[Repeater-Builder] Lon and Lat Locator
Hello Hope Everyone is doing well,. Can anyone tell Me if thee is a Program on the WWW Like Goggle Earth that will let you just put in a Known Lat and Lon and display the Location, Goggle and others I have found will show You that info on the Pointer Location but You already know the area You are looking in. The reason is I have a Ham Friend in Rural Arkansas who has a PO Box for a Address , He used a Program to sent Me a Sat photo of His QTH , But I know for a fact I have seen better on Goggle Earth . Thanks Don KA9QJG
[Repeater-Builder] Re: Coax length between added cavity and duplexer - test r...
--- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, "Jeff DePolo" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: "I'm caught in a time warp in Philadelphia." Time is still unstable there 64 years later?
[Repeater-Builder] Re: Interference from Public-Safety Station (Was: Coax Length...)
--- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, "Eric Lemmon" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Nate, > > Was the interference present before the duplexer was retuned? If not, then > I suspect that the tuning is not correct. I definitely agree with that possibility. Another to ponder-- after tuning the duplexer, the system sensitivity has increased to the point that it can now hear something that was always there, hence the problem... Laryn K8TVZ
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Lloyd is Well was Cable Lengths
Jeff No question about that - cable lengths between the duplexer cavities is critical and just as critical are the lengths between the duplexer and the Tee that feeds the antenna. Your test equipment is unquestionably more sophisticated than my tracker but I wonder about the figure you recorded for the BP BR pass attenuation at .0953. That seems awfully low. I would expect to see something in the whereabouts of .5 db. While your pix indicates that the composite pass curve isn't significantly affected by the cable length from duplexer to pass cavity, they sure as hell show how significantly the reject curves are sensitive to cable length - one significantly and the other dramatically. Because of the division scale you used you aren't displaying any changes that take place w-a-y out of band and Murphy's law being what it is, this might be significant in certain situations. It can get even more curious than the reject curves you display. For example, the 9 1/2" cable that Lloyd initially scheduled between the duplexer and the pass cavity produced a slightly asymmetrical curve slightly steeper on the high side with a quasi-pass spike to -40db at 342.4 Mhz with little rise from the noise floor on the high side through 540Mhz. But when he lengthened this cable to 19 1/4", the low side quasi-pass spike shifted to 362.9 Mhz on the low side and a new -40 db quasi-pass high side spike appeared at 508.1 Mhz. Go figure. I don't much care for right angle connecters either although I don't have any solid evidence to support it.. I much prefer in-line stretchers which permit more subtle changes. Bruce K7IJ In a message dated 7/27/2007 6:00:59 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > According to Lloyd, the cable length between a duplexer and > an inline > cavity filter and the receiver makes little or no difference. Steve, Was the question posed (or probably misunderstood as being) whether the cable length between the receiver and the filter being critical, or the cables between filter sections being critical? If the latter, then I would have to humbly disagree with the answer, as theory and personal experience, as well as the results of the test earlier today, has been to the contrary. --- Jeff ** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Lloyd is Well was Cable Lengths
The question was a band pass filter between a receiver and a duplexer. First thing Lloyd said was lengths between cavities and the output TEE, comprising a duplexer are extremely critical. The original post cited a working system with interference, hence a band pass filter between the receiver and the duplexer, followed by questions concerning cable lengths between the receiver and in line filter, and the inline filter and the duplexer receive port. The supposition being receiver overload in the ham repeater coming from the 155? Mhz public safety system. Often a BPBR cavity may not reject signals 5 to 10 mhz from the pass frequency but do a splendid job of rejecting signals 600 khz from the pass frequency. Your pdf is excellent and very well done. Thanks for the great presentation Jeff. Best regards, Steve NU5D Jeff DePolo wrote: >> According to Lloyd, the cable length between a duplexer and >> an inline >> cavity filter and the receiver makes little or no difference. >> > > Steve, > > Was the question posed (or probably misunderstood as being) whether the > cable length between the receiver and the filter being critical, or the > cables between filter sections being critical? If the latter, then I would > have to humbly disagree with the answer, as theory and personal experience, > as well as the results of the test earlier today, has been to the contrary. > > --- Jeff > > > > > >
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Coax length between added cavity and duplexer - test results
"Cannot display the webpage" is what I get. Chuck - Original Message - From: "Jeff DePolo" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Sent: Friday, July 27, 2007 12:54 PM Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Coax length between added cavity and duplexer - test results > > I performed an experiment per previous discussion. The results are > available at: > > http://www.broadsci.com/900.pdf > > Apologies in advance for the terse verbage and any typos; I was trying to > get it done quickly between "real work" projects. > > Feedback would be greatly appreciated. > > --- Jeff > > > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > >
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Lloyd is Well was Cable Lengths
On Fri, 27 Jul 2007 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > This simply doesn't square with the advice Lloyd gave me during the > eighties. For example, he personally set up three sets of VHF systems > for me. Two of them were specials, i.e., the standard WP-642 duplexer Lloyd might know better now. :) -- Kris Kirby, KE4AHR <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> * WAR IS PEACE * FREEDOM IS SLAVERY * * IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH * KETCHUP IS * * A VEGETABLE *
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Coax length between added cavity and duplexer - test r...
Understood. But take comfort. You're not alone. Report is that everybody in Philadelphia is warped. In a message dated 7/27/2007 6:05:10 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > Just a dynamite presentation. Thanks for the effort. BTW, > where are you (The analysis is dated July 29) I'm caught in a time warp in Philadelphia. ** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Coax length between added cavity and duplexer - test r...
> Just a dynamite presentation. Thanks for the effort. BTW, > where are you (The analysis is dated July 29) I'm caught in a time warp in Philadelphia.
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Lloyd is Well was Cable Lengths
> According to Lloyd, the cable length between a duplexer and > an inline > cavity filter and the receiver makes little or no difference. Steve, Was the question posed (or probably misunderstood as being) whether the cable length between the receiver and the filter being critical, or the cables between filter sections being critical? If the latter, then I would have to humbly disagree with the answer, as theory and personal experience, as well as the results of the test earlier today, has been to the contrary. --- Jeff
[Repeater-Builder] Multi-coupler,how to connect them
hi is there a diagramm somewhere to know how to connect a series of multicoupler from sinclair,the vhf,i forgot the number. it is call"chaine de multicouplage" but i dont know how say it in english :-((( soryy hey thanks for the help, gervais ve2ckn
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Coax length between added cavity and duplexer - test r...
Maybe his computer is running on UTC? - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, July 27, 2007 5:16 PM Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Coax length between added cavity and duplexer - test r... Jeff Just a dynamite presentation. Thanks for the effort. BTW, where are you (The analysis is dated July 29) Bruce K7IJ
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Coax length between added cavity and duplexer - test results
Very nicely done, Jeff! At least as good as some manufacturers' reports, and color too! George - Original Message - From: "Jeff DePolo" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Sent: Friday, July 27, 2007 11:54 AM Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Coax length between added cavity and duplexer - test results > > I performed an experiment per previous discussion. The results are > available at: > > http://www.broadsci.com/900.pdf > > Apologies in advance for the terse verbage and any typos; I was trying to > get it done quickly between "real work" projects. > > Feedback would be greatly appreciated. > > --- Jeff >
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Coax length between added cavity and duplexer - test r...
Jeff Just a dynamite presentation. Thanks for the effort. BTW, where are you (The analysis is dated July 29) Bruce K7IJ In a message dated 7/27/2007 10:19:02 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I performed an experiment per previous discussion. The results are available at: _http://www.broadscihttp://wwhtt_ (http://www.broadsci.com/900.pdf) Apologies in advance for the terse verbage and any typos; I was trying to get it done quickly between "real work" projects. Feedback would be greatly appreciated. --- Jeff ** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Lloyd is Well was Cable Lengths
After just getting through turning a set of Aerial Facilities Limited SC-220-2N Band Pass cans into a Band Pass Band Reject (tm) duplexer here is what I am going to share from my experiences. The Science Behind It: Please refere to US Patent #4080601 My Experiences: Please refere to: http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=85474861&blogID=252104937 http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=85474861&blogID=286228333 http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=85474861&blogID=289106710 Inner cavity coax length is not critical when the cavity is in Band Pass mode. Meaning when the can has two inductive coupling loops that work out to be j0+50 ohms. Length for inner cavity and the antenna tee becomes critical in BpBr or reject mode. This will add 6dB of additional isolation if the cable is sucsessfuly cut to be a electrical 1/4 wave or any odd multiple of 1/4 lambda, (3/4 etc.) Velocity factor changes between the connectors and coax must be compensated for. A 8.875" calculated 66% velocity factor cable becomes 9.125" when connectors are on it. Coupling loop design can be optimized when the loop is out of the can. Adjust tuning cap to mid range and sweep loop with spectrum analyzer, tracking generator and tee until notch appears at target frequency. My dimensions were 1" by 1.125" square. Using 0.062" X 0.25" brass stock. Loops work acceptably when not silver plated. If you have rotatable loops, Rotate the coupling loop for optimum coupling before final tuning. When viewed on spectrum analyzer this will be when the distance between the notch and the pass is becomes maximum. Then procede with fine tuning. Cavities seem to exhibit approximently .25 to .3dB less loss each when connected to the phasing harness. A Single cavity scanned at 1.1dB loss, 2 cavities measuered 1.43dB. Johanson caps work fine for 220 and above. Check function of capacitor before installing, I had one that had a broken ring and tuning was all over the place and I could only get like 15dB of notch in some spots. Something with better Q should be used for 2m and below, such as 1/4" hardline or a variable di-electric capacitor such as the Wacom 'trombone'. Now if I can get the rest of the repeater up and running we will be golden.
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Lloyd is Well was Cable Lengths
In a message dated 7/27/2007 11:16:58 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: According to Lloyd, the cable length between a duplexer and an inline cavity filter and the receiver makes little or no difference. This simply doesn't square with the advice Lloyd gave me during the eighties. For example, he personally set up three sets of VHF systems for me. Two of them were specials, i.e., the standard WP-642 duplexer plus an additional 8 inch pure pass cavity on each side - a total of six bottles. Lloyd supplied all of the interconnects between the duplexer cans and also supplied the cables between the duplexer and the pass cavities. To minimize possible cable interaction I told Lloyd that I wanted to change the cable length between the duplexer and the pass cavities. He said, no, he wouldn't recommend that and that the cable was selected to provide optimum phasing of the duplexer and pass cavitity curves. And when I tried substituting a different cable length, the tracker indeed did show a different composite curve. I subsequently had Lloyd set up two UHF specials - the standard WP-678 plus WP-478 pure pass cans. Lloyd specified the cable length between the duplexer and the pass cavity as 9 1/2" for the low pass and 9 1/4" for the high pass (not including N connectors. When I told him that there was no way I could physically arrange the cans using this cable length, he said, no problem, he would use a multiple and the cables that came with the pass cavities were 20 1/4" for the low pass and 20" for the high pass (including connectors). Now, if the cable length between the duplexer and the pass cavity was of little or no difference, why would Lloyd would have suggested and provided a half wave multiple length? Why wouldn't he have said "use any length that works for you"? Bruce K7IJ ** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Icom IC-FR4000-3
A bug in the software or op-amp latch up due to a polarized capacitor being charged backwards. On 7/27/07, Paul Finch <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hello, > > My customer's called the other day complaining that the system was out, they > could hear the mobile key up but no audio was passed. I did not have a HT > with me at the time, I saw them key up and the repeater had power so I > cycled the power. I checked with them later trying to find the problem and > they said it went back to work about the time I cycled power. > > Anyone know what's going on? > > Paul > > > -Original Message- > From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of barrypal > Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2007 10:50 PM > To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com > Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Icom IC-FR4000-3 > > I just installed my FR4000 two weeks ago and have not noticed any > audio problems yet. The repeat audio is better then my Mastr II and > the sensitivity and selectivity is great. BUT, I can't seem to get > the ID'er running the way I think it should. It will id every time > the repeater is keyed and or dropped out. You can turn it off > altogether or have it at some system interval 24/7.. I would like it > to operate on key up and then every 10 and then on sign off with delay > but can't seem to find it in the software... > > Barry k7pal > > > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.10.22/921 - Release Date: 7/26/2007 > 11:16 PM > > > No virus found in this outgoing message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.10.22/921 - Release Date: 7/26/2007 > 11:16 PM > > > > > > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > >
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Icom IC-FR4000-3
Hello, My customer's called the other day complaining that the system was out, they could hear the mobile key up but no audio was passed. I did not have a HT with me at the time, I saw them key up and the repeater had power so I cycled the power. I checked with them later trying to find the problem and they said it went back to work about the time I cycled power. Anyone know what's going on? Paul -Original Message- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of barrypal Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2007 10:50 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Icom IC-FR4000-3 I just installed my FR4000 two weeks ago and have not noticed any audio problems yet. The repeat audio is better then my Mastr II and the sensitivity and selectivity is great. BUT, I can't seem to get the ID'er running the way I think it should. It will id every time the repeater is keyed and or dropped out. You can turn it off altogether or have it at some system interval 24/7.. I would like it to operate on key up and then every 10 and then on sign off with delay but can't seem to find it in the software... Barry k7pal Yahoo! Groups Links No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.10.22/921 - Release Date: 7/26/2007 11:16 PM No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.10.22/921 - Release Date: 7/26/2007 11:16 PM Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Repeater-Builder/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Repeater-Builder/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
[Repeater-Builder] Lloyd is Well was Cable Lengths
Just a few minutes ago I had a really nice chat with Lloyd Alcorn, one of the three founders of Wacom Products. Lloyd's background includes being a professional engineer working for Decibel Products and helped design the DB 222 folded dipole antenna. Lloyd Alcorn, Larry Bush (W5NCD) and Kit Parsons (deceased) founded Wacom Products and for many years Wacom existed in a couple of service bays at Waco Communications, an RCC and Land Mobile shop in Waco. I worked for Waco Communications from 1975 thru 1981 in the RCC end of things but had much contact with the Wacom folks even after I went into business for myself in 1985. According to Lloyd, the cable length between a duplexer and an inline cavity filter and the receiver makes little or no difference. The culprit to beware of is - radiation from the receiver toward the inline cavity filter. The LO is the primary source of this radiation, but there may also be other signals generated by the receiver. This low level signal sets up standing waves between the receiver and the cavity filter and may cause some black magic to enter into the equation. Changing the cable length may help reduce the effects of stray radiation between the receiver and the cavity should this occur. Placing a band pass cavity between the receiver and the duplexer will make no difference at all if the interfering signal is on the receive frequency. Now the transmitter. Again most but not all of the time, the cable length between the transmitter and the duplexer will make no difference, EXCEPT that the transmitter may have other out of band energy that again sets up standing waves between the transmitter and the duplexer and these unwanted signals bounce back and forward between the transmitter PA and the duplexer and intensify. This is where a magic cable length can help. Also an isolator can help not withstanding the isolator does create it's own set of problems. Lloyd still lives and Waco. I promised NOT to give his phone number and he said he is not in hiding. He is still very active, golfing from time to time and serving in the Baptist Church there in Waco. His health is good, except for the standard maladies of getting older. He did mention that Kit's demise came quickly, having talked with Kit some months earlier and Kit made no mention of an illness. Lloyd gives his best regards to all the folks he worked with over the years - said when they get up in the morning, sometime they go back to bed - don't have to go to work. Best 73, Steve NU5D -- Ham Radio Spoken Here !!! NU5D EM11 http://www.qrz.com/callsign/NU5D Nickel Under 5 Dollars
[Repeater-Builder] Re: E F Johnson CR600
Steve, I happen to have a Johnson CR600 repeater on the air at 443.975. I think it is a pretty good desktop repeater as compared to Uniden, Standard, etc. It actually was not manufactured by Johnson. It was contracted out to Repco to manufacture in the late 80s. The raido is crystaled however it uses ovens so you can just buy rocks and drop them in. It tunes up well into the ham band and has a relitively sensitive receiver. The duplexer is a 4 can notch manufactured by Phelps Dodge or Celwave depending on when it was made. The controller is very simple - it contains options for dual tone boards and has built in adjustable time out timer and hang time. There is a squelch control on the control bord independant of the one on the front and also a provision for an optional accessory connector. I do have a copy of the service manual and I can try to get scans of it. Also the repeater is capable of up to around 25 to 30 watts output but as with any compact repeater it is better to run it around half power. James n0qzv == --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, "stephenucedu" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Does anyone have experience, or an opinion about, the EF Johnson CR600 UHF repeater? We > may want to incorporate a low end UHF repeater into our system, but we don't want > something that is/was known for problems. > > A second question involves its programming. Is it PC based or what? I assume if so then the > software is out there somewhere. > > > steve > > KB3OKL Repeater >
[Repeater-Builder] Wanted: Johnson CR 1000 or CR 1010
I am looking for an E.F. Johnson CR 1000 or CR 1010 uhf repeater to purchase. Please email me if you have one for sale. thank you James N0QZV
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Tektronix TEK-491 spectrum analyzer
Jay--- Take warning--- The TEK 491 SA has a very primitive front end mixer in it. This mixer is not a balanced type and passes considerable input signal direct to the IF amplifier which is in the 150 to 250 mHz region, if I remember right. This mixer blow through makes for considerable confusion in off air measurements and actually in most VHF applications--it is fine up in UHF and microwave. We have one here that was given to us-we have plans to replace the mixer with a Mini Circuits balanced type with hopes for improved to usable performance. Scott, N6NXI - Original Message - From: Jay Sario To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2007 7:30 PM Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Tektronix TEK-491 spectrum analyzer Hi to everyone, A fellow here in our location is selling me a cheap working Tektronix 491 spectrum analyzer that doesnt have the standard accessories. My knowledge on how to use this type of equipment is limited at the moment but very interested in getting to know how. Just would like to ask before I buy it, would I still be able to put it in good use or be able to measure things even if the standard accessories are not included, like the waveguide mixers, etc.? Can i substitute them with homebrewed ones? Thank you much. jay
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Coax length between added cavities
> We just > weren't ready to use the time and materials to add an inch to > a set of cables and then make another set of short ones. "Connector savers" can be incrementally added to a cable when experimenting to find the optimum length. Connector savers are male-to-famale adapters of the same connector type. They are frequently installed on test equipment to save wear and tear on the built-in connector, hence their nickname. They are about the shortest length you can add from a mechanical standpoint to cables that use type N connectors. A line stretcher is the best way to do it, but connector savers are quick and dirty, and their incremental electrical length is small enough to make them effective for this purpose at the frequencies we normally deal with below 1 GHz. High-quality elbow adapters can be used in a pinch instead, but there are some caveats with respect to the impedence bump they can create (see the blurb I put together earlier today that touches on this subject). They are also electrically longer than connector savers, typically making them useful only below about 500 MHz in many cases. If you do this kind of work on a regular basis like we do, you end up with a few dozen test cables of varying lengths (nominally 1/2" incremental difference in length) to use when building a system. Once the optimum cable lengths are found, new cables are made for the final installation. BTW, when making up cables based on manufacturers' recommend cable lengths, make sure you know whether the cable length they specify is the "cut length" or whether it's tip-to-tip. Some manufacturers, like TX-RX, specify their cable lengths based on the cut length before the connectors are installed, so the overall tip-to-tip length ends up being about 1.25" longer when type N crimp connectors are installed. --- Jeff
[Repeater-Builder] Coax length between added cavity and duplexer - test results
I performed an experiment per previous discussion. The results are available at: http://www.broadsci.com/900.pdf Apologies in advance for the terse verbage and any typos; I was trying to get it done quickly between "real work" projects. Feedback would be greatly appreciated. --- Jeff
[Repeater-Builder] Re: Coax length between added cavity and duplexer
Knowing what is on the nearby antenna is VERY important and is most likely involved in the problem! I used to work at Sinclair as a systems engineer and dealt with solving IM problems and sources on a daily basis for customers' solutions so I know what I am asking WILL help in resolving the original problem of interference. Putting a pass can between the duplexer and receiver with a non optimized cable will help in describing the characteristic of the interference if the interference changes in RF level and then if it cures it then one can optimize the cable length. Critical length cable MEANS (to an experienced filter person) that the total response characteristics are optimized for a given response. That could be for VSWR shape or pass frequency response or even whether the notches add to more rejection than the individual notch responses or not. Also the effect of cavity interaction wrt tuning occurs with non optimized cables. Yes, I know they ran the frequencies - I can read. One cannot just look at the receive and transmit frequencies alone. If the combination isn't obvious with the differences in frequencies showing hits, you have to look at synthesizer frequencies, image frequencies, and other oscillator frequencies for the cause of the IM or spurious mixing. That is why I mentioned the 12.8MHz oscillator spur on the Mastr 3. Any non-linear junction in the presence of multiple RF signals will generate intermodulation. Even ferromagnetic materials like nickel will generate intermodulation. Characterizing the interference level changes with the application of a pass cans or attenuators can help in determining whether the source is internal to the receiver or external (cables, filters, antenna and beyond) Harold, VA3HF --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, Ron Wright <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > I believe the inital posting stated no freq combination/mixing could be found. For the most part this would illimate an intermod problem. However, since there are so many txs in a typical city part of the problem could be from a distant unknown tx. > > 73, ron, n9ee/r > > > > >From: Harold Farrenkopf <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >Date: 2007/07/26 Thu PM 01:50:26 CDT > >To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com > >Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Coax length between added cavity and duplexer > > > > >What are the frequencies of your repeater and the frequencies on the > >nearby antenna > > > >What are the radios used on the nearby antenna? > > > >Important information in determining the problem - I had one source of > >noise caused by a Mastr III that had a spur of considerable strength > >at 12.8MHz down from the transmitter carrier - synthesizer oscillator! > >It was received with the correct transmitter modulation as the carrier > >frequency and a pass on it or a notch at -12.8 MHz solved our problem. > > The level of the emission was within spec of the Mastr 3 but was > >still too strong for our antenna at 500' away. > > > >What is the configuration of their filters? > > > >4' horizontal separation is not much at all so filters should be > >designed to all the frequencies used to work together. > > > >Then, it only takes one transmitter to cause noise in an antenna if > >the antenna is "noisy". > > > >What does the interference sound like? > > > >Harold, VA3HF > > > >--- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, Ken Arck wrote: > >> > >> At 11:06 AM 7/26/2007, you wrote: > >> > >> > >> > >> Intermod means there is mixing in YOUR PA with some outside RF energy. > >> > >> >> term that has become a generic terms used to describe just about any > >> type of received interference. Ya know, kinda like Klenex has become > >> the name for any tissue. > >> > >> Intermod is a very specific type of phenomenon and for accuracy, > >> should only be used to describe intermodulation issues and not mixes, > >> adjacent channel interference, etc. > >> > >> (more of my 2 cents) > >> > >> Ken > >> > > > > > > > Ron Wright, N9EE > 727-376-6575 > MICRO COMPUTER CONCEPTS > Owner 146.64 repeater Tampa Bay, FL > No tone, all are welcome. >
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Coax length between added cavity and duplexer
Jim, I agree that the 800 MHz repeater's carrier frequency is probably too far from the 2m repeater's input to cause a problem, but there is also the possibility that the 800MHz transmitter's exciter is causing the problem. A case in point: An older 800 MHz repeater was turned on at the same site as a local 2m repeater, and immediately caused major interference. It turned out that the exciter was radiating at 1/6 of the 868 MHz carrier, since that model transmitter used a VHF exciter followed by a doubler and a tripler. The exciter leakage was just a few kHz away from the 2m input, and it severely interfered with the 2m repeater's reception. The leakage occurred because a careless tech left off one shield and did not install all of the screws in another shield. Once the 800MHz machine was properly buttoned up, the problem went away. 73, Eric Lemmon WB6FLY -Original Message- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Jim Sent: Friday, July 27, 2007 8:34 AM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Coax length between added cavity and duplexer Wow-an 800 repeater is giving a 2M rx problems? Must be a really crappy rx! Or the antennas are REALLY close! -- Jim Barbour WD8CHL
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Tektronix TEK-491 spectrum analyzer
Jay, you can klugde together some of the accessories, but they won't be fully calkibrated to give you accurate info. Dick - Original Message - From: Jay Sario To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: 26 July, 2007 19:30 Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Tektronix TEK-491 spectrum analyzer Hi to everyone, A fellow here in our location is selling me a cheap working Tektronix 491 spectrum analyzer that doesnt have the standard accessories. My knowledge on how to use this type of equipment is limited at the moment but very interested in getting to know how. Just would like to ask before I buy it, would I still be able to put it in good use or be able to measure things even if the standard accessories are not included, like the waveguide mixers, etc.? Can i substitute them with homebrewed ones? Thank you much. jay
[Repeater-Builder] Tektronix TEK-491 spectrum analyzer
Hi to everyone, A fellow here in our location is selling me a cheap working Tektronix 491 spectrum analyzer that doesnt have the standard accessories. My knowledge on how to use this type of equipment is limited at the moment but very interested in getting to know how. Just would like to ask before I buy it, would I still be able to put it in good use or be able to measure things even if the standard accessories are not included, like the waveguide mixers, etc.? Can i substitute them with homebrewed ones? Thank you much. jay
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Coax length between added cavity and duplexer
W5AC at Texas A&M has a 2M repeater on 146.820 co-located with an 800 Mhz PST. The 146.820 transmitter mixes with one of the 800 mhz transmitters and has a direct hit on 146.220. They use split channel guard tones because if in and out tone were the same, the transmitter mix would open the receiver. They could have left tone off the transmitter, but then the co-channel 82 repeaters would be an issue to folks listening. The ham repeater is a MastrII. Seems like they moved the 2M repeater from Kyle Stadium to Rudder Hall and the problem lessened but did not entirely go away. PS - I called Lloyd Alcorn this morning but got his answering machine - will call back later in the day. Steve NU5D. Jim wrote: > Ron Wright wrote: > >> Nate, >> >> A local, in Tampa, FL, high profile repeater has a similar problem. >> They are on 2 meters along side a 800 MHz repeater which gives them >> interference. They have to live with it. However, it is weak and >> they PL'd their repeater. Since weak the users can over ride and the >> PL only allows the users to bring up the machine. >> > > Wow-an 800 repeater is giving a 2M rx problems? Must be a really crappy > rx! Or the antennas are REALLY close! > -- Ham Radio Spoken Here !!! NU5D EM11 http://www.qrz.com/callsign/NU5D Nickel Under 5 Dollars
[Repeater-Builder] VOX Schematic diagram
heloo! anybody there that could give me a simple shematic diagram of VOX with complete listing of component parts. please email it to me. maui dv2mau phils. - Take the Internet to Go: Yahoo!Go puts the Internet in your pocket: mail, news, photos & more.
[Repeater-Builder] Re: Icom IC-FR4000-3
I just installed my FR4000 two weeks ago and have not noticed any audio problems yet. The repeat audio is better then my Mastr II and the sensitivity and selectivity is great. BUT, I can't seem to get the ID'er running the way I think it should. It will id every time the repeater is keyed and or dropped out. You can turn it off altogether or have it at some system interval 24/7.. I would like it to operate on key up and then every 10 and then on sign off with delay but can't seem to find it in the software... Barry k7pal
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Coax length between added cavity and duplexer
Ron Wright wrote: > Nate, > > A local, in Tampa, FL, high profile repeater has a similar problem. > They are on 2 meters along side a 800 MHz repeater which gives them > interference. They have to live with it. However, it is weak and > they PL'd their repeater. Since weak the users can over ride and the > PL only allows the users to bring up the machine. Wow-an 800 repeater is giving a 2M rx problems? Must be a really crappy rx! Or the antennas are REALLY close! -- Jim Barbour WD8CHL
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Coax length between added cavities
Repeating the experiment? Hmmm. We were re-cabling a set of Sinclair duplexers for a 2-meter machine and had access to a high quality vector voltmeter. It took three of us Keystone Cops over 3 hours to make a set of 1/4, 1/2 and even a couple of 1 wavelength cables. Later, we repeated the process for a 220 machine and even though we had experience, it took about the same amount of time. My point? It ain't easy ! We just weren't ready to use the time and materials to add an inch to a set of cables and then make another set of short ones. In both cases, things worked out great. Many hams who are delving in cavity alignment don't have a vector voltmeter, so we were in good shape. Plus, you have a warm fuzzy comfort factor if you know your cables are the right length when you start the job. If alignment ain't happening, you can say "I know it ain't the cables!"...right ! And I got some ocean front property here in western Arizona de WD7F John in Tucson Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL.com. No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.10.20/919 - Release Date: 7/26/2007 9:56 AM
Re: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Coax length between added cavity and duplexer
Nate, A local, in Tampa, FL, high profile repeater has a similar problem. They are on 2 meters along side a 800 MHz repeater which gives them interference. They have to live with it. However, it is weak and they PL'd their repeater. Since weak the users can over ride and the PL only allows the users to bring up the machine. As so many of us Hams do, getting on sites for free, we have to put up with some problems. Of course it does depend on the survarity of the problem. 73, ron, n9ee/r >From: Nate Bargmann <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Date: 2007/07/26 Thu PM 01:09:56 CDT >To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com >Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Coax length between added cavity and duplexer > >* Steve S. Bosshard (NU5D) <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> [2007 Jul 26 13:05 -0500]: >> You could always try and scrap the front end from a thrashed M2 mobile - >> kinda lossy but can be used as a preselector - Also even a 3 dB. >> attenuator might help against overload at the cost of 3dB. in RX sen. >> >> Out of curiosity, what kind of repeater are you using? Probably said in >> an earlier post - don't remember. > >It is a TKR-720. Probably not the best choice for this site. ;-) > >Again, it's not my system and there are some politics with getting >involved to much that I'd rather avoid. So, at this point we're >helping as we can. > >Thanks for all the ideas. Many I've seen or even tried in the pastand >perhaps forgot. :-D > >73, de Nate >> > >-- > Wireless | Amateur Radio Station N0NB | Successfully Microsoft > Amateur radio exams; ham radio; Linux info @ | free since January 1998. > http://www.qsl.net/n0nb/ | "Debian, the choice of > My Kawasaki KZ-650 SR @| a GNU generation!" >http://www.networksplus.net/n0nb/ | http://www.debian.org > Ron Wright, N9EE 727-376-6575 MICRO COMPUTER CONCEPTS Owner 146.64 repeater Tampa Bay, FL No tone, all are welcome.
Re: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Coax length between added cavity and duplexer
That would be intermod, but not intermod generated inside ones own equipment. If there is intermod mixing on a different or far away commerical site finding it would be hard, but getting it solved might be even harder. Depends on the owner of the other system. 300 W pager txs for years have caused problems, but since no problem to the pager company they often don't care. It is just spending money to solve someone elses problem. 73, ron, n9ee/r >From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Date: 2007/07/26 Thu PM 01:38:13 CDT >To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com >Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Coax length between added cavity and duplexer > >And if the mixing is someone else's PA with some outside RF energy - that's >notproperly characterized as intermod when it ends up on your input?  In a >message dated 7/26/2007 11:30:47 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] >writes:<---Intermod means there is mixing in YOUR PA with some outside RF >energy. Could be, could be not. You need to run all the frequencies >used at your site in order to identify any possible 2nd, 3rd, 4th and >so on products. Or it might be a straight mix. BTW, what do you mean >by "interference"? Are you hearing other signals or is is something >else? (knowing the 'sound' of the interference generally goes a long >way at identifying it) > > > > >Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL.com. Ron Wright, N9EE 727-376-6575 MICRO COMPUTER CONCEPTS Owner 146.64 repeater Tampa Bay, FL No tone, all are welcome.
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Coax length between added cavity and duplexer
I believe the inital posting stated no freq combination/mixing could be found. For the most part this would illimate an intermod problem. However, since there are so many txs in a typical city part of the problem could be from a distant unknown tx. 73, ron, n9ee/r >From: Harold Farrenkopf <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Date: 2007/07/26 Thu PM 01:50:26 CDT >To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com >Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Coax length between added cavity and duplexer > >What are the frequencies of your repeater and the frequencies on the >nearby antenna > >What are the radios used on the nearby antenna? > >Important information in determining the problem - I had one source of >noise caused by a Mastr III that had a spur of considerable strength >at 12.8MHz down from the transmitter carrier - synthesizer oscillator! >It was received with the correct transmitter modulation as the carrier >frequency and a pass on it or a notch at -12.8 MHz solved our problem. > The level of the emission was within spec of the Mastr 3 but was >still too strong for our antenna at 500' away. > >What is the configuration of their filters? > >4' horizontal separation is not much at all so filters should be >designed to all the frequencies used to work together. > >Then, it only takes one transmitter to cause noise in an antenna if >the antenna is "noisy". > >What does the interference sound like? > >Harold, VA3HF > >--- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, Ken Arck <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> >> At 11:06 AM 7/26/2007, you wrote: >> >> >> >> Intermod means there is mixing in YOUR PA with some outside RF energy. >> >> > term that has become a generic terms used to describe just about any >> type of received interference. Ya know, kinda like Klenex has become >> the name for any tissue. >> >> Intermod is a very specific type of phenomenon and for accuracy, >> should only be used to describe intermodulation issues and not mixes, >> adjacent channel interference, etc. >> >> (more of my 2 cents) >> >> Ken >> > > Ron Wright, N9EE 727-376-6575 MICRO COMPUTER CONCEPTS Owner 146.64 repeater Tampa Bay, FL No tone, all are welcome.
Re: RE: [Repeater-Builder] Coax lengt h between added cavity and  duplexer
It would be good to get info on this repeaters equipment, type duplexer, feedline, etc. I agree with another posting...first ID the problem then put in fixes that address it. Know sometimes this is difficult so we just try things hoping it will help. If the problem is from outside source, such as intermod on a spot on the tower, and the resulting freq is your receiver input all the filters in the world will not fix the problem unless you want to attenuate the receiver input. Users might not like this fix, hi. 73, ron, n9ee/r >From: Gary Schafer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Date: 2007/07/26 Thu PM 02:19:19 CDT >To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com >Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] Coax length between added cavity and duplexer > >Intermod IS the result of mixing. The mixing can take place in your receiver >(commonly called receiver intermod). >Mixing can take place in your own transmitter, which generates a product >that falls on your receive frequency(or on someone else's) or the mixing can >take place in someone else's transmitter with the resulting product falling >on your receive frequency. It is all intermodulation. i.e. the result of >mixing of two or more frequencies in a non linear device. > >73 >Gary K4FMX > >> -Original Message- >> From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Repeater- >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ken Arck >> Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2007 1:29 PM >> To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com >> Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Coax length between added cavity and >> duplexer >> >> At 11:06 AM 7/26/2007, you wrote: >> >> >> >> Intermod means there is mixing in YOUR PA with some outside RF energy. >> >> > term that has become a generic terms used to describe just about any >> type of received interference. Ya know, kinda like Klenex has become >> the name for any tissue. >> >> Intermod is a very specific type of phenomenon and for accuracy, >> should only be used to describe intermodulation issues and not mixes, >> adjacent channel interference, etc. >> >> (more of my 2 cents) >> >> Ken >> >> >> >> >> >> >> Yahoo! Groups Links >> >> >> > > Ron Wright, N9EE 727-376-6575 MICRO COMPUTER CONCEPTS Owner 146.64 repeater Tampa Bay, FL No tone, all are welcome.
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Coax length between added cavities
> So my take is that there are critical cable lengths involved > for adding a pure pass cavity to a BP BR duplexer, but I > would be interested to hear from anyone aboard who has the > necessary hardware kicking around to repeat that experiment > and either replicate or refute the results I got. As Bob and others have said, the cable length is not critical from a Z-matching standpoint if both cavities are tuned for 50 ohms at the pass frequency, but the cable length will affect the reject response. > As I said, > my sole cavity experience has been with Wacoms, but I find it > difficult to believe that this parameter is OEM specific. I'm doing some R&D work today and have the VNA (Agilent E5070B) lit up, so I'll do some real-world tests and post the results. Taking a quick look around here, I see some Wacom 900 MHz pass/reject and pass-only cavities, so those will be my test subjects. --- Jeff
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Coax length between added cavities
To All: Over the past 50 years I have worked with most all Cavity mfg's on special and standard product applications. Let me assure you that the interconnecting cables are critical. Some applications more so than others. Msg for Nate; Before you try shot-gunning the symptoms, please spend the needed time to identify the problem, then a cure can be better established. Yes, this will take more time, but it will be well worth it in the end! Fred W5VAY (Retired Engineer) - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, July 27, 2007 12:03 AM Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Coax length between added cavities Can we wind our way back to addressing the original query which asked if there is a critical length for the interconnect between a BP BR duplexer and added pure pass cavities? I can't speak for all bottle manufacturers, but I own 8 Wacom BP BR duplexer + pass cavity arrays some of which go back to the early eighties. Lloyd Alcorn was kind enough and patient enough to give me a pretty good nuts and bolts education on cavity characteristics. He said in no uncertain terms that there were optimum cable lengths for both the interconnects between the duplexer cavities and also an optimum length for any pure pass cavities added to the chain. For the added pure pass cavity, the optimum interconnect length would ensure that the pure pass curve would superimpose over the duplexer curve. When I did some experimenting with the pure pass cable length, it validated his point. If I significantly lengthened or shortened this cable, the tracking generator would indicate that the pass curve was no longer superimposed on the duplexer curve. It would either lead or lag the duplexer curve producing two results: 1) the composite curve began to show some distortion and 2) the total attenuation at the desired frequency was higher than when the optimum cable length (supplied by Lloyd) was used. So my take is that there are critical cable lengths involved for adding a pure pass cavity to a BP BR duplexer, but I would be interested to hear from anyone aboard who has the necessary hardware kicking around to repeat that experiment and either replicate or refute the results I got. As I said, my sole cavity experience has been with Wacoms, but I find it difficult to believe that this parameter is OEM specific. K7IJ -- Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL.com.