[Repeater-Builder] Genesis MVA repair

2010-08-09 Thread hitekgearhead
Hey guys. It looks like some magic smoke came out of my convertacom the other 
day. While I was sitting in traffic the smoke literally came rolling out of it.

After taking things apart, it appears that one of the large 1500uF capacitors 
in the switching supply of the unit went bad. I can fix that no problem. I just 
wanted to ask you guys if you thought that there might be anything else I would 
look at while I had the unit apart. I would hate to get it all back together 
and find out it was another problem.

For the sake of providing further details, the control section of the MVA seems 
fine. It seems that the charging section has been the most effected. I don't 
see anything else burnt or damaged. My greatest concern is U1 which is a UC 
2843N. In preparation of this also being a bad component, I have been looking 
for a replacement and haven't had any luck. 

Any thoughts or comments?

Albert
KI4ORI



[Repeater-Builder] Re: Interesting RSS occurence

2010-07-30 Thread hitekgearhead
I just ran into this again last night.

This time I was working with a high band HT600 that I was going to put on 2m. 
It is a 146-152 unit.

The bandsplit screen shows the radio as a 146-152 unit, but when programing 
each channel, at the top right of the screen, the software displays 143-152.

I didn't need to do any hex editing to enter frequencies below 146. Again I 
forgot to notate what version of the software I actually have. But none the 
less, this is kind of weird.

So anyone ever encounter this before?



--- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, hitekgearhead hitekgearh...@... 
wrote:

 I had an interesting occurrence the other night while programing one of my 
 UHF P200's
 
 It is a radio I use for 70cm and is a 438-470 unit.
 
 Usually at the top right of the display when running the software, the 
 bandsplit is displayed. Well, I noticed last night that it did not display 
 438-470, but it displayed 430-470. I could easily enter frequencies down to 
 430 without the need to do the hex editing tricks.
 
 I just thought this was interesting and never noticed it before. I am going 
 to check my other UHF P200 and see if they display the same bandsplit. I 
 wonder if it is the radio or the software that was modified or otherwise 
 hacked somewhere along the way.
 
 Anyone else ever run into anything like this?
 
 Albert





[Repeater-Builder] Re: Digest Number 7357

2010-07-28 Thread hitekgearhead
You guys will have to find a picture of that. It sounds hysterical!

I assume Mr. McKay built the transmitter right into the mic, no?

And you will have to excuse me, but what is a 94?

I myself don't have stories like this because I am a child of the 80's, but I 
love hearing about it and am know amongst my friends as the keeper of old 
things. This is why you all keep getting questions from me regarding the 
Genesis radios.

Keep the stories and good advice coming.

-Albert



--- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, tony dinkel tonydinke...@... wrote:

 
 I remember that too Ken!  I miss SAROC!
 
 And for your SoCal types..
 
 I remember seeing Dick McKay walking around the Sahara in Vegas, 
 talking into a Motorola mic (with just the coil cord hanging down) 
 and listening on '94.
 
 This was during SAROC in the 70's
 
 Ken 
 _
 Hotmail is redefining busy with tools for the New Busy. Get more from your 
 inbox.
 http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_2





[Repeater-Builder] Interesting RSS occurence

2010-07-28 Thread hitekgearhead
I had an interesting occurrence the other night while programing one of my UHF 
P200's

It is a radio I use for 70cm and is a 438-470 unit.

Usually at the top right of the display when running the software, the 
bandsplit is displayed. Well, I noticed last night that it did not display 
438-470, but it displayed 430-470. I could easily enter frequencies down to 430 
without the need to do the hex editing tricks.

I just thought this was interesting and never noticed it before. I am going to 
check my other UHF P200 and see if they display the same bandsplit. I wonder if 
it is the radio or the software that was modified or otherwise hacked somewhere 
along the way.

Anyone else ever run into anything like this?

Albert





[Repeater-Builder] Re: NSN 6054A 12W speaker schematic ?

2010-07-24 Thread hitekgearhead
Thank you all!!

That was exactly it, the LM-1877!

Actually, now that you mention it, I recall seeing it in my Forest Mimms books 
from Radio Shack years ago.

And Mike, thanks for confirming the details of the circuit operation for me.

Thanks again!

Albert


BTW, I thought I posted a reply earlier this evening but I haven't seen it yet. 
If two messages pop up from me it is because Yahoo is retarded.





--- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, Mike Morris wa6...@... wrote:

 At 01:19 PM 07/23/10, you wrote:
 Hey Guys. I was looking at the schematic for the above mentioned 
 speaker (thank you repeater builder site) and I had a few questions.
 
 If anybody's interested it's here:
 http://www.repeater-builder.com/motorola/genesis/pdfs/nsn6054a-68p81108c39-o.pdf
 
 First, does anyone know where to find a replacement for the 
 5184320A99 dual op-amp labeled U1?
 
 I'd look in the National Semiconductor products manual
 that covers automotive audio products.
 That schematic resembles what I saw in an early 1980s app
 note for a car stereo receiver.   LM187something.
 
 Secondly, Is this op-amp basically being used as a buffer, preamp, 
 and inverter?
 
 Both halves are being used strictly as an inverting buffer
 for out-of-phase audio.
 
 Look carefully at the schematic and remember that
 nothing in the input circuit is ground referenced - the
 audio input (from the radio) is balanced audio (both
 are sides hot, 180 degrees out of phase with each other,
 and there's an implied / virtual audio ground) in the
 middle.
 
 Each side of the circuitry driving the speaker is a mirror
 image of the other, just like the incoming audio is a
 mirror image compared to the virtual ground.
 
 Thirdly, what on earth are pins 3, 4, 5 and pins 10, 11, 12 doing?
 I have never seen so many pins on an op-amp tied together.
 
 If that chip is the one I'm thinking of its capable of about 2 watts
 per channel on it's own.  That takes some heat sinking.
 Probably a heat sink for the final transistors inside the opamp.
 And if you look closely, pin 1 is audio ground, and pins 3,4,5,
 10, 11 and 12 are power ground - and those are switched to
 ground by Q3, which is driven by the squelch circuit in the radio.
 
 Thanks!
 Albert
 
 Mike WA6ILQ





[Repeater-Builder] Re: NSN 6054A 12W speaker schematic ?

2010-07-24 Thread hitekgearhead
Thanks, that was it.

And you know what. Now that I see it, I do recall reading about that power 
op-amp in one of my Forest Mimms books years ago.

Also it is interesting in that they used a 2W driver in a bridged configuration 
to drive a transistor amp. I guess higher power op-amps were not available at 
the time, and using the one op-amp helped reduce the transistor count.

Thanks a lot!!!

Albert

--- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, DCFluX dcf...@... wrote:

 Err. LM-1877
 
 On Fri, Jul 23, 2010 at 1:35 PM, DCFluX dcf...@... wrote:
  Oops, didn't realize it was the stereo version, Try LM1887.
 
  On Fri, Jul 23, 2010 at 1:28 PM, DCFluX dcf...@... wrote:
  Just by your description of the pins, I would suggest you look at the
  LM-380, 2.5W amplifier.  They are tied together as they act as the
  chips heatsink.
 
  On Fri, Jul 23, 2010 at 1:19 PM, hitekgearhead
  hitekgearh...@... wrote:
  Hey Guys. I was looking at the schematic for the above mentioned speaker 
  (thank you repeater builder site) and I had a few questions.
 
  First, does anyone know where to find a replacement for the 5184320A99 
  dual op-amp labeled U1?
 
  Secondly, Is this op-amp basically being used as a buffer, preamp, and 
  inverter?
 
  Thirdly, what on earth are pins 3, 4, 5 and pins 10, 11, 12 doing? I have 
  never seen so many pins on an op-amp tied together.
 
  Thanks!
  Albert
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  Yahoo! Groups Links
 
 
 
 
 
 





[Repeater-Builder] NSN 6054A 12W speaker schematic ?

2010-07-23 Thread hitekgearhead
Hey Guys. I was looking at the schematic for the above mentioned speaker (thank 
you repeater builder site) and I had a few questions.

First, does anyone know where to find a replacement for the 5184320A99 dual 
op-amp labeled U1?

Secondly, Is this op-amp basically being used as a buffer, preamp, and inverter?

Thirdly, what on earth are pins 3, 4, 5 and pins 10, 11, 12 doing? I have never 
seen so many pins on an op-amp tied together.

Thanks!
Albert





[Repeater-Builder] RG-142B/U

2010-06-30 Thread hitekgearhead
I have access to some Belden 83242 coax which is of RG-142B/U type.

The specifications look pretty good but I was wondering if anyone has any 
inputs or thoughts on it's use.

Also, does it require any special connectors?

Thanks



[Repeater-Builder] lowband HT antennas

2010-06-30 Thread hitekgearhead
I know I am revisiting this again but I could use some clarification.

It has been stated before that the Motorola low band helical antennas have a 
useful bandwidth of about 1MHz.

I was just wondering why that was the case, say in comparison to HT antennas in 
other bands. For instance, (and correct me if I am wrong) the mid UHF 
(430-470MHz) radios often all use the same 6 1/4 wave whip.

What am I missing? I know that the first type of antenna is loaded and the 
other is a 1/4 wave whip, but beyond that I don't understand the fundamental 
differences that would allow one a wider bandwidth over the other. Please 
pardon my antenna theory ignorance


Also, in relation to that, what use would be a 99 channel MT1000 unless one 
either programmed the frequencies on quite a narrow spread, or carried multiple 
antennas?

Thanks in advance,

Albert



[Repeater-Builder] Re: OT - Triplett 310

2010-06-04 Thread hitekgearhead
Mike,
I didn't know if you were determined to make your own leads or not. But if you 
are interested, you can get just about anything you want for your Triplett 
meter at the following website.

http://www.byramlabs.com/triplett.php

http://www.byramlabs.com/triplett_leads.php

I have no affiliation with the site. I just know of them because last Christmas 
I spruced up an old 310 for my grandfather-in law. He was a long time employee 
of old Ma Bell and used the 310 for years.

He said to me one day I just can't use those dam digital meters!

So, I figured I would fix up an old one for him

... and that's the rest of the story

-Albert





--- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, Mike Morris wa6...@... wrote:

 Thanks for the lead to those items.
 
 I have a email in to sales at Pomona
 
 Mike WA6ILQ
 
 At 01:22 PM 06/02/10, you wrote:
 
 Mike,
 
 Pin plugs appear to be .080 in diameter and miniature banana plugs 
 are .090 in diameter at the Pomona Electronics web site 
 http://www.pomonaelectronics.com/index.php?i=prodmaingetDetails=0parent=HWAREhttp://www.pomonaelectronics.com/index.php?i=prodmaingetDetails=0parent=HWARE
 
 I could be wrong, but I found this at Pomona web site: 
 http://www.pomonaelectronics.com/pdf/D5936.pdfhttp://www.pomonaelectronics.com/pdf/D5936.pdf
  
 and 
 http://www.pomonaelectronics.com/pdf/d3548_1_01.pdfhttp://www.pomonaelectronics.com/pdf/d3548_1_01.pdf
 
 Browse around as they may have what you really need.
 
 
 
 --
 From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com 
 [mailto:repeater-buil...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Mike Morris
 Sent: Wednesday, June 02, 2010 12:38 PM
 To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com
 Subject: [Repeater-Builder] OT - Triplett 310
 
 
 
 Anybody know what they call the size of plugs that
 go into a Triplett 310 meter?
 
 See the photo at
 http://www.repeater-builder.com/wa6ilq/triplett-310.jpghttp://www.repeater-builder.com/wa6ilq/triplett-310.jpg
 
 The jacks are smaller than a bananna plug and
 bigger than a pin plug.
 
 I'd really like to find a set - this is too nice a meter to leave
 in a desk drawer only becasue there are no probes.
 If I can make it usable it will go great in my go-bag.
 
 Mike WA6ILQ
 
 
 





[Repeater-Builder] Re: crimping assistance please

2010-04-12 Thread hitekgearhead
Thanks everyone for the input. 

I can understand the statements regarding standardizing on connectors and cable 
in order to minimize tooling.

The connectors I originally purchased were not labeled in any way. They were 
cheapies I specifically bought at a hamfest in order to get a little practice 
in.

I will take a look at a few manufacturers and see what info I came up with. RF 
Products and Amphenol come to mind first hand. I have used Amphenol in the past 
for other connectors and trust their quality.

I hope you all will pardon my ignorance on this subject. I have a bit of 
experience with electronics but not with cabling. Especially not with crimped 
connectors. I have always soldered things in the past, but when it came to RF 
connectors, I was not having much success. So I chose to take a look into 
crimping.

BTW, I crimped my first TNC connector the other night and was amazed at how 
easy it was in comparison to soldering a connector. 

Jeff, I will go through the archives and see what I can find. I usually have 
poor luck doing searches in yahoo groups, but since you gave the date I can 
most likely find it.

Thanks again for everyone's input. 

-Albert





--- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, Jeff DePolo j...@... wrote:

  I know this has been thrown around a bit before but I could 
  use a little assistance.
 
 Go through the repeater-builder message archive on Yahoo groups.  On 7/22/09
 I posted a long message on the subject.
  
  Basically I am not sure what size hex to use for the above 
  stated RG-58A/U and BNC and TNC connectors.
 
 The manufacturer's docs for the connectors will specify which die size to
 use.  *Usually* the ferrule crimp for RG58 is 0.213.  The center pin varies
 a bit between manufacturers.  The biggest difference with the center pins is
 whether or not there is an area for the crimp close to the coax that is
 smaller diameter than the rest of the cylindrical part of the pin.
 Personally, I always solder the center pin, especially on cable with a solid
 center conductor.
  
  Also, I have a question regarding stripping the cable. I am 
  not going to be doing high volumes of cables, but probably 
  will be doing them on different size of coax. Would you 
  recommend a stripper or will a razor knife suffice.
 
 A good utility knife will suffice with a little practice.
  
  Lastly, and relating to the coax strippers: Don't different 
  connectors, even on the same type/size of coax, need 
  different stripping lengths? 
 
 Sometimes yes.
 
  This would probably translate 
  into quite a few different strippers for different cables and 
  connectors, no?
 
 Yes, it could.  That's why it's worthwhile to standardize on what connectors
 and tools you use.
 
   --- Jeff WN3A





[Repeater-Builder] Re: crimping assistance please

2010-04-12 Thread hitekgearhead
Again, I thank everyone for their input.

I think I made a decent purchase that will pay off over time. I will look into 
some quality connectors.

I might buy a couple strippers over time also, but I think I can make do with a 
razor knife for now. 

I may also look into trying to solder the center pins too, depending upon which 
connectors I get.

I'm off and running. Thanks for the good start in the coax department.

-Albert







--- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, Kris Kirby k...@... wrote:

 On Mon, 12 Apr 2010, hitekgearhead wrote:
  I know this has been thrown around a bit before but I could use a 
  little assistance.
  
  I just purchased a crimper and a couple sets of dies. I bought some 
  cheap BNC and TNC connectors to practice with along with some RG-58A/U 
  cable.
  
  I bought 3 different sets of dies. One of which is for RG-8 size 
  connectors so I am not really concerned with that yet. The other two 
  dies have hex crimp sizes of .324, .255, .215, .100, .068 and .215, 
  .184, .068, .042 Obviously these two dies duplicate the .215 and .068 
  sizes.
 
 .215 is what I use for RG-58, .255 is used for RG-59/LMR-240/RG-8X. I 
 think .68 or .100 is used for the center pin of either of those, but 
 it's often connector dependent. The .042 crimp will be for the smaller 
 varieties of coax like RG-174's center pin (or perhaps the micro-coax 
 they use in the U.FL connectors.)
  
 If you look around, you'll find that you've equipped yourself to crimp 
 anything from RG-6 all the way down to RG-174, and certain types of 
 Fiber Optics. 
 
 I'm a firm believer in investing in good tools. I think you've made the 
 purchase of a lifetime, so to speak. You won't have to replace that 
 crimper until you either wear it out or need to replace the jaws.
 
  Basically I am not sure what size hex to use for the above stated 
  RG-58A/U and BNC and TNC connectors.
 
 .215.
 
  
  Also, I have a question regarding stripping the cable. I am not going 
  to be doing high volumes of cables, but probably will be doing them on 
  different size of coax. Would you recommend a stripper or will a razor 
  knife suffice.
 
 If you're making a lot of cables, the stripping tools they make are 
 excellent for speeding coax preparation. Most of them make cable prep 
 easier than cutting copper pipe.
 
  Lastly, and relating to the coax strippers: Don't different 
  connectors, even on the same type/size of coax, need different 
  stripping lengths? This would probably translate into quite a few 
  different strippers for different cables and connectors, no?
 
 You can kinda eye-ball this using a nice pair of strippers, a sharp 
 knife, and some careful cutting. Just remember that you can't allow 
 either piece to touch and that you don't have to strip to entire center 
 conductor. Also, the shield should usually be cut back to just long 
 enough to interface with the shield ring, preferably the entire length 
 of the shield ring.
 
 I usually strip about 2 of RG-58 of the outer jacket, cut the shield 
 down to 1/2 from the jacket, then start eyeballing to figure out where 
 I have to strip the inner conductor to get it out of the end of the 
 center pin. Or into the center pin, as the case may be.
 
 --
 Kris Kirby, KE4AHR
 Disinformation Analyst





[Repeater-Builder] crimping assistance please

2010-04-11 Thread hitekgearhead
I know this has been thrown around a bit before but I could use a little 
assistance.

I just purchased a crimper and a couple sets of dies. I bought some cheap BNC 
and TNC connectors to practice with along with some RG-58A/U cable.

I bought 3 different sets of dies. One of which is for RG-8 size connectors so 
I am not really concerned with that yet. The other two dies have hex crimp 
sizes of .324, .255, .215, .100, .068 and .215, .184, .068, .042 Obviously 
these two dies duplicate the .215 and .068 sizes.


Basically I am not sure what size hex to use for the above stated RG-58A/U and 
BNC and TNC connectors.


Also, I have a question regarding stripping the cable. I am not going to be 
doing high volumes of cables, but probably will be doing them on different size 
of coax. Would you recommend a stripper or will a razor knife suffice.

Lastly, and relating to the coax strippers: Don't different connectors, even on 
the same type/size of coax, need different stripping lengths? This would 
probably translate into quite a few different strippers for different cables 
and connectors, no?

Thanks
Albert




[Repeater-Builder] Motorola P210?

2010-04-05 Thread hitekgearhead
I was looking for info on this radio.

From what I have gathered so far, it appears to be from the Genesis line but I 
am not sure. I know what the P200 is, and that is definitely part of the 
Genesis line, but what is the P210?

I can't seem to find much info on the net regarding it. 

Can anyone shed a little light on the subject?

Thanks



[Repeater-Builder] Re: (mobile heliax) Two coax and connector questions

2010-03-05 Thread hitekgearhead
And that was the kind of thing I was referring to. I saw a mobile mount that 
used some small diameter heliax (about 1/4) from the antenna to the radio. I 
immagine it was for 800-900MHz or something like that.

Basically, I was just curious as to how common and/or practical it might be.

In a large vehicle, with long coax runs, I could see the benefit of small 
diameter heliax. especially at higher UHF frequencies. I could see it being 
practical in an RV, or commo trailer/van.

I just didn't know if it would hold up mechanically.
(kind of going back to that solid vs. stranded center conductor argument 
for mobile coax installs)

Thanks for the input guys.


Albert





--- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, Chuck Kelsey wb2...@... wrote:

 Antenna Specialists used to sell a mobile antenna mount option using small 
 diameter heliax.
 
 Chuck
 WB2EDV
 
 
 
   - Original Message - 
   From: larryjspamme...@... 
   To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com 
   Sent: Thursday, March 04, 2010 2:08 AM
   Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Two coax and connector questions
 
 
 
 
 
   The only people I've ever seen using heliax (1/2)  to run to their mobile 
 antennas, wattmeters, etc. are those CB'ers who like to do the High-Power 
 Shootouts. The setups I've actually seen up close are typically rigs like 
 Chevy Suburbans with big banks of batteries in the rear, multiple 
 alternators, and a 9-12 KW+ Dave-Made, Skullcrackka, or other specialty 
 11M amp, feeding their up-front Bird wattmeters and the big antennas on the 
 roof (mounted on big blocks of plexiglass) with 1/2 heliax. I've seen them 
 at ham swap meets looking for short lengths of 1/2 heliax and UHF Andrew 
 heliax connectors to go with it.





[Repeater-Builder] Two coax and connector questions

2010-03-03 Thread hitekgearhead
Hey guys,
I was wondering if you all would entertain two questions that I have.

First, what is the purpose/use of reverse polarity coax connectors such as SMA 
and TNC? I assume there are others but those are the ones I have seen.

Secondly, I ran across something regarding using small diameter heliax in a 
mobile environment. I had never heard of that before and it seemed like it 
would be prone to vibration problems. I am probably wrong though. Anyone care 
to shed some light on that subject?

Thanks
Albert





[Repeater-Builder] Re: Two coax and connector questions

2010-03-03 Thread hitekgearhead
Really?. is that the real purpose of reverse-polarity connectors? I am 
quite flabbergasted..


So what about the other question?.. using heliax in mobile installations?

Thanks
Albert







--- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, Glenn Little WB4UIV 
glennmaill...@... wrote:

 We all know that they are available.
 But, this is the way out to get the type acceptance.
 The FCC is all lawyers with no technical people on staff.
 
 73
 Glenn
 WB4UIV
 
 At 09:27 PM 3/3/2010, you wrote:
 Actually, RP-type (RP-SMA, RP-TNC, etc.) connectors are very easily
 available to the general public.
 
 wlan-parts.com
 oddcables.com
 
 etc, etc, etc.
 
 -Brian / KF4ZWZ
 
 On Wed, Mar 3, 2010 at 6:11 PM, Glenn Little WB4UIV
 glennmaill...@... wrote:
   Reverse threaded connectors are used to get a piece of equipment past
   FCC type acceptance.
   The type acceptance paper work specifies the antenna that is used for
   acceptance.
   Any other antenna voids the type acceptance.
  
   Since reverse threaded connectors are not available to the general
   public, the FCC bought off on this to prevent the antenna from 
  being changed.
  
   Another trick that is used is a connector with the wrong sex center
   conductor pin.
  
   73
   Glenn
   WB4UIV
  
  
   At 06:08 PM 3/3/2010, you wrote:
  Hey guys,
  I was wondering if you all would entertain two questions that I have.
  
  First, what is the purpose/use of reverse polarity coax connectors
  such as SMA and TNC? I assume there are others but those are the
  ones I have seen.
  
  Secondly, I ran across something regarding using small diameter
  heliax in a mobile environment. I had never heard of that before and
  it seemed like it would be prone to vibration problems. I am
  probably wrong though. Anyone care to shed some light on that subject?
  
  Thanks
  Albert




[Repeater-Builder] Re: dual band convertacom

2010-02-25 Thread hitekgearhead
I think the winner of the best response is Mark with the Rube Goldberg 
statement followed by Kris with wonky and Lee with the plain old WHY?

Thank you all for your input. I appreciate the comments and the technical 
advice.

My main motivation for doing this is A)to be different and weird... ie I do 
like the wonky aspect of it. And B) I already have most everything installed 
in the car and have the two amplifiers on hand. All I need is a couple cables 
and the appropriate switch and/or duplexer/diplexer.

Also, on that note, hopefully you guys will forgive me if I used the incorrect 
term for the splitter/combiner. I have heard them called both duplexers and 
diplexers.


Maybe I will get even more weird and add a 10m and 6m Genesis HT to my 
collection and rig them all to work from the same MVA..



Thanks again.

Albert





--- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, Mark n9...@... wrote:

 Albert,
 
 I had a very similar installation as you describe in my car, and I used a
 dual-band brick PA with my setup.  5W VHF yielded 50W / 4W UHF yielded 40W.
 My biggest issue with the setup was they side contacts on my radios wouldn't
 make good contact all the time with the MVA, so I yanked it in favor of a
 dual-band mobile.  But I still have the MVA and the PA, just in case...  ;-)
 
 Seeing you prefer to use separate PAs, you might want to consider two
 diplexers - one ahead of each PA to split the feedlines and then one
 behind them to re-combine them.  But to be honest, IMHO this is kinda the
 Rube Goldberg way of doing it, I think.  Compare prices - by the time you
 get the diplexers and other stuff, you may well be approaching the cost of
 one dual-band PA.
 
 Mark - N9WYS 
 
 -Original Message-
 From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com
 [mailto:repeater-buil...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of hitekgearhead
 
 I know I am going to get the singular answer of WHY but I really would
 like some technical input on this.
 
 In my car I have an old Genesis series convertacom connected to a dual band
 Comet antenna. I often will swap my VHF and UHF HT back and forth and
 utilize the dual band capability of my antenna. It works pretty well.
 
 What I would like to get some input on however, is how to run some power
 with this setup.
 
 Of course the easiest would be to get a amateur dual band amplifier, but I
 already have a VHF and a UHF (N1275A and N1274A) amplifier.
 
 What I would like to do is parallel these two amps with some kind of
 switching/duplexer setup so that I could easily switch from VHF to UHF.
 
 My initial idea was to run an antenna switch from the convertacom to the
 amps so I can manually select which one the signal goes to. Then on the
 output side of the amps I thought about using an antenna duplexer on the
 output of the amps to feed the antenna. I was also thinking of running a
 switch to alternately select which amp was receiving DC power, but I don't
 know if that would be necessary. (Could I leave both amps powered on in this
 situation?)
 
 So, does this sound about right or am I going off the deep end?
 
 Thanks
 Albert





[Repeater-Builder] Genesis series UHF antennas

2010-02-24 Thread hitekgearhead
A while back didn't someone post that they had UHF Motorola Genesis series 
antennas available at a good price? I am looking for a few, maybe as many as a 
dozen, if the price is right. 

Thanks,
Albert



[Repeater-Builder] dual band convertacom

2010-02-24 Thread hitekgearhead
I know I am going to get the singular answer of WHY but I really would like 
some technical input on this.

In my car I have an old Genesis series convertacom connected to a dual band 
Comet antenna. I often will swap my VHF and UHF HT back and forth and utilize 
the dual band capability of my antenna. It works pretty well.

What I would like to get some input on however, is how to run some power with 
this setup.

Of course the easiest would be to get a amateur dual band amplifier, but I 
already have a VHF and a UHF (N1275A and N1274A) amplifier.

What I would like to do is parallel these two amps with some kind of 
switching/duplexer setup so that I could easily switch from VHF to UHF.

My initial idea was to run an antenna switch from the convertacom to the amps 
so I can manually select which one the signal goes to. Then on the output side 
of the amps I thought about using an antenna duplexer on the output of the amps 
to feed the antenna. I was also thinking of running a switch to alternately 
select which amp was receiving DC power, but I don't know if that would be 
necessary. (Could I leave both amps powered on in this situation?)

So, does this sound about right or am I going off the deep end?

Thanks
Albert



[Repeater-Builder] Price Check on aisle five.....

2009-12-08 Thread hitekgearhead
Hey guys,
I have the opportunity to purchase some surplus Andrew heliax.

The model is EFX2RN-50. It is 3/8

At $0.50/foot, is this a good deal? I don't think connectors are installed.

I am thinking of using it for amateur use on the VHF  UHF bands at home.

What do you think?

-Albert



[Repeater-Builder] Re: Price Check on aisle five.....

2009-12-08 Thread hitekgearhead
Well, given the responses I think I will pass on it.

I would have wanted to run at least some of it outside to my antenna, so if it 
degrades quickly outdoors then that kills the deal.

I was aware that there is a way to attach PL-259's to 3/8 heliax, but this 
spawns another question. Could N connectors meant for the same size cable be 
put on 3/8 heliax?

Thanks for the input guys.

Maybe I will keep an eye out for 1/2

-Albert





--- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, Jeff DePolo j...@... wrote:

 
 The RN in the part number tells me it's the grey fire-retardant jacket.
 Unless Andrew changed what they make the jacket out of, it should NOT be
 used outdoors, it degrades quickly from UV.  It's primarily intended to be
 used as a plenum-rated cable indoors.  I remember scrapping about 800' of
 1-1/4 LDF6 with that grey jacket that had to be taken off a tower because
 the jacket had split and was cracking and falling off the cable the entire
 length of the outdoor run.  The former tenant that had installed the line
 got it cheap, but didn't know/understand that it wasn't supposed to be used
 outdoors.
 
 EFX2 is extra-flexible.  It's even more flexible than Superflex.  The jacket
 on those cables is thinner than regular Heliax, making them more susceptable
 to nicks and subsequent water ingress when used outdoors.
 
 $0.50 is a fair price at best for surplus 3/8 'flex.  You should be able to
 find some surplus 1/2 (non-flex) for that price.
 
   --- Jeff WN3A
 
 
  -Original Message-
  From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com 
  [mailto:repeater-buil...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of hitekgearhead
  Sent: Tuesday, December 08, 2009 2:38 PM
  To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com
  Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Price Check on aisle five.
  

  
  Hey guys,
  I have the opportunity to purchase some surplus Andrew heliax.
  
  The model is EFX2RN-50. It is 3/8
  
  At $0.50/foot, is this a good deal? I don't think connectors 
  are installed.
  
  I am thinking of using it for amateur use on the VHF  UHF 
  bands at home.
  
  What do you think?
  
  -Albert
  
  
  
  
  
  No virus found in this incoming message.
  Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
  Version: 8.5.426 / Virus Database: 270.14.82/2525 - Release 
  Date: 12/08/09 07:34:00
  
  
 





[Repeater-Builder] Would anyone be interested in.....

2009-12-01 Thread hitekgearhead
a couple of Motorola 6 bank chargers for the older MX series HT's.

The model number is NTN4831A. I have not checked for functionality but they are 
in really good shape. For the price, who cares. Just come get them. They are in 
my way.

I would rather not ship, but we can discuss that if you really want them.

If no one wants them they are going to the transfer station.

Thanks,
Albert



[Repeater-Builder] Re: Would anyone be interested in.....

2009-12-01 Thread hitekgearhead
Please pardon my brief moment of mental flatulence.

I am located in central FL.

Thanks for catching that Milt.

I will ship if someone really wants to pay for it, but these things are heavy.

Albert




--- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, Milt men...@... wrote:

 Albert,
 
 It would be helpfull if you would indicate where you are located since you 
 are not interested in shipping.
 
 Milt
 N3LTQ
 
 
 - Original Message - 
 From: hitekgearhead hitekgearh...@...
 To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com
 Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 11:18 AM
 Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Would anyone be interested in.
 
 
  a couple of Motorola 6 bank chargers for the older MX series HT's.
 
  The model number is NTN4831A. I have not checked for functionality but 
  they are in really good shape. For the price, who cares. Just come get 
  them. They are in my way.
 
  I would rather not ship, but we can discuss that if you really want them.
 
  If no one wants them they are going to the transfer station.
 
  Thanks,
  Albert
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  Yahoo! Groups Links
 
 
 





[Repeater-Builder] Re: OT: Tape

2009-09-10 Thread hitekgearhead
I want to thank you all for you input, insight, and stories.

You have confirmed exactly what I was thinking.

I too have often experienced vinyl electrical tape getting gooey and sticky in 
high temp environments (automobiles). This is why I use heat shrink on most 
things.

Also, I didn't think it would be a good sealer on coax connections just by 
itself.

I guess everything has it's purpose.

Now how about that waxed linen thread instead of zip ties





[Repeater-Builder] OT: Tape

2009-09-09 Thread hitekgearhead
I have heard you all mention scotch super 33 vinyl electrical tape and 
recommended it for a few different uses. Is there still any use for rubber and 
cloth type electrical tapes for certain specific tasks?