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2010 1:50 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Duplexer vs Split Level Antennas Have chance to install a DB 224 at 450' and another one anywhere below it. Using LDF6 on both runs. RF solid state 110 watts out. Wanting to know the pros or cons of running both antenna close together for more height with duplexer or spacing antennas for isolation without duplexer? Yahoo! Groups Links
RE: [Repeater-Builder] 6 Meter Repeater spacing (no duplexers)
To everybody that did the math for Tim, we are 1 meg split here in the country of Texas. Tim, I have some 1 5/8 hard line if you want to make a set of notch duplexers, probably can get you the 80% done set from a buddy. Don Kirchner W5DK -Original Message- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:repeater-buil...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of tahrens301 Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2010 4:09 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Repeater-Builder] 6 Meter Repeater spacing (no duplexers) Hi Folks, I was just wondering if one of you who has the software to do so could look up how much horizontal separation it would take on 6 meters. I have two sites 8 miles apart, and vertically separated by about 30 meters. just wonderin' Thanks, Tim W5FN Yahoo! Groups Links
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Strange Problem
You said it was a mastrII, there's a resistor on the exciter that connects the 10v line to the MIC HI if my memory is correct. If you haven't already, you might adjust the exciter modulation pot back n forth as somebody mentioned. Don Kirchner W5DK From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:repeater-buil...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Vernon Densler Sent: Tuesday, October 06, 2009 10:28 AM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] Strange Problem Where might I find that bias line? Thanks, Vern KI4ONW From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:repeater-buil...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Chuck Kelsey Sent: Tuesday, October 06, 2009 11:09 AM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Strange Problem If you are not using a local microphone (I don't) my solution is to simply remove the bias to mic high and forget messing with a cap. Chuck WB2EDV - Original Message - From: Vernon Densler mailto:m...@highwayusa.com To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, October 06, 2009 10:46 AM Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] Strange Problem Sure don't have that cap on there and on my radio it's 9.7v on that mic line. Trying a blocking cap now to see if it fixes the issue. I will keep you posted. Thanks, Vern KI4ONW From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:repeater-buil...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Doug Bade Sent: Tuesday, October 06, 2009 9:53 AM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] Strange Problem Mastr II/ Exec II transmitters can have ~5vdc on mic high, this is the bias for the amplifier in a normal microphone. If you do not have a capacitor in series to the computer interface or the computer interface has a polarized cap that is in the wrong direction, strange things like this can happen. Verify DC potential on both sides of any interface components... as capacitors can work backwards for a while but eventually stop passing when incorrectly polarized... It is always better to use non polarized capacitors in this audio path but they do usually cost a little more and sometimes are harder to acquire... Doug KD8B
RE: [Repeater-Builder] GE Mastr II parts
Dang, I just found out my saved searches were missing something!! That auction has an unusual local oscillator with those coils? I don't remember ever seeing one before. Heard of them, just ain't seen one. Don W5DK From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:repeater-buil...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Richard Fletcher Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 12:57 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] GE Mastr II parts Hi Gilles The easiest place is eBay, here is one for sale right now. http://cgi.ebay.com/GE-MASTR-II-UHF-Receiver_W0QQitemZ230376291330QQcmdZVie wItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item35a37f3c02_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 http://cgi.ebay.com/GE-MASTR-II-UHF-Receiver_W0QQitemZ230376291330QQcmdZView ItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item35a37f3c02_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 I was personally looking at this for spare parts but of course I yield to the needy first..;-) Best regards Richard _ From: adjiqc adj...@yahoo.ca To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 10:31:20 AM Subject: [Repeater-Builder] GE Mastr II parts Hi All, I am new to this group and I was wondering if someone could help us out, we are an amateur radio club and our UHF repeater died so we are looking for parts. If someone would know where to get the following it would be appreciated. 1- High split 450-470MHZ receiver for the repeater 2- Tone board 3- Or if someone would have a full repeater in the UHF high split Regards Gilles VE2GFV
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Antenna SWR = Desense?
I'm not far from Tim and have been emailing with him offline. Yesterday he disconnected the rx from the duplexer, terminated the rx port of the duplexer and injected weak signal directly into the receiver. He did not remove any original cables between the rx and duplexer, so he simply divided the rx path. When he ran another test he had no desense. This test should help prove / eliminate radiated antenna RF from 100ft away as the cause of his desense. He's describing pretty significant desense. It all works well ( without desense) into an end of feedline terminated dummy. I'm kinda questioning the quantar circulator somebody mentioned. He's planning the antenna site install soon. Don Kirchner W5DK -Original Message- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:repeater-buil...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Eric Lemmon Sent: Thursday, September 03, 2009 8:01 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Antenna SWR = Desense? Tim, A high-gain antenna that is only 100 feet away horizontally is far too close. It is bathing your repeater equipment with RF, and very few machines can tolerate being in such a high RF field. Vertical versus horizontal separation is very roughly in a 1:45 ratio, that is, the isolation of 100 feet of vertical separation is roughly equivalent to about 4,500 feet of horizontal separation. In other words, your 100 feet of horizontal separation is no better than if you put a mag-mount whip right on the top of the repeater cabinet. You would likely have less desense if you mounted your DB224 antenna on the roof of your equipment shed, directly above the repeater, so that the repeater cabinet was in the shadow beneath the antenna. You might also consider filtering the DC power leads to prevent RF ingress through that path. 73, Eric Lemmon WB6FLY -Original Message- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:repeater-buil...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of tahrens301 Sent: Wednesday, September 02, 2009 9:38 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Antenna SWR = Desense? Hi Eric, Hmmm, don't think I said above the station, but if I implied it, no, it's horizontal. I can look out the window see it! Nate - I only tried the 'ham quality' antenna because I knew it would be a better match than the DB224. It was easy to change, standing on a 6' ladder! Just wanted to see if a poor swr would induce the desense. There are no other communications systems within miles of my location, so who knows. Perhaps the metal building is the problem. A side question, dealing with separation. Obviously, when you are using a split site, vertical separation makes you a lot more $ than horizontal does. But, in this type of situation, where you are a single antenna with a duplexer, what real difference does vertical or horizontal separation from the station make? If I'm horizontal, could turn the whole system on it's side (including the antenna system), then it would be vertical. The straws that I'm grasping are getting smaller!! Thanks to all! Tim W5FN Yahoo! Groups Links
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Antenna SWR = Desense?
Tim, did you happen to try the dummy at the end of the feed line instead of antenna? Are you sure the connector from the 7/8 to the duplexer (or any connector / adapter near that connection) is good? Did you put all the covers back on during the antenna test? You're getting closer! Don W5DK -Original Message- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:repeater-buil...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of tahrens301 Sent: Tuesday, September 01, 2009 2:03 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Antenna SWR = Desense? Hi folks, Just a bit of an update... got the 6 cavity Telewave duplexer tweaked up - looks like it pretty much hit the specs in the data sheet. With a dummy load at the 'antenna' port, I used an iso-tee to inject a signal at both the receiver input, and between the antenna port the dummy load. With a weak signal, both places showed me that there was no desense. Very weak signal would hold in the repeater. However, putting the system on the antenna (a 150-160 mhz DB-224 100' horizontally 10' vertically separated) through a metal building fed with 7/8 heliax, there seems to be no end to the desense! The wattmeter shows 30 watts forward 3 watts reflected at the antenna port, if my math serves, it's less than 2:1. Can the less than 1:1 match be the culprit? Thanks, Tim W5FN Yahoo! Groups Links
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Repeaters and Water Towers
Some of the sites are not as secure as they look from the street. If you get pressured to leave just point out Homeland Security expects Hams to help them when it gets bad. http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2006/10/04/100/?nc=1 http://www.nationalterroralert.com/communications/ http://www.fcc.gov/pshs/techtopics/techtopics13.html 73 Don Kirchner W5DK
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Re: crimping vs soldering types of coax connectors
I have never met Jeff or crimped RF connectors but now I feel like an expert! Thanks Jeff. Don Kirchner W5DK
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Re: DB Products VHF UHF on same mast?
Tim, If you're just using it for control, you only need to receive on uhf. Just put up the 224 for the duplex vhf on the one feed line. Downstairs use a diplexer to pull off your uhf control receiver signal. It should work fine at that location. We used to have a short link path to a site like that for years. 73 Don W5DK -Original Message- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:repeater-buil...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of tahrens301 Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 9:54 AM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Re: DB Products VHF UHF on same mast? Hi Mike, It looks like this antenna is a DB-420B. It has 16 elements in groups of 2... 4 groups on the top 'half', and 4 on the bottom. I was thinking of using only 1 run of hardline up the tower putting a duplexer up at the top (and one at the bottom). Thanks, Tim W5FN --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, Mike Mullarkey k7...@... wrote: If you have a VHF 224 just take a DB411 UHF and mount on the opposite side of the mast 180deg from the VHF loops. We do it all the time out here and works great. Just run two coax cables and all is nice and neat. Best of both worlds, you get two antennas on the same mast without using another 10 or so feet of tower space. There is only one catch, you may want to top support the DB224 antenna since you are adding additional loops. Mike Mike Mullarkey K7PFJ 6886 Sage Ave Firestone, Co 80504 303-954-9695 Home 303-954-9693 Home Office Fax 303-718-8052 Cellular From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:repeater-buil...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of tahrens301 Sent: Monday, July 20, 2009 9:11 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Repeater-Builder] DB Products VHF UHF on same mast? I've got a DB-224 that is going up the tower in a while when I get the hardline, but control issues have changed from land line to 440mhz control. So I need 2 antennas. Today I saw a hybrid DB antenna, effectively a 224, plus a 16 element DB, all on the same mast. Is this something that can be done without having each antenna interact with the other? Sounds like a good idea to me. Just curious, Thanks, Tim W5FN No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.392 / Virus Database: 270.13.20/2251 - Release Date: 07/20/09 18:29:00 Yahoo! Groups Links
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Convert 406-420mhz Mastr II to ham band
Dave, The component differences may be detailed out in the LBI's for the 77 or 88 split models. But, just trade somebody the receiver front end/LO and exciter from an 88 split. Your 77 is less common. Easy change out then align and you're going. 73 Don W5DK -Original Message- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:repeater-buil...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of dakaratcaptivereefing Sent: Sunday, July 19, 2009 10:15 AM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Convert 406-420mhz Mastr II to ham band Should have added this is a Mastr II station (Comb #DC757YAU77D). Thanks, Dave --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, Dave Cochran d...@... wrote: Okay guys, I might be biting off more than I know here, but I've been tasked out to try to get this accomplished for a new fledgling group of hams here. How much effort is really involved in converting a 406-420Mhz Mastr II machine (combination ending in 77) up to the ham band? Need to start learning more somewhere and this seems like a good avenue to take. I'm sure someone must have written up a step by step guide for re-tuning, I just have not found it yet. A point in the right direction would be helpful. Thanks, Dave - N0TRQ Yahoo! Groups Links
[Repeater-Builder] Sinclair Hybrid Ring Duplexer
Yesterday, with a buddy, I attempted to tune my first set of hybrid ring duplexers. I have successfully tuned many sets of duplexers and didn't expect to have any trouble with a minor freq move. I have read and understand the theory behind the design. http://www.repeater-builder.com/antenna/hybridring.html In practice I saw some unexpected results. My buddy has a new to him HP 8935 (SA/tracking) so we started off using it. I have a HP8921A that we also used. We used good shielded cables, 3db pads x3 and good dummy loads, etc. We started off with a working good on 145.23/144.63 set of duplexers. They were taken off the air and brought to me to be moved up to 146.76/16. I am sure these were many megs up originally and were modified to get down to 145.23. It appears only the termination stub coax lengths were changed and they are longer than the 144-146 instructions suggested as starting points. So I understand the rings/stubs and antenna port for each side may not be *perfect* but they were performing and we are only moving them up a meg or so (towards the original harness freq).. First thing off the bat we looked at the current high pass side and it looked like it only had 45 db separation, the low pass looked better at 65, other wised shaped pretty good. How could they be working good all these years like that? Reading the HP correctly? Yes. H. We used the Sinclair instructions to retune them substituting our tracking gen/SA test gear for the instructions sig gen/receiver. We followed the laborious instructions carefully (course tune/fine tune) and ended up with similar separation numbers on the new freqs. Hmmm, must be something quirky with the 8935, fired up the 8921 and it showed we had even less separation. Half what the 8935 showed. When placed into station service into a dummy load, they didn't work, I'll spare you the numbers. Time for a beer. We fiddled with it some more using both service monitors, a talkie and a bird and didn't move anything much, everything was still peaking/nulling. It has been my experience that with 3db pads on the 3 ports, patch cable lengths to test gear are not critical, I'm beginning to think this style ring system is finicky. After sleeping on it I am thinking we are really close. I'm guessing we are unable to see the ring cancelation/null/pass with the gear we are using even though we are able to see the pass and reject peaks during our steps? I'm looking for suggestions on what I'm missing and why we can't we use our expensive test gear to fine tune these freaks? 73 Don W5DK
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Exec II receiver fiddling WAS:MastrII Receiver Failure
Yes, be careful not to strip any screws when you try to get the back/bottom open. He was saying it takes allot of heat to get the helical coil unsoldered from the side of the casting (once you have it open you will see). I have used a propane torch setting stationary on a bench while holding the casting in one hand and a pair of needle nose in the other, I hold that joint in the heat till it flows or till I had to put on a glove or drop the casting hihi. Don Kirchner W5DK -Original Message- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:repeater-buil...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Chris Curtis Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 1:42 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] Exec II receiver fiddling WAS:MastrII Receiver Failure On my exec II receiver, the casting is just screwed together. Correct? Chris Kb0wlf -Original Message- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Repeater- buil...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Jeff DePolo Sent: Friday, June 26, 2009 9:00 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] MastrII Receiver Failure Chuck's got you going down the right path. At 51 MHz, you probably only have to take one turn off of each of the first two coils. At 52 MHz or higher, you might have to take off two. You need a lot of heat to get the casting open (hint: a soldering gun, even a 300 watt Weller, ain't gonna cut it). Removing the coils/caps once you have the casting apart is pretty straightfoward, as is removing one turn from each. It's not that bad of a job once you've done one or two, but the first one may cause you some grief. You should find that after the mods the receiver is plenty hot and should easily beat spec by a few dB. The LO/multiplier stages don't require any mods. If you want to cut corners, you might first see what your effective sensitivity is at your repeater site on 6m. You may find that the noise floor is elevated substantially, and that getting the bench sensitivity down from 1 uV to 0.3 uV isn't going to make a damned bit of difference in the real world. --- Jeff -Original Message- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:repeater-buil...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Chris Curtis Sent: Friday, June 26, 2009 4:16 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] MastrII Receiver Failure You are correct sir, no mesh. Isn't that that pits. So I take it I'll be removing some windings from the underside of said trimmer caps? Or is there an easier route to sensitivity? =] Chris, Kb0wlf -Original Message- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com mailto:Repeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com [mailto:Repeater- buil...@yahoogroups.com mailto:Builder%40yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of Chuck Kelsey Sent: Friday, June 26, 2009 12:09 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com mailto:Repeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] MastrII Receiver Failure Do the two front end trimmer caps still have some mesh left, or are they at minimum capacitance? That may be your problem. Chuck WB2EDV - Original Message - From: Chris Curtis demo...@rollanet.org mailto:demoman%40rollanet.org To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com mailto:Repeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, June 26, 2009 10:45 AM Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] MastrII Receiver Failure I have a mastr EXEC II receiver (33 split) that I can't get sensitivity to increase. I replaced the fet as outlined below on the mastr II query. No joy though. I'm using an am/fm-1200s to tune the receiver. .5~1uv is where the receiver is coming to life. I have a couple vhf and uhf exec II receivers that tuned up nicely in the .19~.2uv range so I think I'm doing/reading it correctly. Original freq was in the 46~49mHz range. Current crystal (icom sent to and received from Bomar) on 51.75mHz. Any tips/hints/tricks to get a little more sensitivity? Thanks for the bandwidth! Chris Kb0wlf No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.339 / Virus Database: 270.12.85/2193 - Release Date: 06/26/09 05:53:00 Yahoo! Groups Links No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.375 / Virus Database: 270.12.83/2191 - Release Date: 06/26/09 05:53:00 Yahoo! Groups Links
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Desense on High Power Linear Repeater?
Aaron, Howdy again neighbor! Don't start spreading rumors that its flat in Texas, it's all downhill to the beach.on second thought it IS flat and the water is bad Are these the cavities I tuned for you last fall? If so guys these are typical specs for 4 cans BPBR. Sorry but I couldn't find screen shots of when I tuned them, they were just under 80DB as I recall, and had been fiddled with before I corrected them. We had a brief discussion that day Aaron, and you are going to hear support of my suggestions. Location Location Location. Whether its Dstar or not, you can only squeeze so much range out of a site. You are adding items on the RX and TX and have exceeded the separation specs of your duplexers. You may be in the same boat many people are, all the equipment and no place to go. You need to acquire a better site. Are you running the UHF package still? And these are at the same site right? Tell us the details of the antenna systems-height, feed line (type and length) and antennas? I'm curious of the range differences between the UHF and VHF after considering the differences in antenna systems. 73 Don Kirchner W5DK
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Desense on High Power Linear Repeater?
Put your fire suit on Aaron, you actually typed LMR. Do a search here and you will find it is known to be a problem in duplex service. With greater losses on UHF the ranges your observations are expected. Don -Original Message- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:repeater-buil...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of atms169 Sent: Wednesday, May 20, 2009 9:52 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Desense on High Power Linear Repeater? Hey Don, yeah good to hear ya! Well, the system is at my house. If I could find a tower (Trust me I have looked around) then that would make the world of difference. Its up on my tower about 60 feet (Both UHF and VHF). The VHF has pretty good coverage. The UHF not so much, probably half of the VHF side. Using LMR400 for both with a 7 dB vertical for the UHF and a 4.5 dB for the VHF. --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, de W5DK w...@... wrote: Aaron, Howdy again neighbor! Don't start spreading rumors that its flat in Texas, it's all downhill to the beach.on second thought it IS flat and the water is bad Are these the cavities I tuned for you last fall? If so guys these are typical specs for 4 cans BPBR. Sorry but I couldn't find screen shots of when I tuned them, they were just under 80DB as I recall, and had been fiddled with before I corrected them. We had a brief discussion that day Aaron, and you are going to hear support of my suggestions. Location Location Location. Whether its Dstar or not, you can only squeeze so much range out of a site. You are adding items on the RX and TX and have exceeded the separation specs of your duplexers. You may be in the same boat many people are, all the equipment and no place to go. You need to acquire a better site. Are you running the UHF package still? And these are at the same site right? Tell us the details of the antenna systems-height, feed line (type and length) and antennas? I'm curious of the range differences between the UHF and VHF after considering the differences in antenna systems. 73 Don Kirchner W5DK 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] Re: W1GAN and square duplexers aka homebrew duplexer
We have 3 sets of the W1GAN duplexers here in San Antonio that I know of (San Antonio Repeater Organization), 2 on the air and one in a backup cabinet. I'm curious how many others are out there in service. I wasn't around when they were built but I was told ours were silver plated. Don Kirchner W5DK From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:repeater-buil...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Mike Morris WA6ILQ Sent: Wednesday, April 29, 2009 2:33 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: W1GAN and square duplexers aka homebrew duplexer --- On Tue, 4/28/09, cruizzer77 atlant...@gmx.ch wrote: From: cruizzer77 atlant...@gmx.ch Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Re: W1GAN and square duplexers aka homebrew duplexer To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2009, 5:18 AM It's interesting to hear about your projects! I would be interested in knowing which VHF manual you're referring to, Jim. At 08:32 AM 04/29/09, you wrote: As I recall, an early ARRL VHF manual had a brief chapter on repeaters, and I believe there were two articles that were of interest. One was the duplexer and another was a four bay folded dipole antenna for repeater use. The duplexer article is on the antennas page at repeater-builder.com A Homemade Duplexer for 2-Meter Repeaters by John Bilodeau, W1GAN (from the July 1972 QST magazine) http://www.repeater-builder.com/antenna/w1gan-duplexer.pdf http://www.repeater-builder.com/antenna/w1gan-duplexer.pdf I'd like to get a scan of that ARRL antenna article for the antennas page (repeater-builder has permission from the ARRL to post PDFs of any articles in QST or their books). If you know where the four vertical bay antenna article is located, you may find the duplexer article also. I think it also was a QST article. You may be thinking of the 73 Magazine article that is on the antennas page... 440 MHz Folded Dipole Repeater Antenna (222kb PDF file) This is a two page PDF file of the classic 73 Magazine construction article by Chuck Kelsey WB2EDV - Yes, you can build yourself a DB-224 folded dipole array. http://www.repeater-builder.com/antenna/440fdipl.pdf http://www.repeater-builder.com/antenna/440fdipl.pdf I remember one fellow who built the duplexer complained that when it was hit by lightning, it disassembled itself. He had made the outside tube out of individual sheets of copper soldered together, and the solder joints let go when it took the strike. That's what the PolyPhaser is for... mounted to the grounded copper plate in the building wall... 73 - Jim W5ZIT Mike WA6ILQ
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Google .. some one messed it up :)
Morse's Birthday. Needs _.._. ._. to make the thread repeater related. Don W5DK
RE: [Repeater-Builder]Pinnacle Towers
I would be curious to hear what temperature response you get. We are on a site owned by CC and need to do some feed line / ant work and need to make a first time contact after they acquired the site Don Kirchner W5DK From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:repeater-buil...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of radio5...@aol.com Sent: Friday, April 10, 2009 9:31 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder]Pinnacle Towers North West Florida- Panhandle Thanks for the help In a message dated 4/10/2009 7:02:14 P.M. Central Daylight Time, maire-rad...@verizon.net writes: and in what area is this? also Pinnacle has been bought out by Crown Castle. like me know the area I may have a number. _ Feeling the pinch at the grocery store? Make http://food.aol.com/frugal-feasts?ncid=emlcntusfood0001 dinner for $10 or less.
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Anyone ever used this repeater controller?
-Original Message- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:repeater-buil...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of n...@no6b.com Sent: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 12:05 AM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Anyone ever used this repeater controller? At 3/27/2009 08:17, you wrote: At 3/27/2009 07:36, you wrote: Bob, I've been considering getting one of the NHRC controllers for a GE MVP. Are they dependable, or like your email mentions, having some occasional failures? IMO, no. Our NHRC-micro has failed 3 times. The first time NHRC was nice Follow-up: Since I posted this I've received some e-mails from NHRC expressing concern regarding our failures dropped communications. It appears that there was a misunderstanding regarding a couple of e-mails that led to my conclusions. I am now convinced that they will stand behind their product, most importantly, the exact cause of the failures we had has been determined long since been corrected so current production units should be reliable. Bob NO6B wrote Bob, that's good news. I purchased one in August last year and have only had it hooked up for a test. I'm curious if mine is before or after the correction was implemented. Don Kirchner W5DK
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Mastr Exec II question
I think Jeff was correct earlier, while the front end casting / helicals of the receivers are the same, the LO/ If / audio is mechanically different and are not plug compatible. 73 Don Kirchner W5DK From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:repeater-buil...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Mike Dietrich Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 12:38 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Mastr Exec II question Yes you can, all rf parts are interchangeable. IF/AUDIO is different but most parts themselves are the same. Mike KB5FLX - Original Message - From: k1jcnh mailto:k...@comcast.net To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 12:11 PM Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Mastr Exec II question A friend has a VHF rptr implemented using a GE Mastr Exec II mobile. The receiver is gone. Can I use a reciever form a straight MastrII mobile to replace it? Are they plug compatible? Thanks, Joe K1JC
RE: [Repeater-Builder] 8924c duplexer setup
Frank, I don't think you'll find a specific instruction for these models and not sure exactly your starting point so first set up cables like this. http://www.repeater-builder.com/wacom/wp678-665-uhf-tuninginstructions.pdf its best to terminate all 3 ports of the duplexer with 3 or 6 db pads then hook up your best cables, terminate the open port in the first drawing with a 50 ohm load also. So if you're connected to the ant port and high pass of duplexer with the 8924c, terminate the low pass with a dummy. on your 8924c hook the ant port to the ant port on the duplexer and the duplex port of 8924c to the pass of duplexer you want to test. Get the S/A started and change the port it is monitoring to the ant port and also to the gen port to duplex also change the gen to tracking if I remember correct. You will want to change the range down to 10 or 20 megs wide, you can bring that down after rough tuning. Its best to check the specification and condition as is before you retune. Also there is a neat screen capture program available for the 89## series, look in the file section of this yahoo group. You can press the print pad on the 8924 and have a bmp sent to your laptop. 73 Don Kirchner W5DK From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Private Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 7:49 AM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Repeater-Builder] 8924c duplexer setup Hi all, New to testing anything with this type of equip Just got a Agilent 8924c and have read over the setup docs but I need actual setup instructions for adjusting duplexer cans. Does anyone have a step by step instruction guide they could send me so I could learn how to use this new equipment. Instuctions need to be specific to Agilent 8920 or 8924c. Frank
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Antenna question
I have seen problems with using analyzers on dipole arrays, hopefully the bridge will give you a better report. Also might be an open connector as mentioned. Don Kirchner From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ian Miller Sent: Friday, September 05, 2008 8:44 AM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Antenna question Our group has a Sinclair 8 dipole array for UHF. The repeater was recently moved, and has not been behaving as usual. It hears OK, but seems weak on transmit. One of the members went up to the site last night with an MFJ antenna analyser - and he measured SWR at 3:1 - with no real resonant point. Our old UHF beam that was on the same tower and same feedline had an SWR of 1.5:1 measured on the same analyser. Is this method of measurement on an 8 dipole antenna correct? We have not put an SWR bridge on it. For the moment the repeater is off the air until the antenna question is resolved. What is inside the guts of one of those 8-bay antennas? Do they have a weak point where a bad connection can occur? Thanks Ian VA2IR
RE: [Repeater-Builder] De-Sense and Circulator Question
I just tuned a set of these T1500s Sunday night, I've seen them before but never had a need to tune a set till now. Adjusting the notches wasn't fun. I had seen Eric's note regarding sealing the holes and considered putting some silver/ aluminum duct tape used in HVAC over those slots when done but I didn't. Mark, you can get plain foil tape at Home Depot/Lowes. What I did notice was that I was getting some leakage from somewhere during the notch settings depending on my cable positioning. Normally I would suspect a bad cable but I have very good test cables and pads reserved for tuning cavities and haven't seen this recently on other duplexers. I think Eric is right about some leakage through those slots. How much? Who knows depending on your specific cable routing and quality. Just don't route over those slots eh? 73 Don Kirchner W5DK From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of n9wys Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 11:38 AM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] De-Sense and Circulator Question OK, I found the message. now the question: what aluminum tape is best for this? Or is there a best tape? I just got a Motorola duplexer for a 462 repeater I'm building, and it has the holes/slots in it. (And yes, it *IS* a MICOR.) Of the various types of tape available, does the adhesive need to be conductive? Or is it good enough for the foil to merely cover the openings? For example, I was browsing Mouser's choices of tape HERE http://www.mouser.com/catalog/635/2090.pdf ... http://www.mouser.com/catalog/635/2090.pdf I am interested in these tapes: 3M 425 or 427 (adhesive conductivity not listed) 3M 1170 (listed: conductive adhesive) Although I'm thinking at these costs, they must ALL have conductive adhesives... 425 (1 wide) costs $20.93/roll; 427 is $61.95/roll; and 1170 is $46.07. If anybody has insights, I'd be interested to hear! Thanks, Mark - N9WYS -Original Message- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com On Behalf Of Eric Lemmon snip Even if your T-1500-series duplexer is optimally tuned, you can possibly improve its performance a bit by using adhesive-backed aluminum tape to cover the slots where the loop and probe adjustments penetrate the side walls of the cavities. The metal tape will eliminate a possible leakage path through the slots. Your jumper cables should be made of RG-400/U or RG-214/U cable with the proper connectors on each end- no adapters. Crimped-on, silver-plated connectors are more reliable than those that are soldered or clamped. . http://geo.yahoo.com/serv?s=97359714/grpId=104168/grpspId=1705063108/msgId= 84772/stime=1219768712/nc1=5028925/nc2=5191954/nc3=4025373
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Curious Situation
I would be asking the tech or shop what the before and after tuning specs were. I see the receipt note said they are now near wacom specs. But how close were they to start with? Kinda like a car alignment its fixed, pay here 73 Don Kirchner W5DK From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Michael Ryan Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2008 10:37 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Curious Situation Rber's, I posted a note very early this week about my looking for a someplace to get a 220 duplexer tuned in the TAMPA area. Having not much luck I contacted a local MOTOROLA shop and paid $95 for the service. The receipt returned with the cans indicates that the specifications published by WACOM are very close. Having tuned these merely to incoming signals before, peaking them while the repeater is still in a testing mode, seemed to return decent results but the tune-up was thought to be a better idea. Not so.. Today's tune-up hardly was worth the wait or the price based on the results. While a 5 watt HT 10 miles away could work the repeater, now 25 watts from a roof top antenna is now just about full quieting. Fifteen watts does not make the repeater through the same roof top ground plane. Does logic dictate that we go back to seat of the pants tuning and cast fate to the wind? - Mike image001.gifimage002.gif
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Re: New 6M Repeater in Central NH
Refrain,,,theres nothing more to add. Sounds like trouble anyways. I type stuff all the time then never hit send. License class means nothing. So who else drained a liter of water from a 600ft air dielectric hard line today? Who wants the video? Don w5dk Not a list admin From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Tom Sent: Saturday, July 26, 2008 8:36 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Re: New 6M Repeater in Central NH Dear Repeater-Builder administrators: I've got a few things to say along the lines of this post. They are not only off topic, they are clearly discouraged in the intro. page of the site: HOWEVER, I believe they now need to be said. In spite of this, I will respectfully defer to your judgement on this. Should I respond on this thread, begin a new thread or refrain from comment altogether? Tom --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com mailto:Repeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com , Nate Duehr [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On Jul 25, 2008, at 8:40 AM, Jason Greene wrote: --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com mailto:Repeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com , Nate Duehr nate@ wrote: No point in extending the pointless license class wars on a club website though. Nate WY0X I understood that caption as a reference their abilities. If you were familiar with the club up here you would know this isn't a problem- no ego's to deal with. I was a little nervous about saying anything for that reason -- different areas, different people. Not much overt class war going on here either, but a recent e-mail exchange with a grumpy old fuddy duddy who posted to a local VHF+ mailing list that people who use repeaters are nothing more than pickle pushers -- made me react badly to the caption. You know, (and I told him this too)... if he were putting on CW classes, RF engineering classes, and helping people learn, it'd be one thing. But he acts like he came out of his momma knowing CW and how to read Smith charts. That just chaps me to no end. We have plenty of nice folks who have come into the hobby through the use of our repeaters *first* who then learn about simplex, and then SSB, and then digital modes, and then weak-signal optimization techniques and antennas, and DX and... the list goes on, of course. What a great hobby. Repeaters are often the gateway to a lifetime of learning and camaraderie for many new hams. Treating them like crap does nothing to further any useful cause. Sorry had to rant there -- hopefully that's on-topic enough for RB... about repeaters, but not really about building them... unless you consider that they're often the place where the local ham community gets built these days... -- Nate Duehr, WY0X [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: [Repeater-Builder] So I watched it NBC Dateline story on Tower Climbers
Good help is hard to find in every trade nowadays. I could have done without the adult day care angle, we all see it every day with current work ethics and morals. They could have done the industry a better service with more facts and public service links to safety training. I think it highlights the industry problem with subcontractors and poor safety training along with energetic young personalities. Or the I can drink till 10 o'clock guy. Seems like a good deal for the carriers and a bad deal for the widows and family left behind. I'm not in the industry so that's just my opinion and I know training will only get you so far. Some people are un-trainable. Some of us hams have climbed allot compared to others, unfortunately most all of us with ZERO safety training. Except for what I read in Tune in the World or ARRL antenna books, I have no training. I have climbed with others and watched and corrected unsafe moves. I get more nervous watching others than climbing myself. The main things I took away from all this reading and discussion was that all the deaths were preventable and 100% tied off needs to be preached. I can't find the NATE training link I saw yesterday. It would be good for the amateur community to be exposed to better safety materials. Maybe I just haven't looked hard enough. I also need to upgrade to newer better safety gear. 73 Don Kirchner W5DK
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Re: New Repeater Desense Problems
Using a Mike quote doesn't anybody read the site?!!! http://www.repeater-builder.com/projects/bird43sampler.html sorry John could resist J and Ron's description / answer was correct. 73 Don W5DK From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of John Transue Sent: Wednesday, July 09, 2008 9:07 AM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] Re: New Repeater Desense Problems So, please, someone tell me, what is an iso tee/sampler slug? How is the equipment hooked up for the desense test? John -Original Message- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of de W5DK Sent: Tuesday, July 08, 2008 11:47 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] Re: New Repeater Desense Problems I think he was Laryn. I could see an argument that it may not have been aligned and caused the situation. But,, In this case the matching circuit was installed and set properly, also the duplexers and all were perfect. The system was stable for years then boom, desense. All I was saying was that this station worked Perfect into a dummy load (zero desense and all to spec) but did not into feedline(+15db) . So we cringed and focused there. We were getting ready to replace the antenna at 580 ft and spend some money after the dummy load test. Luckily the amp finished failing. What I relayed locally after this experience was that a complete system that works flawlessly into a dummy load may not be flawless. I do think the majority of desense problems can be diagnosed with a dummy load and a sampler slug / iso tee. I just wanted to throw a recent experience / monkey wrench into the thread hi. 73 Don W5DK m: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Laryn Lohman Sent: Tuesday, July 08, 2008 8:50 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Re: New Repeater Desense Problems --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com mailto:Repeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com , wd8chl [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: It sounds to me like the PA wasn't aligned properly. Or the duplexer is not aligned properly. Most, but not all, MastrII PA's have an output filter section that is tricky to align correctly. Are you referring to the Z matching adjustments on continuous-duty amps? Laryn K8TVZ __ NOD32 3192 (20080616) Information __ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Re: New Repeater Desense Problems
From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Nate Duehr On Jul 8, 2008, at 9:47 PM, de W5DK wrote: We were getting ready to replace the antenna at 580 ft and spend some money after the dummy load test. Luckily the amp finished failing. What I relayed locally after this experience was that a complete system that works flawlessly into a dummy load may not be flawless. Don, I think you said you looked at the PA output with a spectrum analyzer prior to its failure -- did you see anything? Was your MASTR II VHF, or UHF? Nate Ours was VHF. I did look at it with my HP8921 SA, into a dummy, into the antenna, varied the output. Over the air and through the sampler. Rechecked the matching, bypass the isolator. I really wanted to find a problem at the ground level. The dynamic range of the SA will only let you see so low. BTW, I only had a 30 minute driveJ Parts are getting harder to find. So who has the all inclusive instructions and part numbers to install an RF brick into a master II station VHF and UHF versions of course. J 73 Don
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Measuring Desense
Perfect! except you want the antenna as high as possible! Hi 73 Don W5DK From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of John Transue Sent: Wednesday, July 09, 2008 2:18 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Measuring Desense ... Ron, Don, Mark, and others, The attachment shows how I think I should connect things to measure desense. I would use the Bird with sampling coupler in place of the iso tee shown. Does this appear to be a correct way to measure desense? Also, I can replace the feed line and antenna with a dummy load as Ron has explained. John AF4PD
RE: [Repeater-Builder] New Repeater Desense Problems
Not to hijack the thread, but a dummy load is NOT always a perfect test to eliminate the equipment. I think it’s a good start though. I just solved a situation where I had 15 db desense into a 600ft feedline / antenna and ZERO desense into a dummy load. This was using a sample slug ( same function as iso tee)in my bird 43 where the feed line attached to the cabinet. My assumption that the complete repeater, duplexers, isolator and cables were fine into a dummy load led me to look at the hardline and antenna and prepare for paying for a climb. Before we could properly test the feedline and antenna, the mastr II PA failed. (VHF) after replacing the amp, the 15 db desense problem was gone. So the failing amp liked the dummy load better than 600ft of 50ohm feedline and antenna . Or some product from the amp excited the feedline /antenna to create something on our input. The low level products on our input creating the desense were not visible when I had looked at the spectral output of the amp before it failed. Nothing like moving a mobile amp into a continuous duty heat sink, on you tailgate, on the 4th of July! 73 Don Kirchner W5DK From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, July 08, 2008 9:39 AM To: Bill Wilson; Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] New Repeater Desense Problems Have you run the repeater into a dummy load and check for desense? David = From: Bill Wilson [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:kj4ex%40yahoo.com Date: 2008/07/07 Mon AM 02:24:30 WET To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com mailto:Repeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com Subject: [Repeater-Builder] New Repeater Desense Problems Greetings Group, I had hoped to be able to purchase off-the-shelf components for a 2 meter repeater for our local club to use. I purchased a Maggoire HiPro R1VHF35, 35 watt version, and with their recommendation a set of FiPlex DVN-1533L Duplexers (6 cans). These were installed with LMR-400 cabling and a 50 foot run to a Diamond X- 50 Dual Band vertical installed about 40 feet above ground. We have a good ground, and the equipment is mounted in an open rack. The controller is a CAT-250, currently with COR receive only, although the CTCSS module is installed but not turned on at this time. I have been told however that the PL is being transmitted on the transmit signal for decode. I also had the Narrow Band IF Filter installed. Ever since we first hooked everything up, we have had receive desense problems. The cans have been retuned 3 times by two different radio shops in the area, and the problem still exists. With the exception of the duplexer and repeater itself, every other component in the system has been swapped out at least once. One observation by the first radio tech (ham) that came out was the very sensitive receiver on the order of 0.10 uv, versus the 0.20 uv as advertised. On the third tune-up of the duplexers, they discovered that the loops were 180 degrees out of phase, and when they turned them, the duplexers came right in. However, the problem persists. Great for in town use, but that's about it. We have used varied lengths of cables between the repeater and the duplexers, without any significant change in results. Next weekend, I am planning on looking at the tuning myself with borrowed test equipment. I know what I'm looking for pretty much, and it's got to be close to correct to work as it does. Any thoughts ideas, etc., would be appreciated. Bill – KJ4EX
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Re: New Repeater Desense Problems
I think he was Laryn. I could see an argument that it may not have been aligned and caused the situation. But,, In this case the matching circuit was installed and set properly, also the duplexers and all were perfect. The system was stable for years then boom, desense. All I was saying was that this station worked Perfect into a dummy load (zero desense and all to spec) but did not into feedline(+15db) . So we cringed and focused there. We were getting ready to replace the antenna at 580 ft and spend some money after the dummy load test. Luckily the amp finished failing. What I relayed locally after this experience was that a complete system that works flawlessly into a dummy load may not be flawless. I do think the majority of desense problems can be diagnosed with a dummy load and a sampler slug / iso tee. I just wanted to throw a recent experience / monkey wrench into the thread hi. 73 Don W5DK m: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Laryn Lohman Sent: Tuesday, July 08, 2008 8:50 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Re: New Repeater Desense Problems --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com mailto:Repeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com , wd8chl [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: It sounds to me like the PA wasn't aligned properly. Or the duplexer is not aligned properly. Most, but not all, MastrII PA's have an output filter section that is tricky to align correctly. Are you referring to the Z matching adjustments on continuous-duty amps? Laryn K8TVZ
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Help! Duplexer setup = with two service monitors and a spectrum analyzer
No, you will only see the peak and skirts of the generated signal, you need to terminate all the duplexer ports with 3db 50 ohm pads and tune for pass first, lock those down them tune the reject path Bottom of first link is a sketch. 73 Don W5DK http://www.repeater-builder.com/wacom/wp6xx-vhf-tuning-instructions.pdf http://www.repeater-builder.com/antenna/ant-sys-index.html#duplexers From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Joel Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2008 10:54 AM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Help! Duplexer setup = with two service monitors and a spectrum analyzer Can someone in the group give me a sketch diagram of the setup, for tuning a duplexer with the following equipment I have?. I have two (2) service monitors (Marconi 2955/A), and a spectrum analyzer (Avcom PSA-65A, no built-in tracking generator) Q...Will I be able to see the response graph of the duplexer, as when I use a spectrum analyzer with a built-in tracking generator? All comments will be appreciated, and set aside for the radio club here archive. v44kai.Joel.
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Help! Duplexer setup = with two service monitors and a spectrum analyzer
Joel, it will be almost the same, but instead of seeing the “waves” of the peak/pass and dip/notch., you will only see the vertical “spike” of the generated signal. Just like if you hooked the generator directly to the S/A. you will only be able to adjust for max pass of the desired freq (tallest spike)and min pass (shortest spike)of the reject/notch freq. Hook the s/a to the antenna port, a dummy to one side of the duplexer while generating into the side you are adjusting. Then switch sides. I used to have to do exactly this till I got a tracking gen s/a. --then I re-visited some of my work and it couldn’t be improved. Made me wonder why I spent the extra money on the new service monitor. hi 73 Don W5DK From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Joel Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2008 1:14 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Help! Duplexer setup = with two service monitors and a spectrum analyzer Got you Don, thanks for responding. But I'm looking for something more specific as to, how one may hook up, the aforementioned equipment to do what the spectrum analyzer/with the TG does to obtain a set of duplexer tuned to a specific frequency. v44kai.Joel. - Original Message - From: de W5DK mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2008 11:40 AM Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] Help! Duplexer setup = with two service monitors and a spectrum analyzer No, you will only see the peak and skirts of the generated signal, you need to terminate all the duplexer ports with 3db 50 ohm pads and tune for pass first, lock those down them tune the reject path Bottom of first link is a sketch. 73 Don W5DK http://www.repeater-builder.com/wacom/wp6xx-vhf-tuning-instructions.pdf http://www.repeater-builder.com/antenna/ant-sys-index.html#duplexers From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Joel Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2008 10:54 AM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Help! Duplexer setup = with two service monitors and a spectrum analyzer Can someone in the group give me a sketch diagram of the setup, for tuning a duplexer with the following equipment I have?. I have two (2) service monitors (Marconi 2955/A), and a spectrum analyzer (Avcom PSA-65A, no built-in tracking generator) Q...Will I be able to see the response graph of the duplexer, as when I use a spectrum analyzer with a built-in tracking generator? All comments will be appreciated, and set aside for the radio club here archive. v44kai.Joel. _ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 8.0.101 / Virus Database: 270.4.1/1519 - Release Date: 6/25/2008 4:13 PM
RE: [Repeater-Builder] tuning a Cellwave 6 cavity duplexer with out sight
Scott, As Ron has mentioned you could use a talking meter or adjust for max noise on the pass circuits and min on the reject. But the human ear will not be near as accurate as you want and need. (especially after the years of loud music on marshall amplifiers, and the thousands of rounds discharged- hihi) I know you may just want to learn how (like me) but you need to get some help on this one. Send it to me and I would be glad to tune it. 73 Don Kirchner W5DK From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ron Wright Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2008 7:47 AM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] tuning a Cellwave 6 cavity duplexer with out sight Scott, There are normally, not for all, 2 things that are tuned on a duplexer; notch and pass. Notch removes signal (min sig) and pass lets as much as it will thru (max). As with tuning rigs one tunes for SINAD or in FM quieting...that is tunes to get more quieting of the received signal. If you had a cavity/duplexer between a signal gen and a receiver on the output you could tune the notch adjustments for most noise, starting with quieting signal and tune the pass for least noise or quieting all the time adjusting the sig gen output as you go. Having a meter, talking meter I guess, with S-meter connection would also help. I think you get the idea; tune the notch to remove as much signal as you can and tune pass to get the most signal as you can using the speaker noise as the meter. I am sure others have better ways. 73, ron, n9ee/r From: Scott Berry N7ZIB [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:sberry%40northlc.com Date: 2008/06/25 Wed AM 08:33:56 EDT To: Repeater Builder Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com mailto:Repeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com Subject: [Repeater-Builder] tuning a Cellwave 6 cavity duplexer with out sight Hey guys, I have something I’d like to throw out too you and seeif there is a way to do this. For my repeater I’ll have a Cellwave 6 cavityduplexer and I would like to learn how to tune it myself. I am totally blind andthey don’t make a talking service monitor that I am aware of. How would onewith out sight tune a duplexer. There must be some way it could be done. Evenif it means I have to make my own monitor other wise it’ll cost me and I don’tget the satisfaction of learning. Scott N7ZIB Ron Wright, N9EE 727-376-6575 MICRO COMPUTER CONCEPTS Owner 146.64 repeater Tampa Bay, FL No tone, all are welcome.
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Re: noise on exposed folded dipole arrays and fiberglass encased antennas - YES
Bob, How much noise? I have a current situation at 580 ft. I'm diagnosing. Station works fine into a dummy load tested with a sampler slug and no desense. Add the feedline and antenna and I get 15db degradation. I have looked at the freqs the ant is hearing and don't see an IMD issue. Spectrum looks normal. The problem is a steady 15 db. I think it's the db antenna. We're 20ft from the top of the tower. Any suggestions before we pay a climber? 73 Don Kirchner W5DK From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, June 01, 2008 12:48 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: noise on exposed folded dipole arrays and fiberglass encased antennas - YES At 5/31/2008 21:30, you wrote: Fiberglass encased antennas get blown to kingdom come more often than exposed dipole arrays. Exposed dipole arrays may appear to survive lightning strikes, but they can still suffer damage that may not be visibly apparent. We have a Sinclair 4-dipole VHF antenna that became unusable after a near hit: it now generates noise if used on TX. Perfectly good for RX, though. We now use it for RX only TX with a Comet GP9. Bob NO6B
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Re: noise on exposed folded dipole arrays and fiberglass encased antennas - YES
Thanks Bob Reducing power was no measured help till I got to minimal watts and unfortunately there are no extra VHF band antennas to try (unless I borrow one from the GOV or the TX highway patrol or state park folks) I guess I won't try those feed lines/antennas. J 73 Don W5DK From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, June 01, 2008 4:03 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] Re: noise on exposed folded dipole arrays and fiberglass encased antennas - YES At 6/1/2008 14:58, you wrote: Bob, How much noise? I have a current situation at 580 ft. I m diagnosing. Enough to get into another antenna ~30 ft. away. After the lightning strike we had severe desense (over 30 dB) so we tried to run split antennas with the 4-pole on TX GP9 on RX. Still had several dB of desense until we reversed the antenna connections. Station works fine into a dummy load tested with a sampler slug and no desense. Add the feedline and antenna and I get 15db degradation. I have looked at the freqs the ant is hearing and don t see an IMD issue. Spectrum looks normal. The problem is a steady 15 db. I think it s the db antenna. We re 20ft from the top of the tower. Any suggestions before we pay a climber? Try reducing the TX power see if there's some threshold power level where the desense suddenly appears. That would likely indicate something arcing somewhere. The problem could be in the feedline, your antenna or an antenna mounted close to yours. In situations like this a spare antenna of some sort really comes in handy, even if it's relatively low on the tower. You could then continue to RX off the defective antenna TX on the low spare antenna. Bob NO6B
RE: [Repeater-Builder] NHRC-2 PC Board Art
Keith, The “kit” from NHRC is just the board and a few parts (a pic and the dtmf decoder) they don’t included the small parts or even the 1420. Order the 1420 from them while you’re at it. http://www.nhrc.net/nhrc-2/ 73 Don Kirchner W5DK On Wed, May 28, 2008 at 10:23 PM, Keith Dobbins wrote: I'd like to build the NHRC-2 repeater controller, I have all the parts except for a PC board, before I try and do my own board, is the mask to make your own anywhere? I'd do the kit from NHRC but I already got all the parts I need in stock vs getting the parts in the kit.I dunno if the board is available by itself or not. If I can't find it I figure I'd do one up from the schematics for what I need. Trying to get a backup controller for our 146 repeater and a new controller for our 440 repeater built. Thanks for any info or assistance. Keith Dobbins KC8RFW Repeater Technician W8TAP Repeater Group Parkersburg, WV 26101
RE: [Repeater-Builder] DB4055 Duplexer
de W5DK wrote: Nate, Thanks for the info, I have 4 or 5 clean 4076s that won't go below 444/449 and still look good separation wise. I had made a call about 6 months ago and was told the cables were all the same but the loops are slightly longer on ones spec'd in the ham band. (wonder were those notes are hmmm). I would be happy to get the details on your final measurements for cables. 73 Don Kirchner W5DK Don, I'll make a note to pull the cables off of it and measure them for you to see if they're anywhere close to what you have on yours. Nate WY0X Nate and all, I found my notes, looks like the loops are .05 taller for 406-450 vs the 450-470 spec. (So just the sides of the loops are .05 longer, top and bottom are the same) I originally called expecting to hear a new cable length but was told the caps and cables were the same, loops were longer. I decided not to mess with them at the time since I didn't need them. Glad I waited, longer cables would be allot easier. 73 Don W5DK
RE: [Repeater-Builder] DB4055 Duplexer
Nate, Thanks for the info, I have 4 or 5 clean 4076s that won't go below 444/449 and still look good separation wise. I had made a call about 6 months ago and was told the cables were all the same but the loops are slightly longer on ones spec'd in the ham band. (wonder were those notes are hmmm). I would be happy to get the details on your final measurements for cables. 73 Don Kirchner W5DK snip frequency. The slight double-hump/flat-topping at the peaks made it so we could tell it was a bit off... on a spec-an/tracking generator in the HP service monitor... so we fiddled with the center tee cable length to get it having nice sharp peaks, top and bottom. Basically, just getting that 1/2 wave length (including the loops, etc...) right between the output of both sides into the tee. Once we added some length to both sides with experimental connectors and extensions, we made up quality custom cables by eyeball of what we figured the electrical length to be after getting to them experimentally with various L-connectors and N connector extensions to the right length. used prior to them coming for a ham shack visit. But the individual cans themselves are fine down at 442/447 in the two I've now worked with. Others with more experience can pipe up with what they think of them. (Special thanks to Jeff DePolo for his comments when I was first messing with that first 4076!!! That and some local Elmering got me on the right track to use the low-pass and high-pass as advertised on the labels, no matter what the original pair was, or if it was upside-down from what I was using it for. That was a key piece of information because I had tuned it ALL wrong at first, resulting in one of the strangest looking patterns I've ever seen, trying to drag the low/high-passes the wrong way!) -- Nate Duehr, WY0X [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:nate%40natetech.com
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Maximum split on Sinclair Q2330E duplexer
Dave, I still have a few 5 meg split sinclairs, qe they might be a better application. Are those the exact freqs? I'll try tuning a set 73 Don W5DK From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of ve7ltd Sent: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 5:32 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Maximum split on Sinclair Q2330E duplexer Here is an interesting question. I have been asked if I can tune a Q2330E duplexer (high split VHF) on a 12meg split between TX and RX. I have only ever tuned them for 600Khz split, and it seems like a real waste to use these nice duplexers for such a large split. Will the caps tune the notch that far from the pass? TX freq 169 RX freq 157 Dave Cameron VE7LTD
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Mastr II station 2 repeater conversion.... HELP no PL(CG) decode.
47/48 is for single freq stations, do you have 68/69 cut? Are you sure the decoder is good? Pin 3 enable/disables the decoder, pin 5 activates rx mute to squelch the rec and RUS when no sub tone is detected. Pin 4 is 10v for reference. 73 Don W5DK From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of NORM KNAPP Sent: Sunday, March 30, 2008 8:20 AM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Mastr II station 2 repeater conversion HELP no PL(CG) decode. HELP!!! I have converted a Mastr II station to a repeater, but no PL decode. I cut 2 jumpers on the system board and still no decode. It works carrier sql. I have the factory GE decode board installed on the system board and on the 10v reg. Juimpers 1-2 and 1-3 are installed. What gives? I have cut jumpers H41-H42 and H47-H48 on the system board and still no decode. It is still carrier SQL. Thanks. 73 de N5NPO Norman Knapp
RE: [Repeater-Builder] R2001 Service monitor question
The “A” had the handle on the front of the unit, you have to be real tall or have short arms to carry it and not break the legs off. Also the A had a position switch to dial up or down the freq, fast or slow. The later (C,D maybe) models had a VFO style with a small knob to help you dial. The carrying handle was moved to the long side also. I think the B,C,D all look the same. You can use the sweep and spectrum feature of the A to look at the pass of a can but it leave allot to be desired. I used to just use a separate generator to create a signal and then viewed my tuning results with the R2001 spectrum. 73 Don W5DK From: ks4ec [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:robp%40JFCSOnline.com Date: 2008/03/13 Thu PM 06:55:06 CDT To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com mailto:Repeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com Subject: [Repeater-Builder] R2001 Service monitor question Sorry if this is a little off topic. I have located what appears to be a Motorola R2001 service monitor, although there is no model number sticker on it. I identified it by the pics on the net. Does anyone know what the difference between the A-B-C and D versions is. and can you tell by looking at it. Also everything I see on the net says this has a sweep generator, some say this is used for tuning duplexors. I have heard of both a sweep generator and a tracking generator. I know you use a tracking generator but is a sweep generator the same thing just a different name? Thanks in advance - Rob
RE: [Repeater-Builder] mastr II repeater tone (CG) board.
Norman, Ralph's info is on but the only jumpers to worry about will be on the system board, not on the 10 volt card I'm pretty sure. There's one just to the right of where you plugged the long decoder in that has be cut open. Once working you will notice the speaker audio will go away without a valid encoded signal. Ignore the controller till you get the speaker activating with/without tone. Depending on where your controller COS is wired into the station, the new decoder still may not control/effect the repeater controller. The controller will need to be connected to the RUS circuit, not the CAS circuit. Sorry, did a quick search and couldn't find an LBI to guide you too. My book are at home. 73 Don W5DK From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2008 9:36 AM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] mastr II repeater tone (CG) board. Norm, There are some jumpers on the 10VDC regulator card that need to be set for CSQ or PL (Channel guard) mode. I disremember the settings, but they are in the manual and documented elsewhere on the web. There should be an lbi document on the repeater-builders website for the PL board to describe the jumpers. Also one for the 10 VDC card. Note, the stock GE PL deck will only encode or decode, but not full duplex both. In the M II station, the PL board next to the receiver mounted on the system board is usually for decode only. There is an open space next to the exciter for an encode only pl deck. You may not have that installed. They are a little harder to get ahold of. Another recent thread discussed the Comspec TS64M2 ? that is designed to drop into a GE in place of the regular PL deck. It does both encode and decode. You'll just have to run the encode audio over to the exciter connector. Otherwise you can mount an SS-32 or equivalent pl encoder in the exciter section for encode capabilities. Ralph W4XE -- Original message -- From: NORM KNAPP [EMAIL PROTECTED] HELP! I got a MASTR II repeater... Works great, except I want to add a tone board. I have a programmable (dip switch) factory board that installs on the system board. I plugged it in and it made no difference. I looked in the manual and it says for moble, clip jumpers X, Y, and Z. For station installation, see sation manual. I have what I thought was a station manual, but I got no instructions in there (that I can find) telling me what jumpers to cut or install... Anyone got any ideas? Thanks es 73 de N5NPO Norman Knapp
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Motorola Micor UHF repeater manual
Kinda harsh with the common sense card Randy, maybe you didn't intend it the way it read. Thanks for helping him out though. Everybody starts somewhere. 73 Don W5DK From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Randy Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2008 4:43 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Motorola Micor UHF repeater manual If you guys had some common sense and try searching for the products you need, you would'nt have to wait for someone elses answer. Further the more, you can do exactly what your asking someone else to do. . . http://www.wiscomm.com/manuals.htm http://idenphones.motorola.com/iden/support/support_product_manuals_ma in.jsp . . . In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com mailto:Repeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com , avelectron1 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I'm looking for any manuals pertaining to the Micor UHF repeaters. My specific model # is B84RCB-3106AT. Motorola parts says all manuals are NLA...not sure I believe them but thought I'd see if anyone has any available also. Thanks, Matt/KY5O
RE: [Repeater-Builder] HP 8924C
Jim, Going from memory here. Just to the right of the screen there are 6 buttons marked rx test, tx test etc, might be circled in an analog area those are straight up what they're marked. Then there's a shift blue button left of those that make those analog buttons change to the blue description above each on those, ie spectrum analyzer (the best part of that machine for the money) Using the s/a. on the left bottom side of the screen there are 3 zones so to speak. Main, something, then marker, in the second area You have to change the generate to track instead of fixed the rest is easy. That's the short course and also there was some discussion traded about using some free software to do screen captures. It's easy and I use it all the time. I traded up to an 8921 and it works on it also. I forget who should get credit for sharing it here. Nate? Read below. BTW the manual is weak on analog info. 73 Don Kirchner W5DK Login to Yahoo Groups and download the BTS Laptop Software: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Repeater-Builder/files/FluX%20Research/HP-8924 C/E6\3385A_BTS_SW.zip http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Repeater-Builder/files/FluX%20Research/HP-892 4C/E6/3385A_BTS_SW.zip Build Cable for 'Serial port 9' as described on page 248 of the Users Manual: http://cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/08924-90038.pdf Set Serial Port Settings on the I/O Configure Screen (TO SCREEN MORE I/O CONFIG) in service monitor to: Serial In: Inst IBASIC Echo: On Inst Echo: On Baud: 19200 Parity: N Data length: 8 Stop length: 1 Rcv Pace: None Xmt Pace: None Set Printer to 'Serial' in the Print Configure Screen (SHIFT PRINT) With service monitor connected to laptop running the software press (PRINT) to initiate a capture. From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of wd0ekr Sent: Tuesday, January 01, 2008 6:17 AM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Repeater-Builder] HP 8924C I recently bought a HP 8924c service monitor, now I need some help on how to operate it. The reason I bid on it is I seen some ads stating that the unit could be used as a general purpose service monitor, but I need some help on how to set it for use on amateur radio freqs, so far I have not been able to get it to do anything outside of the 800 mhz cell phone freqs Thanks Jim wd0ekr
RE: [Repeater-Builder] MASTR II PL Not Working
Brian, You described it as not decoding but then say the audio is routed around the PL board.? So with the decoder installed can you roll the squelch open and still hear the speaker? If so the decoder is not getting a signal to RX mute. Just to the right of where the decoder plugs in on the system audio board, do you have a jumper from H41 to H42? 73 Don W5DK From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Brian Romine Sent: Friday, December 21, 2007 3:37 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Repeater-Builder] MASTR II PL Not Working Ok here's the deal, have a MASTR II Station converted to repeater operation, with the 19D432500G1 dip switch programmable PL Encode / Decode board. I cannot get this to decode a properly encoded PL signal, I have tried three other 19D432500G3 Rev C Decode only boards and they also will not decode. I have checked every jumper I can find in any applicable LBI's and yes I have changed the jumper settings on the 10v Regulator card as well all with no luck. It is like the receive audio is being routed around the PL board no matter if the board is in place or not. I am at my whits end here and would greatly appreciate any MASTR II guru's help. Thank you, Brian Romine KC5CAY
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Best way to check a db products harness?
Be a 501c3 organization with insurance. Get a letter from the local NOAA office stating how the hams help during weather disasters. If you do community service for walks, runs and bike rides(heart association, ADA. Etc) get a letter from them also. Be professional and write a letter. Tell them you don't interfere with any other service and can't make cent on the system, that you use commercial gear. etc. Or the insider deal is easier. HI 73 Don W5DK From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Tom Parker Sent: Friday, December 21, 2007 8:59 AM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Best way to check a db products harness? We physically examine the connections and elements. Next we disconnect all the ring terminals. We take the N Connectors off and check the harness for leakage using the x1000 ohm scale. If all the above looks good, then it's time to cross your fingers and hook it up and see how it looks. georgiaskywarn wrote: What is the best way to check a db products harness (db224 or db408, db420)? I know you could hook the thing up to a swr meter, maybe with a vom. I guess also see if the thing duplexs well...but is there a better way? Also of course visual inspection. Ideas? 73 Robert
[Repeater-Builder] PLL EXCITER PARTS WANTED
Is http://geo.yahoo.com/serv?s=97359714/grpId=104168/grpspId=1705063108/msgId= 75983/stime=1192802374/nc1=4025373/nc2=4776371/nc3=4836037 I have a couple of vhf PLL exciters that are missing the band pass filter and audio processing daughter boards. If anybody has a few to spare please contact me off list. mycall at mycall.com thnx 73 Don W5DK
RE: [Repeater-Builder] MASTR II
No, that black coax is plugged into the normal connection when no preamp is installed, the preamp would be in the hole/area to the left of that RCA termination you have now, you do NOT have a preamp in that mobile. 73 Don W5DK From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2007 7:50 AM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] MASTR II I guess it would be helpful if I gave more detail on the repeater. It's VHF and its built on a mobile MASTR II. Here is a picture of it. http://www.highwayusa.com/mastrII/mastrII.jpg Is the block that the recv port is pluged into a preamp or is that the normal place for it to plug in? Thanks, Vern On Thu, 18 Oct 2007 03:03:27 -0600 Nate Duehr [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:nate%40natetech.com wrote: On Oct 17, 2007, at 7:26 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:no6b%40no6b.com wrote: The P1dB point on the UHF UHS preamp I measured was only +1.5 dBm. However, it's much narrower than any standalone preamp you can buy off the shelf, so it has some inherent out-of-band rejection. I measured a noise figure of 4.6 dB, which sounds a bit high but it's a LOT lower than the noise figure of a stock UHF GE MVP/Mastr II/Exec II RX. I just installed a VHF UHS preamp in my latest 2 meter portapeater am very happy with its performance so far. By the way, for a photo of a UHF UHS pre-amp, or if you're looking to buy one -- assuming this one is working -- there's one on eBay right now... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemitem=300160564470 item=300160564470 It's a UHF 88-split version. As you can see, it's just a little square-shaped board that installs in the hole to the right of the receiver's RCA input connector, if you're looking at the receiver with the helical casting and coils to your left. The RCA connector on it is your new receiver/antenna input, and the little cable and male RCA goes over to the receiver input. The little red wire in the photo is to get power into it. -- Nate Duehr, WY0X [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:nate%40natetech.com
