Re: [RE: [[Repeater-Builder] Spectrum Communication SCR1000 VHF Manual]]]
Gee John You're Real close to being right this time. 73 AC0Y --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, JOHN MACKEY [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: WOW!! Coy said he went with the spectrum because of money. Now this offer of a straight trade is one he can't pass up due to the money issue!! Kevin King [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: If money is your limiting factor. I will trade you a mastr II mobile for the spectrum. Just so I can keep it off the air. I have been the recipient of interference from one of those at a site I use to manage. Kevin -Original Message- From: ac0y5 [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, November 28, 2003 11:56 AM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Re: [[Repeater-Builder] Spectrum Communication SCR1000 VHF Manual]] Thanks for the input Tony. The primary reason that I'm going to try the Spectrum is It's what I can afford now and It's something I havn't ran into before. If this one gives as much trouble as indicated by thoes of you who have owned them then I'll do something different. But for now it sounds like a challange and it's real cheep -$0.00-. I unexpectedly came into two 2 meter pairs at the same time. Here in Central Florida getting a pair is like finding hens teeth so the first pair got the MASTRII and the second pair will get the Spectrum until I get tired of tweeking it or until I get a replacment, another MASTRII. I can only afford a little at a time. 73 Tony and Thanks AC0Y --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, Tony King - W4ZT [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: First let me start out by saying that I currently have an SCR1000 in service on 2 meters but the Mastr II is cooking on the bench and will replace the Spectrum as soon as I finish the box to move the CAT- 1000 into. At 08:43 PM 11/26/2003, ac0y5 wrote: It seems a lot of the complaints are from oscillator drift and tuning drift. I have a few questions Does anyone know if the main problem resides in the exciter, or the power amp? I have replaced the PA in this SCR1000 because the old one failed. This is a 75 watt model which has the power control board (which gives you high/low power switching). The manual tells you that you MUST re-align the exciter to make it work properly on the reduced voltage. I always found it to be a bit unstable so it always stayed on high power. If you tune the PA, you'll find some instability there also. I don't know the answer to the question of bad components or bad design. I'd rather stick with what I've got personal experience with. As for oscillator drift, the SCR1000 was available with a crystal oven but mine didn't come that way. It's lived its entire life in the house where there have been no extremes of heat and cold. Yet, it would still move around some. I did place a small light bulb (in series with a resistor) right in the oscillator portion of the exciter board and it seemed to become more stable. My plan would eliminate all problems related to the oscillator because the Tx and Rx will be generated from a pair of Numerically Controlled Oscillators well filtered. I have already designed the entire circuit. Now, if Anyone knows where the problem may lay then I will be able to take care of the problem an external PA that I have or an exciter that I can buy cheaply. The power supply should be okay I had problems with the power supply. In the 75 watt model the power resistors which are mounted on terminal strips between the transformer and the large heat sink on the back get so hot that they will melt their leads right out of the solder. That compounds the problem and led to erosion of a resistor lead and supply failure. The entire supply is horribly inefficient, generating more heat than the entire unit consumed in its electronics. I finally removed the transformer, the resistors and the large heat sink with the pass transistors and powered the unit externally. and it has been stated that the receiver is quite sensitive. If necessary I can add a 5 or 7 pole helical resonator to the front end. It's sensitive if you can get it tuned without desensitization. That's the biggest problem with the receiver. It isn't as sharp as commercial receivers like the Mastr II or Micor so don't expect that kind of performance. From your many other posts it would appear you have considerable repeater experience which makes me wonder why you would want to take this on. It's not a joy to work on. The controller is junk (I replaced it with a CAT1000 over a decade ago). It's just old technology that doesn't come close to the old technology you find built by GE and Motorola. If you must redesign the oscillators, replace the exciter and PA,
Re: [RE: [[Repeater-Builder] Spectrum Communication SCR1000 VHF Manual]]]
WOW!! Coy said he went with the spectrum because of money. Now this offer of a straight trade is one he can't pass up due to the money issue!! Kevin King [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: If money is your limiting factor. I will trade you a mastr II mobile for the spectrum. Just so I can keep it off the air. I have been the recipient of interference from one of those at a site I use to manage. Kevin -Original Message- From: ac0y5 [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, November 28, 2003 11:56 AM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Re: [[Repeater-Builder] Spectrum Communication SCR1000 VHF Manual]] Thanks for the input Tony. The primary reason that I'm going to try the Spectrum is It's what I can afford now and It's something I havn't ran into before. If this one gives as much trouble as indicated by thoes of you who have owned them then I'll do something different. But for now it sounds like a challange and it's real cheep -$0.00-. I unexpectedly came into two 2 meter pairs at the same time. Here in Central Florida getting a pair is like finding hens teeth so the first pair got the MASTRII and the second pair will get the Spectrum until I get tired of tweeking it or until I get a replacment, another MASTRII. I can only afford a little at a time. 73 Tony and Thanks AC0Y --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, Tony King - W4ZT [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: First let me start out by saying that I currently have an SCR1000 in service on 2 meters but the Mastr II is cooking on the bench and will replace the Spectrum as soon as I finish the box to move the CAT- 1000 into. At 08:43 PM 11/26/2003, ac0y5 wrote: It seems a lot of the complaints are from oscillator drift and tuning drift. I have a few questions Does anyone know if the main problem resides in the exciter, or the power amp? I have replaced the PA in this SCR1000 because the old one failed. This is a 75 watt model which has the power control board (which gives you high/low power switching). The manual tells you that you MUST re-align the exciter to make it work properly on the reduced voltage. I always found it to be a bit unstable so it always stayed on high power. If you tune the PA, you'll find some instability there also. I don't know the answer to the question of bad components or bad design. I'd rather stick with what I've got personal experience with. As for oscillator drift, the SCR1000 was available with a crystal oven but mine didn't come that way. It's lived its entire life in the house where there have been no extremes of heat and cold. Yet, it would still move around some. I did place a small light bulb (in series with a resistor) right in the oscillator portion of the exciter board and it seemed to become more stable. My plan would eliminate all problems related to the oscillator because the Tx and Rx will be generated from a pair of Numerically Controlled Oscillators well filtered. I have already designed the entire circuit. Now, if Anyone knows where the problem may lay then I will be able to take care of the problem an external PA that I have or an exciter that I can buy cheaply. The power supply should be okay I had problems with the power supply. In the 75 watt model the power resistors which are mounted on terminal strips between the transformer and the large heat sink on the back get so hot that they will melt their leads right out of the solder. That compounds the problem and led to erosion of a resistor lead and supply failure. The entire supply is horribly inefficient, generating more heat than the entire unit consumed in its electronics. I finally removed the transformer, the resistors and the large heat sink with the pass transistors and powered the unit externally. and it has been stated that the receiver is quite sensitive. If necessary I can add a 5 or 7 pole helical resonator to the front end. It's sensitive if you can get it tuned without desensitization. That's the biggest problem with the receiver. It isn't as sharp as commercial receivers like the Mastr II or Micor so don't expect that kind of performance. From your many other posts it would appear you have considerable repeater experience which makes me wonder why you would want to take this on. It's not a joy to work on. The controller is junk (I replaced it with a CAT1000 over a decade ago). It's just old technology that doesn't come close to the old technology you find built by GE and Motorola. If you must redesign the oscillators, replace the exciter and PA, redesign/modify the receiver, come up with a controller, perhaps replace the power supply, hope the switches aren't intermittent (like some of mine), replace the meters (the originals were useless), toss the local microphone and get something better, what's left? It WAS a pretty box. I just spent the
Re: [RE: [[Repeater-Builder] Spectrum Communication SCR1000 VHF Manual]]]
Wow !! Kevin, I got two of those Spectrum repeaters sitting on the shelf. Could I turn them into two Mastr II ? I admit, the front panel is impressive, very pretty. The metering would be usefull also. I wanted to someday use the front panel and put a decent Rx Tx unit on the chassis with a small controller under neath. Sure would look good. Just too many irons in the fire. Gary K2UQ Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Re: [Re: [[Repeater-Builder] Spectrum Communication SCR1000 VHF Manual]]
I think much of the problem is in the tuning caps on both the exciter and PA. Joe M. ac0y5 wrote: It seems a lot of the complaints are from oscillator drift and tuning drift. I have a few questions Does anyone know if the main problem resides in the exciter, or the power amp? My plan would eliminate all problems related to the oscillator because the Tx and Rx will be generated from a pair of Numerically Controlled Oscillators well filtered. I have already designed the entire circuit. Now, if Anyone knows where the problem may lay then I will be able to take care of the problem an external PA that I have or an exciter that I can buy cheaply. The power supply should be okay and it has been stated that the receiver is quite sensitive. If necessary I can add a 5 or 7 pole helical resonator to the front end. 73 AC0Y --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, JOHN MACKEY [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: The Siouxland Amateur Radio Association in Sioux City, Iowa bought a used Spectrum repeater on 2 meters about 3 years ago for something like $1100, (with duplexer) fully operational. I attended a meeting of the repeater managers in Sioux City about 2 weeks ago they were saying they wish they had never bought it. (I tried to tell them not to buy it but they ignored me!!) Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Re: [Re: [[Repeater-Builder] Spectrum Communication SCR1000 VHF Manual]]
Yup, the UHF Mastr-Pro transmitter will do that if you don't do the maintenance on it properly. I have worked on a few of those transmitters over the years. Neil McKie - WA6KLA ac0y5 wrote: --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, Jeff DePolo WN3A [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I'm not knocking Spectrum - I'm just relating experience. I have yet to see one that stayed clean over the long haul. Any that aren't clean surely can't meet the type acceptance they once had. Well said, very well said. Humor: I have a Spectrum repeater on the air. Oh really? What frequency is it on? All of them. NOW THAT'S FUNNY.LAO. I had a couple UHF GE MASTR PRO BASE STATIONS that did that ONCE for about 3 or 4 minutes, till I checked the output with the spectrum analyzer after tune up. It had 60 watts out and looked like a Christmas Tree. 73 ALL Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Re: [Re: [[Repeater-Builder] Spectrum Communication SCR1000 VHF Manual]]
Don't forget to place the drain bucket under the grid leak resistor. Neil Virden Clark Beckman wrote: If you service the mastr-pro final be certain to clean the tube socket and covers well as these areas are good for collecting dusty swarf and can make some spurs as well as sparks inside the cage, as with any tube gear be sure the drain resistors are working properly before inserting any metal tools into the cage. ac0y5 wrote: --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, Jeff DePolo WN3A [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I'm not knocking Spectrum - I'm just relating experience. I have yet to see one that stayed clean over the long haul. Any that aren't clean surely can't meet the type acceptance they once had. Well said, very well said. Humor: I have a Spectrum repeater on the air. Oh really? What frequency is it on? All of them. NOW THAT'S FUNNY.LAO. I had a couple UHF GE MASTR PRO BASE STATIONS that did that ONCE for about 3 or 4 minutes, till I checked the output with the spectrum analyzer after tune up. It had 60 watts out and looked like a Christmas Tree. 73 ALL Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ -- 73...Clark Beckman N8PZD Pursuant to U.S. Code, title 47, Chapter 5, Subchapter II, ß227, Any and all nonsolicited commercial E-mail sent to this address is subject to a download and archival fee of $500.00 U.S.. E-mailing denotes acceptance of these terms. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Re: [Re: [[Repeater-Builder] Spectrum Communication SCR1000 VHF Manual]]
What size drain bucket? Maby 5000 Moos? - Original Message - From: Neil McKie [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2003 6:19 AM Subject: Re: [Re: [[Repeater-Builder] Spectrum Communication SCR1000 VHF Manual]] Don't forget to place the drain bucket under the grid leak resistor. Neil Virden Clark Beckman wrote: If you service the mastr-pro final be certain to clean the tube socket and covers well as these areas are good for collecting dusty swarf and can make some spurs as well as sparks inside the cage, as with any tube gear be sure the drain resistors are working properly before inserting any metal tools into the cage. ac0y5 wrote: --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, Jeff DePolo WN3A [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I'm not knocking Spectrum - I'm just relating experience. I have yet to see one that stayed clean over the long haul. Any that aren't clean surely can't meet the type acceptance they once had. Well said, very well said. Humor: I have a Spectrum repeater on the air. Oh really? What frequency is it on? All of them. NOW THAT'S FUNNY.LAO. I had a couple UHF GE MASTR PRO BASE STATIONS that did that ONCE for about 3 or 4 minutes, till I checked the output with the spectrum analyzer after tune up. It had 60 watts out and looked like a Christmas Tree. 73 ALL Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ -- 73...Clark Beckman N8PZD Pursuant to U.S. Code, title 47, Chapter 5, Subchapter II, ß227, Any and all nonsolicited commercial E-mail sent to this address is subject to a download and archival fee of $500.00 U.S.. E-mailing denotes acceptance of these terms. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Re: [Re: [[Repeater-Builder] Spectrum Communication SCR1000 VHF Manual]]
If you sincerely believe it is large enough. Vincent McKever wrote: What size drain bucket? Maby 5000 Moos? - Original Message - From: Neil McKie [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2003 6:19 AM Subject: Re: [Re: [[Repeater-Builder] Spectrum Communication SCR1000 VHF Manual]] Don't forget to place the drain bucket under the grid leak resistor. Neil Virden Clark Beckman wrote: If you service the mastr-pro final be certain to clean the tube socket and covers well as these areas are good for collecting dusty swarf and can make some spurs as well as sparks inside the cage, as with any tube gear be sure the drain resistors are working properly before inserting any metal tools into the cage. ac0y5 wrote: --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, Jeff DePolo WN3A [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I'm not knocking Spectrum - I'm just relating experience. I have yet to see one that stayed clean over the long haul. Any that aren't clean surely can't meet the type acceptance they once had. Well said, very well said. Humor: I have a Spectrum repeater on the air. Oh really? What frequency is it on? All of them. NOW THAT'S FUNNY.LAO. I had a couple UHF GE MASTR PRO BASE STATIONS that did that ONCE for about 3 or 4 minutes, till I checked the output with the spectrum analyzer after tune up. It had 60 watts out and looked like a Christmas Tree. 73 ALL Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ -- 73...Clark Beckman N8PZD Pursuant to U.S. Code, title 47, Chapter 5, Subchapter II, ß227, Any and all nonsolicited commercial E-mail sent to this address is subject to a download and archival fee of $500.00 U.S.. E-mailing denotes acceptance of these terms. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Re: [[[Re: [[Repeater-Builder] Spectrum Communication SCR1000 VHF Manual]]]]
If you had a couple UHF Mastr Pro transmitters that were dirty, I can guarantee it was NOT tuned and/or maintained correctly. ac0y5 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Yep it was done CORRECTLY!! --- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, JOHN MACKEY [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: That can be true, since the UHF Mastr Pro transmitter is a little picky about it's tuning. If you are unfamilar with that transmitter or don't follow the tuning procedure CORRECTLY, it can be a dirty transmitter. Of course, any transmitter can have that statement said. ac0y5 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: NOW THAT'S FUNNY.LAO. I had a couple UHF GE MASTR PRO BASE STATIONS that did that ONCE for about 3 or 4 minutes, till I checked the output with the spectrum analyzer after tune up. It had 60 watts out and looked like a Christmas Tree. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Re: [[[Re: [[Repeater-Builder] Spectrum Communication SCR1000 VHF Manual]]]]
At 09:59 PM 11/25/2003 -0600, you wrote: Of course, any transmitter can have that statement said. ---Wasn't that VHF Engineering's motto? :-) Ken -- President and CTO - Arcom Communications Makers of state-of-the-art repeater controllers and accessories. http://www.ah6le.net/arcom/index.html Our new Repeater Audio Delay (RAD) board is now shipping! Compatible with many controllers! AH6LE/R - IRLP Node 3000 http://www.irlp.net Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Re: [Re: [[Repeater-Builder] Spectrum Communication SCR1000 VHF Manual]]
The Siouxland Amateur Radio Association in Sioux City, Iowa bought a used Spectrum repeater on 2 meters about 3 years ago for something like $1100, (with duplexer) fully operational. I attended a meeting of the repeater managers in Sioux City about 2 weeks ago they were saying they wish they had never bought it. (I tried to tell them not to buy it but they ignored me!!) Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Re: [Re: [[Repeater-Builder] Spectrum Communication SCR1000 VHF Manual]]
Hmm, perahps you are right. These are the answers I propose for those questions. mch [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On the contrary. I think we will be answering a lot of questions... What duplexer gives me the most off-freq rejection? The dupleser with the most off-freq rejection will be the one NOT connected to the Spectrum transmitter. What can I do to reduce TX noise Replace the spectrum transmitter with a different manufacturer. Does anyone have a spectrum analyzer for sale? Yes, but with all the gas money you are losing on repeat trips to the transmitter site, along with buying the best cables, duplexer, etc for the package you probably won't be able to afford the analyzer. I'm not knocking Spectrum - I'm just relating experience. I have yet to see one that stayed clean over the long haul. Any that aren't clean surely can't meet the type acceptance they once had. Well said, very well said. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
RE: [Re: [[Repeater-Builder] Spectrum Communication SCR1000 VHF Manual]]
I'm not knocking Spectrum - I'm just relating experience. I have yet to see one that stayed clean over the long haul. Any that aren't clean surely can't meet the type acceptance they once had. Well said, very well said. Humor: I have a Spectrum repeater on the air. Oh really? What frequency is it on? All of them. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Re: [Re: [[Repeater-Builder] Spectrum Communication SCR1000 VHF Manual]]
mch [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: ac0y5 wrote: Otherwise I must use what I can get at a price that I can afford. I don't know what you paid (perhaps nothing?), but you can buy a Motorola or GE for a couple hundred bucks down to next to nothing. If I were to consider my time, I would save more money spending a couple hundred bucks now. Yes, I would take a Spectrum. I could use the rack for mounting a controller or something. The spectrum RF gear does work EXCELLENT as a door stop!! But the main problem I've had with Spectrum is that it can be 'right' when you put it on, but a few weeks later, the tuning changes on its own and it's no longer 'right'! I've also seen this with spectrum equipment. I eagerly anticipate your views on Spectrum in a year. :-)) Yes, that will be interesting. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Re: [Re: [[Repeater-Builder] Spectrum Communication SCR1000 VHF Manual]]
Kevin Custer [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Sometimes the best sounding repeaters are the ones that need to be looked at more closely. Over occupied bandwidth issues can result in excellent sounding audio, but at the expense of needed filtering to SNIP Very very true. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Re: [Re: [[Repeater-Builder] Spectrum Communication SCR1000 VHF Manual]]
ac0y5 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: OH NO MR MACKEY, That's where you are WRONG AGAIN !! I unlike other When was I wrong the FIRST time? some people ALWAYS have questions, and I'll ask them. The perfect radio presents NO challange there for no chance for a learning experiance. Oh I put a line in my post for you... Or if there is someone that would like to contribute to the cause contact me off board. If you would like to contribute a, SAY, Motorola or GE, you can contact me off board. Otherwise I must use what I can get at a price that I can afford. First, YOU or anyone else has NEVER been You can easily find a a Motorola or GE at most hamfests and on ebay. Example on this web link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemitem=3059774381category=4674 interfered with by one of MY repeaters. I DO NOT PUT UP TRASH !!! IF it's not right, it does not go into service by me period. You did We'll see what happens AFTER you put up your Spectrum SNIP shure that it was one of the best sounding machines in town and may Please be sure to read what Kevin told you about the best sounding machines Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Re: [Re: [[Repeater-Builder] Spectrum Communication SCR1000 VHF Manual]]
At 11:03 PM 11/24/03 -0600, you wrote: mch [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: ac0y5 wrote: Otherwise I must use what I can get at a price that I can afford. I don't know what you paid (perhaps nothing?), but you can buy a Motorola or GE for a couple hundred bucks down to next to nothing. If I were to consider my time, I would save more money spending a couple hundred bucks now. Yes, I would take a Spectrum. I could use the rack for mounting a controller or something. The spectrum RF gear does work EXCELLENT as a door stop!! But the main problem I've had with Spectrum is that it can be 'right' when you put it on, but a few weeks later, the tuning changes on its own and it's no longer 'right'! I've also seen this with spectrum equipment. I eagerly anticipate your views on Spectrum in a year. :-)) Yes, that will be interesting. Let me tell you about a certain high-band Spectrum... Many years ago the W6TRW ham radio club at TRW in Los Angeles had a Spectrum that was factory ordered in the low end of the 145mhz range... Mind you this group had some high powered RF types as members guys that designed RF links for spy satellites... I worked there in the 1986-87-88 time frame For a feeling of the environment there read the book The Falcon and the Snowman sometime... it all happened there. The Spectrum SCR-1000 RX was quite sensitive once you got past the tendency to desense (use the best duplexer you can afford), and the TX was OKexcept... We had it feeding a isolator, a pass cavity, a PD 6-can pass- reject duplexer, 30-40 feet of 7/8 feedline and a 22' Stationmaster. The equipment was installed in the utility room of the penthouse of a 12 story office building, with the antenna on a 10 foot tower section mounted to the roof of the adjacent elevator equipment room. There was one other radio there, a 60w GE Mastr-II UHF repeater used by the company rent-a-cops (the radio was complete with a 4-channel GE voter, with three aux receivers in outlying buildings - this was a 10-12 building campus spread across 4 city blocks). There is still to this day another 3 story government office building across the street that hosts a number of city, county, state and federal agencies and on the roof is a forest of antennas... Despite the skill of the RF engineers at TRW, and at least one, maybe two return trips to Spectrum, over a period of time the Spectrum caused the W6TRW folk to get to know the radio techs from the LAPD, the LAFD, the LA county radio shop, the FBI, the FAA (at LAX, a few miles away), the Navy, the Air Force, the Secret Service, and at least one alphabet soup agency that officially doesn't exist... (one of the customers for the spy satellites) all of which used the radio spectrum in the 136-150 or 160-172mhz range or somewhere in the 225-420mhz range Each time the interference complaints stopped the day the Spectrum went off the air. Each time it was turned back on after being fixed it was clean for a while (anything from a week to 4 months) then a phone call arrived from a different agency... It was replaced with a factory built 136-150mhz 90w Mastr-II that was set up by WA6DPB's commercial 2-way shop. The day it went up on the building the temptation to drop the Spectrum off the side was there but the ham club would have had to pay for the cracked concrete 12 stories below. Aside from resetting the frequency about 6 months after it went up (after the crystals aged a little) the GE radio has needed zero attention in over 12 years. Please tune your new toy with a spectrum analyzer, then think three times about putting it on an antenna, and if you value your amateur license don't put it on a hill. Mike WA6ILQ Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
