Re: [Repeater-Builder] MSTR II VHF and the TS-64MSTII(Repeater Unit)
At 02:23 PM 02/09/2008, you wrote: Doug, I have had some similar experiences here in the RB skunk works. I thought I was the only one to come across this phenomenon. I first noticed it with the batch of 5 or so that I got around the first of the year. I'm not sure if they changed to a different op-amp mfg or what. My experience was the same as yours that I merely jumpered the input to the output - bypassing the TS-64 and the whole setup runs great. (no decode of course). On the ones I ran into, I merely turned down the pot in the disc. and then adjusted the input pot on the controller to compensate. I am scratching my memory, but I think I *was* able to re-produce this behavior on the test bench with a sine wave generator. Please let us all know what you find out. Scott Scott Zimmerman Amateur Radio Call N3XCC -- Hi Scott. Well I am glad I am not the only one who noticed this... I was originally looking for a wiring error. I did talk to ComSpec and the gentleman I talked to indicated he was not into the engineering of the thing. However he did kind of indicate that the last batch they made they changed the op amp. He seemed to indicate that they would be changing it on the next batch also. That leads me to think that they may be aware of some problem. He did feel that one volt hitting the input was a bit high and suggested some resistance in series with the input. Mine was bought in March of this year.. Since he did not know what the output level of the MSTRII receiver was, I rather took it that he was not involved in its development. I put a .005ufd disc ceramic capacitor across the sq/v/hi terminal and the sq low terminal and that cleared up the 'grass', but with a rx output of 500mv, I lost the squelching that I wanted. I increased the receiver output to 950mv and that seemed to fix things. The output wave form from the HP filter is looking very good. No noticeable distortion and no tendency to take off. I am presently waiting for a op amp from SCOM Bob for my mrc100 and then I will be able to listen to the repeated audio. So for now, I am going to let it sit It eventually will be connected to a 7k. The capacitor does take out some of the hf noise component thus the squelch problem. Hope this helps. I'll look at it again when I get the controller working.. 73 Doug VE5DA
[Repeater-Builder] MSTR II VHF and the TS-64MSTII(Repeater Unit)
Are there any guidelines as to what level from the receiver to the TS-64 should be used?? The out put of the receiver is set for one volt with a 3khz deviated signal and for my part seems to be a bit high for the lp/hp filter op amps. In my case, when observed with a scope, the signal out of the rx at pin 11 is nice and clean as it is going into the lp filter section on the TS-64. Coming out of the TS-64 hp filter, it is distorted and noisy. With the levels left the way they were, the unit could be made to take off at a low frequency and high amplitude. Also, there appears to be a hf signal coming out at all times with an amplitude of about 105mvs. For some reason I can't seem to sync it in with the scope.(grass!) If I reduce the level out of rx to the point where it does not take off, and most of the distortion disappears, I still have the steady grass somewhat diminished in amplitude. The grass is removed by the input circuit of the MRC100 controller and the audio to the first op amp is clean. The distortion is as heard on the MSTRII speaker. I won't know what it sounds like coming out of the controller until I get it operational. (blown op amp) I did patch the TS-64 out and the repeater works just fine. The TS-64 also functions the way it is supposed to when in the radio. The squelch works with the reduced receiver level and the grass does not seem to bother it. What is the recommended input level that should be set for the TS-64. Has any one else seen this behavior. Thanks and 73 Doug VE5DA
Re: [Repeater-Builder] MSTR II VHF and the TS-64MSTII(Repeater Unit)
At 12:33 PM 09/02/08, you wrote: Are there any guidelines as to what level from the receiver to the TS-64 should be used?? The out put of the receiver is set for one volt with a 3khz deviated signal and for my part seems to be a bit high for the lp/hp filter op amps. In my case, when observed with a scope, the signal out of the rx at pin 11 is nice and clean as it is going into the lp filter section on the TS-64. Coming out of the TS-64 hp filter, it is distorted and noisy. With the levels left the way they were, the unit could be made to take off at a low frequency and high amplitude. Also, there appears to be a hf signal coming out at all times with an amplitude of about 105mvs. For some reason I can't seem to sync it in with the scope.(grass!) If I reduce the level out of rx to the point where it does not take off, and most of the distortion disappears, I still have the steady grass somewhat diminished in amplitude. The grass is removed by the input circuit of the MRC100 controller and the audio to the first op amp is clean. The distortion is as heard on the MSTRII speaker. I won't know what it sounds like coming out of the controller until I get it operational. (blown op amp) I did patch the TS-64 out and the repeater works just fine. The TS-64 also functions the way it is supposed to when in the radio. The squelch works with the reduced receiver level and the grass does not seem to bother it. What is the recommended input level that should be set for the TS-64. Has any one else seen this behavior. Thanks and 73 Doug VE5DA The TS-64 data sheet (at http://www.repeater-builder.com/com-spec/com-spec-ts64inst.pdf) says 15mv minimum and that the input is 60K Ohms AC coupled. In your shoes I'd call Com Spec at 800-854-0547 between 8a and 4:30p Pacific Time and describe the situation. Spence is good people and he'll help. Mike WA6ILQ
Re: [Repeater-Builder] MSTR II VHF and the TS-64MSTII(Repeater Unit)
Doug, I have had some similar experiences here in the RB skunk works. I thought I was the only one to come across this phenomenon. I first noticed it with the batch of 5 or so that I got around the first of the year. I'm not sure if they changed to a different op-amp mfg or what. My experience was the same as yours that I merely jumpered the input to the output - bypassing the TS-64 and the whole setup runs great. (no decode of course). On the ones I ran into, I merely turned down the pot in the disc. and then adjusted the input pot on the controller to compensate. I am scratching my memory, but I think I *was* able to re-produce this behavior on the test bench with a sine wave generator. Please let us all know what you find out. Scott Scott Zimmerman Amateur Radio Call N3XCC 474 Barnett Rd Boswell, PA 15531 - Original Message - From: Mike Morris WA6ILQ [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 3:58 PM Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] MSTR II VHF and the TS-64MSTII(Repeater Unit) At 12:33 PM 09/02/08, you wrote: Are there any guidelines as to what level from the receiver to the TS-64 should be used?? The out put of the receiver is set for one volt with a 3khz deviated signal and for my part seems to be a bit high for the lp/hp filter op amps. In my case, when observed with a scope, the signal out of the rx at pin 11 is nice and clean as it is going into the lp filter section on the TS-64. Coming out of the TS-64 hp filter, it is distorted and noisy. With the levels left the way they were, the unit could be made to take off at a low frequency and high amplitude. Also, there appears to be a hf signal coming out at all times with an amplitude of about 105mvs. For some reason I can't seem to sync it in with the scope.(grass!) If I reduce the level out of rx to the point where it does not take off, and most of the distortion disappears, I still have the steady grass somewhat diminished in amplitude. The grass is removed by the input circuit of the MRC100 controller and the audio to the first op amp is clean. The distortion is as heard on the MSTRII speaker. I won't know what it sounds like coming out of the controller until I get it operational. (blown op amp) I did patch the TS-64 out and the repeater works just fine. The TS-64 also functions the way it is supposed to when in the radio. The squelch works with the reduced receiver level and the grass does not seem to bother it. What is the recommended input level that should be set for the TS-64. Has any one else seen this behavior. Thanks and 73 Doug VE5DA The TS-64 data sheet (at http://www.repeater-builder.com/com-spec/com-spec-ts64inst.pdf) says 15mv minimum and that the input is 60K Ohms AC coupled. In your shoes I'd call Com Spec at 800-854-0547 between 8a and 4:30p Pacific Time and describe the situation. Spence is good people and he'll help. Mike WA6ILQ Yahoo! Groups Links No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.169 / Virus Database: 270.6.14/1647 - Release Date: 9/2/2008 6:02 AM
Re: [Repeater-Builder] MSTR II VHF and the TS-64MSTII(Repeater Unit)
I just hooked up a TS-64MastrII in a GE Base Station Repeater, using a CAT-300 controller, and had no issue at all with the audio quality. I bought this TS-64 two weeks ago direct from ComSpec. Standard setting on the GE pot gave me a nice signal at the output of the TS-64 High Pass filter. I found the output of the high pass filter on a pin that extends through the board that mounts the assembly to plug into the GE System board. Instead of using the mod suggested in the Repeater-Builder info, I routed the audio out the receive frequency select 2 pin on the connector right behind the TS-64. I also routed the tone detect signal out the receive frequency select 3 pin. I found the TS-64 already jumpered to give a positive output for a detected CTCSS tone. That allowed my complete interface to the GE Mastr II base station to be on the two Molex connectors on the left rear of the chassis. This interface works with either the card file GE controller boards or the IDA controller I use. I just put the IDA in Repeat Inhibit mode and all works with the external CAT-300. I do have a RLC-1000B connected to the CAT-300 which provides for de-emphizing the audio, since the audio from the TS-64 is not de-emphasized. Schematics of the interface cable and the harness to interface the CAT-300 and the RLC-1000B are included in the club forum at: http://sbarcnm.org/forum/index.php?topic=108.30 73 - Jim W5ZIT --- On Tue, 9/2/08, Scott Zimmerman [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: From: Scott Zimmerman [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] MSTR II VHF and the TS-64MSTII(Repeater Unit) To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Date: Tuesday, September 2, 2008, 3:23 PM Doug, I have had some similar experiences here in the RB skunk works. I thought I was the only one to come across this phenomenon. I first noticed it with the batch of 5 or so that I got around the first of the year. I'm not sure if they changed to a different op-amp mfg or what. My experience was the same as yours that I merely jumpered the input to the output - bypassing the TS-64 and the whole setup runs great. (no decode of course). On the ones I ran into, I merely turned down the pot in the disc. and then adjusted the input pot on the controller to compensate. I am scratching my memory, but I think I *was* able to re-produce this behavior on the test bench with a sine wave generator. Please let us all know what you find out. Scott Scott Zimmerman Amateur Radio Call N3XCC 474 Barnett Rd Boswell, PA 15531 - Original Message - From: Mike Morris WA6ILQ [EMAIL PROTECTED] net To: Repeater-Builder@ yahoogroups. com Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 3:58 PM Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] MSTR II VHF and the TS-64MSTII(Repeater Unit) At 12:33 PM 09/02/08, you wrote: Are there any guidelines as to what level from the receiver to the TS-64 should be used?? The out put of the receiver is set for one volt with a 3khz deviated signal and for my part seems to be a bit high for the lp/hp filter op amps. In my case, when observed with a scope, the signal out of the rx at pin 11 is nice and clean as it is going into the lp filter section on the TS-64. Coming out of the TS-64 hp filter, it is distorted and noisy. With the levels left the way they were, the unit could be made to take off at a low frequency and high amplitude. Also, there appears to be a hf signal coming out at all times with an amplitude of about 105mvs. For some reason I can't seem to sync it in with the scope.(grass! ) If I reduce the level out of rx to the point where it does not take off, and most of the distortion disappears, I still have the steady grass somewhat diminished in amplitude. The grass is removed by the input circuit of the MRC100 controller and the audio to the first op amp is clean. The distortion is as heard on the MSTRII speaker. I won't know what it sounds like coming out of the controller until I get it operational. (blown op amp) I did patch the TS-64 out and the repeater works just fine. The TS-64 also functions the way it is supposed to when in the radio. The squelch works with the reduced receiver level and the grass does not seem to bother it. What is the recommended input level that should be set for the TS-64. Has any one else seen this behavior. Thanks and 73 Doug VE5DA The TS-64 data sheet (at http://www.repeater -builder. com/com-spec/ com-spec- ts64inst. pdf) says 15mv minimum and that the input is 60K Ohms AC coupled. In your shoes I'd call Com Spec at 800-854-0547 between 8a and 4:30p Pacific Time and describe the situation. Spence is good people and he'll help. Mike WA6ILQ - - -- Yahoo! Groups Links __
