Re: [Repeater-Builder] Opening Salvo "Poor Mans Repeater Project"
I'm actually working on improving my poor man's repeater right now. Basically here's what I've been using during tests: Vertex FTL-7011 as transmitter Advanced research preamp Radio Shack FRS Cat # 21-1811 retuned as receiver(not very selective) Controller is homemade. Found COR from FRS and fed thru diode to base of NPN transistor. Also connected to base of transistor was a simple RC circuit to create a tail on the repeater. The emitter went to ground and the collector to PTT on the Vertex. Using an old Radio Shack digital voice module(20 second), I recorded an ID message. Using a 555 timer, I created a pulse to trigger the ID every 15 minutes. The pulse also triggered another 555 to activate the PTT for a preset time for the ID. The second 555 connects thru a diode to the base of the NPN transistor mentioned earlier. Audio output from receiver goes thru simple resistor network to lower signal and more or less balance impedence before connecting to mike input of Vertex. Using a 12 volt/ 5 volt supply for system. 12 volts for Vertex and 5 volts for receiver and controller. Early test show incredible de-sense in the receiver due to no duplexer. I'm using separate antennas placed 30 ft apart horizontally and 20 feet apart vertically. I'm now working on integrating a different receiver and purchasing a use duplexer. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. --- skipp025 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Opening Salvo "Poor Mans Repeater Project" > > I'm glad to see a lot of you are interested in doing > an > interactive type repeater construction project. Some > of > you already have potential and/or available > equipment in > your hot little hands. Many of you have already done > this > type of project and we would hope to read about your > > experiences with the various projects you've worked > on. > > We might start out talking about ideas related to > the > receiver section of the project... but it's probably > better > to first talk about potential equipment (radio) > sources. > > Let us assume for this thread that pretty much much > of > the surplus & new two-way radio equipment around can > be > considered for a repeater project. > > Many of us find equipment on Ebay... but other > sources are > easily located. Ham Flea Markets go on throughout > the Country > and there are various amateur radio web pages with > buy & sell > sections. > > As Cell phones replace a lot of traditional two-way > radio systems > that are/were not able to adjust to their various > market locations... > you can often find radio equipment at flea markets > and yard sales. > > There are a number of used two-way radio equipment > dealers around > the country... that number shrinking down as > internet stores replace > traditional brick and motar surplus radio dealers. > > > > So what do we really need from the receiver? > > Consider the receivers front-end performance? > Discriminator Audio? > CTCSS decoder build-it or external? > How do we obtain a carrier (receive signal) operated > switch? > Local speaker audio? > Repeater Audio? > DC operation (power requirements)? > Cost? > Possible examples of good and bad receiver choices? > ... and of course hardware ownership. > > s. > > Expecting? Get great news right away with email Auto-Check. Try the Yahoo! Mail Beta. http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/mailbeta/newmail_tools.html
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Opening Salvo "Poor Mans Repeater Project"
Paul M Schmitter wrote: > I'm actually working on improving my poor man's > repeater right now. > Basically here's what I've been using during tests: > Vertex FTL-7011 as transmitter > Advanced research preamp > Radio Shack FRS Cat # 21-1811 retuned as receiver(not > very selective) You DO know that repeaters are illegal on FRS channels? (Even if you have a GMRS license.) Not to mention that even with a GMRS license, power is limited to 5W max? -- Jim Barbour WD8CHL
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Opening Salvo "Poor Mans Repeater Project"
playing devils advocate-- I don't recall seeing the frequencies that this repeater is running. How do you know what they are? Jim B. wrote: > > > Paul M Schmitter wrote: > > I'm actually working on improving my poor man's > > repeater right now. > > Basically here's what I've been using during tests: > > Vertex FTL-7011 as transmitter > > Advanced research preamp > > Radio Shack FRS Cat # 21-1811 retuned as receiver(not > > very selective) > > You DO know that repeaters are illegal on FRS channels? (Even if you > have a GMRS license.) > > Not to mention that even with a GMRS license, power is limited to 5W max? > -- > Jim Barbour > WD8CHL > > -- Jay Urish CCNANetwork Engineer Home)972-691-0125 Cell)972-965-6229
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Opening Salvo "Poor Mans Repeater Project"
Jay Urish wrote: > playing devils advocate-- > I don't recall seeing the frequencies that this repeater is running. > > How do you know what they are? >> Paul M Schmitter wrote: >> > Radio Shack FRS Cat # 21-1811 retuned as receiver(not >> > very selective) That tells me. -- Jim Barbour WD8CHL
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Opening Salvo "Poor Mans Repeater Project"
Jim.. That is an ASSumption. How do you know that that radio won't drop into the ham band? Give the guy the benefit of the doubt... Jim B. wrote: > > > Jay Urish wrote: > > playing devils advocate-- > > I don't recall seeing the frequencies that this repeater is running. > > > > How do you know what they are? > > >> Paul M Schmitter wrote: > > >> > Radio Shack FRS Cat # 21-1811 retuned as receiver(not > >> > very selective) > > That tells me. > -- > Jim Barbour > WD8CHL > > -- Jay Urish CCNANetwork Engineer Home)972-691-0125 Cell)972-965-6229
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Opening Salvo "Poor Mans Repeater Project"
Jay Urish wrote: > Jim.. > That is an ASSumption. > > How do you know that that radio won't drop into the ham band? Because it's an FRS radio-channels are hard-coded into the controller. They are ALL like that. -- Jim Barbour WD8CHL
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Opening Salvo "Poor Mans Repeater Project"
Apart fro the other comments about what frequency it's on, my 2 suggestions to minimize desense would be to TOTALLY shield the receiver (bringing in the antenna connection, of course), with a feedthrough cap on the power line, and getting the antennas on the same pole/mast right above each other, if you can, with 30 or more feet separation. You may also need double shielded coax on the receiver, also. Congratulations, however on an innovative system. (Skipp should be proud). Charles, KS3Z --- Paul M Schmitter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I'm actually working on improving my poor man's > repeater right now. > Basically here's what I've been using during tests: > Vertex FTL-7011 as transmitter > Advanced research preamp > Radio Shack FRS Cat # 21-1811 retuned as > receiver(not > very selective) > Controller is homemade. Found COR from FRS and fed > thru diode to base of NPN transistor. Also connected > to base of transistor was a simple RC circuit to > create a tail on the repeater. The emitter went to > ground and the collector to PTT on the Vertex. Using > an old Radio Shack digital voice module(20 second), > I > recorded an ID message. Using a 555 timer, I created > a > pulse to trigger the ID every 15 minutes. The pulse > also triggered another 555 to activate the PTT for a > preset time for the ID. The second 555 connects thru > a > diode to the base of the NPN transistor mentioned > earlier. > Audio output from receiver goes thru simple resistor > network to lower signal and more or less balance > impedence before connecting to mike input of Vertex. > > Using a 12 volt/ 5 volt supply for system. 12 volts > for Vertex and 5 volts for receiver and controller. > Early test show incredible de-sense in the receiver > due to no duplexer. I'm using separate antennas > placed > 30 ft apart horizontally and 20 feet apart > vertically. > > I'm now working on integrating a different receiver > and purchasing a use duplexer. > > That's my story and I'm sticking to it. > __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Opening Salvo "Poor Mans Repeater Project"
Running it on GMRS. The way I read the rules, a GMRS repeater can be 50 watts. The frequency of a FRS radio can be adjusted slightly to fall into the GMRS frequecies and since it's only for receive there is no type acceptance issue. --- "Jim B." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Paul M Schmitter wrote: > > I'm actually working on improving my poor man's > > repeater right now. > > Basically here's what I've been using during > tests: > > Vertex FTL-7011 as transmitter > > Advanced research preamp > > Radio Shack FRS Cat # 21-1811 retuned as > receiver(not > > very selective) > > You DO know that repeaters are illegal on FRS > channels? (Even if you > have a GMRS license.) > > Not to mention that even with a GMRS license, power > is limited to 5W max? > -- > Jim Barbour > WD8CHL > > __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Opening Salvo "Poor Mans Repeater Project"
Ooops. Re-read the rules. It's 15 watts for a fixed station as long as it's not within 50 miles of Canada. --- "Jim B." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Paul M Schmitter wrote: > > I'm actually working on improving my poor man's > > repeater right now. > > Basically here's what I've been using during > tests: > > Vertex FTL-7011 as transmitter > > Advanced research preamp > > Radio Shack FRS Cat # 21-1811 retuned as > receiver(not > > very selective) > > You DO know that repeaters are illegal on FRS > channels? (Even if you > have a GMRS license.) > > Not to mention that even with a GMRS license, power > is limited to 5W max? > -- > Jim Barbour > WD8CHL > > __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Opening Salvo "Poor Mans Repeater Project"
Paul M Schmitter wrote: > Running it on GMRS. The way I read the rules, a GMRS > repeater can be 50 watts. The frequency of a FRS radio > can be adjusted slightly to fall into the GMRS > frequecies and since it's only for receive there is no > type acceptance issue. Ok-but I don't know how you did that. Is it one that actually has a trim cap for freq adjustment? Not many of those. But I can definitely see tweaking it 12.5 Khz if so. -- Jim Barbour WD8CHL
Re: [Repeater-Builder] Opening Salvo "Poor Mans Repeater Project"
Paul M Schmitter wrote: > Ooops. Re-read the rules. It's 15 watts for a fixed > station as long as it's not within 50 miles of Canada. > > > --- "Jim B." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> Not to mention that even with a GMRS license, power >> is limited to 5W max? >> -- >> Jim Barbour >> WD8CHL Not for FRS freqs, which is what I thought we talking about. -- Jim Barbour WD8CHL
