[Repeater-Builder] New Transmitting Antenna SWR Question

[agrimm0034]

Currently just upgraded my home built GMRS Maxtrac repeater to a new 6.5db Gain 
Tran-Max antenna. Says SWR should be 1.5 - 1 or less and I have a reading of 
2.5 - 1. I'm using LMR 400 ultra low loss cable at 40 ft putting in 40 watts of 
power. The antenna is mounted on 40 ft tower old 3 legged style. Nothing is 
around the antenna and check cable to make sure it wasn't shorted and 
everything seems to be fine. Any ideas on how to make the Standing Wave better?

RE: [Repeater-Builder] OT - Tower Photographs needed

[William Saiz]

Im looking for radios motorolla vhf gm 300 and maxtrac 300 used radios thank 
you william saiz..
 


To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com
From: ka3...@att.net
Date: Thu, 21 May 2009 22:07:22 -0500
Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] OT - Tower Photographs needed







If you don't get any other offers, I'm only about 10 or 12 miles from the 
975-footer in Aurora, Illinois that took down an Air Angels chopper during a 
night flight last year, killing the crew and the 13-month old infant they 
were transporting. I could probably buzz out there over the weekend and get 
you some shots. (Could have been a lot worse: the tower is right behind a 
large townhome development, and the chopper crashed in a field just across 
the road from them...)

Can't think of a better example for you...

George, KA3HSW / WQGJ413

- Original Message - 
From: "rahwayflynn" 
To: 
Sent: Wednesday, May 20, 2009 8:03 PM
Subject: [Repeater-Builder] OT - Tower Photographs needed

Anyone with a 500+ guyed tower? I am working on a power point 
presentation for the local OEM. The subject matter is selecting an 
appropriate LZ for medivac helicopters, IE keep the aircraft away from 
towers and power lines.

What I am looking for is a night & day shot from exactly the same 
perspective (let the ground crew see the guys in the daylight & watch them 
disappear at night)









_
Insert movie times and more without leaving Hotmail®.
http://windowslive.com/Tutorial/Hotmail/QuickAdd?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_HM_Tutorial_QuickAdd1_052009

Re: [Repeater-Builder] One way transmitting question

[Chris Robinson]

If you are trying to do a paging system on the repeater then no you
can not do this, if you plan on using a method that encrypts the
message.
 I would sugesst that many radios now come with the ability to CTCSS
tone page, and use this method. Only radios on and set to that page
code you pick will activate. No it is not secure but no transmission
on amateur is secure, it was never meant to suppliment or bypass other
radio services!

On 5/22/09, rert...@ix.netcom.com  wrote:
> If you send to one pager at a time, you're OK because the message is going
> to a single person and isn't a broadcast.
>
> Dick
>
> -Original Message-
>>From: Christopher Hodgdon 
>>Sent: May 22, 2009 3:43 PM
>>To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com
>>Subject: [Repeater-Builder] One way transmitting question
>>
>>Ok, I have a question that has been bothering me over the last few days.  I
>> had mentioned that we wanted to use our repeater to send out a set of
>> tones to activate fire style pager (this was some time ago) and people
>> said we should not do it for one reason or another.  One of those reasons
>> was that it might be considered a one way broadcast and not legal under
>> FCC rules for amateur radio.
>>
>>That being said, I know that some people have come on here and asked about
>> using a weather radio on their repeater system, etc.  Having it setup to
>> send out alerts over the repeater when they come in.  Would this not also
>> be considered a 1 way broadcast for reception by general public, per-say.
>>
>>
>>How can you legally include a weather alert radio in a repeater setup and
>> have it function as required?
>>
>
>

Re: [Repeater-Builder] New Transmitting Antenna SWR Question

[Wayne Leake]

 I can't say for certain, but have you checked the antenna prior to
putting it on the tower?
  I have a high gain antenna ion a twoer, need to get the heliax
connected to it, but i tested in on a post before I put it on the
twoer

 Also, LMR400 is not recommended for full duplex use. that type of
cable can cause noise problems under full duplex conditions.
 I sometimes test cables as well, connecting them to a good dummy
load, and test several ways.
 I have an analyzer, actually 2 of the, one only for the 70 centimeter
band, and also check with a Bird 43 watt meter looking at reflected as
well as forward power.

 matter of fact, I have some coax assembled by Cable Expertys taht
turns out some has fare more loss than another, both 100 feet About 65
watts from a GE Mastr II repeater on the 440 band shows about 4 watts
at the other end, and one less than 1 watt. Something not right there.
So it is possible the coax and/or connectors have a problem
 By mounting my antenna low and using a known good jumper from my 440
analyzer. I determined the SWR was very low on the antenna. And
testing cables will show you where the problem might be.
 Also, where are you inserting the meter? That can make a difference
 I tested my loss in my duplexer by testing watts before it and watts
out. Found good for the rated insertion loss.
 And little reflected power on the transmitter side of the duplexer.
 the word is, test, test and test.
 test each part of the antenna system to locate where the problem really is...

 Wayne WA2YNE


On Sat, May 23, 2009 at 8:17 PM, agrimm0034  wrote:
>
>
> Currently just upgraded my home built GMRS Maxtrac repeater to a new 6.5db
> Gain Tran-Max antenna. Says SWR should be 1.5 - 1 or less and I have a
> reading of 2.5 - 1. I'm using LMR 400 ultra low loss cable at 40 ft putting
> in 40 watts of power. The antenna is mounted on 40 ft tower old 3 legged
> style. Nothing is around the antenna and check cable to make sure it wasn't
> shorted and everything seems to be fine. Any ideas on how to make the
> Standing Wave better?
>
>

Re: [Repeater-Builder] One way transmitting question

[Mike Naruta AA8K]

The two nearest NOAA weather transmitters to here
are 50 miles away, in adjacent counties.  The NOAA
site shows coverage to about half of our county to be,
"0dBuV to 18dBuV: picking up a signal is possible but unreliable"

A NOAA antenna at about 45 feet and a Radio Shack
receiver allows us to automatically turn on the
repeater transmitter with NOAA audio when there
is a tornado or severe thunderstorm warning.

The locals appreciate it (they like to tell us
about hearing the Wednesday tests) and we have
not had a complaint yet.



Kris Kirby wrote:
> 
> 
> Why not just have a two-tone pager set to the same frequency and
> activation tone as the weather alerts? If all available tone slots a set
> matched to the incoming tone, you'll be able to hear the weather alerts,
> or unmute the reciever. Then you don't have to mess with FCC compliance,
> or modification of the repeater. Then you can enjoy the 1+kW EIRP of
> NOAA's transmitters.
> 

[Repeater-Builder] 242-5600 Johnson/ADI Repeater Info

[Joe Burkleo]

Has anyone used one of these 5600 Series repeaters for amateur service and 
interfaced it to a external controller. We use the Arcom RC-210 controllers.

It looks all do-able but thought if anyone had, there is no sense in 
re-inventing the wheel.

Anyone know of a source of both the radio and controller software? 

Thanks,
Joe - WA7JAW

Re: [Repeater-Builder] One way transmitting question

[MCH]

There is no legal difference between using CTCSS tone paging vs audible 
tone paging. Both are the same thing. I have a pager on my repeater. It 
alerts me to site conditions that require attention (alarms), and is 
used by others if they are trying to get hold of me and I'm not 
monitoring at the time. Again, telemetry is legal, as are ancillary 
functions of the repeater.

Joe M.

Chris Robinson wrote:
> If you are trying to do a paging system on the repeater then no you
> can not do this, if you plan on using a method that encrypts the
> message.
>  I would sugesst that many radios now come with the ability to CTCSS
> tone page, and use this method. Only radios on and set to that page
> code you pick will activate. No it is not secure but no transmission
> on amateur is secure, it was never meant to suppliment or bypass other
> radio services!
> 
> On 5/22/09, rert...@ix.netcom.com  wrote:
>> If you send to one pager at a time, you're OK because the message is going
>> to a single person and isn't a broadcast.
>>
>> Dick
>>
>> -Original Message-
>>> From: Christopher Hodgdon 
>>> Sent: May 22, 2009 3:43 PM
>>> To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com
>>> Subject: [Repeater-Builder] One way transmitting question
>>>
>>> Ok, I have a question that has been bothering me over the last few days.  I
>>> had mentioned that we wanted to use our repeater to send out a set of
>>> tones to activate fire style pager (this was some time ago) and people
>>> said we should not do it for one reason or another.  One of those reasons
>>> was that it might be considered a one way broadcast and not legal under
>>> FCC rules for amateur radio.
>>>
>>> That being said, I know that some people have come on here and asked about
>>> using a weather radio on their repeater system, etc.  Having it setup to
>>> send out alerts over the repeater when they come in.  Would this not also
>>> be considered a 1 way broadcast for reception by general public, per-say.
>>>
>>>
>>> How can you legally include a weather alert radio in a repeater setup and
>>> have it function as required?
>>>
>>
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Yahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com 
> Version: 8.5.323 / Virus Database: 270.12.37/2131 - Release Date: 05/24/09 
> 07:09:00
> 

[Repeater-Builder] Re: One way transmitting question

[Christopher Hodgdon]

I would like to thank everyone for their input, suggestions, comments, etc.  I 
know that some people may still post on this and that is fine with me, but I 
consider this now a done deal.

I would also like to pass along this link that was sent to me.  I just 
downloaded it and will be looking at it later.  Maybe this will help others in 
the future.

http://www.qsl.net/n9zia/wireless/pager/Pager_Handbook_for_the_Radio_Amateur.pdf

[Repeater-Builder] Strang new noise in repeater

[NORM KNAPP]

Got a VHF repeater in my area. In the last several weeks it has started making 
a noise like that of a steam whistle. It doesn't do it all the time. It seems 
random. I have not been able to make any connections yet with regular 
occurances. It doesn't do it until someone talks through the repeater and the 
unkeys. The noise keeps the repeater up for a couple of seconds to neary a 
minute. The repeater is a 100watt MTR2000. I don't remember the duplexer 
type/model/brand. It doesn't seem to do it during the day, it seems more 
prevelant in the evening and mornings. 
Any ideas?
N5NPO
Norman Knapp

Re: [Repeater-Builder] Strang new noise in repeater

[Chuck Kelsey]

Could be someone playing "games" with the users.

Chuck
WB2EDV


- Original Message - 
From: "NORM KNAPP" 
To: 
Sent: Sunday, May 24, 2009 5:12 PM
Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Strang new noise in repeater


> Got a VHF repeater in my area. In the last several weeks it has started 
> making a noise like that of a steam whistle. 

Re: [Repeater-Builder] Strang new noise in repeater

[NORM KNAPP]

No, I don't think it is malicious or deliberate. It is almost as if the 
repeater is getting into itself. It is not a ham repeater, it is a local 
Sheriffs dept. 

- Original Message -
From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com 
To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Sun May 24 16:03:48 2009
Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Strang new noise in repeater



Could be someone playing "games" with the users.

Chuck
WB2EDV

- Original Message - 
From: "NORM KNAPP" mailto:nknapp%40twowayradio.net> >
To: mailto:Repeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com> >
Sent: Sunday, May 24, 2009 5:12 PM
Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Strang new noise in repeater

> Got a VHF repeater in my area. In the last several weeks it has started 
> making a noise like that of a steam whistle. 

Re: [Repeater-Builder] Strang new noise in repeater

[Chuck Kelsey]

A few years back the exact same thing was happening here on a VHF simplex 
Sheriff system. Solution? Take the toy train whistle away from the deputy. 
I'm not kidding.

Chuck
WB2EDV


- Original Message - 
From: "NORM KNAPP" 
To: 
Sent: Sunday, May 24, 2009 5:24 PM
Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Strang new noise in repeater


> No, I don't think it is malicious or deliberate. It is almost as if the 
> repeater is getting into itself. It is not a ham repeater, it is a local 
> Sheriffs dept.
>
> - Original Message -
> From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com 
> To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com 
> Sent: Sun May 24 16:03:48 2009
> Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Strang new noise in repeater
>
>
>
> Could be someone playing "games" with the users.
>
> Chuck
> WB2EDV
>
> - Original Message - 
> From: "NORM KNAPP"   >
> To:   >
> Sent: Sunday, May 24, 2009 5:12 PM
> Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Strang new noise in repeater
>
>> Got a VHF repeater in my area. In the last several weeks it has started
>> making a noise like that of a steam whistle.

Re: [Repeater-Builder] Strang new noise in repeater

[John J. Riddell]

Norman, we had a similar situation many years ago with a Ham repeater that 
would
lock up with a distant repeater using the reverse pair frequencies ! It was 
a sound like
a hollow tunnel howling and growling.happened during periods of 
inversion.

John VE3AMZ



- Original Message - 
From: "NORM KNAPP" 
To: 
Sent: Sunday, May 24, 2009 5:12 PM
Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Strang new noise in repeater


> Got a VHF repeater in my area. In the last several weeks it has started 
> making a noise like that of a steam whistle. It doesn't do it all the 
> time. It seems random. I have not been able to make any connections yet 
> with regular occurances. It doesn't do it until someone talks through the 
> repeater and the unkeys. The noise keeps the repeater up for a couple of 
> seconds to neary a minute. The repeater is a 100watt MTR2000. I don't 
> remember the duplexer type/model/brand. It doesn't seem to do it during 
> the day, it seems more prevelant in the evening and mornings.
> Any ideas?
> N5NPO
> Norman Knapp
>
>
> 
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
> 

Re: [Repeater-Builder] Strang new noise in repeater

[NORM KNAPP]

Thanks!
It doesn't sound that much like a toy. I have heard it several times. The 
radios have a asci type identifier at the end of their tranmissions. No 
identifiers after the whistle sound.

- Original Message -
From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com 
To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Sun May 24 16:19:58 2009
Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Strang new noise in repeater



A few years back the exact same thing was happening here on a VHF simplex 
Sheriff system. Solution? Take the toy train whistle away from the deputy. 
I'm not kidding.

Chuck
WB2EDV

- Original Message - 
From: "NORM KNAPP" mailto:nknapp%40twowayradio.net> >
To: mailto:Repeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com> >
Sent: Sunday, May 24, 2009 5:24 PM
Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Strang new noise in repeater

> No, I don't think it is malicious or deliberate. It is almost as if the 
> repeater is getting into itself. It is not a ham repeater, it is a local 
> Sheriffs dept.
>
> - Original Message -
> From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com 
>   
> mailto:Repeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com> 
> >
> To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com 
>   
> mailto:Repeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com> 
> >
> Sent: Sun May 24 16:03:48 2009
> Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Strang new noise in repeater
>
>
>
> Could be someone playing "games" with the users.
>
> Chuck
> WB2EDV
>
> - Original Message - 
> From: "NORM KNAPP" mailto:nknapp%40twowayradio.net>  
>  >
> To:    
>  >
> Sent: Sunday, May 24, 2009 5:12 PM
> Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Strang new noise in repeater
>
>> Got a VHF repeater in my area. In the last several weeks it has started
>> making a noise like that of a steam whistle.

Re: [Repeater-Builder] Strang new noise in repeater

[NORM KNAPP]

Now that is more likely. They have a really weird splinter frequency and a DPL 
code. That is still very possible. There has been a good bit of ducting lately. 
Thanks, I will start listening to the repeater input.

- Original Message -
From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com 
To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Sun May 24 16:23:27 2009
Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Strang new noise in repeater



Norman, we had a similar situation many years ago with a Ham repeater that 
would
lock up with a distant repeater using the reverse pair frequencies ! It was 
a sound like
a hollow tunnel howling and growling.happened during periods of 
inversion.

John VE3AMZ

- Original Message - 
From: "NORM KNAPP" mailto:nknapp%40twowayradio.net> >
To: mailto:Repeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com> >
Sent: Sunday, May 24, 2009 5:12 PM
Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Strang new noise in repeater

> Got a VHF repeater in my area. In the last several weeks it has started 
> making a noise like that of a steam whistle. It doesn't do it all the 
> time. It seems random. I have not been able to make any connections yet 
> with regular occurances. It doesn't do it until someone talks through the 
> repeater and the unkeys. The noise keeps the repeater up for a couple of 
> seconds to neary a minute. The repeater is a 100watt MTR2000. I don't 
> remember the duplexer type/model/brand. It doesn't seem to do it during 
> the day, it seems more prevelant in the evening and mornings.
> Any ideas?
> N5NPO
> Norman Knapp
>
>
> 
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
> 

Re: [Repeater-Builder] Strang new noise in repeater

[Chuck Kelsey]

You could do a frequency search and see if you could find a user on the 
reverse pair. However, I've never heard it sound like a steam whistle - the 
description of  howling in a tunnel (or drain pipe) is what I've heard when 
reverse pair repeaters lock up. And they can stay locked up until one times 
out.

Chuck
WB2EDV


- Original Message - 
From: "NORM KNAPP" 
To: 
Sent: Sunday, May 24, 2009 5:48 PM
Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Strang new noise in repeater


> Now that is more likely. They have a really weird splinter frequency and a 
> DPL code. That is still very possible. There has been a good bit of 
> ducting lately. Thanks, I will start listening to the repeater input.
>
> - Original Message -
> From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com 
> To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com 
> Sent: Sun May 24 16:23:27 2009
> Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Strang new noise in repeater
>
>
>
> Norman, we had a similar situation many years ago with a Ham repeater that
> would
> lock up with a distant repeater using the reverse pair frequencies ! It 
> was
> a sound like
> a hollow tunnel howling and growling.happened during periods of
> inversion.
>
> John VE3AMZ
>
> - Original Message - 
> From: "NORM KNAPP"   >
> To:   >
> Sent: Sunday, May 24, 2009 5:12 PM
> Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Strang new noise in repeater
>
>> Got a VHF repeater in my area. In the last several weeks it has started
>> making a noise like that of a steam whistle. It doesn't do it all the
>> time. It seems random. I have not been able to make any connections yet
>> with regular occurances. It doesn't do it until someone talks through the
>> repeater and the unkeys. The noise keeps the repeater up for a couple of
>> seconds to neary a minute. The repeater is a 100watt MTR2000. I don't
>> remember the duplexer type/model/brand. It doesn't seem to do it during
>> the day, it seems more prevelant in the evening and mornings.
>> Any ideas?
>> N5NPO
>> Norman Knapp
>>
>>
>> 
>>
>>
>>
>> Yahoo! Groups Links
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> 
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

Re: [Repeater-Builder] Strang new noise in repeater

[NORM KNAPP]

Well. The tunnel thing is a better desciption. There is kind of a heterodyning 
effect to the sound. Like a drain pipe hollow sound. Good desciption.

- Original Message -
From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com 
To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Sun May 24 16:39:07 2009
Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Strang new noise in repeater



You could do a frequency search and see if you could find a user on the 
reverse pair. However, I've never heard it sound like a steam whistle - the 
description of howling in a tunnel (or drain pipe) is what I've heard when 
reverse pair repeaters lock up. And they can stay locked up until one times 
out.

Chuck
WB2EDV

- Original Message - 
From: "NORM KNAPP" mailto:nknapp%40twowayradio.net> >
To: mailto:Repeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com> >
Sent: Sunday, May 24, 2009 5:48 PM
Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Strang new noise in repeater

> Now that is more likely. They have a really weird splinter frequency and a 
> DPL code. That is still very possible. There has been a good bit of 
> ducting lately. Thanks, I will start listening to the repeater input.
>
> - Original Message -
> From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com 
>   
> mailto:Repeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com> 
> >
> To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com 
>   
> mailto:Repeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com> 
> >
> Sent: Sun May 24 16:23:27 2009
> Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Strang new noise in repeater
>
>
>
> Norman, we had a similar situation many years ago with a Ham repeater that
> would
> lock up with a distant repeater using the reverse pair frequencies ! It 
> was
> a sound like
> a hollow tunnel howling and growling.happened during periods of
> inversion.
>
> John VE3AMZ
>
> - Original Message - 
> From: "NORM KNAPP" mailto:nknapp%40twowayradio.net>  
>  >
> To:    
>  >
> Sent: Sunday, May 24, 2009 5:12 PM
> Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Strang new noise in repeater
>
>> Got a VHF repeater in my area. In the last several weeks it has started
>> making a noise like that of a steam whistle. It doesn't do it all the
>> time. It seems random. I have not been able to make any connections yet
>> with regular occurances. It doesn't do it until someone talks through the
>> repeater and the unkeys. The noise keeps the repeater up for a couple of
>> seconds to neary a minute. The repeater is a 100watt MTR2000. I don't
>> remember the duplexer type/model/brand. It doesn't seem to do it during
>> the day, it seems more prevelant in the evening and mornings.
>> Any ideas?
>> N5NPO
>> Norman Knapp
>>
>>
>> 
>>
>>
>>
>> Yahoo! Groups Links
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> 
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

RE: [Repeater-Builder] Re: One way transmitting question

[Peter Summerhawk]

Is paging legal?. A careful reading of Part 97 [sections 97.3(a)(10), 97.1 1
1 (b)(2), 97.305(c), and 97.307(f)

(5)] makes it clear that digital paging is allowed for VHF and UHF
operations. One-way transmissions are

made every day by amateurs to establish communications with other amateurs,
even using one mode to

establish a link in another. Paging simply creates another way of
establishing communication. Don't confuse

one-way transmissions with "broadcasting. "

 

-Original Message-
From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:repeater-buil...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Christopher Hodgdon
Sent: Sunday, May 24, 2009 2:02 PM
To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Re: One way transmitting question

 






I would like to thank everyone for their input, suggestions, comments, etc.
I know that some people may still post on this and that is fine with me, but
I consider this now a done deal.

I would also like to pass along this link that was sent to me. I just
downloaded it and will be looking at it later. Maybe this will help others
in the future.

http://www.qsl.
 net/n9zia/wireless/pager/Pager_Handbook_for_the_Radio_Amateur.pdf

Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Sinclair dipole array premature failure (noisy)

[Nate Duehr]

On May 22, 2009, at 6:08 AM, Chuck Kelsey wrote:

> Nate -
>
> Were these dual-dipole arrays - a total of 4 elements? Or were they  
> two
> elements - one mounted over the top of the other?
>
> Chuck
> WB2EDV


2-elements only, vertically mounted one above the other.

http://www.sinclairtechnologies.com/catalog/product.aspx?id=1682

--
Nate Duehr, WY0X
n...@natetech.com

Re: [Repeater-Builder] OT - recommendation needed - battery charger

[Nate Duehr]

On May 22, 2009, at 2:31 PM, Mike Morris WA6ILQ wrote:

> Does anyone have a suggestion for such a product ?


I have two of the small "wall wort" Battery Tender Jr.'s from these  
guys, and use them for tons of stuff... the RV battery in the family  
shared "pop-up" trailer, the battery in the family shared "work  
Suburban", deep-cycle UPS batteries that aren't currently (no pun  
intended!) in use, etc.  My father also uses one for his car storage  
needs in the wintertime (sports car thing, but not a Corvette!)...

No complaints from us... they work.  HRO also sells them, and stocks  
them if you happen to have one of those "candy stores" nearby.  :-)

http://www.batterytender.com/

--
Nate Duehr, WY0X
n...@natetech.com

Re: [Repeater-Builder] Strang new noise in repeater

[Nate Duehr]

Does this repeater have a digital audio delay in it?  It could be  
getting into ITSELF...

Output to input PIM or other sources like that with a digital audio  
delay, will sound like that... a hollow "echo" chamber, often with any  
tones or low level noises really amplified... like stage PA system to  
mic "feedback" loops.

Nate WY0X

On May 24, 2009, at 4:00 PM, NORM KNAPP wrote:

> Well. The tunnel thing is a better desciption. There is kind of a  
> heterodyning effect to the sound. Like a drain pipe hollow sound.  
> Good desciption.
>
> - Original Message -
> From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com  >
> To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com  buil...@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Sun May 24 16:39:07 2009
> Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Strang new noise in repeater
>
>
>
> You could do a frequency search and see if you could find a user on  
> the
> reverse pair. However, I've never heard it sound like a steam  
> whistle - the
> description of howling in a tunnel (or drain pipe) is what I've  
> heard when
> reverse pair repeaters lock up. And they can stay locked up until  
> one times
> out.
>
> Chuck
> WB2EDV
>
> - Original Message -
> From: "NORM KNAPP" mailto:nknapp%40twowayradio.net 
> > >
> To:   > >
> Sent: Sunday, May 24, 2009 5:48 PM
> Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Strang new noise in repeater
>
>> Now that is more likely. They have a really weird splinter  
>> frequency and a
>> DPL code. That is still very possible. There has been a good bit of
>> ducting lately. Thanks, I will start listening to the repeater input.
>>
>> - Original Message -
>> From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com 
>> > >  > > > > >
>> To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com 
>> > >  > > > > >
>> Sent: Sun May 24 16:23:27 2009
>> Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Strang new noise in repeater
>>
>>
>>
>> Norman, we had a similar situation many years ago with a Ham  
>> repeater that
>> would
>> lock up with a distant repeater using the reverse pair  
>> frequencies ! It
>> was
>> a sound like
>> a hollow tunnel howling and growling.happened during periods of
>> inversion.
>>
>> John VE3AMZ
>>
>> - Original Message -
>> From: "NORM KNAPP" mailto:nknapp%40twowayradio.net 
>> >
>>  >
>> To: > > >
>>  >
>> Sent: Sunday, May 24, 2009 5:12 PM
>> Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Strang new noise in repeater
>>
>>> Got a VHF repeater in my area. In the last several weeks it has  
>>> started
>>> making a noise like that of a steam whistle. It doesn't do it all  
>>> the
>>> time. It seems random. I have not been able to make any  
>>> connections yet
>>> with regular occurances. It doesn't do it until someone talks  
>>> through the
>>> repeater and the unkeys. The noise keeps the repeater up for a  
>>> couple of
>>> seconds to neary a minute. The repeater is a 100watt MTR2000. I  
>>> don't
>>> remember the duplexer type/model/brand. It doesn't seem to do it  
>>> during
>>> the day, it seems more prevelant in the evening and mornings.
>>> Any ideas?
>>> N5NPO
>>> Norman Knapp
>>>
>>>
>>> 
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Yahoo! Groups Links
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> 
>>
>>
>>
>> Yahoo! Groups Links
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> 
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

--
Nate Duehr
n...@natetech.com

[Repeater-Builder] Re: A Home Brew 224 MHz Repeater Project. - Part 3 (The Exciter)

[skipp025]

> >A Home Brew 224 MHz Repeater Project.
> >Let's talk about the coax connector being an RCA jack on the
> >exciter PC Board. Why bother with a box ­chassis mount connector
> >added to the path 

> n...@... wrote: 
> Why?  To maintain proper shielding. 

No, to eliminate the extra loss of two additional jacks 
and plugs. Since the exciter output is down near the 
trailing amplifier's practical minimum drive level (value), 
it's nice to where possible reduce unwanted signal loss. 

> Again, passing a wire/shield/any conductor through a hole 
> in the box without bonding at that point will make 
> the conductor act like a coupling probe. Sure, it may 
> work but I claim so would doing away with the box 
> altogether, so you could simply bolt the exciter board 
> to a plate.  Of course the harmonics generated by the 
> exciter will radiate.  

I tried and measured at least three different construction 
techniques... all had the same results. The first was 
just holes in the box, no bonding to the metal box. Keep 
in mind the actual length of coax (inside the box) routed 
to the exciter RCA Jack you assume is an RF probe is 
really short. 

The second method is the addition of hole cover plates, 
which in this case each have holes for the coax to be 
soldered or compression fit at the box entrance (yes 
the compression fit makes an electrical connection. I 
also tried some "V" compression (and solder) plates based 
on an examples of adjustable coax entrance plates now 
being sold to/for the Amateur Market. I like and used 
this method most when the mentioned connector loss is a 
significant concern. 

Tres was the traditional chassis mounted N Connector female 
jack. A decent 50 ohm coax connector is probably the best 
way to go but you are subject to the jack and plug (connector 
losses). 

La final' like the first example was direct RCA plug coax 
connections with the addition of RF Chokes. 

I did a lot of "RF looking around" the exciter, at pc board 
level, near the board, in the box with the board running, 
box cover off and box cover on. Credit to the latest version 
of the Hamtronics T-301-6 Exciter for being well thought 
out in regards to RF shielding and having very minimal unwanted 
RF products both near-field (radiated) and out the coax port. 

> If there are any RXs at the site that are harmonically 
> related to your 220 TX you'll probably find out about it. 

I found the strongest harmonic from the exciter (by direct 
connections), inside the box the signal was pretty much 
undetectable as a radiated signal. Pretty much nothing 
made it outside the box except the expected signal coming 
out the coax pipe. 

> I once had a similar problem in reverse (440 MVP hitting 
> a co-located 220 RX exactly 1/2 the MVP TX freq.).  This 
> is where I learned about effective shielding techniques, & 
> why you can't do what you outline below.

> > when in many cases it's more loss than it's worth. So... 
> > I soldered an RCA connector on the end of a section
> > of quality small size (brown ­ tan) Teflon coax and routed 
> > it through a hole 

Sure you "can" do exactly what I described if the situation 
allows it. I measured everything inside and outside the box 
and there are simply no radiated RF problems with the 
constructed repeater. 

Your point of the RF probe action from a through chassis 
lead is valid for a common construction technique, but the 
actual lead "probe pickup" is dependent on a large number 
of variables so it is not a problem generator in this case. 

Even in the first construction example the box outside 
unwanted RF products from the exciter are simply not getting 
out of the box. The final repeater product has the RF Shield 
compression hole covers in place with no measurable change 
in performance and unwanted radiated RF levels.


> > In the case of this model exciter, one can key the entire 
> > module each transmission knowing the synthesizer requires 
> > about 350 mS to come on the air.

> Yuk!  Wonder if there's some way of leaving the synth. 
> powered up while disabling the rest of the exciter so 
> you don't have to deal with this delay yet still not 
> have the TX signal heard near the site.
> Bob NO6B

Yes, it's mentioned and suggested in the Hamtronics T-301-6 
paperwork (manual). The synthesizer power is separated from 
the trailing RF stages and optionally left powered on 24/7. 

I chose the key the entire exciter each time layout with 
an easy outside the box jumper change to keying the trailing 
RF stages option. The repeater users don't seem to even 
notice the delay nearly as much as the 30 second time out 
time. 

I've constructed and installed a second and now starting a 
third 224 MHz Repeater.  Pictures of said will soon appear in 
the group photos section with the first 224 Repeater photos. 
Each project is different from the previous as I use various 
resources. 

Repeater number 2 had a Henry RF Amplifier that became unstable 
regardless of what size whip