Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Good Repeaters for UHF Ham Band
At 06:55 PM 11/24/08, you wrote: I've had experience with both as when we installed our 444.825 repeater we used an ICOM FR-4000. It was set at 8w out to drive a PA at 90w. It had great receive sensitivity with a pre-amp at 449.825 MHz. the only other transmitters at this site are 800 900 MHz, so no pre-selector is used...yet. We replaced the FR-4000 with a Kenwood 850 only because after 3 people trying for an entire saturday afternoon, we couldn't get the FR-4000 to play with an SCOM 7K controller. We had to use a CAT-250. We wanted to use the SCOM due to some particular features, so the decision was made to replace the repeater with a Kenwood 850. What was the problem? I've hooked ACCs, CATs, ICSs, Links and SCOMs to several radios and they aren't THAT different or difficult... ground is ground, PTT usually goes to ground when active. Those are simple. Repeat audio out (from the repeater receiver) needs to be de-emphasized and RUS muted, and most modern packaged repeaters give that, occasionally a 1:1 transformer is needed to kill a ground loop. Repeat audio in needs to be not pre-emphasized and at the proper level. Again, occasionally a 1:1 transformer is needed to kill a ground loop. Personally I have a local microphone AND the audio from the repeater controller hooked up, mixed properly, and with a takeover switch to kill the repeat audio if/when I want to. My personal preference is to convert COR and PL decode to open collector active low (so a VOM and a clip lead to ground is the only test equipment you need). In a worst-case scenario each signal might need an inverter transistor, or a pull-up (or pull-down) resistor, or a diode, but that's all. At that point everything just falls together... Mike WA6ILQ
[Repeater-Builder] Re: Good Repeaters for UHF Ham Band
I've had experience with both as when we installed our 444.825 repeater we used an ICOM FR-4000. It was set at 8w out to drive a PA at 90w. It had great receive sensitivity with a pre-amp at 449.825 MHz. the only other transmitters at this site are 800 900 MHz, so no pre-selector is used...yet. We replaced the FR-4000 with a Kenwood 850 only because after 3 people trying for an entire saturday afternoon, we couldn't get the FR-4000 to play with an SCOM 7K controller. We had to use a CAT-250. We wanted to use the SCOM due to some particular features, so the decision was made to replace the repeater with a Kenwood 850. I still have the FR-4000 repeater which was purchased new for about $1300. If anyone is interested in purchasing it, we might let it go since it has been sitting in its original box for the last 6-10 months. If interested, email me off list at derekjmu at yahoo dot com. The CAT-250 controller is also available. Both are good repeaters. I prefer the Kenwood for simplicity, but the ICOM is a solid machine and with 50w out may not require an external PA in some applications. Just don't plan to use a SCOM controller with it. KD4ADL ---
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Good Repeaters for UHF Ham Band
Yall just didn't have the right documentation. The FR-4000 are not that hard. I have set up several with external community LTR trunking panels, and they work great. Mike - - Original Message - From: Derek To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, November 24, 2008 8:55 PM Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Good Repeaters for UHF Ham Band I've had experience with both as when we installed our 444.825 repeater we used an ICOM FR-4000. It was set at 8w out to drive a PA at 90w. It had great receive sensitivity with a pre-amp at 449.825 MHz. the only other transmitters at this site are 800 900 MHz, so no pre-selector is used...yet. We replaced the FR-4000 with a Kenwood 850 only because after 3 people trying for an entire saturday afternoon, we couldn't get the FR-4000 to play with an SCOM 7K controller. We had to use a CAT-250. We wanted to use the SCOM due to some particular features, so the decision was made to replace the repeater with a Kenwood 850. I still have the FR-4000 repeater which was purchased new for about $1300. If anyone is interested in purchasing it, we might let it go since it has been sitting in its original box for the last 6-10 months. If interested, email me off list at derekjmu at yahoo dot com. The CAT-250 controller is also available. Both are good repeaters. I prefer the Kenwood for simplicity, but the ICOM is a solid machine and with 50w out may not require an external PA in some applications. Just don't plan to use a SCOM controller with it. KD4ADL ---
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Good Repeaters for UHF Ham Band
Hi Derek, We replaced the FR-4000 with a Kenwood 850 only because after 3 people trying for an entire saturday afternoon, we couldn't get the FR-4000 to play with an SCOM 7K controller. Can you supply some details of the problem you had? We've always glad to help when asked. 73, Bob Bob Schmid, WA9FBO, Member S-COM, LLC PO Box 1546 LaPorte CO 80535-1546 970-416-6505 voice 970-419-3222 fax www.scomcontrollers.com **One site has it all. Your email accounts, your social networks, and the things you love. Try the new AOL.com today!(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/10075x1212962939x1200825291/aol?redir=http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp %26icid=aolcom40vanity%26ncid=emlcntaolcom0001)
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Good Repeaters for UHF Ham Band
Derek wrote: I've had experience with both as when we installed our 444.825 repeater we used an ICOM FR-4000. It was set at 8w out to drive a PA at 90w. It had great receive sensitivity with a pre-amp at 449.825 MHz. the only other transmitters at this site are 800 900 MHz, so no pre-selector is used...yet. We replaced the FR-4000 with a Kenwood 850 only because after 3 people trying for an entire saturday afternoon, we couldn't get the FR-4000 to play with an SCOM 7K controller. We had to use a CAT-250. We wanted to use the SCOM due to some particular features, so the decision was made to replace the repeater with a Kenwood 850. Not wanting to cast aspersions on your decision (I prefer the Kenwood too!), but if a CAT worked, the 7K will work too. No if's, and's, or but's. Someone was doing something worng ;c)
[Repeater-Builder] Re: Good Repeaters for UHF Ham Band
did you have a preselector in front of the preamp, if not you just amplified the noise and any other signals in the band, effectively reducing your sensetivity, would explaine why it worked better without it. Rob --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, John Transue [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Chuck, Our current repeater is a Yaesu Musen FTR-5410. It is now working pretty well after having the duplexer tuned, after changing the cables to RG-400, and after taking out of line a preamp. The repeater works better without the preamp than with it. On the bench the preamp provides +11 dB. When on the repeater it reduces sensitivity by about 2 dB. The club thinks a new repeater would perform better. I don't know whether it will or not. John -Original Message- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Repeater- [EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Chuck Kelsey Sent: Friday, November 21, 2008 10:27 AM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Good Repeaters for UHF Ham Band Good Repeaters for UHF Ham BandJust curious... what do you have now and why are you replacing it? Chuck WB2EDV - Original Message - From: John Transue To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, November 21, 2008 10:19 AM Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Good Repeaters for UHF Ham Band My ham radio club is ready to replace our 440 repeater. Yahoo! Groups Links __ NOD32 3630 (20081121) Information __ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com
