Re: [Repeater-Builder] Repeater Controller Recommendations
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Question for the gurus: I am tuning up and donating an E.F. Johnson CR1100 repeater to the local Ham Club. They have asked me to install a talking, chirping, beeping type repeater controller (which they have offered to buy). I work with basic repeater, one each type stuff, so I have no idea where to start. I welcome any opinions of a repeater controller that meets the following somewhat carefully thought out criteria: 1. Reasonably affordable. (a couple hundred bucks or so) 2. It has to talk, beep and chirp. 3. It has to have a phone patch. 4. Well supported. 5. Reliable. 6. Not require re-engineering the radio. (Translation: easy installation) Feel free to add to this list. There are a bunch of good controllers out there. My recommendation is either the Arcom RC-210, as mentioned, or the S-Com 7330, which should be available very soon. Arcom also has an RC-810 coming, but it may be a bit higher priced then what it sounds like you/they want to spend. -- Jim Barbour WD8CHL
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Repeater Controller Recommendations
At 3/19/2007 18:52, you wrote: Question for the gurus: I am tuning up and donating an E.F. Johnson CR1100 repeater to the local Ham Club. They have asked me to install a talking, chirping, beeping type repeater controller (which they have offered to buy). I work with basic repeater, one each type stuff, so I have no idea where to start. I welcome any opinions of a repeater controller that meets the following somewhat carefully thought out criteria: 1. Reasonably affordable. (a couple hundred bucks or so) Here, essentially you get what you pay for. I consider LinkComm S-Com to be the top of the line in repeater controllers, but you'll pay a bit more, especially for the LinkComm RLC-Club, but it easily satisfies all the other requirements. 2. It has to talk, beep and chirp. Just about every controller beeps. By chirp do you mean fancy sound effects? Some of the cheaper controllers only have simple beeps won't chirp. Bob NO6B
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Repeater Controller Recommendations
On 3/21/07, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: 2. It has to talk, beep and chirp. Just about every controller beeps. By chirp do you mean fancy sound effects? Some of the cheaper controllers only have simple beeps won't chirp. Hahaha... I love the way you put that Bob. It won't chirp! The sound effects get old, real fast. Even a simple dual-tone ascending courtesy tone in a fast conversation can get annoying. I programmed one of our controllers on a repeater we recently worked on this way. I laughed out loud when one of our other techs who helped get it on the air commented (after about a 40 minute drive home -- using the new repeater and seeing how its coverage was working) -- I feel like I've been playing pong for half an hour! We'll probably be ... uh... removing that courtesy tone. There is really only one good purpose for the sound effects... I can tell which repeater I'm hearing, coming out of the scanner across the room! Nate WY0X
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Repeater Controller Recommendations
And if you ever need help with a CAT controllerjust call CATvery helpful and accommodating Scott - Original Message - From: Steve McCarter To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, March 19, 2007 7:11 PM Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] Repeater Controller Recommendations Hey Will, long time no see ;) I'll second the CAT controller route for the Chirp Beep and Talk features. We've used the CAT-1000 on one of our club machines for over a decade with little trouble. When we upgraded the other machine we bought another '1000. The '1000 would be overkill, but the CAT-300 is the lowest price product with those features (including autopatch) from catauto. If you really don't need the autopatch, however, the 200 or 250 is cheaper. Obviously there are other products on the market, and I'm sure you'll get some recommendations on those as well..Steve Here's the link to the 300: http://www.catauto.com/cat300.html Steve McCarter, KB4OID, [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.kb4oid.org Trustee of the PARC Repeater, W4ZBB/R on 146.79 Fort Walton Beach, FL -- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of N9WYS Sent: Monday, March 19, 2007 9:36 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] Repeater Controller Recommendations Here's my 2¢ worth. My group uses a CAT-300 interfaced to a Kenwood TKR-820. I just received the EEPROM which enables the controller to be programmed via laptop computer. This means that until I install this upgrade, any changes I need to do are programmed via DTMF coding. Honestly, I can't wait until I try these new features. I will admit that initial programming of the controller was cumbersome via DTMF. Also, since I didn't build the telephone interface project box, I did it all over-the-air (at very low power). The project box allows a standard telephone to be interfaced to the controller for programming. However, since then I have not had ONE lick of trouble with the controller. It has voice interface, so it will speak your callsign and other items if you so desire, or it will send CW (or both). When I did call Tech Support via phone regarding some questions I had while setting up the controller, they were very helpful. I would recommend one to anyone looking for a reasonable controller, with some whiz bang features. wink IMHO, the only thing it lacks is a PL encode deck - an aftermarket add-on (Com-Spec) has been ordered. (If it does have one, I haven't been able to determine that via the manual.) Mark - N9WYS Repeater Trustee, WW9AE/R (444.550 PL114.8) -- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Question for the gurus: I am tuning up and donating an E.F. Johnson CR1100 repeater to the local Ham Club. They have asked me to install a talking, chirping, beeping type repeater controller (which they have offered to buy). I work with basic repeater, one each type stuff, so I have no idea where to start. I welcome any opinions of a repeater controller that meets the following somewhat carefully thought out criteria: 1. Reasonably affordable. (a couple hundred bucks or so) 2. It has to talk, beep and chirp. 3. It has to have a phone patch. 4. Well supported. 5. Reliable. 6. Not require re-engineering the radio. (Translation: easy installation) Feel free to add to this list. Thanks Will hr size=3 width=100% align=center AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com.
[Repeater-Builder] Repeater Controller Recommendations
Question for the gurus: I am tuning up and donating an E.F. Johnson CR1100 repeater to the local Ham Club. They have asked me to install a talking, chirping, beeping type repeater controller (which they have offered to buy). I work with basic repeater, one each type stuff, so I have no idea where to start. I welcome any opinions of a repeater controller that meets the following somewhat carefully thought out criteria: 1. Reasonably affordable. (a couple hundred bucks or so) 2. It has to talk, beep and chirp. 3. It has to have a phone patch. 4. Well supported. 5. Reliable. 6. Not require re-engineering the radio. (Translation: easy installation) Feel free to add to this list. Thanks Will AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com.
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Repeater Controller Recommendations
Heres my 2¢ worth My group uses a CAT-300 interfaced to a Kenwood TKR-820. I just received the EEPROM which enables the controller to be programmed via laptop computer. This means that until I install this upgrade, any changes I need to do are programmed via DTMF coding. Honestly, I cant wait until I try these new features I will admit that initial programming of the controller was cumbersome via DTMF. Also, since I didnt build the telephone interface project box, I did it all over-the-air (at very low power). The project box allows a standard telephone to be interfaced to the controller for programming However, since then I have not had ONE lick of trouble with the controller. It has voice interface, so it will speak your callsign and other items if you so desire, or it will send CW (or both). When I did call Tech Support via phone regarding some questions I had while setting up the controller, they were very helpful. I would recommend one to anyone looking for a reasonable controller, with some whiz bang features. wink IMHO, the only thing it lacks is a PL encode deck an aftermarket add-on (Com-Spec) has been ordered. (If it does have one, I havent been able to determine that via the manual ) Mark N9WYS Repeater Trustee, WW9AE/R (444.550 PL114.8) _ From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Question for the gurus: I am tuning up and donating an E.F. Johnson CR1100 repeater to the local Ham Club. They have asked me to install a talking, chirping, beeping type repeater controller (which they have offered to buy). I work with basic repeater, one each type stuff, so I have no idea where to start. I welcome any opinions of a repeater controller that meets the following somewhat carefully thought out criteria: 1. Reasonably affordable. (a couple hundred bucks or so) 2. It has to talk, beep and chirp. 3. It has to have a phone patch. 4. Well supported. 5. Reliable. 6. Not require re-engineering the radio. (Translation: easy installation) Feel free to add to this list. Thanks Will http://geo.yahoo.com/serv?s=97359714/grpId=104168/grpspId=1705063108/msgId= 70193/stime=1174350937/nc1=4438965/nc2=4025321/nc3=3848541 _ size=3 width=100% align=center AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/1615326657x4311227241x4298082137/aol?redir=ht tp://www.aol.com AOL.com.
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Repeater Controller Recommendations
Hey Will, long time no see ;) Ill second the CAT controller route for the Chirp Beep and Talk features. Weve used the CAT-1000 on one of our club machines for over a decade with little trouble. When we upgraded the other machine we bought another 1000. The 1000 would be overkill, but the CAT-300 is the lowest price product with those features (including autopatch) from catauto. If you really dont need the autopatch, however, the 200 or 250 is cheaper. Obviously there are other products on the market, and Im sure youll get some recommendations on those as well .Steve Heres the link to the 300: http://www.catauto.com/cat300.html Steve McCarter, KB4OID, [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.kb4oid.org Trustee of the PARC Repeater, W4ZBB/R on 146.79 Fort Walton Beach, FL _ From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of N9WYS Sent: Monday, March 19, 2007 9:36 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] Repeater Controller Recommendations Heres my 2¢ worth My group uses a CAT-300 interfaced to a Kenwood TKR-820. I just received the EEPROM which enables the controller to be programmed via laptop computer. This means that until I install this upgrade, any changes I need to do are programmed via DTMF coding. Honestly, I cant wait until I try these new features I will admit that initial programming of the controller was cumbersome via DTMF. Also, since I didnt build the telephone interface project box, I did it all over-the-air (at very low power). The project box allows a standard telephone to be interfaced to the controller for programming However, since then I have not had ONE lick of trouble with the controller. It has voice interface, so it will speak your callsign and other items if you so desire, or it will send CW (or both). When I did call Tech Support via phone regarding some questions I had while setting up the controller, they were very helpful. I would recommend one to anyone looking for a reasonable controller, with some whiz bang features. wink IMHO, the only thing it lacks is a PL encode deck an aftermarket add-on (Com-Spec) has been ordered. (If it does have one, I havent been able to determine that via the manual ) Mark N9WYS Repeater Trustee, WW9AE/R (444.550 PL114.8) _ From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Question for the gurus: I am tuning up and donating an E.F. Johnson CR1100 repeater to the local Ham Club. They have asked me to install a talking, chirping, beeping type repeater controller (which they have offered to buy). I work with basic repeater, one each type stuff, so I have no idea where to start. I welcome any opinions of a repeater controller that meets the following somewhat carefully thought out criteria: 1. Reasonably affordable. (a couple hundred bucks or so) 2. It has to talk, beep and chirp. 3. It has to have a phone patch. 4. Well supported. 5. Reliable. 6. Not require re-engineering the radio. (Translation: easy installation) Feel free to add to this list. Thanks Will http://geo.yahoo.com/serv?s=97359714/grpId=104168/grpspId=1705063108/msgId= 70193/stime=1174350937/nc1=4438965/nc2=4025321/nc3=3848541 hr size=3 width=100% align=center AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/1615326657x4311227241x4298082137/aol?redir=ht tp://www.aol.com AOL.com.
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Repeater Controller Recommendations
Take a look at the Arcom RC-210. It has all the features you mention, plus LOTS more if you want them. The controller kit fits your budget, but the chassis for it is another $100. It supports the Arcom auto patch as an option. If you don't need/want a 3 port controller, it may be more than you want. At 07:52 PM 3/19/2007, you wrote: Question for the gurus: I am tuning up and donating an E.F. Johnson CR1100 repeater to the local Ham Club. They have asked me to install a talking, chirping, beeping type repeater controller (which they have offered to buy). I work with basic repeater, one each type stuff, so I have no idea where to start. I welcome any opinions of a repeater controller that meets the following somewhat carefully thought out criteria: 1. Reasonably affordable. (a couple hundred bucks or so) 2. It has to talk, beep and chirp. 3. It has to have a phone patch. 4. Well supported. 5. Reliable. 6. Not require re-engineering the radio. (Translation: easy installation) Feel free to add to this list. Thanks Will Thanks, Robin Midgett K4IDC VHF+ Glutton EM66se
