Re: [Repeater-Builder] Spectra TAC question

[w8ak]

Hi Kevin,
I found my prints. I have modified schematics and board layouts of the SQM.  
I will scan them in the morning at work and try to send them to you.
 
Glenn  W8AK

Re: [Repeater-Builder] Spectra TAC question

[Kevin Custer]

Steve Kometz wrote:
>> Yes please assemble the Spectra Tac info.
>> I actually have a comparator and receiver shelf on my bench working 
>> on a way to use the two (and more recievers) without the status tone.
>> I have heard of people inserting the status tone at the link receiver 
>> end, and several other ideas.
>> So, I would like to hear some other ideas.
>
> I'm working on it
> Watch here for the announcement of the URL...
> Kevin 

As promised


Thanks to those who have provided so far...

Kevin

Re: [Repeater-Builder] Spectra TAC question

[Kevin Custer]

Steve Kometz wrote:
> Yes please assemble the Spectra Tac info.
> I actually have a comparator and receiver shelf on my bench working on 
> a way to use the two (and more recievers) without the status tone.
> I have heard of people inserting the status tone at the link receiver 
> end, and several other ideas.
> So, I would like to hear some other ideas.

I'm working on it

Watch here for the announcement of the URL...

Kevin

Re: [Repeater-Builder] Spectra TAC question

[Steve Kometz]

Yes please assemble the Spectra Tac info. 
  I actually have a comparator and receiver shelf on my bench working on a way 
to use the two (and more recievers) without the status tone. 
  I have heard of people inserting the status tone at the link receiver end, 
and several other ideas. 
  So, I would like to hear some other ideas. 

Re: [Repeater-Builder] Spectra TAC question

[Kevin Custer]

[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Hi Guys,
We run Motorola SpectraTac on all of our systems. I also use some with 
normal staus tone operation and some set up for fixed gain with cor 
from the link receivers. These run fine mixed mode in the same 
comparator. I have  the details on the mods that I came up with for 
the SQM's if it would help anyone.
 
Glenn W8AK


Yes please...
I'll assemble the whole thing into a web article giving credit to those 
who help contribute.


Send to [EMAIL PROTECTED]   orw3kkc   at   repeater (dash) 
builder  dot   khom

Pictures, Text, PDF's, First Born

Kevin

Re: [Repeater-Builder] Spectra TAC question

[w8ak]

Hi Guys,
We run Motorola SpectraTac on all of our systems. I also use some with  
normal staus tone operation and some set up for fixed gain with cor from the  
link 
receivers. These run fine mixed mode in the same comparator. I have   the 
details on the mods that I came up with for the SQM's if it would help  anyone.
 
Glenn W8AK

RE: [Repeater-Builder] Spectra TAC question

[N9WYS]

Hi, Kevin

I'm pretty sure that's how I followed the conversation, too.  However,
Jordan was the one who was actually looking for the information on how to do
it.

My system is up and running happily with the status tone - and since the
county radio system is allowing me to piggyback my audio on their microwave
backbone, there was no need for me to convert.  

But it looks like Jordan might be investigating the use of remote radio
links and may need that info for his project.

Mark - N9WYS

-Original Message-
From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com On Behalf Of Kevin Custer

Jordan, Mark, et al,

I have a some of information on the subject of using the Motorola 
Spectra-TAC voter in a non-Motorola environment.  Unfortunately, this 
information exists in many emails and is not a complete representation 
of all of the concepts that were discussed in a past thread.  That being 
said, I will offer to either forward the emails I have or make a web 
page (as hap-hazard as it may be) to convey the information I gathered 
on the subject.

Since I never completed the voter project I set out to do, it is only 
information and guidelines and won't be the detailed conversion article 
I would rather it be.

Let me know and I'll put something together...

Kevin Custer 

Re: [Repeater-Builder] Spectra TAC question

[Kevin Custer]

Jordan, Mark, et al,

I have a some of information on the subject of using the Motorola 
Spectra-TAC voter in a non-Motorola environment.  Unfortunately, this 
information exists in many emails and is not a complete representation 
of all of the concepts that were discussed in a past thread.  That being 
said, I will offer to either forward the emails I have or make a web 
page (as hap-hazard as it may be) to convey the information I gathered 
on the subject.

Since I never completed the voter project I set out to do, it is only 
information and guidelines and won't be the detailed conversion article 
I would rather it be.

Let me know and I'll put something together...

Kevin Custer


N9WYS wrote:
> Jordan,
>
> You are correct when you say that, in *standard* configuration, they do
> require a 100% status tone on the line.  HOWEVER, there was a discussion a
> while back about using the SpectraTAC system and modifying it so you didn't
> need the status tone to vote... but I can't find where that was right now.
> If my memory serves me (and at times, it doesn't ) the mod wasn't all
> that involved.
>
> I use a SpectraTAC system on my 444.550 machine, but I also have a definite
> advantage in that the county where the repeater is located is allowing me to
> use up to three voice channels on their microwave backbone (MUX?) to bring
> remote RX audio back to the comparator at main repeater.  So I'm using the
> status tone.  ;-)
>
> I only experienced two issues with my system - power supply failures in the
> receivers (I've had to rebuild two of them so far), and SQM cards.  This is
> probably due to the fact that this came out of an old VHF Low band system
> that was in use since the early 70's.  (And yes, I did convert the receivers
> over to UHF with different RX boards.  "Plug and play" for the most part...)
>
> The replacement electrolytic caps (23D83093G13) I received from Motorola
> were substantially larger (physically) than the ones that came out of the
> old power supply, so I had to modify the receiver cabinet (cut a notch) so
> the supply would go back into the cabinet after the repair.  But there isn't
> even a HINT of AC in with the DC voltage now.  (Saw 0.9VAC on the 13.8VDC
> before the repair... caused the status tone to vary all over the place.)
> hehehehe
>   
> I've also rebuilt five of my SQMs - I had a total of six altogether - so I
> now have what I hope will be good spares...  Had to replace the 3
> electrolytic caps on the boards - the electrolyte was actually coming out of
> the ends of the caps.  Check them - the "aging" effects will be visible.
> (Or at least they were to me...)  
>
> One caution - I was told by a Motorola tech NOT to "mess around with" (i.e.,
> replace) the one 2% tolerance cap the board.  Apparently changing it can
> wreak havoc in trying to get the card working properly again if you don't
> get the exact same value.
>
> Interfacing it to my Kenwood TKR-820 repeater was a bit of a challenge, but
> has been successfully done - thanks to the assistance of those here on the
> list.
>
> Good luck - and I'm sure someone here will be able to remember the
> discussion about the modification better than I.  
>
> Sorry...
> 73 de Mark - N9WYS
>
>
> -Original Message-
> From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com On Behalf Of twoway_tech
>
> Has anyone had much luck with a specra tac voter?  I found one at a
> good price, but I was wanting to know if it would be worth messing
> with for my amateur repeater.  I was told that they require a 100%
> transmit on the links, but someone else also told me that they could
> be used normally as well. (when a remote receives a signal, the link
> keys up)
>
> Any info at all would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jordan

RE: [Repeater-Builder] Spectra TAC question

[N9WYS]

Jordan,

You are correct when you say that, in *standard* configuration, they do
require a 100% status tone on the line.  HOWEVER, there was a discussion a
while back about using the SpectraTAC system and modifying it so you didn't
need the status tone to vote... but I can't find where that was right now.
If my memory serves me (and at times, it doesn't ) the mod wasn't all
that involved.

I use a SpectraTAC system on my 444.550 machine, but I also have a definite
advantage in that the county where the repeater is located is allowing me to
use up to three voice channels on their microwave backbone (MUX?) to bring
remote RX audio back to the comparator at main repeater.  So I'm using the
status tone.  ;-)

I only experienced two issues with my system - power supply failures in the
receivers (I've had to rebuild two of them so far), and SQM cards.  This is
probably due to the fact that this came out of an old VHF Low band system
that was in use since the early 70's.  (And yes, I did convert the receivers
over to UHF with different RX boards.  "Plug and play" for the most part...)

The replacement electrolytic caps (23D83093G13) I received from Motorola
were substantially larger (physically) than the ones that came out of the
old power supply, so I had to modify the receiver cabinet (cut a notch) so
the supply would go back into the cabinet after the repair.  But there isn't
even a HINT of AC in with the DC voltage now.  (Saw 0.9VAC on the 13.8VDC
before the repair... caused the status tone to vary all over the place.)
hehehehe
  
I've also rebuilt five of my SQMs - I had a total of six altogether - so I
now have what I hope will be good spares...  Had to replace the 3
electrolytic caps on the boards - the electrolyte was actually coming out of
the ends of the caps.  Check them - the "aging" effects will be visible.
(Or at least they were to me...)  

One caution - I was told by a Motorola tech NOT to "mess around with" (i.e.,
replace) the one 2% tolerance cap the board.  Apparently changing it can
wreak havoc in trying to get the card working properly again if you don't
get the exact same value.

Interfacing it to my Kenwood TKR-820 repeater was a bit of a challenge, but
has been successfully done - thanks to the assistance of those here on the
list.

Good luck - and I'm sure someone here will be able to remember the
discussion about the modification better than I.  

Sorry...
73 de Mark - N9WYS


-Original Message-
From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com On Behalf Of twoway_tech

Has anyone had much luck with a specra tac voter?  I found one at a
good price, but I was wanting to know if it would be worth messing
with for my amateur repeater.  I was told that they require a 100%
transmit on the links, but someone else also told me that they could
be used normally as well. (when a remote receives a signal, the link
keys up)

Any info at all would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Jordan