UHFAll static, all day, Forever MVM join:2002-05-24 |
UHF
MVM
2012-May-8 2:13 pm
Repeaters for 70cm (not conversions)I'm looking to purchase a new repeater for 70cm. I do not want a "conversion" of an old GE Mastr or Motorola Micor. I want an off the shelf public safety quality repeater that can operate on 70cm. Something like a Vertex VX-9000 would be great, but they won't program to 450mhz from the factory.
Budget is up to $2500 for the repeater itself, not including duplexer, antenna, controller, etc. Power output of 100W would be nice.
Anyone know of a manufacturer of such a machine that would meet that budget number? |
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PhillipI Need A Nap join:2004-12-21 Hatboro, PA |
You may want to email these guys and see what it cost them since they just did the 2m and 70cm repeaters. Scroll down to see the news about the upgrade...» www.k3dn.org/» www.k3dn.org/WARC_new_re ··· inal.pdf |
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UHFAll static, all day, Forever MVM join:2002-05-24 |
UHF
MVM
2012-May-8 9:36 pm
Cool system!
Unfortunately, we can't do a conversion of an old (used) radio. Everything has to be new due to the federal grant money and the requirements of the board that is in charge of spending the money. They insist on no used equipment, with the exception of the duplexers that we already own from the old GE repeater that never got put on the air due to lack of a tower site.
That being said, I guess I never considered the use of commercial mobile transceivers for the receiver and exciter. An external power amplifier could then be used. I'll have to look at the specs of some good mobiles to see if they meet my expectations, which they probably would.
I sure wish the Vertex would work since that's likely what our 2m repeater will end up using since there will be two of those available. Biggest problem being they aren't rated for continuous duty.
It looks like the Kenwood repeaters might work for us, and I've also run across Bridgecom, which is a new name to me. |
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PhillipI Need A Nap join:2004-12-21 Hatboro, PA 1 edit |
to UHF
Have you talked to Yeasu/Vetex to see if they would reprogram there commercial gear for you?
It might be the only route you have for new gear. |
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John Galt6Forward, March Premium Member join:2004-09-30 Happy Camp |
to UHF
I have an Icom deployed. It has been rock solid. |
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dandeman MVM join:2001-12-05 Chapel Hill, NC 4 edits |
to UHF
I've been a long time GE Master II Repeater builder.. and some years ago, started replacing the Master IIs with Kenwood TKR 750s (VHF) and 850s (UHF). Kenwood TKR750-850 » www.kenwoodusa.com/Commu ··· -750-850If you need more than the 25watts out, TPL Power Amps are very reliable. » www.tplcom.com/rxrseries.htmlOur flagship 442.150 repeater is on the communications platform of a 1368' tall TV tower and is a very harsh temperature environment. Inside temperatures of the Hoffman cabinets containing the repeaters, routinely gets up to 140 deg F due to solar heat load in the summertime.. The Master II UHF PAs would only last about 2 years in that environment.. We have yet to have the first failure with the Kenwoods and TPL power amps.. I went to these commercial machines on the recommendation of another long time repeater builder who is also in the commercial radio business. He similarly is yet to have his first failure with the Kenwood repeaters and TPL power amps.. In 2007, we were paying around $1000.00 for new Kenwood TKR-750s and 850s and around $1200.00 for new TPL 100watt power amps. Don't know what current prices are running on these now. You will need the programming software for the Kenwoods. Pics of some of the machines I have built.. » www.qrz.com/db/w4unc |
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UHFAll static, all day, Forever MVM join:2002-05-24 |
to Phillip
said by Phillip:Have you talked to Yeasu/Vetex to see if they would reprogram there commercial gear for you? Yes, Vertex (now part of Motorola, Yaesu has split off into it's own company) says it can't be done. |
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UHF |
to dandeman
Thanks for the info. Kenwood spec sheet says that repeater won't work on 440. Is it a simple matter of programming it to that freq and tuning, or is there some type of modification that's needed? |
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dandeman MVM join:2001-12-05 Chapel Hill, NC 4 edits |
It's been too long to remember all the details, but there was a specify on the order detail i.e. Factory Labor Code to physically tune (align) it to the Amateur Band Segment) to operate in the 70cm ham band at full spec performance.
I would recommend you call Kenwood direct or, an authorized Kenwood Repeater distributor that serves the amateur radio market, to get the details on this, to make sure any order you place is correctly specified.
Similar deal on the TPL Power Amps.. on the order, you specify the frequency you want the factory to tune it to..
If you have any problem getting this info, let me know and will dig into it further. |
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UHFAll static, all day, Forever MVM join:2002-05-24 |
UHF
MVM
2012-May-10 8:23 am
Thanks for the info. We plan to order through a dealer, so hopefully they will get it right. I'll pass this info on to the project manager. |
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Jazzemt
Member
2012-May-10 12:55 pm
Contact an Icom commercial dealer. They sell them with whatever frequency you need tuned and ready to go. |
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If not too late, Harris still makes the Mastr series and the Midland Base-Tech series looks bulletproof.
I can recommend the low-power Motorola CDM into a external Amplifier as another solution...with a second CDM as receive.. |
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