Re: [Repeater-Builder] Pion and Simon

[va2ir]

John

If you paid them on paypal, and it hasnt been 45 
days yet since the transaction, institute a 
paypal chargeback. You can do this if you havent 
been given any valid tracking number on your item.


This should get someone's attention on the other end.

If after 30 days (i think) paypal will credit you 
your expense.  its called seller protection.


Paypal has a toll free number that works from 
Canada, so give them a call for details.


Good luck

Ian
VA2IR


At 03:14 PM 3/10/2010, you wrote:



I ordered a Pion and Simon PSE 508-3 controller 
and have not received it yet here in Florida.
They don't answer E mails and I can't find a 
telephone number for that company.


Does anyone know their tel number ?

Are they still in business ?

541-273-8958 does not work..This is the number shown on Paypal.


73 John VE3AMZ


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Re: [Repeater-Builder] Pion and Simon

[va2ir]

Sorry John. You are correct.  In this case buyer protection.

I only had to invoke it once years ago. Some 
doofus refused to ship me my 2 Micor mobile beige 
speakers after 6 weeks - a big $23.


The chargeback got his attention.

Ian
VA2IR


At 04:13 PM 3/10/2010, you wrote:



Was it bought on eBay? Post the item number / 
link. I'd like to see this. Ian has a good 
point, although its called BUYER protection. 
Seller protection works the same way, but for sellers. Just my OCD kicking in.


John Hymes
La Rue Communications
10 S. Aurora Street
Stockton, CA 95202
- Original Message -
From: <mailto:va...@securenet.net>va...@securenet.net
To: <mailto:Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com>Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 12:20 PM
Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Pion and Simon



John

If you paid them on paypal, and it hasnt been 45 
days yet since the transaction, institute a 
paypal chargeback. You can do this if you havent 
been given any valid tracking number on your item.


This should get someone's attention on the other end.

If after 30 days (i think) paypal will credit 
you your expense.  its called seller protection.


Paypal has a toll free number that works from 
Canada, so give them a call for details.


Good luck

Ian
VA2IR


At 03:14 PM 3/10/2010, you wrote:



I ordered a Pion and Simon PSE 508-3 controller 
and have not received it yet here in Florida.
They don't answer E mails and I can't find a 
telephone number for that company.


Does anyone know their tel number ?

Are they still in business ?

541-273-8958 does not work..This is the number shown on Paypal.


73 John VE3AMZ


No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
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- Release Date: 03/10/10 07:33:00




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Re: [Repeater-Builder] Pion and Simon - the rest of the story....

[va2ir]

I've received the odd e-check. They may take up 
to 10 days to clear, but Paypal will not credit 
the funds to the recipient until such time.


Ian
VA2IR


At 10:15 AM 3/11/2010, you wrote:



Tedd Doda wrote:


Kevin Custer wrote:




John paid with an eCheck, which is subject to delays just like a check
that clears the the bank.  There are ways to transfer money to PayPal
instantly, like instant transfers from checking and savings accounts.




In all the years (since 1999) of selling on Ebay, I've never run into a
e-cheque.

Lucky me, I guess :)


The link below will explain the differences, 
advantages, (and obviously in this case, disadvantages) of using an eCheck.

<https://www.paypal.com/helpcenter/main.jsp?t=solutionTab&solutionId=13054&cmd=_help-ext>https://www.paypal.com/helpcenter/main.jsp?t=solutionTab&solutionId=13054&cmd=_help-ext

John's delay won't be substantial, only a few 
days.  He is wanting to receive his controller 
before the 20'th of this month.  I see no reason why he won't get it by then.


Kevin Custer


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RE: [Repeater-Builder] Controller order PayPal problems

[va2ir]

I've been using Paypal since 1999 and have had absolutely no issues with them.

Actually on a sale overseas, they credited me the payment, then 10 
days later debited me because they could not access the foreign bank, 
then that was resolved and I was credited - twice!

Paypal is part of the Wells Fargo Bank, so there is no fooling 
around. And, if they did sell your private information, then millions 
of people would have their banking information all over the net, and 
certainly hacked.
This has never happened to me ever. And I am leery of on-line 
banking, but in over 10 years I have never had any reason to distrust 
Paypal. And they have phone support, unlike Ebay.

The only reason Paypal may delay a payment is due to the funds from 
the sender not being available. Even a money order can be held by 
your bank for a few days. They now consider them as being a "check" 
due to all the fraud going around. That;s what my bank HSBC told me. 
They won't even accept a "walmart" type money order any more.


Just my humble opinion.

Regards

Ian
VA2IR

Re: [Repeater-Builder] Controller order PayPal problems

[va2ir]

Well anyone who divulges their name and or 
password thru some phishing email deserves to get caught.


HSBC Canada is a Canadian Chartered bank.  Yes, 
it is China based, but in the US - who do you 
think is financing your government debt? The Arabs and the Chinese.


Lets close this topic now.

Be well


At 01:35 PM 3/17/2010, you wrote:



On 3/17/2010 12:45 PM, 
va...@securenet.net wrote:
> I've been using Paypal since 1999 and have 
had absolutely no issues with them.

>
> Actually on a sale overseas, they credited me the payment, then 10
> days later debited me because they could not access the foreign bank,
> then that was resolved and I was credited - twice!
>
> Paypal is part of the Wells Fargo Bank, so there is no fooling
> around. And, if they did sell your private information, then millions
> of people would have their banking information all over the net, and
> certainly hacked.

And that has been happening...

> This has never happened to me ever. And I am leery of on-line
> banking, but in over 10 years I have never had any reason to distrust
> Paypal. And they have phone support, unlike Ebay.

erm, uh, paypal IS ebay...

> The only reason Paypal may delay a payment is due to the funds from
> the sender not being available. Even a money order can be held by
> your bank for a few days. They now consider them as being a "check"
> due to all the fraud going around. That;s what my bank HSBC told me.
> They won't even accept a "walmart" type money order any more.

You DO know that HSBC is the Bank of China, right? As in, the bank owned
by the communist government?


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Re: [Repeater-Builder] Frequency Listing Sites

[va2ir]

Have a look on www.radioreference.com

Its a streaming scanner site, lots of listings 
and there may be some details on what frequencies 
are being monitored in which areas.


Regards

Ian
VA2IR


At 12:09 PM 4/23/2010, you wrote:



Hi Folks -

Are there any reliable and up to date frequency 
listings for County Agencies (i.e. Sheriff / 
Fire / EMS)? I am planning a trip down to Los 
Angeles from Stockton (San Joaquin) for the 
weekend with my family and I would like to build 
a scanner using a UHF Saber and a VHF Saber. 
These do not have scan capabilities - So its 
manual channel switching for me! I would love to 
include the CHP on there too but I have no 
portables that are functional that will tune 
down to the Low Band Range (Much to my heart's 
dismay). Unless there is a way to tune Sabers to their Receive frequency.


Right now I am looking at 
<http://www.freqofnature.com>http://www.freqofnature.com 
and wanted to pick your brains on that site. Is 
it good, trustworthy? Reliable? Any HAM 
repeaters in that range that I can listen in to 
as well? Since I am hard of hearing, it takes a 
bit of training my ears to properly identify 
words without seeing lips. So that helps too!


Thanks a Ton! Cheers!

John Hymes
La Rue Communications
10 S. Aurora Street
Stockton, CA 95202
<http://tinyurl.com/2dtngmn>http://tinyurl.com/2dtngmn


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Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: license-free radios

[va2ir]

We get the canadian grand prix auto race here in june. A british media crew 
brings their own handies, whiuch happen to be on simplex 444.975 which is the 
input to montreal repeater VE2RJS. They have no idea they are coming over the 
ham band, its only for a week and its fun to listen to. Indusrtry canada 
doesn't really bother with ham problems much anymore. So when the race is over 
and they pack up, the interference goes with them. 

Ian
VA2IR
Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

-Original Message-
From: Mike Morris WA6ILQ 
Date: Sat, 01 May 2010 06:00:06 
To: 
Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: license-free radios

At 04:34 AM 05/01/10, you wrote:
> > While this one is not a huge problem, it happens too. Visitors come to Las
> > Vegas from a lot of foreign countries. People in the UK have whats called
> > "PMR" radios. It's their FRS service. The radios are all simplex, 
> 8 channels
> > on 6.25Khz splinter channels starting at 446.000  Yep! if you 
> scan those
> > channels here you DO hear activity on them!
>
>For the record, most countries in EU have license-free radios in
>3 frequency ranges:
>- LPD (Low Power Device), 10mW, 433.075 - 434.775,
>   68 channels in 25 kHz raster.
>   Not so polular beacuse 10mW doesn't get far in cities
>- PMR (Public Mobile Radio), 500 mW, 446.000-446.100,
>   8 channels in 12.5 kHz raster:
> 1   446.00625
> 2   446.01875
> 3   446.03125
> 4   446.04375
> 5   446.05625
> 6   446.06875
> 7   446.08125
> 8   446.09375
>   These radios generally have PL support.
>   Note that in EU, the 70cm band is 430.440 MHz so it is out of
>   our bands here.
>   These things are VERY popular - recently bought 2 radios for
>   $35 together with charger and NiMh cells!
>- Digital PMR, 500 mW, 446.100-446.200,
>   This is like the analog PMR but uses digital voice (this is what
>   ICOM developed D-STAR for)
>
>Note that the American FRS/GMRS radios are simply illegal here, as
>these frequencies were used by law enforcement till recently
>(so not a good choice even to "chance it").
>
>You indeed might want to take this into account when setting up
>repeater frequencies.
>
>Hope this helps,
>
>Geert Jan PE1HZG

Sounds like 446.01-446.200 is a good place to put Dstar or
P25 repeater outputs, or point-to-point 9600 baud packet links...

Just out of curiosity what are the USA FRS and GMRS
frequencies used for now?  (you said "until recently...)


Mike WA6ILQ

Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Another neat kit for repeaters

[va2ir]

Not AbdulMohammed. 
Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

-Original Message-
From: "Mike Besemer \(WM4B\)" 
Date: Sun, 2 May 2010 15:52:50 
To: 
Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Another neat kit for repeaters

I was thinking the same thing, Skipp!  That's how you know you're having a
bad day.

"Hey Abdul... past me the duct tape."

Ring-Ring

"Oh Crap!"

73,

Mike
WM4B

From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:repeater-buil...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of skipp025
Sent: Sunday, May 02, 2010 1:31 PM
To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Another neat kit for repeaters

  
> "Mike Besemer \(WM4B\)"  wrote:
> Nice little device for terrorists to trigger IEDs too. I bet 
> if you ordered 100 of them, you'd get a visit from guys wearing 
> dark shades and talking into their cuff.

In reality they'd show up in the interests of job security 
only. It would be smart money on behalf of the Government to 
provide these devices to the Terrorists. 

Imagine a wrong number in the middle of the device construction 
stage. Problem solved and everyone could again get on with 
enjoying life and the dark shade guys would hopefully be out 
of a job/early retirement.

It's a real win-win 

:-) 

s. 

> On Behalf Of skipp025
> Subject: Re: Another neat kit for repeaters 
> I'm almost laughing out loud while thinking about all the wrong 
> numbers and undesired telemarketer calls shutting down the 
> repeater mid sentence. 
> s.

> > http://www.electronickits.com/kit/complete/ligh/vemk160.htm
> > I was looking for a way to turn a portable repeater on/off 
> > remotely when I was out of the RF coverage area. This scheme 
> > uses a cellphone with a simple photo cell to detect when the 
> > screen lights up during ringing. 
> 
> > For about 20 bucks and a cheap prepay phone I can control 
> > the repeater from anywhere I have cell phone coverage. 
> > Interesting.

Re: [Repeater-Builder] CTCSS Encoder/Decoder

[va2ir]

Many many years ago when I was finishing college 
electronics, my final year project was a repeater 
controller.  The danged thing worked really well, 
I used 567s for the DTMF decoding, but they 
really drifted around with temperature.  Took 
about an hour to stabilize, and then still needed to be "retuned".


I eventually replaced all that with an SSI chip 
that did the decoding with a crystal as reference. It was rock solid.


The Hamtronics repeater REP-200 uses a 567 
circuit for its PL decoder, but its real wide. 
You can use 3 different tones at the same 
time.  Check their website. The schematic should 
be on there for the PL decoder. May give you some ideas.


Get an off the shelf unit so as not to have any issues

73
Ian
VA2IR



At 11:03 AM 5/6/2010, you wrote:



On 5/6/2010 10:35 AM, James wrote:
> Hi Guys, We have been experimenting with building CTCSS Units using
> the 567 Tone Chip and good components, i.e. Caps, multi turn pots
> etc. The stability is not good in my opinion. We will set it to 107.2
> and the next time you check it is off enough to where it won't decode
> until it is re-tuned slightly. I am wondering what your experiences
> may have been with this CTCSS Chip. Many articles say they work well
> with the addition of a stable voltage regulator, so we added a five
> volt regulator, no difference in stability. Any comments and
> experiences with this and other chips would be appreciated. The
> availability of CTCSS Chips seems limited.

I've never seen anyone have real succes with those chips in that
application. Frankly, I think the internal components in the IC do not
have the tolerance and stability to handle it, so no amount of
high-tolerance components on the outside will make it usable.

They were never designed for that purpose anyway. They were for broad
decode app's in the audible range...cheap. Like a 1050Hz decoder in a
weather radio.



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Re: [Repeater-Builder] FRS

[va2ir]

FRS channels in US and Canada are the same.

Here in canada, GMRS repeaters are not allowed.

Ian

VA2IR

Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: MASTR II PTT

[va2ir]

Say what?
Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

-Original Message-
From: "Vernon Densler" 

Date: Sat, 18 Apr 2009 18:05:35 
To: 
Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] Re: MASTR II PTT


With the simple echolink interace which has a NPN transistor doing the 
switching the voltage across the PTT line and ground is 7v when the com port is 
not active and 6.5v when it’s active.  So I am only getting a ½ volt drop 
instead of a total short to ground.  Is it because the transistor can’t pull it 
down far enough?  Will a transistor with a higher power dissipation help? 

 

Thanks,

Vern

 

From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com 
[mailto:repeater-buil...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Vernon Densler
Sent: Friday, April 17, 2009 6:54 PM
To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] Re: MASTR II PTT

 






OK.  I am at my whit’s end here.  The transistor won’t bring the PTT line down 
enough to trigger.  The optoisolator won’t either.  The mechanical relays can’t 
be latched by the com port.  The SSR latches but won’t unlatch with DC.  So do 
I run the SSR into an AC mechanical relay?  Sounds like a serious Rube Goldberg 
way of doing it but it should work.  There has to be another way though.  

 

It worked fine with the RC 1000 keying it so what does Ron have in that circuit 
that does the magic?

 

Vern

 

From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com 
[mailto:repeater-buil...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Ralph Mowery
Sent: Friday, April 17, 2009 5:56 PM
To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] Re: MASTR II PTT

 








You probably overlooked the simple thing.  The PTT line is DC and once the SCR 
fires it will latch.  If you had AC then the voltage goes to zero and the SCR 
unlatches.



--- On Fri, 4/17/09, Vernon Densler  wrote:

From: Vernon Densler 
Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] Re: MASTR II PTT
To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com
Date: Friday, April 17, 2009, 4:35 PM

 

I got a Solid State Relay and the com port will trigger it.  (same thing I use 
to control my Christmas lights from my computer).  However for some reason the 
PTT won’t drop when the SSR shuts off.  I know there is some voltage bleed on 
them but I can’t figure out why it would stay grounded afterwards.  Any 
suggestions on that one?

 

[Repeater-Builder] power output on 440

[va2ir]

Gents

I inserted a small 20 watt PA after the TX port on our Hamtronics 
REP-200  UHF machine.

Repeater puts out 7 watts into my Termaline after all the filtering etc.

With the amp, output is 15 watts, 3DB gain, however the signal on the 
air seems weaker.

Its not a desense issue - I can still trip it from a fair distance - 
just that the transmitted signal is less with the amp - go figure.

The repeater is now at my house temporarily, so conditions are not 
ideal for height etc.

Any ideas?

Also, if anyone has a nice 75-100 watt UHF PA around, for a 
reasonable pricewell you know the rest.


Cheerio


Ian
VA2IR

Re: [Repeater-Builder] power output on 440

[va2ir]

I'm going to put it back as stock and see what happens with a fixed 
listening post about 5 miles from me.


Hard to tell in the mobile.

Thank you for all the suggestions.


Ian


VA2IR



At 04:02 PM 4/22/2009, you wrote:



I sounds like your amplifier may be spurious. Your watt meter may be
reading 15 watts, but not all the power being read is on the output
frequency. Watt meters are broad banded, you need to look at the output
of the amplifier on a spectrum analyzer.

73, Joe, K1ike

<mailto:va2ir%40securenet.net>va...@securenet.net wrote:
> Gents
>
> I inserted a small 20 watt PA after the TX port on our Hamtronics
> REP-200 UHF machine.
>
> Repeater puts out 7 watts into my Termaline after all the filtering etc.
>
>



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04/22/09 08:49:00

Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: power output on 440

[va2ir]

Thank you skipp.

Money is not an issue really.

the repeater belongs to our club.  Its in between homes now.

You are correct about the LPA.  I was looking at the schematic for 
that - figured I could maybe swap out the transistor for an MRF (or 
similar) that might do 2 in, 25 out and avoid the spurs.


I did knock the 7 watts down to a watt or so - could be thats still 
too much power in.


I'm going to put it back to normal and leave it alone for now.

Ian


At 03:32 PM 4/22/2009, you wrote:



> va...@... wrote:
> I inserted a small 20 watt PA after the TX port on our
> Hamtronics REP-200 UHF machine.

Who makes the PA? 20 watts... It probably has a nominal drive
value of less than 7 watts for sure... The original bare
Hamtronics exciter (transmitter) is probably rated for 1.5
to maybe 2.5 watts output. Normally the repeater has an LPA
(amplifier) stage inside the box and it's output is somewhere
in the 12 to 25 watt range (for the basic model depending on
the version).

> Repeater puts out 7 watts into my Termaline after all the
> filtering etc.

What is "the filtering"? a duplexer?

> With the amp, output is 15 watts, 3DB gain, however the
> signal on the air seems weaker.

You are probably over driving the extra/external amplifier. Not
good...

> Its not a desense issue - I can still trip it from a fair
> distance - just that the transmitted signal is less with
> the amp - go figure.

If you looked a spectral display of the output... an over driven
amplifier would not be hard to figure... you'd probably see the
buckshot. If you're receiver doesn't seem to suffer, you're
probably getting lucky.

> The repeater is now at my house temporarily, so conditions
> are not ideal for height etc.

For you, the repeater or the antenna? :-)

> Any ideas?

Marry someone with a lot of money...

Seriously, give us more information about what each item is
and it's power level. We'll give you some ides. Chances are
you're probably over driving an external amplifier. If you'd
like to use the amp... there are ways to reduce the drive
level without grief.

> Also, if anyone has a nice 75-100 watt UHF PA around, for a
> reasonable pricewell you know the rest.

You would experience serious trouble placing that size amplifier
on your stock repeater without mucho extra protection in/on both
the receiver and transmitter side (not to mention the duplexer).

> Cheerio
> Ian
> VA2IR

Raisin Brand...
:-)
s.



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04/22/09 08:49:00

[Repeater-Builder] desense question

[va2ir]

Running the hamtronics REP-200 with the optional 15 watt PA in it.

After all the filtering, I get a whopping 8 watts out.

I put a small strip amp inline with the TX port of the repeater, before 
the filtering, and it caused desense. Maybe tossing spurs - I have no 
way to test.  Location is also not great for the moment, and the antenna 
is very temporary. A Diamond x500 connected with COAX (please dont shoot 
me). The club antenna will be down off the old tower (8 bay sinclair) 
and I do have the heliax for it. 

The amp is a UHF PA off a mobile rig, and I needed about 50 feet of 
RG58U to attenuate the signal from the repeater into the amp module.

Is this my problem? Lack of shielding causing desense?  When I put 
everything back to normal, my test station was solid copy.

What is my best option to get a little more oomph on the output with out 
tossing megabucks at it?

Thanks

Ian
VA2IR

Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: desense question

[va2ir]

Skipp. I will post a pic with the filtering specs later today. Its all here at 
my qth. Ian. Va2ir. 
Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

-Original Message-
From: "skipp025" 

Date: Sun, 03 May 2009 03:50:00 
To: 
Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Re: desense question


> va...@... wrote:
> Running the hamtronics REP-200 with the optional 15 watt 
> PA in it.
> After all the filtering, I get a whopping 8 watts out.

Is the filtering you mention on the 15 watt PA board or is 
it external to the repeater chassis (on the outside of the 
box)? 8 watts is a very usable value for driving an external 
amplifier if you have the proper duplexer or antenna system 
in place. Lack of duplexer isolation and filtering will 
quickly come back as a problem generator. Many of the Hamtronics 
Receiver models are fairly hot front end wise. 

> I put a small strip amp inline with the TX port of the 
> repeater, before the filtering, and it caused desense. Maybe 
> tossing spurs - I have no way to test. 

If I understand what you're trying to describe, what you 
tried is probably not a good thing. 

> Location is also not great for the moment, and the 
> antenna is very temporary. A Diamond x500 connected with 
> COAX (please don't shoot me). The club antenna will be 
> down off the old tower (8 bay Sinclair) and I do have 
> the heliax for it. 

Nothing wrong with coax when you understand what occurs at 
UHF, which is most/much of the signal is lost (both transmit 
and receive) in long sections. Pretty much any non high quality 
and type coax is an unforgiving signal resistor (loss). 

Unless you're using a decent type double shielded coax... I 
would suspect most coax types also make a surprisingly good 
antenna (very leaky - both tx & rx directions). 

> The amp is a UHF PA off a mobile rig, and I needed about 
> 50 feet of RG58U to attenuate the signal from the repeater 
> into the amp module.

Not good, probably better to bypass (not use) the 15 watt 
amplifier and drive the external amp direct from the exciter.
I'm doing the same thing as part of the 224 MHz home brew 
repeater project I started describing in a post made earlier 
today.  Pictures of in the group photos section. 

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Repeater-Builder/photos/album/1157128983/pic/list 

> Is this my problem? Lack of shielding causing desense?  
> When I put everything back to normal, my test station was 
> solid copy.

Hard to say without knowing more about your duplexer or cavity 
filter components. If you bump the Tx Power up, you must also 
ensure you have enough receiver protection in place. 

> What is my best option to get a little more oomph on the 
> output with out tossing megabucks at it?
> Thanks
> Ian
> VA2IR

The "budget minded" repeater owner/builder would probably put 
a mobile amplifier on the repeater. Better to not get greedy 
like many do and shoot your project in the foot. On your repeater 
I would expect 25 to 45 watts to be a very reasonable value. 
Keep in mind you'd better have a decent duplexer or antenna 
system in place or you'd better upgrade what you have. In many 
but not all cases a small blower (not a fan) moving air across
the amplifier heat sink after modest tx talk time should be 
considered. Many repeater controllers have fan/blower control 
considerations built into their software and hardware logic. 

Many stuck up repeater builder types will tell you that using 
a mobile amplifier in a repeater application is a horrible idea. 
I can give you many examples and reasons where and why it's 
not the big sin many hard nose profess... but let's save that 
topic for another day. If you're properly dealing with the 
heat sink heat with proper air movement and/or duty cycle 
management, then by all means get on with other more important 
remaining issues. Sometimes you've got to work with what you 
have and when properly integrated into a system, you can use 
a mobile RF Amplifier in a repeater situation. 

cheers, 
s. 

[Repeater-Builder] Andrew connectors needed

[va2ir]

Greetings,

I am doing a temporary pre-winter install of our club's UHF machine at my home 
QTH. I just got the 8-bay Sinclair down from where it was, so I now need a 
couple of Andrew connectors, for 1/2 inch heliax, N-MALE.

Ideally, I'd like the L4TNM-PS Positive Stop type, but the F4NMV2 style will 
also work.

I did look on ebay, but the sellers will not ship to Canada.

Any one have a couple of these connectors hanging around?

You can contact me off list:  va2ir at securenet dot net

Thanks

Ian
VA2IR

Re: RE [Repeater-Builder] Andrew connectors needed

[va2ir]

Nope but I will now. Thanks!
Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

-Original Message-
From: JG 
Date: Wed, 21 Oct 2009 08:10:55 
To: Repeater group
Subject: RE [Repeater-Builder] Andrew connectors needed

Greetings,

I am doing a temporary pre-winter install of our club's UHF machine at my home 
QTH. I just got the 8-bay Sinclair down from where it was, so I now need a 
couple of Andrew connectors, for 1/2 inch heliax, N-MALE.

Ideally, I'd like the L4TNM-PS Positive Stop type, but the F4NMV2 style will 
also work.

I did look on ebay, but the sellers will not ship to Canada.



Ian
VA2IR

Have you searched the following site Ian?

John


http://www.surplussales.com/index.html

Re: [Repeater-Builder] Any Repeaters Taken Off Air Permanently?

[va2ir]

I was entrusted with our 440 machine. Our club has dwindled down to very few 
members and we lost 2 good sites, one to the city and the other due to a club 
member becoming SK. So, I have the repeater at my home qth, so the frequency 
pair won't be grabbed up. Here in distinctland, where there is zero enforcement 
and even less coordination, it is a frequency free for all. There is even a 
group operating a linked system on 449.9875, which is unauthorized according to 
the bandplan. Anyway, the repeater works quite well from here, and the 8 bay 
sinclair look cool on my roof. 

De Ian
VA2IR
Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

-Original Message-
From: peme...@comcast.net
Date: Sun, 27 Dec 2009 15:07:31 
To: 
Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Any Repeaters Taken Off Air Permanently?



I have taken at least 3 amateur radio repeaters off the air in the last two 
years. These 

repeaters where all located in a large metropolitaian area ( 3 million 
residents). 



2 meters - This was a repeater used for user access to a multi-state repeater 
linking 

system.  - Reason -  No support from the local amateur community and I lost the 
main 

repeater site due to a sale of the property where the tower was located.  I ran 
this 

repeater system for 4 years. Its frequency was re-issued for other uses within 
a few 

months after I shut it down. 



6 meters - No users on 6 meters in the area. I operated this repeater on and 
off for 

about 10 years.  Lots to 6 meter repeater pairs available in the area. 



10 meters - Repeater was not serving the local radio community. 10 meter FM 
ground 

wave coverage was poor, so no local support.  This repeater was mainly used by 

amateur radio operators located in an area in about 1200 mile radius around the 
repeater 

transmitter.  It gave good coverage to the US east coast ( from the center of 
the US).  The 

only 10 meter repeater that gave good coverage here was located in the Virgin 
Islands. 

I opereated this repeater for about 15 years ( thru multiple sun-spot cycles). 
Another 

repeater is now being just established on the vacated frequency pair in the 
area. 



Paul     K0LAV 

White Bear Lake, MN 


- Original Message - 
From: "railtrailbiker"  
To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Saturday, December 26, 2009 10:53:36 PM GMT -06:00 US/Canada Central 
Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Any Repeaters Taken Off Air Permanently? 

  




Hi: 

Are there any current or former repeater owners/operators out there who have 
recently taken a repeater off the air on a permanent basis? 

If so, what were your reasons? 

Tony 

[Repeater-Builder] Slightly OT - need schematic for MOTO T/T mic

[va2ir]

Slightly off the topic, but I need a schematic for a Moto TT mic, model 
VMN1023A.
I want to eliminate the TX delay after the last tone, so I can hear the 
repeater acknowledge my commands.

Thanks

Ian 
VA2IR

Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Slightly OT - need schematic for MOTO T/T mic

[va2ir]

Thanks jerry. Ian. VA2IR
Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

-Original Message-
From: ve3...@primus.ca
Date: Sun, 27 Dec 2009 21:14:15 
To: 
Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Slightly OT - need schematic for MOTO T/T mic

Ian I beleive I have thisI am away until next week, email me then if you 
still need it 

Jerry VE3 EXT

Re: [Repeater-Builder] Slightly OT - need schematic for MOTO T/T mic

[va2ir]

I will have a look. Thanks. 
Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

-Original Message-
From: "Eric Lemmon" 
Date: Sun, 27 Dec 2009 16:53:52 
To: 
Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] Slightly OT - need schematic for MOTO T/T mic

Ian,

The DTMF mike for the MCX1000 may be close enough in design to be helpful.

or
http://tinyurl.com/yelbclq 

73, Eric Lemmon WB6FLY


-Original Message-
From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:repeater-buil...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of va2ir
Sent: Sunday, December 27, 2009 4:43 PM
To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Slightly OT - need schematic for MOTO T/T mic

  

Slightly off the topic, but I need a schematic for a Moto TT mic, model
VMN1023A.
I want to eliminate the TX delay after the last tone, so I can hear the
repeater acknowledge my commands.

Thanks

Ian 
VA2IR

Re: [Repeater-Builder] Cold temps and repeaters

[va2ir]

Our local vhf machine experienced a loosening squelch and verhy long tail with 
extremely low temps (-30f). A slight tweak on the squelch solved the issue. Its 
in an unheated environment. 
Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

-Original Message-
From: "Eric Lemmon" 
Date: Sun, 03 Jan 2010 13:01:26 
To: 
Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] Cold temps and repeaters

Mike,

The first question that comes to mind is, what is the make and model of your
repeater?  Some repeaters have better low-temperature performance than
others, especially when fully-compensated channel elements are used.
Perhaps the duplexer is affected by the temperature, although 45 degrees is
hardly an extreme.  It may be worthwhile to install a simple
thermostat-controlled resistive heater inside the cabinet.

73, Eric Lemmon WB6FLY


-Original Message-
From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:repeater-buil...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Michael Ryan
Sent: Sunday, January 03, 2010 12:45 PM
To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Cold temps and repeaters

  

Down here in Florida this week we are ENJOYING somewhat of a cold wave.
Today's high around Tampa about 45 degrees.  A bit unusual.  My repeater on
224 MHz is having a fit today.  Sounds like some kind of a mix getting in,
sometimes not strong enough to open the squelch, sometimes it will creep in
after the repeater is keyed either by the id'er or someone keying the
machine and tripping the cor.  My machine is not out in the elements but is
also not in a particularly climate controlled location, inside a warehouse.
Can the below nom temps be creating some issues with the nearby environment
and some equipment elsewhere or is it more likely that something is 'chilly'
in my own rack?  - Mike

Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: UHF MSR2000 low split to ham band

[va2ir]

Why do you say its a pain to deal with Canadian 
Customs? As importers, we deal with the 
Customs.  Ham equipment is duty and most times tax free.


Just avoid UPS. They are crooks. Example: last 
year I got a yaesu combiner off a ham in 
Minnesota.  it was still in the yaesu package 
card.  I told him, just go to your local US post 
office, put it in a padded envelope, slap 10 
bucks worth of postage on it, and I'll get it in 
10 days.  Well that would be too easy. Instead, 
he went to the UPS store, where THEY valued it at 
$50, for the $31 I paid, plus $15 freight.  when 
the UPS guy came to my door, I had to fork out 
$41 to him - for a $31 dollar item. I was livid. 
Most of the $41 was their own internal charges - 
brokerage charge, disbursement fee, the actual 
disbursement, sales taxes on the service fees, 
that amounted to over $30.  The actual import tax was 5 or 6 bucks.


By contrast, I just received 2 hours ago a Sharpe 
titanium HVLP spray gun for my other hobby, old 
car restoration.  I won the item for $80 USD, 
USPS shipping was $28 with tracking, and I paid 
the postman at the door $21, $8 handling, and $13 
combined federal and provincial sales tax, no 
brokerage, no other taxes or fees.


So, American hams, selling to us Canucks is no 
big deal. Just use USPS. They have great service 
and are far less expensive than UPS.


Sorry for the off-topic rant, but I think its good to know.

73

Ian
VA2IR
Montreal, Canada
IRLP Node 2570
Repeater: VE2RJS, 449.975




At 02:14 PM 1/26/2010, you wrote:





Hi Eric,

> "Eric"  wrote:
> Hello,
> I have an 30w UHF MSR2000 that was previously on 414/419MHz.
> With a new set of crystal for the ham band, I need 2.8µV at
> 447MHz to open the receiver.

Just for the trivia... I will say the 30 watt unit was probably
made purposely for the Canadian Market, which is a typical value
for all the Canadian MSR-2000 units I have seen.

> Is there a way to improve this, or a way to modify
> the preselector / injection. filters ?

Real world, no! ... unless you are very, very determined and
well equipped to do detailed machine work after a lot of time
spent working up a game plan. The injection stages are a fairly
straight forward mod process but the pre-selector is a real
beast to try and change.

> Maybe the easiest way is to find a receiver/exciter boards
> for 450-470MHz on ebay but unfortunately most sellers won't
> ship in Canada.

You might get a US Ham to help you out... it's a pain to deal
with Canadian Customs but some of us would probably help you
out. A few of use might also consider a receiver board trade.

You of course would probably use the same exciter module as
they seem to be able to properly align well through-out the
400 MHz range.

>
> MSR2000 model: ACC44KSB1100AT
> RECEIVER: VRE4001B/38
>
> 73 Eric VE2TSO
> Quebec

If no other solutions present themselves... Email me direct and
I'll try to help you.

cheers,
skipp

skipp025 at yahoo.com



No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.432 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2646 
- Release Date: 01/26/10 07:46:00

Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: UHF MSR2000 low split to ham band

[va2ir]

Its not just for ham equipment, its 
everything!  There was no DUTY on my spray gun, 
just federal sales tax (GST 5%) and provincial 
sales tax (7.5%).  Canada Post had an $8 handling 
fee. I gladly paid the $20 at the door.


Ian
VA2IR

At 03:23 PM 1/26/2010, you wrote:



And more,
yesterday i sent some parts for repair at Argent data in californa.
i ask to my post office cheif why the custom 
sometime charge ,,,sometime they did not charge 
any money and he answer me that it is at the discretion

of the custom employés,,,not bad .

And i am buying some parts from HK it would 
reach me in 6 or 8 days and from newYork it may 
too 20 too 30 days i have seen,,nothing to understand .


so yes usps is great at least to us ham radio 
operator when we are doing trade.


73/s all

gervais ve2ckn


From: <mailto:va...@securenet.net>va...@securenet.net
Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 2:25 PM
To: <mailto:Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com>Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: UHF MSR2000 low split to ham band

Why do you say its a pain to deal with Canadian 
Customs? As importers, we deal with the 
Customs.  Ham equipment is duty and most times tax free.


Just avoid UPS. They are crooks. Example: last 
year I got a yaesu combiner off a ham in 
Minnesota.  it was still in the yaesu package 
card.  I told him, just go to your local US post 
office, put it in a padded envelope, slap 10 
bucks worth of postage on it, and I'll get it in 
10 days.  Well that would be too easy. Instead, 
he went to the UPS store, where THEY valued it 
at $50, for the $31 I paid, plus $15 
freight.  when the UPS guy came to my door, I 
had to fork out $41 to him - for a $31 dollar 
item. I was livid. Most of the $41 was their own 
internal charges - brokerage charge, 
disbursement fee, the actual disbursement, sales 
taxes on the service fees, that amounted to over 
$30.  The actual import tax was 5 or 6 bucks.


By contrast, I just received 2 hours ago a 
Sharpe titanium HVLP spray gun for my other 
hobby, old car restoration.  I won the item for 
$80 USD, USPS shipping was $28 with tracking, 
and I paid the postman at the door $21, $8 
handling, and $13 combined federal and 
provincial sales tax, no brokerage, no other taxes or fees.


So, American hams, selling to us Canucks is no 
big deal. Just use USPS. They have great service 
and are far less expensive than UPS.


Sorry for the off-topic rant, but I think its good to know.

73

Ian
VA2IR
Montreal, Canada
IRLP Node 2570
Repeater: VE2RJS, 449.975




At 02:14 PM 1/26/2010, you wrote:





Hi Eric,

> "Eric"  wrote:
> Hello,
> I have an 30w UHF MSR2000 that was previously on 414/419MHz.
> With a new set of crystal for the ham band, I need 2.8µV at
> 447MHz to open the receiver.

Just for the trivia... I will say the 30 watt unit was probably
made purposely for the Canadian Market, which is a typical value
for all the Canadian MSR-2000 units I have seen.

> Is there a way to improve this, or a way to modify
> the preselector / injection. filters ?

Real world, no! ... unless you are very, very determined and
well equipped to do detailed machine work after a lot of time
spent working up a game plan. The injection stages are a fairly
straight forward mod process but the pre-selector is a real
beast to try and change.

> Maybe the easiest way is to find a receiver/exciter boards
> for 450-470MHz on ebay but unfortunately most sellers won't
> ship in Canada.

You might get a US Ham to help you out... it's a pain to deal
with Canadian Customs but some of us would probably help you
out. A few of use might also consider a receiver board trade.

You of course would probably use the same exciter module as
they seem to be able to properly align well through-out the
400 MHz range.

>
> MSR2000 model: ACC44KSB1100AT
> RECEIVER: VRE4001B/38
>
> 73 Eric VE2TSO
> Quebec

If no other solutions present themselves... Email me direct and
I'll try to help you.

cheers,
skipp

skipp025 at yahoo.com



No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.432 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2646 
- Release Date: 01/26/10 07:46:00



No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.432 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2646 
- Release Date: 01/26/10 07:46:00

Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: UHF MSR2000 low split to ham band

[va2ir]

Too funny
Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

-Original Message-
From: "Paul Plack" 
Date: Tue, 26 Jan 2010 15:37:52 
To: 
Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: UHF MSR2000 low split to ham band

UPS crooks? I'll say!

A few years ago, I ordered the 220 MHz module for my Yaesu 6xx tri-bander. When 
it got here, I found UPS had stolen two MHz off the bottom of the band!

;^)

Paul, AE4KR
  - Original Message - 
  From: va...@securenet.net 
  To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 12:25 PM
  Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: UHF MSR2000 low split to ham band

  Just avoid UPS. They are crooks. Example: last year I got a yaesu combiner...

Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Battery system for portable repeater (non solar)

[va2ir]

I think the yellow top optimas are for deep cycle apps. Check their website. 

Va2ir
Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

-Original Message-
From: "tahrens301" 
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 14:11:05 
To: 
Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Battery system for portable repeater (non solar)

Are the optima type batteries meant for extended deep
discharges?

Tim



--- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, "KD8BIW"  wrote:
>
> Something such as an Optima Yellow top battery would be okay in this use.  
> They are sealed, spillproof AGM batteries.  Keep them at their "float" 
> voltage and you should not have a problem.  Use these for battery back-up at 
> numerous repeaters and have not had a problem (yet...).  Good luck and let us 
> know what you come up with, and how it works for you!
> 
> Steve
> 
> --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, Tim Ahrens  wrote:
> >
> > Hi Eric/all,
> > 
> > It is on a totally different frequency, and licensed as a mobile -
> > within a 24km radius around the center of our district.
> > 
> > All the fire repeaters in the county have the same output &
> > input frequencies, just have different input PLs.  Kind of a
> > pain to go to direct with some older radios... e.g. X9000
> > which when you push the 'dir' button, it uses the TX PL.
> > 
> > Laryn - these were some pretty high dollar units, so I
> > wouldn't have expected them to fry the batteries.
> > 
> > I'll look into the AGM bats - the rptr draws about 450
> > mA in RX, and about 4A in TX.
> > 
> > Getting a Pelican case for the repeater & cables, but
> > not sure how to make the battery transportable.. I
> > suppose if it's 'really' sealed, then I wouldn't have to
> > worry about leakage of the electrolyte - could use
> > a case for it & the charger.
> > 
> > Any recommendations about appropriate & 'sure-fire'
> > chargers for one of these?  I could put together something
> > for float charging, but there will also be a need for 'real'
> > charging as well.
> > 
> > Thanks again,
> > 
> > Tim
> >
>

[Repeater-Builder] Antenna tuner question - slightly OT

[va2ir]

Gents

I need a quick reply to this very pressing question. I have an HF 
antenna tuner that uses 2 roller inductors and 1 large air variable 
cap, versus the more popular arrangement of 2 varicaps and 1 inductor.

What is the 2 inductor - 1 capacitor arrangement called?  Certainly 
not a T-Match (I don't think)

Thanks

Ian
VA2IR
Montreal
Trustee VE2RJS repeater

Re: [Repeater-Builder] Antenna tuner question - slightly OT

[va2ir]

Thanks for the reply

Ian


At 10:35 AM 2/19/2010, you wrote:



Sounds like a T match L-C-L tuner. The advantage would be that it is a
low-pass tuner that attenuates harmonics.

This was important in the old days when rigs put out harmonics. I got
a "pink slip" as a novice years ago for being on the 40 meter band when
I was suppose to be on 80 meters.

73, Joe, K1ike

<mailto:va2ir%40securenet.net>va...@securenet.net wrote:
> Gents
>
> I need a quick reply to this very pressing question. I have an HF
> antenna tuner that uses 2 roller inductors and 1 large air variable
> cap, versus the more popular arrangement of 2 varicaps and 1 inductor.
>
> What is the 2 inductor - 1 capacitor arrangement called? Certainly
> not a T-Match (I don't think)
>
> Thanks
>
> Ian
> VA2IR
> Montreal
> Trustee VE2RJS repeater
>
>
>
> 
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>



No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.435 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2697 
- Release Date: 02/19/10 07:34:00

Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Antenna tuner question - slightly OT

[va2ir]

Ok, at least I have an idea what I'm working with now. Thanks. 
Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

-Original Message-
From: "Tyke" 
Date: Sat, 20 Feb 2010 13:31:29 
To: 
Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Antenna tuner question - slightly  OT

I see that someone has already made a comment about it, so, i'll say this 
instead. It sounds like you have gotten your hands on a Dentron "Super Tuner". 
Damn  good antenna tuner IMHO!!! Wish  i could find one or two of them myself!! 
 Enjoy it!!!

Tyrone  N5XES

[Repeater-Builder] Slightly OT - schematic Yaesu NC-2

[va2ir]

Perhaps someone out there in RB-land has an old copy of a schematic 
for a yaesu NC-2 standup desk charger. These were used for the FT-207 
and FT-208 handi-talkies back in the day.

I did google it - no results.

Thanks for any help

Ian
VA2IR
Trustee - VE2RJS repeater