Re: [Repeater-Builder] Lunch Box Radio
I have recently moved a GE Mastr Exec II radio from the 47 mHz area up into six meters. (The MVP and the Exec use the same exciter). I'll admit that the exciter is hard to tune, but it will work without any modification. My technique is to set the frequency of a receiver to each multiplier frequency and place a probe near the stage while tuning. With a peak in signal strength, the stage can then be tuned with a meter on the test point. I built a probe that I use with a one inch piece of insulated wire extending from the end that I can insert into the exciter near the stage I am trying to tune. This same probe works to insert a signal generator output into the individual stages of the front end of the receiver. Tune the mixer first and then work toward the input one stage at a time. 73 - Jim W5ZIT --- On Fri, 1/16/09, Radio Guy ve3...@gmail.com wrote: From: Radio Guy ve3...@gmail.com Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Lunch Box Radio To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Date: Friday, January 16, 2009, 2:11 PM Yes, that is something that has been mentioned many times, this could be a waste of time and money, but so far I have lots of people that want to help. It could be a fun project, it is old enough to look like a tube radio, or in this case, a tube radio without tubes! Speaking of trying to get a radio converted to 6m, a GE guy is having problems with a GE MVP, has anyone been successful getting a radio to cover 52.450 and 53.450? Seems it will not tune to 53.450 Tx. And yes I do own a Ranger 6m radio, but do not like the audio on FM. On Fri, Jan 16, 2009 at 1:51 PM, Milt men...@pa.net wrote: Actually, one other item to consider; make sure that the radio is in the highest bandsplit for a conversion to 6meters. Otherwise it will be a painful attempt to convert. It's been too long to remember if there were just 3 bandsplits or more. Milt N3LTQ -- - - - Ken
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Lunch Box Radio
Thanks for the info, that is encouragement. On Sat, Jan 17, 2009 at 10:19 AM, Jim Brown w5...@yahoo.com wrote: I have recently moved a GE Mastr Exec II radio from the 47 mHz area up into six meters. (The MVP and the Exec use the same exciter). I'll admit that the exciter is hard to tune, but it will work without any modification. My technique is to set the frequency of a receiver to each multiplier frequency and place a probe near the stage while tuning. With a peak in signal strength, the stage can then be tuned with a meter on the test point. I built a probe that I use with a one inch piece of insulated wire extending from the end that I can insert into the exciter near the stage I am trying to tune. This same probe works to insert a signal generator output into the individual stages of the front end of the receiver. Tune the mixer first and then work toward the input one stage at a time. 73 - Jim W5ZIT --- On Fri, 1/16/09, Radio Guy ve3...@gmail.com wrote: Speaking of trying to get a radio converted to 6m, a GE guy is having problems with a GE MVP, has anyone been successful getting a radio to cover 52.450 and 53.450? Seems it will not tune to 53.450 Tx. - - - Ken --- Ken
[Repeater-Builder] Lunch Box Radio
Any one familiar with the GE Porta Mobile two? It is a low band radio, and I would like to have it converted to the 6m band. I send it to a local shop that was familiar with GE products back in the day, they say it is in very good shape. Any ideas on a company that could make the crystals? Is this a worth while project? Showing hams this radio always brings a smile to their faces,a portable radio that is bigger then most HF mobiles! The tech said... if we need to change out caps, it would be a job for younger eyes! -- --- Ken
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Lunch Box Radio
PortaMobile series 2 was based on the GE PE series portables. ICM or Bomar should be able to do the rocks. Batteries or a power supply will most likely be the problem although the supply of parts for the portable on which the radio is based is limited. Good luck it's a nice piece of history. Milt N3LTQ - Original Message - From: Radio Guy ve3...@gmail.com To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, January 16, 2009 10:40 AM Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Lunch Box Radio Any one familiar with the GE Porta Mobile two? It is a low band radio, and I would like to have it converted to the 6m band. I send it to a local shop that was familiar with GE products back in the day, they say it is in very good shape. Any ideas on a company that could make the crystals? Is this a worth while project? Showing hams this radio always brings a smile to their faces,a portable radio that is bigger then most HF mobiles! The tech said... if we need to change out caps, it would be a job for younger eyes! -- --- Ken Yahoo! Groups Links
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Lunch Box Radio
If I remember correctly the Portable Mobile II used ICOMS for the channel elements. Just like in the PE series radios. David On Fri, Jan 16, 2009 at 10:17 AM, Milt wrote: PortaMobile series 2 was based on the GE PE series portables. ICM or Bomar should be able to do the rocks. Batteries or a power supply will most likely be the problem although the supply of parts for the portable on which the radio is based is limited. Good luck it's a nice piece of history. Milt N3LTQ - Original Message - From: Radio Guy ve3...@gmail. com mailto:ve3...@gmail.com To: Repeater-Builder@ yahoogroups. com mailto:Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, January 16, 2009 10:40 AM Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Lunch Box Radio Any one familiar with the GE Porta Mobile two? It is a low band radio, and I would like to have it converted to the 6m band. I send it to a local shop that was familiar with GE products back in the day, they say it is in very good shape. Any ideas on a company that could make the crystals? Is this a worth while project? Showing hams this radio always brings a smile to their faces,a portable radio that is bigger then most HF mobiles! The tech said... if we need to change out caps, it would be a job for younger eyes! -- - - - Ken - - -- Yahoo! Groups Links mailto:Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Lunch Box Radio
The Ge shop told me that he has some test connectors, for alignment purposes, and I would have to use a different type of battery. Since the battery case was modified, I may be able to fit a sealed lead acid in the overblown case. Interestingly, the Motorola tech just dropped by looking for connectors, and I mentioned the crystals to him, he makes regular orders of crystals and is interested in obtaining the rocks for me. So far all is going well. Any yes, it is a historic piece of equipment, people whom recognise the low band radios have stories to tell about firefighters preferring the long range of heavy radios. On Fri, Jan 16, 2009 at 10:17 AM, Milt wrote: PortaMobile series 2 was based on the GE PE series portables. ICM or Bomar should be able to do the rocks. Batteries or a power supply will most likely be the problem although the supply of parts for the portable on which the radio is based is limited. Good luck it's a nice piece of history. Milt N3LTQ -- --- Ken
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Lunch Box Radio
Actually, one other item to consider; make sure that the radio is in the highest bandsplit for a conversion to 6meters. Otherwise it will be a painful attempt to convert. It's been too long to remember if there were just 3 bandsplits or more. Milt N3LTQ - Original Message - From: Radio Guy ve3...@gmail.com To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, January 16, 2009 12:45 PM Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Lunch Box Radio The Ge shop told me that he has some test connectors, for alignment purposes, and I would have to use a different type of battery. Since the battery case was modified, I may be able to fit a sealed lead acid in the overblown case. Interestingly, the Motorola tech just dropped by looking for connectors, and I mentioned the crystals to him, he makes regular orders of crystals and is interested in obtaining the rocks for me. So far all is going well. Any yes, it is a historic piece of equipment, people whom recognise the low band radios have stories to tell about firefighters preferring the long range of heavy radios. On Fri, Jan 16, 2009 at 10:17 AM, Milt wrote: PortaMobile series 2 was based on the GE PE series portables. ICM or Bomar should be able to do the rocks. Batteries or a power supply will most likely be the problem although the supply of parts for the portable on which the radio is based is limited. Good luck it's a nice piece of history. Milt N3LTQ -- --- Ken Yahoo! Groups Links
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Lunch Box Radio
Yes, that is something that has been mentioned many times, this could be a waste of time and money, but so far I have lots of people that want to help. It could be a fun project, it is old enough to look like a tube radio, or in this case, a tube radio without tubes! Speaking of trying to get a radio converted to 6m, a GE guy is having problems with a GE MVP, has anyone been successful getting a radio to cover 52.450 and 53.450? Seems it will not tune to 53.450 Tx. And yes I do own a Ranger 6m radio, but do not like the audio on FM. On Fri, Jan 16, 2009 at 1:51 PM, Milt men...@pa.net wrote: Actually, one other item to consider; make sure that the radio is in the highest bandsplit for a conversion to 6meters. Otherwise it will be a painful attempt to convert. It's been too long to remember if there were just 3 bandsplits or more. Milt N3LTQ -- --- Ken
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Lunch Box Radio
For every stage that will not tune (go completely through a peak and down the other side) you will need to change out the cap associated with the coil that won't tune. Look at the manual. It shows value changes required for each split. Chuck WB2EDV - Original Message - From: Radio Guy ve3...@gmail.com To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, January 16, 2009 3:11 PM Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Lunch Box Radio Yes, that is something that has been mentioned many times, this could be a waste of time and money, but so far I have lots of people that want to help. It could be a fun project, it is old enough to look like a tube radio, or in this case, a tube radio without tubes! Speaking of trying to get a radio converted to 6m, a GE guy is having problems with a GE MVP, has anyone been successful getting a radio to cover 52.450 and 53.450? Seems it will not tune to 53.450 Tx. And yes I do own a Ranger 6m radio, but do not like the audio on FM.
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Lunch Box Radio
That is the big problem, people had the manual, somewhere, even the shops had all the manuals.. Think we threw that out years ago, with all that tube stuff... When we were looking, found a Phoenix manual, but no MVP. I will look around the Internet tonight after work. On Fri, Jan 16, 2009 at 3:31 PM, Chuck Kelsey wb2...@roadrunner.com wrote: For every stage that will not tune (go completely through a peak and down the other side) you will need to change out the cap associated with the coil that won't tune. Look at the manual. It shows value changes required for each split. Chuck WB2EDV -- --- Ken
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Lunch Box Radio
The VHF hi one that I have takes HC-6/U rocks I think I still have the 12 volt mobile supply for it somewhere (takes a standard female XLR audio connector for the power input) George, KA3HSW / WQGJ413 From: dmur...@verizon.net dmur...@verizon.net To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Cc: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, January 16, 2009 10:26:16 AM Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Lunch Box Radio If I remember correctly the Portable Mobile II used ICOMS for the channel elements. Just like in the PE series radios. David On Fri, Jan 16, 2009 at 10:17 AM, Milt wrote: PortaMobile series 2 was based on the GE PE series portables. ICM or Bomar should be able to do the rocks. Batteries or a power supply will most likely be the problem although the supply of parts for the portable on which the radio is based is limited. Good luck it's a nice piece of history. Milt N3LTQ - Original Message - From: Radio Guy ve3...@gmail. com To: Repeater-Builder@ yahoogroups. com Sent: Friday, January 16, 2009 10:40 AM Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Lunch Box Radio Any one familiar with the GE Porta Mobile two? It is a low band radio, and I would like to have it converted to the 6m band. I send it to a local shop that was familiar with GE products back in the day, they say it is in very good shape. Any ideas on a company that could make the crystals? Is this a worth while project? Showing hams this radio always brings a smile to their faces,a portable radio that is bigger then most HF mobiles! The tech said... if we need to change out caps, it would be a job for younger eyes! -- - - - Ken
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Lunch Box Radio
I think the Repeater Builder website has what you need. Chuck WB2EDV - Original Message - From: Radio Guy ve3...@gmail.com To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, January 16, 2009 3:37 PM Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Lunch Box Radio That is the big problem, people had the manual, somewhere, even the shops had all the manuals.. Think we threw that out years ago, with all that tube stuff... When we were looking, found a Phoenix manual, but no MVP. I will look around the Internet tonight after work. On Fri, Jan 16, 2009 at 3:31 PM, Chuck Kelsey wb2...@roadrunner.com wrote: For every stage that will not tune (go completely through a peak and down the other side) you will need to change out the cap associated with the coil that won't tune. Look at the manual. It shows value changes required for each split. Chuck WB2EDV -- --- Ken Yahoo! Groups Links
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Lunch Box Radio
At 1/16/2009 07:40, you wrote: Any one familiar with the GE Porta Mobile two? It is a low band radio, and I would like to have it converted to the 6m band. I send it to a local shop that was familiar with GE products back in the day, they say it is in very good shape. Any ideas on a company that could make the crystals? Is this a worth while project? If it's the lunch box version of the G.E. PE HT, I'd say no. Bob NO6B
