[Repeater-Builder] Cleaning of Moto 1500 series cans with Tarn-X (Finale)
Morning Folks, Just wanted to give everyone an update on the cleaning of my Moto 1500 series dup.s. I have to very respectfully now Skipp ;-) . disagree on cleaning of the cans. I know a lot of the Moto techs don't worry about it but I had the fun of working with several cans now that either was cleaned but not properly (by me none the less!), some that were not cleaned and a set that was cleaned to the hilt. All of these cans were on line within the past couple of weeks. Also all of these were put dead on the money with the proper equipment before being put into play. I just really wonder since it is a type of inductor / capacitor. We do live and learn and this was my experience J Easy way to clean these cans and the result was about 80db in separation with no desense. Running about 110 watts into the cans. Works wonderful now. Even with the repeater in a hole 300mw on an ht is not bad. I used Tarn-X and a GARDEN HOSE! In the main part of the cans, pour it in, hold your hand over the open end and slosh it around. Be aware, it will leak out the holes. The more you slosh the more crud will come off. Be sure and use rubber gloves by the way ;-) Also after a 2nd try in cleaning with Tarn-X, I will say follow the directions. DO NOT LET ANY PART BE WET WITH ANY TARN-X FOR EVEN A MINUTE. Also, don't re-use the Tarn-X (over a tub and re-use it). I found it will look uglier than it was before if you re-use the stuff ;-) However, use a small tub to slosh the parts around. Just be sure and pour it out and wash out the tub with a hose after each part. I did find even doing this, some of the Tarn-X did not come off (just a few droplets here and there). Those spots will turn dark and nasty over time. GET IT OFF. Especially if it is on the plunger or fingers. I used forced air to get all the droplets out of the cans and their parts. Then I used a little Brass-O and a Silver/Copper/Brass cleaning cloth (one of those ones that is treated with the chemical stuff and also has a polishing cloth). With the plunger itself, shine, shine and shine! Makes tuning even easier if you do. Do what you can to get all the rust or crud off of the plunger rods. DON'T give them a hose bath they will rust ;-) Coat the threads with a silicon spray as well. I used ACF-50 (http://www.corrosion-control.com/acf50.html) in a light coat over every part of the cans. Don't expect this stuff to dry, it won't. If it is too heavy of a coat, use a light cloth to take off the excess. Also acts as a lubricant on the fingers and plunger. Using the Tarn-X does work great and is MUCH easier than just the brute force of polishing it with Brass-O or something along those lines. 73 and have a great weekend, Robert
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Celwave Stationmaster part identification help needed - RFS is useless
Hi Eric, It appears that a faulty installation of the jumper at the sidearm is the beginning of the problems, and eliminating all the adaptors you can is the other component. Regarding repairing the antenna: is it feasible to make your own jumper pig tail (perhaps from super flex) and permanently solder one end to the antenna feed point? That would eliminate connectors that are inaccessible at the antenna. Make the jumper long enough to reach the tower, and ensure it is well attached to the stand off bracket. If the radials are what I recall, they're easy if you have the dimensions. IIRC, they're simple flat stock stainless or aluminum pieces with rounded edges, kind of resembling metal tongue depressors with a sharp angle bend in one end. I could fab them for you if you'd like. At 06:06 PM 9/7/2007, you wrote: I called RFS this afternoon. Sad times, indeed. First of all no one there could identify the connector/adapter part. Second of all, they claim no spare parts available for Stationmaster antennas. I even tried to buy a set of radials for a PD455 that has lost them, and they don't even offer them separately! Anyone have a bad UHF Super StationMaster that they want to sell off the radials or coaxial connector/adapter from? To top matters, the antennas aren't even built in the states anymore, and are contracted out to a non-RFS company. One more nail in our industrial coffin! One another note - has anyone run a PD455 with and without the radials, and noted the difference in performance? Eric KE2D --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, kk2ed [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Good Evening, I have a PD455 Super Stationmaster that is about 12 years old. I recently replaced it due to and SWR issue. I suspected a jumper issue. But since it is so high up on a tower, I didn't want to take any chances while having the climbers rig the tower, and pay twice, so I went ahead and replaced the antenna as well as the jumper. Well, come to find out, the problem was that the LDF4-50 jumper came loose from the side arm, and the stress pulled the center pin in on the N connector, thus causing an arc condition inside the N female connector at the bottom of the antenna. To make matters worse, the actual N Female termination was half unscrewed from the bottom of the antenna. Once on the ground, I decided to unscrew it out completely. To my suprise, it looks like the antenna is actually terminated into something resembling a UHF male connector embedded into the end of the inner assembly, and a UHF female to N female adapter is screwed in at the factory, providing the N female termination as ordered I'm guessing that if some other termination (DIN or UHF) is ordered, a different adapter is screwed in. Anyone familiar with this adapter, or know where I can obtain said replacement adapter? I have some standard UHF female - N female barrel adapters, but they are much shorter and not of the quality like the Celwave unit. I don't want to trust a cheap adapter at 500ft in the air! I'll call RFS when I get a chance, but based on recent correspondence with them, I don't hold much hope getting any support from them. Sad part is their old factory in Marboro NJ was a mile from my office - in the early 90's telecom boom days I used to drive my truck there and pick 30 Statiomasters up at a clip, no cardboard tubes needed! Now their old office and testing grounds is a strip mall, and the factory land has been surrounded by million dollar homes! Eric KE2D Yahoo! Groups Links Thanks, Robin Midgett K4IDC VHF+ Glutton EM66se
[Repeater-Builder] Looking for Link Identifier
Hi All Looking for a CW link identifier. Comm Spec no longer lists this part. Are there others? Gran K6RIF
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Looking for Link Identifier
At 10:23 AM 09/08/07, you wrote: Hi All Looking for a CW link identifier. Comm Spec no longer lists this part. Are there others? Gran K6RIF I've not played with this kit, so have no first hand knowledge, but this might do it for you... http://www.hamgadgets.com/product_info.php?products_id=64 If it scratches your itch, maybe you could write an article for repeater-builder on your experience? Mike WA6ILQ
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Looking for Link Identifier
I'm not sure about link ID but the device Mike mentioned is a fast build and works great! I plan to use this as an Echolink ID board as well. He also makes a wonderful keyer that I'm installing inside the box with a QRP radio. Ronny K4RJJ Mike Morris wrote: At 10:23 AM 09/08/07, you wrote: Hi All Looking for a CW link identifier. Comm Spec no longer lists this part. Are there others? Gran K6RIF I've not played with this kit, so have no first hand knowledge, but this might do it for you... http://www.hamgadgets.com/product_info.php?products_id=64 http://www.hamgadgets.com/product_info.php?products_id=64 If it scratches your itch, maybe you could write an article for repeater-builder on your experience? Mike WA6ILQ
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Looking for Link Identifier
Ronny Did you buy the Connection Kit as well? Not sure if this is needed. Gran PS. Thanks Mike At 11:03 AM 9/8/2007, you wrote: I'm not sure about link ID but the device Mike mentioned is a fast build and works great! I plan to use this as an Echolink ID board as well. He also makes a wonderful keyer that I'm installing inside the box with a QRP radio. Ronny K4RJJ Mike Morris wrote: At 10:23 AM 09/08/07, you wrote: Hi All Looking for a CW link identifier. Comm Spec no longer lists this part. Are there others? Gran K6RIF I've not played with this kit, so have no first hand knowledge, but this might do it for you... http://www.hamgadgets.com/product_info.php?products_id=64http://www.hamgadgets.com/product_info.php?products_id=64 http://www.hamgadgets.com/product_info.php?products_id=64 If it scratches your itch, maybe you could write an article for repeater-builder on your experience? Mike WA6ILQ
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Spectrum Communications SCR 77 UHF repeater
YEP..Got the RC-100 hooked up, programed and working good in my old Spectrum SCR-77..I have learned alot!!! Tim - Original Message - From: skipp025 To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: 9/7/2007 11:33:43 PM Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Spectrum Communications SCR 77 UHF repeater Looks like you have everything you need right there. The controller and SCR-77 Manual should have all the information you need. s. [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Yes skipp on the back there is a 12 pin accessory jack with the following: pin 1..Aux AF input 2..RX AF output 3...Aux COR switch(goes low, 0.1 V with incoming signal). (open collector.) 100 mA max 4..Aux PTT input (GND = Transmit) Will not time out 5..Remote COR disable 6..Receiver COR out 7.+5 VDC @ 100 mA max 8.+13.8 VDC @ 500mA max 9.Ground 10CTCSS tone input 11...CTCSS trigger 12CTCSS Rx tone output - Original Message - From: skipp025 To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: 9/7/2007 12:41:02 PM Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Spectrum Communications SCR 77 UHF repeater Re: Spectrum Communications SCR 77 UHF repeater You might have asked for a few more opinions before you bought a specific controller. Replacing the internal controller is quite a bit more involved versus dealing with just the CW ID'er function using something like an ID-O-Matic unit. Do you want to interface the entire controller into the SCR-77 or just replace the CW ID'er function? Maybe the folks at MCC will/should have the connection information available? Our technical replies depend on how you want to interface the board to the repeater operation. There is a rear panel interface jack on the SCR-77 for use external controller connections. cheers, skipp wd4chs taw21@ wrote: Well after all the advice I bought a Controller for my Spectrum SCR-77. It is an RC-100 from Micro Computer concepts. Nice people there. Now...I have to figure out how to hook it up. I am no tech, but I know a little bit. I would first just like it to replace the old IC77 CWID board and let the RC-100 do the IDing for me. Any thoughts on how to get this going? Thanks, Tim --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, wd4chs taw21@ wrote: I am in need of or someone who knows anything about the CWID for a Spectrum SCR-77 UHF repeater. The CWID it has now functions good only it is not my call. From what I have read about this CWIDer you have to have the manufacturer burn a chip for you that plugs into the board. Is there any other way? Thanks, Tim WD4CHS
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Looking for Link Identifier
No but I will with the next one I buy. I'm keeping the first one I built separate because it is a model that has the keyboard CW support AND the 5v regulator. I don't belive that firmware is available anymore. I have and will use that feature. The connection kit is a great interface board. The only other product that is built as versatile (for another purpose) is the Signalink series of sound card interfaces. You can tie those interfaces into almost any radio out there by chopping off the end of an old CAT5 cable and wiring the bare ends with your radio connector. Gran Clark wrote: Ronny Did you buy the Connection Kit as well? Not sure if this is needed. Gran PS. Thanks Mike At 11:03 AM 9/8/2007, you wrote: I'm not sure about link ID but the device Mike mentioned is a fast build and works great! I plan to use this as an Echolink ID board as well. He also makes a wonderful keyer that I'm installing inside the box with a QRP radio. Ronny K4RJJ Mike Morris wrote: At 10:23 AM 09/08/07, you wrote: Hi All Looking for a CW link identifier. Comm Spec no longer lists this part. Are there others? Gran K6RIF I've not played with this kit, so have no first hand knowledge, but this might do it for you... http://www.hamgadgets.com/product_info.php?products_id=64 http://www.hamgadgets.com/product_info.php?products_id=64 http://www.hamgadgets.com/product_info.php?products_id=64 http://www.hamgadgets.com/product_info.php?products_id=64 If it scratches your itch, maybe you could write an article for repeater-builder on your experience? Mike WA6ILQ
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Celwave Stationmaster part identification help needed - RFS is useless
Eric, USE THE RADIALS. I tried using a couple that had lost them to the wind/ice also and the performance is pretty poor. I just made the radials out of some aluminum stock and bought a new hose clamp. RFS gave me the exact dimensions for the radials for 440-450. If I find them I'll post them. Otherwise if you call they should give them to you. Andy KC2GOW kk2ed [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I tested the antenna using two adapters to get from the UHF male of the antenna itself to an N female. But likewise, I don't like using adapters, especially high up on a tower where it's not easy to get to. The part is labeled (stamped) as follows: 50896 0410-25 The stamping looks just like an Amphenol or Kings style marking. I tried to search Ampenol, King, and a few others, but can't seem to locate the OEM mfg. Anyone recognize the number above to decipher who the OEM is? Eric KE2D --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, Jack Taylor [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Donno about UHF radials but I've fabricated my own for the VHF Stationmasters. If you are unable to locate the desired fitting you may be able to use a UHF double female barrel adaptor on the UHF male at the antenna and then use a UG-83 adaptor (which is a UHF male to type N female). I personally don't like the idea of double adaptors but should work in a pinch. 73 de Jack - N7OO - Original Message - From: kk2ed To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, September 07, 2007 4:06 PM Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Celwave Stationmaster part identification help needed - RFS is useless I called RFS this afternoon. Sad times, indeed. First of all no one there could identify the connector/adapter part. Second of all, they claim no spare parts available for Stationmaster antennas. I even tried to buy a set of radials for a PD455 that has lost them, and they don't even offer them separately! Anyone have a bad UHF Super StationMaster that they want to sell off the radials or coaxial connector/adapter from? To top matters, the antennas aren't even built in the states anymore, and are contracted out to a non-RFS company. One more nail in our industrial coffin! One another note - has anyone run a PD455 with and without the radials, and noted the difference in performance? Eric KE2D --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, kk2ed kk2ed@ wrote: Good Evening, I have a PD455 Super Stationmaster that is about 12 years old. I recently replaced it due to and SWR issue. I suspected a jumper issue. But since it is so high up on a tower, I didn't want to take any chances while having the climbers rig the tower, and pay twice, so I went ahead and replaced the antenna as well as the jumper. Well, come to find out, the problem was that the LDF4-50 jumper came loose from the side arm, and the stress pulled the center pin in on the N connector, thus causing an arc condition inside the N female connector at the bottom of the antenna. To make matters worse, the actual N Female termination was half unscrewed from the bottom of the antenna. Once on the ground, I decided to unscrew it out completely. To my suprise, it looks like the antenna is actually terminated into something resembling a UHF male connector embedded into the end of the inner assembly, and a UHF female to N female adapter is screwed in at the factory, providing the N female termination as ordered I'm guessing that if some other termination (DIN or UHF) is ordered, a different adapter is screwed in. Anyone familiar with this adapter, or know where I can obtain said replacement adapter? I have some standard UHF female - N female barrel adapters, but they are much shorter and not of the quality like the Celwave unit. I don't want to trust a cheap adapter at 500ft in the air! I'll call RFS when I get a chance, but based on recent correspondence with them, I don't hold much hope getting any support from them. Sad part is their old factory in Marboro NJ was a mile from my office - in the early 90's telecom boom days I used to drive my truck there and pick 30 Statiomasters up at a clip, no cardboard tubes needed! Now their old office and testing grounds is a strip mall, and the factory land has been surrounded by million dollar homes! Eric KE2D - Need a vacation? Get great deals to amazing places on Yahoo! Travel.
