RE: [Repeater-Builder] Update on the MICOR Community Repeater project
The latest and FINAL update on this project... Today, a new-version Master Decoder card (TRN 6165A) arrived via mail. (**MANY thanks, Gerald!!**) You know, it's AMAZING how well the radio works when it has all the right parts in it! I have 700 Hz of PL deviation and 4.7kHz max voice deviation. It's playing just like mother "M" designed it to!!! Thanks to everyone who helped with this project, whether it was with hardware, schematics, suggestions or moral support. The machine should be on-the-air within the next two weeks. 73 de Mark - N9WYS / WQIV271
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Update on the MICOR Community Repeater project
Mark, If I remember correctly. And it has been a while. The Motorola community repeater both the MSY (Motrac-Motran vintage) and the Micor The PL came in the receiver and the master decoder would match it to an active PL or DPL reed or codeplug. Then the station would repeat and the same Pl from the receiver would be Passed via the reed of codeplug to the master decoder and then on to the exciter via way of a filter board that was installed in the exciter where a "normal" radip would have the PL or DPL encode board. It sounds like you may be missing that filter board. Is it there ? if not I suspect that you could use a regular duplex DPL encoder board to buffer and pass the signal. As far as the master decoder the flow through the MSY and the Micors are very similar. I do not believe that the MSYs ever had DPL. So it makes sense that the path and the pass band for the MSY would be different from the Micor cutoff at DC vas 67 or so Hertz. The MSY board could be made to work I would guess if you had the schematic I had a book on a MSY CR somewhere I will look and see if I can find it. HOWEVER I just bought a warehouse (I buy and sell communications equipment) That has a box of Micor cards in it. I thought of you. Send me the part number that you need and I will get one to you. Robert...
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Update on the MICOR Community Repeater project
Correct for the Micors as well. Exception was when it has the transcode option. Robert -Original Message- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of wd8chl Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2008 5:08 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Update on the MICOR Community Repeater project n9wys wrote: > Eric, > For everyone: At one point, Eric referred me to an eBay auction, listing > among other things a Master Decoder card of the same part number as the ones > I have. Those cards were in an MSY chassis... which makes me wonder if > there is a fundamental difference on the MSY-version versus the > MICOR-version of this card. My examination of the card leads me to believe > this is the case, I just need to verify this. While I'm not as sure on the Micor, I am ABSOLUTELY positive the MSY community repeaters split the PL tone out of the rx audio, buffered/gated/amplified, and re-transmitted the incoming PL tone from the mobile. It did NOT have a separate PL encoder. Yahoo! Groups Links
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Update on the MICOR Community Repeater project
Well, Gerald sent me the schematic for the Master Decoder modules I have. I compared connections on the card I have (thanks to his schematic) against what the newer card provides. Here are the comparisons: Pin 1 - Ground = OK Pin 2 - PL Tone to Modulator = OK Pin 3 - To Audio Amplifier on Audio Board - Not called out on newer card - "No Connection" on newer card Pin 4 - PL Disable (Receiver #1, to Audio Board) = "Binary PL Out" on newer card Pin 5 - From PL Disable Switch = Not called out on newer card - "No Connection" on newer card Pin 6 - From Volume Control = Not called out on newer card - "No Connection" on newer card Pin 7 - PL Tone Out (to 4-User Module) = OK Pin 10 - Quieting Indicator = "Binary PL Gate Key" on newer card (This signal is on Pin 19 on newer card) Pin 11 - Detector Emitter Bias = OK Pin 12 - A+ = OK Pin 16 - PL Indicator = OK Pin 17 - Switched Ground from 4-User Control = Not called out on newer card - "Tone PL Detect" on newer card Pin 18 - Detector Base Bias = OK Pin 22 - PL Tone Input from Discriminator = "Binary PL Retransmit Input" on newer card (This signal is on Pin 23 on newer card) Pin 23 - Receiver Audio Switch on Audio Board = Not called out on newer card - "Tone PL Retransmit Input" on newer card Pin 24 - Exciter Ground = Not called out on newer card - "No Connection" on newer card As you can see, there are a LOT of signals that would need to be re-routed for this card to work properly... and others that appear not to be needed at all. I wonder if it is worth the effort. If I can't find the proper card, I think I'll have to resort to an external repeater controller/tone board, like either a Zetron or a Com-Spec get the station to operate properly. That is if I can find the interconnect wiring diagram. So, I ask again - if ANYONE has a TRN6165A Master Decoder card they are not using and would like to put to good use, PLEASE CONTACT ME. Mark - N9WYS
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Update on the MICOR Community Repeater project
Thanks Gerald!! I think that'll get me headed in the right direction... Yes, if you can get a clean copy of the schematic (maybe have someone scan it and send it to me via e-mail??) that'll help **immensely**! 73 de Mark - N9WYS -Original Message- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com On Behalf Of Gerald Pelnar Mark, I have a manual for a 68P1056A35 MOTRAC C74MSY-3101AY and BY community repeater. It shows the BY uses a TLN1684A master decode. I didn't come forward before because I didn't see that number mentioned. part # TLN5803A is the kit number for the master decode board in a TLN1684A module. Pin 24 on the card should be exciter gnd for the xmit pl level pot. If I can get a decent copy, I'll send you what I have. Gerald Pelnar WD0FYF McPherson, Ks
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Update on the MICOR Community Repeater project
Yep - I see the same as you, Eric. That's why I continue to wonder about these cards. I originally bought 14 chassis altogether, and was provided with about 9 of the same Master Decoder card. In the beginning - the world was dark and without form... sorry I digress. In the beginning, I got the chassis and cards from a purveyor who had them stacked in the corner of his place. Can't vouch for where they came from, or if they were even assembled and working prior to that (some of them were already victims of parts scavengers) and to be honest, I can't remember if he did, either. So since the very start I've been operating on the assumption that these cards worked in the chassis I have -- probably an incorrect assumption, I'm beginning to believe. However, the bigger problem is NOBODY seems to be responding as to whether they have either the later version cards OR the schematic for the cards I have. Until I can confirm something (one way or another) I'm at an impasse. Mark - N9WYS -Original Message- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com On Behalf Of Eric Lemmon Mark, Now, I'm the one who is confused! I just looked at a UHF community repeater and noticed that it has a TRN6421APR backplane. However, it is equipped with a TRN6165A Master Decoder. I therefore wonder if the TLN5803A Master Decoder you have even belongs to that machine. I confirmed, as you did, that Pin 24 on the TRN6165A Master Decoder has no connection. Is it possible that the previous owner simply stuffed the chassis with leftover pull-outs? The TRN6421APR backplane PCB has the following module assignments, right to left: 1 - Timeout Timer 2 - Station Control 3 - Squelch Gate 4 - Single Tone Decoder 5 - Master Decoder 6 - Four-User Control 7 - Ditto 8 - Ditto 9 - Ditto 10 - Diode Logic 11 - Multi-TPL Encoder 12 - Multi DPL Encoder I have no manuals for a Community Repeater, so I do not have any means to follow the signal path via schematics. That said, it seems to me that a "Multi-TPL Encoder" in Slot 11 would generate the unique PL tone that the repeater would transmit. You did not state if such a module was installed in your station, so I wonder if that is why your station is not encoding the tone. As others have noted, it is always preferable to filter out and then regenerate a PL tone, rather than allow it to pass through a repeater. The reason for that is two-fold: Some cheap user radios have very poor tone purity, and may be difficult to decode, and some user radios have widely-varying tone deviation that range from not enough to double or triple the "proper" level. 73, Eric Lemmon WB6FLY -Original Message- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of n9wys Sent: Sunday, September 21, 2008 9:04 AM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] Update on the MICOR Community Repeater project Eric, --- (snip) --- At one point in the build, I *thought* I had this problem resolved... but apparently what was happening was the PL was bleeding through from the receive to the transmitter. That is why I was able to "talk it off". After looking at the station operation with a service monitor, I am certain that it is NOT encoding PL for transmit. I have no PL at Pin 2 of the Master Decoder, which is what feeds the PL tone to the exciter/modulator. For everyone: At one point, Eric referred me to an eBay auction, listing among other things a Master Decoder card of the same part number as the ones I have. Those cards were in an MSY chassis... which makes me wonder if there is a fundamental difference on the MSY-version versus the MICOR-version of this card. My examination of the card leads me to believe this is the case, I just need to verify this. Eric, the part number stamped on the backplane is: TRN6421A, and the number on the Master Decoder card is: TLN5803A Thanks everyone! Mark - N9WYS / WQIV271
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Update on the MICOR Community Repeater project
n9wys wrote: > Eric, > For everyone: At one point, Eric referred me to an eBay auction, listing > among other things a Master Decoder card of the same part number as the ones > I have. Those cards were in an MSY chassis... which makes me wonder if > there is a fundamental difference on the MSY-version versus the > MICOR-version of this card. My examination of the card leads me to believe > this is the case, I just need to verify this. While I'm not as sure on the Micor, I am ABSOLUTELY positive the MSY community repeaters split the PL tone out of the rx audio, buffered/gated/amplified, and re-transmitted the incoming PL tone from the mobile. It did NOT have a separate PL encoder.
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Update on the MICOR Community Repeater project
Mark, I have a manual for a 68P1056A35 MOTRAC C74MSY-3101AY and BY community repeater. It shows the BY uses a TLN1684A master decode. I didn't come forward before because I didn't see that number mentioned. part # TLN5803A is the kit number for the master decode board in a TLN1684A module. Pin 24 on the card should be exciter gnd for the xmit pl level pot. If I can get a decent copy, I'll send you what I have. Gerald Pelnar WD0FYF McPherson, Ks - Original Message - From: "n9wys" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Sent: Sunday, September 21, 2008 11:04 AM Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] Update on the MICOR Community Repeater project > Eric, > > The original thread started 08/11... and (forgive me for the bandwidth > usage) I captured most of it here. I did take the liberty to edit out some > of the stuff I felt was "unimportant" or "non-productive". > > At one point in the build, I *thought* I had this problem resolved... but > apparently what was happening was the PL was bleeding through from the > receive to the transmitter. That is why I was able to "talk it off". > After > looking at the station operation with a service monitor, I am certain that > it is NOT encoding PL for transmit. I have no PL at Pin 2 of the Master > Decoder, which is what feeds the PL tone to the exciter/modulator. > > For everyone: At one point, Eric referred me to an eBay auction, listing > among other things a Master Decoder card of the same part number as the > ones > I have. Those cards were in an MSY chassis... which makes me wonder if > there is a fundamental difference on the MSY-version versus the > MICOR-version of this card. My examination of the card leads me to > believe > this is the case, I just need to verify this. > > Eric, the part number stamped on the backplane is: TRN6421A, and the > number > on the Master Decoder card is: TLN5803A > > Thanks everyone! > Mark - N9WYS / WQIV271 > > -Copied Thread- > From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com On Behalf Of n9wys > Sent: Monday, August 11, 2008 11:26 AM > > More information about this project. > > I have the station working - receiving, decoding proper PL tone, > repeating, > transmitting audio, etc. The only thing it is NOT doing is encoding tone > for transmit. (A reminder - this is a Community Repeater MICOR chassis, > NOT > the standard repeater chassis.) Anyway - from what I can tell, the Master > Control module is NOT sending tone out to the modulator. The problem I > have > is this: the manual supplement I have shows a different Master Control > module that what I have. My modules are not IC-based, the ones on the > manual are. Therefore, I believe the schematic and operation for the > module > I have is completely different than that in the manual. > > Does anyone have an earlier issue of the Community Repeater manual - > 68P81025E55 (probably revision A, since mine is a "B")? *ALL* I think I > need are the pages pertaining to the Master Control Module - part > #TLN5803A. > (Other part numbers may be: TLN8780A or TLN1684A - these are numbers > stamped on the flange of the card - the first number above was printed > right > on the circuit board.) The module referenced in my manual is TRN6165A. > > For those with a manual - I am seeing tone at Pin 7 ("Tone PL Out") but > not > at Pin 2 ("Tone or Binary PL to Modulator") on the Master Control module. > I > tried merely jumpering Pin 7 to Pin 2 - doesn't work. Because the > schematic > and board layout is completely different, I have no reference to be able > to > chase signal through the circuit. I'm also wondering if a required jumper > is missing or a jumper is improperly installed on my Master Control card. > > Thanks! > Mark - N9WYS > > From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com On Behalf Of Eric Lemmon > Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2008 9:18 PM > > Mark, > > What is the number stamped in black ink directly on the PCB of the master > control module? I know you recently received the community repeater > manual, > and that manual doesn't contain the information on that module? Odd... > > 73, Eric Lemmon WB6FLY > > Eric, > > The Master Control module I have is: TLN5803A > > The module referenced in my manual is: TRN6165A. > > The manual's module is definitely a newer design - it is IC-based (two > chips > on the board). My modules are "pre-IC" -- no chips at all. I've also > seen > cover designs for (what I believe is) an earlier version of the Comm. > Rptr. > manual supplement, so there is at least one version prior to the one I > have... > &g
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Update on the MICOR Community Repeater project
Mark, Now, I'm the one who is confused! I just looked at a UHF community repeater and noticed that it has a TRN6421APR backplane. However, it is equipped with a TRN6165A Master Decoder. I therefore wonder if the TLN5803A Master Decoder you have even belongs to that machine. I confirmed, as you did, that Pin 24 on the TRN6165A Master Decoder has no connection. Is it possible that the previous owner simply stuffed the chassis with leftover pull-outs? The TRN6421APR backplane PCB has the following module assignments, right to left: 1 - Timeout Timer 2 - Station Control 3 - Squelch Gate 4 - Single Tone Decoder 5 - Master Decoder 6 - Four-User Control 7 - Ditto 8 - Ditto 9 - Ditto 10 - Diode Logic 11 - Multi-TPL Encoder 12 - Multi DPL Encoder I have no manuals for a Community Repeater, so I do not have any means to follow the signal path via schematics. That said, it seems to me that a "Multi-TPL Encoder" in Slot 11 would generate the unique PL tone that the repeater would transmit. You did not state if such a module was installed in your station, so I wonder if that is why your station is not encoding the tone. As others have noted, it is always preferable to filter out and then regenerate a PL tone, rather than allow it to pass through a repeater. The reason for that is two-fold: Some cheap user radios have very poor tone purity, and may be difficult to decode, and some user radios have widely-varying tone deviation that range from not enough to double or triple the "proper" level. 73, Eric Lemmon WB6FLY -Original Message- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of n9wys Sent: Sunday, September 21, 2008 9:04 AM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] Update on the MICOR Community Repeater project Eric, The original thread started 08/11... and (forgive me for the bandwidth usage) I captured most of it here. I did take the liberty to edit out some of the stuff I felt was "unimportant" or "non-productive". At one point in the build, I *thought* I had this problem resolved... but apparently what was happening was the PL was bleeding through from the receive to the transmitter. That is why I was able to "talk it off". After looking at the station operation with a service monitor, I am certain that it is NOT encoding PL for transmit. I have no PL at Pin 2 of the Master Decoder, which is what feeds the PL tone to the exciter/modulator. For everyone: At one point, Eric referred me to an eBay auction, listing among other things a Master Decoder card of the same part number as the ones I have. Those cards were in an MSY chassis... which makes me wonder if there is a fundamental difference on the MSY-version versus the MICOR-version of this card. My examination of the card leads me to believe this is the case, I just need to verify this. Eric, the part number stamped on the backplane is: TRN6421A, and the number on the Master Decoder card is: TLN5803A Thanks everyone! Mark - N9WYS / WQIV271 -Copied Thread- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com <mailto:Repeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com> On Behalf Of n9wys Sent: Monday, August 11, 2008 11:26 AM More information about this project. I have the station working - receiving, decoding proper PL tone, repeating, transmitting audio, etc. The only thing it is NOT doing is encoding tone for transmit. (A reminder - this is a Community Repeater MICOR chassis, NOT the standard repeater chassis.) Anyway - from what I can tell, the Master Control module is NOT sending tone out to the modulator. The problem I have is this: the manual supplement I have shows a different Master Control module that what I have. My modules are not IC-based, the ones on the manual are. Therefore, I believe the schematic and operation for the module I have is completely different than that in the manual. Does anyone have an earlier issue of the Community Repeater manual - 68P81025E55 (probably revision A, since mine is a "B")? *ALL* I think I need are the pages pertaining to the Master Control Module - part #TLN5803A. (Other part numbers may be: TLN8780A or TLN1684A - these are numbers stamped on the flange of the card - the first number above was printed right on the circuit board.) The module referenced in my manual is TRN6165A. For those with a manual - I am seeing tone at Pin 7 ("Tone PL Out") but not at Pin 2 ("Tone or Binary PL to Modulator") on the Master Control module. I tried merely jumpering Pin 7 to Pin 2 - doesn't work. Because the schematic and board layout is completely different, I have no reference to be able to chase signal through the circuit. I'm also wondering if a required jumper is missing or a jumper is improperly installed on my Master Control card. Thanks! Mark - N9WYS From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com <mailto:Repeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com> On Behalf Of
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Update on the MICOR Community Repeater project
on put life and limb at risk by venturing into the old archives. Unfortunately they no longer have any manuals available which refer to this module. :-( He WAS able to give me the manual numbers for the MICOR manuals, but I already have them all. When I asked about the MSY-series station manuals, he said those have been NLA since 1976 or so... So I'm here again to plead with those who have old libraries of Motorola manuals -- PLEASE check your stash to see if you may have anything for the MSY-series community repeater. (Possible model number C74MSY-3101BY or similar - the "BY" is the key here, I think.) I have seen a older MSY-series station on eBay with this card in the chassis, so hopefully someone out there has the manual for it. I *REALLY* need this schematic to get my repeater going... Thanks, Mark - N9WYS / WQIV271 -Original Message- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com On Behalf Of Eric Lemmon Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2008 11:48 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] Update on the MICOR Community Repeater project Mark, I could not find the previous messages on your thread, so please restate the module numbers of the Master Decoder and Unified Chassis Backplane that you now have. Do all of the backplanes have the same number stamped in black ink on them? The number I am referring to is the number stamped along one edge of the PC board itself, not on sheet metal parts. 73, Eric Lemmon WB6FLY From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com On Behalf Of n9wys Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2008 7:33 PM Well, I got this thing all reassembled and tuned up on the new frequency pair. a fellow ham (who used to work for the local Motorola shop) came over with his service monitor and we tuned and tested the system. It is still not passing PL to the transmitter. Some PL bleeds through from the receive, but I know that is not correct - nor is it of sufficient level. (I only get about 90 Hz of deviation with this PL.) We took a CLOSE look at the Master Decoder card itself and it appears to be configured VERY differently than the later version depicted in my manual. For example, the later version card (based on two ICs) has no connection on Pin 24 to the backplane. My card (an earlier version with discrete components) appears to have some sort of signal (audio) on Pin 24. So I need desperately to find either the manual pages pertaining to my older Master Decoder card, or I need a newer version card. If ANYONE has either of these, I'd be much obliged of you would contact me. The issue HAS to be the Master Decoder card - it is not passing any PL to the exciter. The problem is, I have about 8 of the same vintage Master Decoder card, so changing them out is not resolving the issue. For the time being, I am going to put the machine on the air as-is. it works just fine, other than it will have to be CSQ receive for all users. I'll decide later on whether I will put in a tone panel, or continue to operate it as it is now. Mark - N9WYS / WQIV271
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Update on the MICOR Community Repeater project
I thought the community repeaters could decode and encode separately. In other words, there's no requirement that the received PL tone match the transmitted PL tone. If that's the case, then the PL decoder is supposed to remove any received PL tone, which sounds exactly like what yours is doing. You would need a separate encode card to feed the transmitter. The decoded PL output signal would be run through a matrix which chooses the proper PL encode tone. You don't want two PL tones feeding the transmitter (one bleeding through from the receiver, one from the encoder). It works this way on any normal repeater. You always want to remove the received PL tone and generate it fresh for the transmit PL tone. Of course, I could be all wrong about this. Bob M. == --- On Sat, 9/20/08, n9wys <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: From: n9wys <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Update on the MICOR Community Repeater project To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Date: Saturday, September 20, 2008, 10:33 PM Well, I got this thing all reassembled and tuned up on the new frequency pair… a fellow ham (who used to work for the local Motorola shop) came over with his service monitor and we tuned and tested the system. It is still not passing PL to the transmitter. Some PL bleeds through from the receive, but I know that is not correct – nor is it of sufficient level. (I only get about 90 Hz of deviation with this PL.) We took a CLOSE look at the Master Decoder card itself and it appears to be configured VERY differently than the later version depicted in my manual. For example, the later version card (based on two ICs) has no connection on Pin 24 to the backplane. My card (an earlier version with discreet components) appears to have some sort of signal (audio) on Pin 24. So I need desperately to find either the manual pages pertaining to my older Master Decoder card, or I need a newer version card. If ANYONE has either of these, I’d be much obliged of you would contact me. The issue HAS to be the Master Decoder card – it is not passing any PL to the exciter. The problem is, I have about 8 of the same vintage Master Decoder card, so changing them out is not resolving the issue. For the time being, I am going to put the machine on the air as-is… it works just fine, other than it will have to be CSQ receive for all users. I’ll decide later on whether I will put in a tone panel, or continue to operate it as it is now. Mark – N9WYS / WQIV271
RE: [Repeater-Builder] Update on the MICOR Community Repeater project
Mark, I could not find the previous messages on your thread, so please restate the module numbers of the Master Decoder and Unified Chassis Backplane that you now have. Do all of the backplanes have the same number stamped in black ink on them? The number I am referring to is the number stamped along one edge of the PC board itself, not on sheet metal parts. 73, Eric Lemmon WB6FLY -Original Message- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of n9wys Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2008 7:33 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Update on the MICOR Community Repeater project Well, I got this thing all reassembled and tuned up on the new frequency pair. a fellow ham (who used to work for the local Motorola shop) came over with his service monitor and we tuned and tested the system. It is still not passing PL to the transmitter. Some PL bleeds through from the receive, but I know that is not correct - nor is it of sufficient level. (I only get about 90 Hz of deviation with this PL.) We took a CLOSE look at the Master Decoder card itself and it appears to be configured VERY differently than the later version depicted in my manual. For example, the later version card (based on two ICs) has no connection on Pin 24 to the backplane. My card (an earlier version with discrete components) appears to have some sort of signal (audio) on Pin 24. So I need desperately to find either the manual pages pertaining to my older Master Decoder card, or I need a newer version card. If ANYONE has either of these, I'd be much obliged of you would contact me. The issue HAS to be the Master Decoder card - it is not passing any PL to the exciter. The problem is, I have about 8 of the same vintage Master Decoder card, so changing them out is not resolving the issue. For the time being, I am going to put the machine on the air as-is. it works just fine, other than it will have to be CSQ receive for all users. I'll decide later on whether I will put in a tone panel, or continue to operate it as it is now. Mark - N9WYS / WQIV271