[Repeater-Builder] Re: Motorola Spectra 900's
I hope you copy and paste, at least part of your posting to qrz and part of your book some day you will finish. Your story parallels mine in many ways, I wish we could sit down some where for a beer all one afternoon, and I don't drink. I too am looking for financially rewarding opportunities, now I sound like a politician. I now shoot weddings hoping for a few pennies. The spectra also has a plug in module, no depotting required. . . jawjabillatl---bellsouth--net . bill . --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, Mike Morris WA6ILQ wa6...@... wrote: At 07:41 PM 11/22/09, you wrote: I think the Micor rx is a great idea. Unless they came from a 900 micor rptr, they probably were used in paging or linking service, making them the 5 khz variety, The IF xtals could be changed for the 2.5 khz modulation, but no flutter fighter or compandering available like the msf series. You can look at the 900 MHz Maxtrac schematics you can download from the R-B Maxtrac page and you will see that the Hear Clear module has a very simple pinout. You could grab one from a dead 900 Mhz Maxtrac and mount it on perfboard and put it in line with the Micor receiver audio. I know that there is a way to dissolve the epoxy in a potted module like the Hear Clear in the Maxtrac and therefore allow you to disassemble it to the point where you could reverse engineer it back to a schematic, I just don't know what the chemical process is... And, Mike, yes I have contemplated an article that would detail the procedure. The first unit I did took about a week out of my life and large fistful of hair. The key ingredient to making the spectra play rx on 902 is the software, it has to be hacked up so bad that it will not work on any standard or ham units. Repeater-Builder won't offer software for download. You would have to write that part as a how-to-patch article. The rx front end is the worst and most time consuming part because of it's tuning requirements. I can imagine. And after reading you qrz history, Mike, I plan to reincarnate as a butterfly so I may follow you as you enjoy life. As I mentioned on QRZ, my folks had the interesting lives.. I've had some fun, but compared to my dad my life is pretty dull. My mom has as many stories as my dad did, but I'm not going to tell any of them as most involve the behavior of patients or portray doctors as incompetent (one of her favorite lines was that doctors get to bury their mistakes, and don't even have to go to the funerals). On the other hand my dad used to comment that in the 1960s-1980s a 4x5 camera in your hand was a passport to anywhere. I watched him more then once get into areas he shouldn't have been in just by saying that he had to shoot a photo from a balcony, or from a roof, etc.. We are a long lived family - one sister lived to be over 100. His smoking killed him at age 74. If he was alive today and in reasonable health he'd still be shooting car photos for PM magazine or stomping through a foreign country for National Geographic, or... Maybe he'd get a phone call from Paramount Studios to be on a set at 5am to shoot continuity photos, then go over to the Press Club to kick back in the bar with a scotch on the rocks, shmoozing with the politicians. I still remember how he caused a 180 degree change in attitude in one TV newsman on the topic of gun control - from rabid anti-gun to one that lobbied for field newsmen to be able to carry concealed. In the evenings or on the weekends he'd be writing his life story, two-finger typing on a Selectric with a cuppa joe on the desk next to him. Personally, at the moment I'm scrambling as I try to find a full time job - and that's not easy when you are over 50 and have only a 2-year degree (my dad fell off his camera platform in my junior year at college. I had to go to work to support the family. I never got back to school). I've been programming computers since 1974 (in assembly code, Fortran, C and newer languages such as Perl and Java). I wrote a real-time CP/M replacement that at one point was compiling a Fortran program, (yes, there was a Fortran for CP/M), playing Tic-Tac-Toe on the console and running a 7-port repeater controller all at the same time. And doing it with 256K of RAM on a microprocessor that in theory only addresses 64K, and the memory mapping unit I wirewrapped could have handled a megabyte. I've been doing network support since the clients were Apple IIs and XTs and the circuit was a single twisted pair, at 1mb (look up Omninet). I worked on the prototype system for 128 and 512MB Token Ring, but that project was killed when 100mb Ethernet came out. And I've been working on 2-way radios since 1965. My signature is on the back of the Voyager 6 spacecraft antenna dish, along with every other person that worked on the project (interstellar graffiti?). Likewise on the nameplates on the side
[Repeater-Builder] Re: Motorola Spectra 900's
You and I need to talk (I type too slow). I too have wanted a spectra on 220 mhz. Had not thought about the 1 pf cap trick. . bill . jawjabillatl---bellsouth---net . . --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, Mel Swanberg wa6...@... wrote: Well, maybe I've actually managed to do something different... I've been adding a 1 pf chip cap (0603) between the oval shaped pad in the filter, and the edge of the filter sectiont. One cap for each section. This lowers the frequency down below 900, and then I use a dremmel with a sharp bit to walk the filter back up in frequency. This is all done while watching a sweep of the filter on a network analyzer. I've not really attempted to narrow the BW of the filter at all, just shift it down some. As to the VCO, that's where the conductive ink comes into play. Just dab some in through the slotted window, no need to remove the cover. The microstrip resonator needs to be about a 1/4 longer. The conductive ink pens work just fine for that. I have a web page up on converting the 406-433 spectras to 440 that has some useful pictures on how I go about retuning the filters. Just add the 1 pf cap to the process, and it's otherwise the same. http://mysite.verizon.net/res8teuc/Range1spectra/Range1Spectraver1.1.htm Maybe that, and my comments above, will prove helpful until I can put up a similar article on the moving the 800 and 900 Spectras down. My next project? See if I can get a VHF Spectra to receive on 220. Mel - WA6JBD Well, you have me curious also, maybe I took the dark path for tuning the front end filters. I had to resort to silver paint (not cheap), a grinder, and a little blood and guts to tune those puppies. What's your story.. . bill w4oo
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Motorola Spectra 900's
I was hoping to get info on putting a gm300 to the 220 mhz band so that I can take advantage of the channel steering capabilities of that radio as a remote base. Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry® -Original Message- From: Bill jawjabill...@yahoo.com Date: Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:28:06 To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Motorola Spectra 900's You and I need to talk (I type too slow). I too have wanted a spectra on 220 mhz. Had not thought about the 1 pf cap trick. . bill . jawjabillatl---bellsouth---net . . --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, Mel Swanberg wa6...@... wrote: Well, maybe I've actually managed to do something different... I've been adding a 1 pf chip cap (0603) between the oval shaped pad in the filter, and the edge of the filter sectiont. One cap for each section. This lowers the frequency down below 900, and then I use a dremmel with a sharp bit to walk the filter back up in frequency. This is all done while watching a sweep of the filter on a network analyzer. I've not really attempted to narrow the BW of the filter at all, just shift it down some. As to the VCO, that's where the conductive ink comes into play. Just dab some in through the slotted window, no need to remove the cover. The microstrip resonator needs to be about a 1/4 longer. The conductive ink pens work just fine for that. I have a web page up on converting the 406-433 spectras to 440 that has some useful pictures on how I go about retuning the filters. Just add the 1 pf cap to the process, and it's otherwise the same. http://mysite.verizon.net/res8teuc/Range1spectra/Range1Spectraver1.1.htm Maybe that, and my comments above, will prove helpful until I can put up a similar article on the moving the 800 and 900 Spectras down. My next project? See if I can get a VHF Spectra to receive on 220. Mel - WA6JBD Well, you have me curious also, maybe I took the dark path for tuning the front end filters. I had to resort to silver paint (not cheap), a grinder, and a little blood and guts to tune those puppies. What's your story.. . bill w4oo
[Repeater-Builder] Re: Motorola Spectra 900's
Well, you have me curious also, maybe I took the dark path for tuning the front end filters. I had to resort to silver paint (not cheap), a grinder, and a little blood and guts to tune those puppies. What's your story.. . bill w4oo . . --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, Mel Swanberg wa6...@... wrote: Hi Bill, I'm quite curious as to what you ran into when you attempted this. I have one working, and as far as the number of steps taken to make it operable on 902, it was pretty simple. The only thing I left out in my short list was bringing COR out. Did I miss something, or did I just get lucky? As to it's suitability for high RF environments, probably no more or no less than any other mobile grade receiver. I wouldn't put one on a hilltop without good external filtering - especially in the 900 band. They're not an MSF, but then, that's not the point. They're cheap, they're readily available, and they can be made to work, probably better than a Maxtrac. I've also converted 800 radios to receive on the input side of the 800 band (806-828) with the exact same procedure - hack software, tune VCO lower, retune filter. There seems to be enough interest to warrant writing this up, so I'll get going on that. Mel - WA6JBD Been there done that seven years ago...it is a liiittle more than the three items listed that need to be done For the NUC RX idea, I have been thinking about doing a rx for that purpose, however, my concern is, will all that work have pay dirt... If some one can show the 902 rx front end is truly usable in high rf environment, I will work with them to...git-er-done... I currently have two 900 spectras in a sales catalog bag with wide duplexer and controller to operate on any one of the eighty channels 902-903 and 927-928. All that's needed is twelve volts and antenna. . Bill w4oo jawjabill-- bellsouth- net
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Motorola Spectra 900's
At 07:41 PM 11/22/09, you wrote: I think the Micor rx is a great idea. Unless they came from a 900 micor rptr, they probably were used in paging or linking service, making them the 5 khz variety, The IF xtals could be changed for the 2.5 khz modulation, but no flutter fighter or compandering available like the msf series. You can look at the 900 MHz Maxtrac schematics you can download from the R-B Maxtrac page and you will see that the Hear Clear module has a very simple pinout. You could grab one from a dead 900 Mhz Maxtrac and mount it on perfboard and put it in line with the Micor receiver audio. I know that there is a way to dissolve the epoxy in a potted module like the Hear Clear in the Maxtrac and therefore allow you to disassemble it to the point where you could reverse engineer it back to a schematic, I just don't know what the chemical process is... And, Mike, yes I have contemplated an article that would detail the procedure. The first unit I did took about a week out of my life and large fistful of hair. The key ingredient to making the spectra play rx on 902 is the software, it has to be hacked up so bad that it will not work on any standard or ham units. Repeater-Builder won't offer software for download. You would have to write that part as a how-to-patch article. The rx front end is the worst and most time consuming part because of it's tuning requirements. I can imagine. And after reading you qrz history, Mike, I plan to reincarnate as a butterfly so I may follow you as you enjoy life. As I mentioned on QRZ, my folks had the interesting lives.. I've had some fun, but compared to my dad my life is pretty dull. My mom has as many stories as my dad did, but I'm not going to tell any of them as most involve the behavior of patients or portray doctors as incompetent (one of her favorite lines was that doctors get to bury their mistakes, and don't even have to go to the funerals). On the other hand my dad used to comment that in the 1960s-1980s a 4x5 camera in your hand was a passport to anywhere. I watched him more then once get into areas he shouldn't have been in just by saying that he had to shoot a photo from a balcony, or from a roof, etc.. We are a long lived family - one sister lived to be over 100. His smoking killed him at age 74. If he was alive today and in reasonable health he'd still be shooting car photos for PM magazine or stomping through a foreign country for National Geographic, or... Maybe he'd get a phone call from Paramount Studios to be on a set at 5am to shoot continuity photos, then go over to the Press Club to kick back in the bar with a scotch on the rocks, shmoozing with the politicians. I still remember how he caused a 180 degree change in attitude in one TV newsman on the topic of gun control - from rabid anti-gun to one that lobbied for field newsmen to be able to carry concealed. In the evenings or on the weekends he'd be writing his life story, two-finger typing on a Selectric with a cuppa joe on the desk next to him. Personally, at the moment I'm scrambling as I try to find a full time job - and that's not easy when you are over 50 and have only a 2-year degree (my dad fell off his camera platform in my junior year at college. I had to go to work to support the family. I never got back to school). I've been programming computers since 1974 (in assembly code, Fortran, C and newer languages such as Perl and Java). I wrote a real-time CP/M replacement that at one point was compiling a Fortran program, (yes, there was a Fortran for CP/M), playing Tic-Tac-Toe on the console and running a 7-port repeater controller all at the same time. And doing it with 256K of RAM on a microprocessor that in theory only addresses 64K, and the memory mapping unit I wirewrapped could have handled a megabyte. I've been doing network support since the clients were Apple IIs and XTs and the circuit was a single twisted pair, at 1mb (look up Omninet). I worked on the prototype system for 128 and 512MB Token Ring, but that project was killed when 100mb Ethernet came out. And I've been working on 2-way radios since 1965. My signature is on the back of the Voyager 6 spacecraft antenna dish, along with every other person that worked on the project (interstellar graffiti?). Likewise on the nameplates on the side of both Viking landers on Mars. Personnel people have little check boxes on their evaluation forms and if you don't have that little check box marked Y then you can't do the job - regardless of the fact that you have DONE that job, and excelled at it. It doesn't matter, if each little check box isn't marked Y then your resume never gets to the hiring manager - it gets tossed in the round file instead. I was one of 12 people that kept 86 locations on the network in the southern half of California for a Fortune 5 company - 9,000 users and over 300 servers, but last week a different companies HR weenie told me that if I didn't have a certificate from
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Motorola Spectra 900's
Well, maybe I've actually managed to do something different... I've been adding a 1 pf chip cap (0603) between the oval shaped pad in the filter, and the edge of the filter sectiont. One cap for each section. This lowers the frequency down below 900, and then I use a dremmel with a sharp bit to walk the filter back up in frequency. This is all done while watching a sweep of the filter on a network analyzer. I've not really attempted to narrow the BW of the filter at all, just shift it down some. As to the VCO, that's where the conductive ink comes into play. Just dab some in through the slotted window, no need to remove the cover. The microstrip resonator needs to be about a 1/4 longer. The conductive ink pens work just fine for that. I have a web page up on converting the 406-433 spectras to 440 that has some useful pictures on how I go about retuning the filters. Just add the 1 pf cap to the process, and it's otherwise the same. http://mysite.verizon.net/res8teuc/Range1spectra/Range1Spectraver1.1.htm Maybe that, and my comments above, will prove helpful until I can put up a similar article on the moving the 800 and 900 Spectras down. My next project? See if I can get a VHF Spectra to receive on 220. Mel - WA6JBD Well, you have me curious also, maybe I took the dark path for tuning the front end filters. I had to resort to silver paint (not cheap), a grinder, and a little blood and guts to tune those puppies. What's your story.. . bill w4oo
[Repeater-Builder] Re: Motorola Spectra 900's
Been there done that seven years ago...it is a liiittle more than the three items listed that need to be done For the NUC RX idea, I have been thinking about doing a rx for that purpose, however, my concern is, will all that work have pay dirt... If some one can show the 902 rx front end is truly usable in high rf environment, I will work with them to...git-er-done... I currently have two 900 spectras in a sales catalog bag with wide duplexer and controller to operate on any one of the eighty channels 902-903 and 927-928. All that's needed is twelve volts and antenna. . Bill w4oo jawjabill-- bellsouth- net . --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, James Adkins adkins.ja...@... wrote: I've done quite a bit with the Spectras; hacked the software, re-tuned the VCO after modifying, re-capped them, etc. I think they're great radios. Just thought since it's difficult / impossible to get maxtrac filters, and knowing how good the Spectra receivers are, they'd be a nice alternative to go with a Motorola Nuc as a receiver. Not sure that there is COR present on the 15-pin accessory pin, but seems like when I looked at that before there wasn't. I'm sure that can be found somewhere inside the rig, though. Can you e-mail me off the list with what you have? Thanks, James On Sat, Nov 21, 2009 at 9:35 PM, John Gleichweit smokeyb...@...wrote: I'll second the motion for a write-up. If you have high-rez pictures, that'll help even more. I have 2 900MHz A5 Spectras that I want to tweak into the 902 band. -- John Smokey Behr Gleichweit FF1/EMT, CCNA, MCSE IPN-CAL023 N6FOG UP Fresno Sub MP183.5 ECV1852 List Owner x10, Moderator x9 CalEMA 51-507 http://smokeybehr.blogspot.com http://www.myspace.com/smokeybehr - Original Message From: Mark n9...@... n9wys%40ameritech.net To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.comRepeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com Sent: Sat, November 21, 2009 6:34:32 PM Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Motorola Spectra 900's Mel, Reference the write-up, PLEASE DO!!! There are others here who would be grateful for the knowledge (myself included). 73, Mark - N9WYS -Original Message- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.comRepeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.comOn Behalf Of wa6jbd I've managed to get 900 Spectras to receive in the 902 range. There are three steps, and it's not necessarily a 'beginner project'. 1. Hack bandlimits to allow programming 2. Modify VCO 3. Retune front end filter. It's possible to meet or exceed rated performance after modification, but takes patience, a steady hand, and a network analyzer or spectrum analyzer and tracking generator. I'm toying with the idea of putting together an article on how to do it, complete with pictures it there is sufficient interest. In the meantime, I'd be happy to supply a description of what's involved to anyone who'd like to give it a try. Mel - WA6JBD --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.comRepeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com, James Adkins wrote: Looking for anyone that's actually used a Motorola Spectra to RX on 902.xxx MHz for a repeater receiver Has anyone on the list tried this? Looking for something besides the standard maxtrac option. -- James Adkins, KB0NHX Vice-President -- Nixa Amateur Radio Club, Inc. (KC0LUN) Southern Missouri Frequency Coordinator - Missouri Repeater Council www.nixahams.net The Nixa Amateur Radio Club - There is no charge for awesomeness! (Well, only $1.00 per month) Yahoo! Groups Links -- James Adkins, KB0NHX Vice-President -- Nixa Amateur Radio Club, Inc. (KC0LUN) Southern Missouri Frequency Coordinator - Missouri Repeater Council www.nixahams.net The Nixa Amateur Radio Club - There is no charge for awesomeness! (Well, only $1.00 per month)
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Motorola Spectra 900's
At 10:22 AM 11/22/09, you wrote: Been there done that seven years ago...it is a liiittle more than the three items listed that need to be done For the NUC RX idea, I have been thinking about doing a rx for that purpose, however, my concern is, will all that work have pay dirt... If some one can show the 902 rx front end is truly usable in high rf environment, I will work with them to...git-er-done... What's wrong with a Moto Aux Receiver (a Micor) on 900? They exist, work REAL well, have independent COR (channel busy) and PL decode lines, etc. The Aux Receiver chassis has the receiver board vertical, the MSF Link Receiver chassis has it horizontal to take up less rack space. I currently have two 900 spectras in a sales catalog bag with wide duplexer and controller to operate on any one of the eighty channels 902-903 and 927-928. All that's needed is twelve volts and antenna. Want to do an article on it? Mike WA6ILQ
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Motorola Spectra 900's
A Micor receiver on 900 would be great! I have never seen anything about that, but haven't really considered it. We use a Micor for our 145.270 machine, and used one on our 224.280 for quite a while. I have a Micor aux receiver rack, anyone have a 900 MHz receiver board for sale? Do they make a nice Micor helical pre-amp for 900 as well? Thanks for the great idea, Mike. On Sun, Nov 22, 2009 at 2:23 PM, Mike Morris WA6ILQ wa6...@gmail.comwrote: At 10:22 AM 11/22/09, you wrote: Been there done that seven years ago...it is a liiittle more than the three items listed that need to be done For the NUC RX idea, I have been thinking about doing a rx for that purpose, however, my concern is, will all that work have pay dirt... If some one can show the 902 rx front end is truly usable in high rf environment, I will work with them to...git-er-done... What's wrong with a Moto Aux Receiver (a Micor) on 900? They exist, work REAL well, have independent COR (channel busy) and PL decode lines, etc. The Aux Receiver chassis has the receiver board vertical, the MSF Link Receiver chassis has it horizontal to take up less rack space. I currently have two 900 spectras in a sales catalog bag with wide duplexer and controller to operate on any one of the eighty channels 902-903 and 927-928. All that's needed is twelve volts and antenna. Want to do an article on it? Mike WA6ILQ -- James Adkins, KB0NHX Vice-President -- Nixa Amateur Radio Club, Inc. (KC0LUN) Southern Missouri Frequency Coordinator - Missouri Repeater Council www.nixahams.net The Nixa Amateur Radio Club - There is no charge for awesomeness! (Well, only $1.00 per month)
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Motorola Spectra 900's
I wonder, are the Micor receivers 2.5 kHz bandwidth or wideband. On Sun, Nov 22, 2009 at 2:23 PM, Mike Morris WA6ILQ wa6...@gmail.comwrote: At 10:22 AM 11/22/09, you wrote: Been there done that seven years ago...it is a liiittle more than the three items listed that need to be done For the NUC RX idea, I have been thinking about doing a rx for that purpose, however, my concern is, will all that work have pay dirt... If some one can show the 902 rx front end is truly usable in high rf environment, I will work with them to...git-er-done... What's wrong with a Moto Aux Receiver (a Micor) on 900? They exist, work REAL well, have independent COR (channel busy) and PL decode lines, etc. The Aux Receiver chassis has the receiver board vertical, the MSF Link Receiver chassis has it horizontal to take up less rack space. I currently have two 900 spectras in a sales catalog bag with wide duplexer and controller to operate on any one of the eighty channels 902-903 and 927-928. All that's needed is twelve volts and antenna. Want to do an article on it? Mike WA6ILQ -- James Adkins, KB0NHX Vice-President -- Nixa Amateur Radio Club, Inc. (KC0LUN) Southern Missouri Frequency Coordinator - Missouri Repeater Council www.nixahams.net The Nixa Amateur Radio Club - There is no charge for awesomeness! (Well, only $1.00 per month)
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Motorola Spectra 900's
Micor 900 receivers at +/- 5 KC. -- Original Message -- Received: Sun, 22 Nov 2009 03:31:31 PM PST From: James Adkins adkins.ja...@gmail.com To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Motorola Spectra 900's I wonder, are the Micor receivers 2.5 kHz bandwidth or wideband. On Sun, Nov 22, 2009 at 2:23 PM, Mike Morris WA6ILQ wa6...@gmail.comwrote: At 10:22 AM 11/22/09, you wrote: Been there done that seven years ago...it is a liiittle more than the three items listed that need to be done For the NUC RX idea, I have been thinking about doing a rx for that purpose, however, my concern is, will all that work have pay dirt... If some one can show the 902 rx front end is truly usable in high rf environment, I will work with them to...git-er-done... What's wrong with a Moto Aux Receiver (a Micor) on 900? They exist, work REAL well, have independent COR (channel busy) and PL decode lines, etc. The Aux Receiver chassis has the receiver board vertical, the MSF Link Receiver chassis has it horizontal to take up less rack space. I currently have two 900 spectras in a sales catalog bag with wide duplexer and controller to operate on any one of the eighty channels 902-903 and 927-928. All that's needed is twelve volts and antenna. Want to do an article on it? Mike WA6ILQ -- James Adkins, KB0NHX Vice-President -- Nixa Amateur Radio Club, Inc. (KC0LUN) Southern Missouri Frequency Coordinator - Missouri Repeater Council www.nixahams.net The Nixa Amateur Radio Club - There is no charge for awesomeness! (Well, only $1.00 per month)
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Motorola Spectra 900's
Went to Repeater Builder, looks like the did make a 2.5 kHz 900 board. Good overview of the aux receivers and spectra tac receivers there. On Sun, Nov 22, 2009 at 5:46 PM, JOHN MACKEY jmac...@usa.net wrote: Micor 900 receivers at +/- 5 KC. -- Original Message -- Received: Sun, 22 Nov 2009 03:31:31 PM PST From: James Adkins adkins.ja...@gmail.com adkins.james%40gmail.com To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Repeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Motorola Spectra 900's I wonder, are the Micor receivers 2.5 kHz bandwidth or wideband. On Sun, Nov 22, 2009 at 2:23 PM, Mike Morris WA6ILQ wa6...@gmail.com wa6ilq%40gmail.comwrote: At 10:22 AM 11/22/09, you wrote: Been there done that seven years ago...it is a liiittle more than the three items listed that need to be done For the NUC RX idea, I have been thinking about doing a rx for that purpose, however, my concern is, will all that work have pay dirt... If some one can show the 902 rx front end is truly usable in high rf environment, I will work with them to...git-er-done... What's wrong with a Moto Aux Receiver (a Micor) on 900? They exist, work REAL well, have independent COR (channel busy) and PL decode lines, etc. The Aux Receiver chassis has the receiver board vertical, the MSF Link Receiver chassis has it horizontal to take up less rack space. I currently have two 900 spectras in a sales catalog bag with wide duplexer and controller to operate on any one of the eighty channels 902-903 and 927-928. All that's needed is twelve volts and antenna. Want to do an article on it? Mike WA6ILQ -- James Adkins, KB0NHX Vice-President -- Nixa Amateur Radio Club, Inc. (KC0LUN) Southern Missouri Frequency Coordinator - Missouri Repeater Council www.nixahams.net The Nixa Amateur Radio Club - There is no charge for awesomeness! (Well, only $1.00 per month) -- James Adkins, KB0NHX Vice-President -- Nixa Amateur Radio Club, Inc. (KC0LUN) Southern Missouri Frequency Coordinator - Missouri Repeater Council www.nixahams.net The Nixa Amateur Radio Club - There is no charge for awesomeness! (Well, only $1.00 per month)
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Motorola Spectra 900's
They should be neither 2.5 kHz or Wideband FM (never heard of a wideband FM Micor). They should be 11.0 kHz bandwidth - for 2.5 kHz deviation, although they could be 16.0 kHz bandwidth for 5.0 kHz deviation. Joe M. James Adkins wrote: I wonder, are the Micor receivers 2.5 kHz bandwidth or wideband. On Sun, Nov 22, 2009 at 2:23 PM, Mike Morris WA6ILQ wa6...@gmail.com mailto:wa6...@gmail.com wrote: At 10:22 AM 11/22/09, you wrote: Been there done that seven years ago...it is a liiittle more than the three items listed that need to be done For the NUC RX idea, I have been thinking about doing a rx for that purpose, however, my concern is, will all that work have pay dirt... If some one can show the 902 rx front end is truly usable in high rf environment, I will work with them to...git-er-done... What's wrong with a Moto Aux Receiver (a Micor) on 900? They exist, work REAL well, have independent COR (channel busy) and PL decode lines, etc. The Aux Receiver chassis has the receiver board vertical, the MSF Link Receiver chassis has it horizontal to take up less rack space. I currently have two 900 spectras in a sales catalog bag with wide duplexer and controller to operate on any one of the eighty channels 902-903 and 927-928. All that's needed is twelve volts and antenna. Want to do an article on it? Mike WA6ILQ -- James Adkins, KB0NHX Vice-President -- Nixa Amateur Radio Club, Inc. (KC0LUN) Southern Missouri Frequency Coordinator - Missouri Repeater Council www.nixahams.net http://www.nixahams.net The Nixa Amateur Radio Club - There is no charge for awesomeness! (Well, only $1.00 per month) No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.709 / Virus Database: 270.14.77/2520 - Release Date: 11/22/09 14:40:00
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Motorola Spectra 900's
Just wanted to make sure they'd work with the Spectras, GTX's and other gear already out there. On Sun, Nov 22, 2009 at 7:39 PM, MCH m...@nb.net wrote: They should be neither 2.5 kHz or Wideband FM (never heard of a wideband FM Micor). They should be 11.0 kHz bandwidth - for 2.5 kHz deviation, although they could be 16.0 kHz bandwidth for 5.0 kHz deviation. Joe M. James Adkins wrote: I wonder, are the Micor receivers 2.5 kHz bandwidth or wideband. On Sun, Nov 22, 2009 at 2:23 PM, Mike Morris WA6ILQ wa6...@gmail.comwa6ilq%40gmail.com mailto:wa6...@gmail.com wa6ilq%40gmail.com wrote: At 10:22 AM 11/22/09, you wrote: Been there done that seven years ago...it is a liiittle more than the three items listed that need to be done For the NUC RX idea, I have been thinking about doing a rx for that purpose, however, my concern is, will all that work have pay dirt... If some one can show the 902 rx front end is truly usable in high rf environment, I will work with them to...git-er-done... What's wrong with a Moto Aux Receiver (a Micor) on 900? They exist, work REAL well, have independent COR (channel busy) and PL decode lines, etc. The Aux Receiver chassis has the receiver board vertical, the MSF Link Receiver chassis has it horizontal to take up less rack space. I currently have two 900 spectras in a sales catalog bag with wide duplexer and controller to operate on any one of the eighty channels 902-903 and 927-928. All that's needed is twelve volts and antenna. Want to do an article on it? Mike WA6ILQ -- James Adkins, KB0NHX Vice-President -- Nixa Amateur Radio Club, Inc. (KC0LUN) Southern Missouri Frequency Coordinator - Missouri Repeater Council www.nixahams.net http://www.nixahams.net The Nixa Amateur Radio Club - There is no charge for awesomeness! (Well, only $1.00 per month) -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.709 / Virus Database: 270.14.77/2520 - Release Date: 11/22/09 14:40:00 -- James Adkins, KB0NHX Vice-President -- Nixa Amateur Radio Club, Inc. (KC0LUN) Southern Missouri Frequency Coordinator - Missouri Repeater Council www.nixahams.net The Nixa Amateur Radio Club - There is no charge for awesomeness! (Well, only $1.00 per month)
[Repeater-Builder] Re: Motorola Spectra 900's
I think the Micor rx is a great idea. Unless they came from a 900 micor rptr, they probably were used in paging or linking service, making them the 5 khz variety, The IF xtals could be changed for the 2.5 khz modulation, but no flutter fighter or compandering available like the msf series. And, Mike, yes I have contemplated an article that would detail the procedure. The first unit I did took about a week out of my life and large fistful of hair. The key ingredient to making the spectra play rx on 902 is the software, it has to be hacked up so bad that it will not work on any standard or ham units. The rx front end is the worst and most time consuming part because of it's tuning requirements. And after reading you qrz history, Mike, I plan to reincarnate as a butterfly so I may follow you as you enjoy life. . Bill w4oo . --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, Mike Morris WA6ILQ wa6...@... wrote: At 10:22 AM 11/22/09, you wrote: Been there done that seven years ago...it is a liiittle more than the three items listed that need to be done For the NUC RX idea, I have been thinking about doing a rx for that purpose, however, my concern is, will all that work have pay dirt... If some one can show the 902 rx front end is truly usable in high rf environment, I will work with them to...git-er-done... What's wrong with a Moto Aux Receiver (a Micor) on 900? They exist, work REAL well, have independent COR (channel busy) and PL decode lines, etc. The Aux Receiver chassis has the receiver board vertical, the MSF Link Receiver chassis has it horizontal to take up less rack space. I currently have two 900 spectras in a sales catalog bag with wide duplexer and controller to operate on any one of the eighty channels 902-903 and 927-928. All that's needed is twelve volts and antenna. Want to do an article on it? Mike WA6ILQ
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Motorola Spectra 900's
Which brings up another interesting question: We are already using a 75w MSF-5000. Could a Motorola Nucleus II paging transmitter be used and the MSF-5000 receiver? We're using an external controller, S-COM 7330. I don't see why one couldn't just wire up the RX audio, COR and PL to the RX side and the NUC II to the PTT and TX audio lines. Thoughts? On Sun, Nov 22, 2009 at 9:41 PM, Bill jawjabill...@yahoo.com wrote: I think the Micor rx is a great idea. Unless they came from a 900 micor rptr, they probably were used in paging or linking service, making them the 5 khz variety, The IF xtals could be changed for the 2.5 khz modulation, but no flutter fighter or compandering available like the msf series. And, Mike, yes I have contemplated an article that would detail the procedure. The first unit I did took about a week out of my life and large fistful of hair. The key ingredient to making the spectra play rx on 902 is the software, it has to be hacked up so bad that it will not work on any standard or ham units. The rx front end is the worst and most time consuming part because of it's tuning requirements. And after reading you qrz history, Mike, I plan to reincarnate as a butterfly so I may follow you as you enjoy life. . Bill w4oo . --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.comRepeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com, Mike Morris WA6ILQ wa6...@... wrote: At 10:22 AM 11/22/09, you wrote: Been there done that seven years ago...it is a liiittle more than the three items listed that need to be done For the NUC RX idea, I have been thinking about doing a rx for that purpose, however, my concern is, will all that work have pay dirt... If some one can show the 902 rx front end is truly usable in high rf environment, I will work with them to...git-er-done... What's wrong with a Moto Aux Receiver (a Micor) on 900? They exist, work REAL well, have independent COR (channel busy) and PL decode lines, etc. The Aux Receiver chassis has the receiver board vertical, the MSF Link Receiver chassis has it horizontal to take up less rack space. I currently have two 900 spectras in a sales catalog bag with wide duplexer and controller to operate on any one of the eighty channels 902-903 and 927-928. All that's needed is twelve volts and antenna. Want to do an article on it? Mike WA6ILQ -- James Adkins, KB0NHX Vice-President -- Nixa Amateur Radio Club, Inc. (KC0LUN) Southern Missouri Frequency Coordinator - Missouri Repeater Council www.nixahams.net The Nixa Amateur Radio Club - There is no charge for awesomeness! (Well, only $1.00 per month)
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Motorola Spectra 900's
On Sun, Nov 22, 2009 at 9:41 PM, Bill jawjabill...@yahoo.com wrote: I think the Micor rx is a great idea. Unless they came from a 900 micor rptr, they probably were used in paging or linking service, making them the 5 khz variety, The IF xtals could be changed for the 2.5 khz modulation, but no flutter fighter or compandering available like the msf series. And, Mike, yes I have contemplated an article that would detail the procedure. The first unit I did took about a week out of my life and large fistful of hair. The key ingredient to making the spectra play rx on 902 is the software, it has to be hacked up so bad that it will not work on any standard or ham units. The rx front end is the worst and most time consuming part because of it's tuning requirements. And after reading you qrz history, Mike, I plan to reincarnate as a butterfly so I may follow you as you enjoy life. . Bill w4oo . --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.comRepeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com, Mike Morris WA6ILQ wa6...@... wrote: At 10:22 AM 11/22/09, you wrote: Been there done that seven years ago...it is a liiittle more than the three items listed that need to be done For the NUC RX idea, I have been thinking about doing a rx for that purpose, however, my concern is, will all that work have pay dirt... If some one can show the 902 rx front end is truly usable in high rf environment, I will work with them to...git-er-done... What's wrong with a Moto Aux Receiver (a Micor) on 900? They exist, work REAL well, have independent COR (channel busy) and PL decode lines, etc. The Aux Receiver chassis has the receiver board vertical, the MSF Link Receiver chassis has it horizontal to take up less rack space. I currently have two 900 spectras in a sales catalog bag with wide duplexer and controller to operate on any one of the eighty channels 902-903 and 927-928. All that's needed is twelve volts and antenna. Want to do an article on it? Mike WA6ILQ -- James Adkins, KB0NHX Vice-President -- Nixa Amateur Radio Club, Inc. (KC0LUN) Southern Missouri Frequency Coordinator - Missouri Repeater Council www.nixahams.net The Nixa Amateur Radio Club - There is no charge for awesomeness! (Well, only $1.00 per month)
[Repeater-Builder] Re: Motorola Spectra 900's
I'm pretty sure they're wide band, but the Com Spec narrow band kit would probably fix that. 'JK --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, James Adkins adkins.ja...@... wrote: I wonder, are the Micor receivers 2.5 kHz bandwidth or wideband. On Sun, Nov 22, 2009 at 2:23 PM, Mike Morris WA6ILQ wa6...@...wrote: At 10:22 AM 11/22/09, you wrote: Been there done that seven years ago...it is a liiittle more than the three items listed that need to be done For the NUC RX idea, I have been thinking about doing a rx for that purpose, however, my concern is, will all that work have pay dirt... If some one can show the 902 rx front end is truly usable in high rf environment, I will work with them to...git-er-done... What's wrong with a Moto Aux Receiver (a Micor) on 900? They exist, work REAL well, have independent COR (channel busy) and PL decode lines, etc. The Aux Receiver chassis has the receiver board vertical, the MSF Link Receiver chassis has it horizontal to take up less rack space. I currently have two 900 spectras in a sales catalog bag with wide duplexer and controller to operate on any one of the eighty channels 902-903 and 927-928. All that's needed is twelve volts and antenna. Want to do an article on it? Mike WA6ILQ -- James Adkins, KB0NHX Vice-President -- Nixa Amateur Radio Club, Inc. (KC0LUN) Southern Missouri Frequency Coordinator - Missouri Repeater Council www.nixahams.net The Nixa Amateur Radio Club - There is no charge for awesomeness! (Well, only $1.00 per month)
[Repeater-Builder] Re: Motorola Spectra 900's
Assuming you want only more power that the nuc offers, I would consider piping the rf out of the msf into the nuc pa leaving the msf rx/tx repeat path intact. It would involve matching the rf power levels out/in and the pa control line to the msf pa control functioning. The reverse is what i plan for a quantar cage to msf vhf 350 watt pa (quantro idea). Could be entertaining. . bill w4oo . --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, James Adkins adkins.ja...@... wrote: Which brings up another interesting question: We are already using a 75w MSF-5000. Could a Motorola Nucleus II paging transmitter be used and the MSF-5000 receiver? We're using an external controller, S-COM 7330. I don't see why one couldn't just wire up the RX audio, COR and PL to the RX side and the NUC II to the PTT and TX audio lines. Thoughts? On Sun, Nov 22, 2009 at 9:41 PM, Bill jawjabill...@... wrote: I think the Micor rx is a great idea. Unless they came from a 900 micor rptr, they probably were used in paging or linking service, making them the 5 khz variety, The IF xtals could be changed for the 2.5 khz modulation, but no flutter fighter or compandering available like the msf series. And, Mike, yes I have contemplated an article that would detail the procedure. The first unit I did took about a week out of my life and large fistful of hair. The key ingredient to making the spectra play rx on 902 is the software, it has to be hacked up so bad that it will not work on any standard or ham units. The rx front end is the worst and most time consuming part because of it's tuning requirements. And after reading you qrz history, Mike, I plan to reincarnate as a butterfly so I may follow you as you enjoy life. . Bill w4oo . --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.comRepeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com, Mike Morris WA6ILQ wa6ilq@ wrote: At 10:22 AM 11/22/09, you wrote: Been there done that seven years ago...it is a liiittle more than the three items listed that need to be done For the NUC RX idea, I have been thinking about doing a rx for that purpose, however, my concern is, will all that work have pay dirt... If some one can show the 902 rx front end is truly usable in high rf environment, I will work with them to...git-er-done... What's wrong with a Moto Aux Receiver (a Micor) on 900? They exist, work REAL well, have independent COR (channel busy) and PL decode lines, etc. The Aux Receiver chassis has the receiver board vertical, the MSF Link Receiver chassis has it horizontal to take up less rack space. I currently have two 900 spectras in a sales catalog bag with wide duplexer and controller to operate on any one of the eighty channels 902-903 and 927-928. All that's needed is twelve volts and antenna. Want to do an article on it? Mike WA6ILQ -- James Adkins, KB0NHX Vice-President -- Nixa Amateur Radio Club, Inc. (KC0LUN) Southern Missouri Frequency Coordinator - Missouri Repeater Council www.nixahams.net The Nixa Amateur Radio Club - There is no charge for awesomeness! (Well, only $1.00 per month)
[Repeater-Builder] Re: Motorola Spectra 900's
I've managed to get 900 Spectras to receive in the 902 range. There are three steps, and it's not necessarily a 'beginner project'. 1. Hack bandlimits to allow programming 2. Modify VCO 3. Retune front end filter. It's possible to meet or exceed rated performance after modification, but takes patience, a steady hand, and a network analyzer or spectrum analyzer and tracking generator. I'm toying with the idea of putting together an article on how to do it, complete with pictures it there is sufficient interest. In the meantime, I'd be happy to supply a description of what's involved to anyone who'd like to give it a try. Mel - WA6JBD --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, James Adkins adkins.ja...@... wrote: Looking for anyone that's actually used a Motorola Spectra to RX on 902.xxx MHz for a repeater receiver Has anyone on the list tried this? Looking for something besides the standard maxtrac option. -- James Adkins, KB0NHX Vice-President -- Nixa Amateur Radio Club, Inc. (KC0LUN) Southern Missouri Frequency Coordinator - Missouri Repeater Council www.nixahams.net The Nixa Amateur Radio Club - There is no charge for awesomeness! (Well, only $1.00 per month)
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Motorola Spectra 900's
Mel, Reference the write-up, PLEASE DO!!! There are others here who would be grateful for the knowledge (myself included). 73, Mark - N9WYS -Original Message- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com On Behalf Of wa6jbd I've managed to get 900 Spectras to receive in the 902 range. There are three steps, and it's not necessarily a 'beginner project'. 1. Hack bandlimits to allow programming 2. Modify VCO 3. Retune front end filter. It's possible to meet or exceed rated performance after modification, but takes patience, a steady hand, and a network analyzer or spectrum analyzer and tracking generator. I'm toying with the idea of putting together an article on how to do it, complete with pictures it there is sufficient interest. In the meantime, I'd be happy to supply a description of what's involved to anyone who'd like to give it a try. Mel - WA6JBD --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, James Adkins adkins.ja...@... wrote: Looking for anyone that's actually used a Motorola Spectra to RX on 902.xxx MHz for a repeater receiver Has anyone on the list tried this? Looking for something besides the standard maxtrac option. -- James Adkins, KB0NHX Vice-President -- Nixa Amateur Radio Club, Inc. (KC0LUN) Southern Missouri Frequency Coordinator - Missouri Repeater Council www.nixahams.net The Nixa Amateur Radio Club - There is no charge for awesomeness! (Well, only $1.00 per month)
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Motorola Spectra 900's
I'll second the motion for a write-up. If you have high-rez pictures, that'll help even more. I have 2 900MHz A5 Spectras that I want to tweak into the 902 band. -- John Smokey Behr Gleichweit FF1/EMT, CCNA, MCSE IPN-CAL023 N6FOG UP Fresno Sub MP183.5 ECV1852 List Owner x10, Moderator x9 CalEMA 51-507 http://smokeybehr.blogspot.com http://www.myspace.com/smokeybehr - Original Message From: Mark n9...@ameritech.net To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Sat, November 21, 2009 6:34:32 PM Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Motorola Spectra 900's Mel, Reference the write-up, PLEASE DO!!! There are others here who would be grateful for the knowledge (myself included). 73, Mark - N9WYS -Original Message- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com On Behalf Of wa6jbd I've managed to get 900 Spectras to receive in the 902 range. There are three steps, and it's not necessarily a 'beginner project'. 1. Hack bandlimits to allow programming 2. Modify VCO 3. Retune front end filter. It's possible to meet or exceed rated performance after modification, but takes patience, a steady hand, and a network analyzer or spectrum analyzer and tracking generator. I'm toying with the idea of putting together an article on how to do it, complete with pictures it there is sufficient interest. In the meantime, I'd be happy to supply a description of what's involved to anyone who'd like to give it a try. Mel - WA6JBD --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, James Adkins wrote: Looking for anyone that's actually used a Motorola Spectra to RX on 902.xxx MHz for a repeater receiver Has anyone on the list tried this? Looking for something besides the standard maxtrac option. -- James Adkins, KB0NHX Vice-President -- Nixa Amateur Radio Club, Inc. (KC0LUN) Southern Missouri Frequency Coordinator - Missouri Repeater Council www.nixahams.net The Nixa Amateur Radio Club - There is no charge for awesomeness! (Well, only $1.00 per month) Yahoo! Groups Links
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Motorola Spectra 900's
I've done quite a bit with the Spectras; hacked the software, re-tuned the VCO after modifying, re-capped them, etc. I think they're great radios. Just thought since it's difficult / impossible to get maxtrac filters, and knowing how good the Spectra receivers are, they'd be a nice alternative to go with a Motorola Nuc as a receiver. Not sure that there is COR present on the 15-pin accessory pin, but seems like when I looked at that before there wasn't. I'm sure that can be found somewhere inside the rig, though. Can you e-mail me off the list with what you have? Thanks, James On Sat, Nov 21, 2009 at 9:35 PM, John Gleichweit smokeyb...@sbcglobal.netwrote: I'll second the motion for a write-up. If you have high-rez pictures, that'll help even more. I have 2 900MHz A5 Spectras that I want to tweak into the 902 band. -- John Smokey Behr Gleichweit FF1/EMT, CCNA, MCSE IPN-CAL023 N6FOG UP Fresno Sub MP183.5 ECV1852 List Owner x10, Moderator x9 CalEMA 51-507 http://smokeybehr.blogspot.com http://www.myspace.com/smokeybehr - Original Message From: Mark n9...@ameritech.net n9wys%40ameritech.net To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.comRepeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com Sent: Sat, November 21, 2009 6:34:32 PM Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Motorola Spectra 900's Mel, Reference the write-up, PLEASE DO!!! There are others here who would be grateful for the knowledge (myself included). 73, Mark - N9WYS -Original Message- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.comRepeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.comOn Behalf Of wa6jbd I've managed to get 900 Spectras to receive in the 902 range. There are three steps, and it's not necessarily a 'beginner project'. 1. Hack bandlimits to allow programming 2. Modify VCO 3. Retune front end filter. It's possible to meet or exceed rated performance after modification, but takes patience, a steady hand, and a network analyzer or spectrum analyzer and tracking generator. I'm toying with the idea of putting together an article on how to do it, complete with pictures it there is sufficient interest. In the meantime, I'd be happy to supply a description of what's involved to anyone who'd like to give it a try. Mel - WA6JBD --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.comRepeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com, James Adkins wrote: Looking for anyone that's actually used a Motorola Spectra to RX on 902.xxx MHz for a repeater receiver Has anyone on the list tried this? Looking for something besides the standard maxtrac option. -- James Adkins, KB0NHX Vice-President -- Nixa Amateur Radio Club, Inc. (KC0LUN) Southern Missouri Frequency Coordinator - Missouri Repeater Council www.nixahams.net The Nixa Amateur Radio Club - There is no charge for awesomeness! (Well, only $1.00 per month) Yahoo! Groups Links -- James Adkins, KB0NHX Vice-President -- Nixa Amateur Radio Club, Inc. (KC0LUN) Southern Missouri Frequency Coordinator - Missouri Repeater Council www.nixahams.net The Nixa Amateur Radio Club - There is no charge for awesomeness! (Well, only $1.00 per month)
