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I have become the proud owner of several Daniels MT-2 repeaters. As such I decided that a yahoo group dedicated to their older equipment would be good. The units I purchased were missing the TCXO's. Without the TCXO's the radios are pretty much useless. I discovered that Daniels just (as of feb '05) dropped all support for their older line of radios. They were in no position to help me either acquire service manuals or the needed TCXO's so I decided to start this group. What I found so far. West Crystal in Kelowna, BC can cut new crystals for the TCXO's. Several people have been helpful in supplying manuals and loaner TCXO's. Daniels still sells the extension card which makes it possible to work on the modules. What I plan to do in the future: Scan some of the pile of manuals I now have and make them available in the files section. Take some pictures of the units, inside and out. Provide details on the effort of re-tasking them to amateur or continued commercial use.

Hello there! I was hoping to find such a group somewhere, and the nice guy at Daniels service sent me here. I won a subrack with power supply, 2M tx, 2M rx, 440 TX,and 440 RX, on ebay a few weeks ago. This came with the TCXO modules, and full manuals, plus a female-female cable that will fit the aux controller port on the subframe. I do not have the controller card, or the system monitor card. This means that I have to supply the subrack with 12V unregulated, and 9.5V regulated. An LM-350 regulator adjusted properly takes care of that bit. My set only needs <2A with all transmitters running, and all receivers open, so the 3A limit on the reg will be fine. I've already converted my 2M units to 146.850, with crystals from West. It's pretty easy, and took about an hour including setup and cleanup. I don't have a weak signal source, so I'll probably retune the RX when I get one. I did NOT need an extender card, just some clipleads for ground, +12V, and +9.5V. MAKE SURE your ground lead won't come loose. That would be very bad. I soldered a wire onto the module ground inside, and took that back to the power supply. On the 440 side, I'm waiting on a repeater pair, which might be a few more weeks, but then I expect no problems getting them up and running. One way or another this will end up interfaced to an Arcom RC-210 controller, or the new 810. Daniels tells me that their new modules will slot into the subframe as a drop-in replacement, so that's good news, we do have an upgrade path, albeit a pricey one. I'm told the mic connector is Amphenol, I've searched digikey without luck, and I'd like to find out the part number so I can make up a mic for it.

I'll be doing a DK order soon, one item will be DIN connectors to mate with the P1 control connector on the rear of the subrack. I'll put a couple of these in the bag as well, and just try them. Looks like any 600 ohm dynamic mic should be fine, with the right end on it. If anyone else has a system missing the monitor card, it appears that the only essential function provided by it, is the regulated 9.5V to the rest of the system. Everything else I've seen is optional, at least as far as we are concerned. A 9.5V reg isn't hard to fab, using an LM-338 high current adjustable regulator. Although the Daniels part is spec'd for 5A output, I've measured my rack and with all four radios active and transmitting, it's <1.5A so a 3A part on a reasonable heatsink should be fine. One could also take a buck switcher design, and save the waste power and heat, but I really think linear regs are in general, easier and more bullet proof if you aren't experienced at SMPS design. It's also a lot easier to make a very noisy regulator in an SMPS, as the PCB layout issues are NOT trivial. It's not that hard to make a nice quiet one either, but you do have to know what you're doing. With my first system, I got a female-female cable that I've dismantled, to create a harness for testing and aligning the radio modules. I have the wiring points identified, and it really does not need much in terms of hardware to do the job. One analog meter for RSSI measurements, a small audio amp, a 9.5V regulator (Lm-338) and a few connectors. Once I build it and verify everything, I'll do a PDF of the schematic. I'm working out the interface points to connect to the Arcom controller. The basics are easy, COR, keying, audio, but I also want to monitor the analog outputs like AFC and RSSI so I can formulate a received signal report, and alarm on unusually high SWR. The idea has occurred to me, that the DIN connectors and enclosures are a stock item and it wouldn't be a huge deal to roll a three-port repeater controller like the Arcom RC-210 into a plug-in module for the Daniels rack. I'd have to get approval from Ken to do it first. I would also do the signal conditioning for the analog inputs that way, so it's all nice and neat. I could put the LEDs on the front panel, along with a DB-9 for command radio on port 3, and you'd have a full dual-band system ready to go, just add your control link radio. Just blue-skying for the moment, but who knows. I just got an HP signal generator in hand, so I can now tune up the receivers with a calibrated RF source. Previously I was using my spectrum analyzer but I can't have it NOT sweep, and I can't get it to sit dead on a particular frequency. Wrong tool for the job, but when all you have is a hammer... :) VHF RX#1 comes in at -117dBm, for a copyable signal, with 3kHz deviation. The tuning of the resonators at that level, is about 1/8 turn from no-signal through max, to no-signal again. Pre-tuning the filters really does need a higher level source, or a spectrum analyzer and tracking generator, so you can see where you are. I haven't tried the UHF module yet, as I don't have a pair assignment cast in stone yet, and I don't want to order crystals and waste the money.. Still, I'm anxious to see how well they do. I'll check the new modules when they arrive. The crystals from West were very nice, and a perfect fit. I ordered a spare pair which now seems like ESP, since I have a spare pair of VHF modules coming. I'm waiting for my second rack to arrive, which has the alarm card and system monitor card. That will give us a full set of 2M and 440 radios, plus a full set of spares, the alarm card, and the system monitor, plus a spare subframe to house the offline backups. These new ones don't have the TCXO modules, which is making me think hard about engineering a substitute. The PCB layout wouldn't be that difficult, the main thing is sourcing the thermistors. I have the Daniels part numbers, but I don't know what the original Mfgr's part numbers were, or enough information to select a close substitute. For general ham use, we wo

I may have found the compatible enclosures, I need to do some further checking. www.schroff.us/home.asp then look at products, modules, frame type 4 & 5 There is also an "HF" style, which is an extruded body with end plates. I'm not sure these are the right things yet, but getting closer.

The connector is a DIN standard connector, with three columns of even numbered pins from 2 to 32. The pins are numbered on the right side, but only the lower digit shows, so you see this: 2 4 6 8 0 2 4 6 8 0 2 4 6 8 0 32 The three columns are labeled on the connector, "D", "B", and "Z", at the top. Receiver modules: The "D" column is not connected. I would not say that it is safe to make connections to those pins though, just that the manual does not list any connections to them. "No connect" and "DONT CONNECT" aren't the same thing.:) So the receiver connections are as follows, from the VR-2 MT-2 manual. The UHF receiver connections are the same, so it appears that the UHF and VHF receiver modules are interchangeable, but I HAVE NOT TESTED THIS! Ground: B30, Z30, B32, Z32 +9.5V in: B6, Z6 B-System: B16,Z16 Jumper inside the RX connects this point with B6,Z6 6.0Vdc out: Z4 COR normal: B12,Z12 (goes to ground when signal present) COR Isolated: B16,Z16 Optional opto-isolated COR, + on B16, - on Z16 Squelch Hysteresis input: Z28 Ground to remove hysteresis AFC voltage: Z24 Should be 3.0V for on-frequency input signal. CTCSS audio: B14 Disc output before any processing or squelch Bal audio: B26 Optional 600 ohm balanced output, if you have this, you'll see a quarter-sized Bal audio: Z26 transformer on the PCB Aux speaker audio: B4 De-Emphasized audio: B22 Flat audio: B20 Squelch override input: Z14 Ground to open the squelch Carrier strength: B24 0-5V Mute input: B28 Asserting the mute signal low will prevent the COR output from happening. Transmitter modules: Again no connections listed for the D column. Again, VHF and UHF modules show identical connections. Power is the same as the receivers, with the addition of 12V input Ground: B30,Z30,B22,Z22 +9.5V in: B6, Z6 B-System: B16,Z16 Jumper inside the RX connects this point with B6,Z6 6.0Vdc out: Z4 12V in: B2,Z2 3A fast blow fuse inside module RX Audio: B20 Unbalanced input Audio Enable: B12,Z12 Runs to jumper JU2 where you can connect this signal to the transmitter, or just ground this line into the transmitter. Presumably grounding this line enables the audio. PTT no time out: B14,Z14 Ground to transmit, timeout set by jumper selection Line: B18 Optional balanced audio input, if you have this, you'll see a quarter-sized Line: Z18 transformer on the PCB Tone/Digital input: Z20 Looks like an unfiltered/limited input for DPL or data? Subtone input: B22 CTCSS input PTT with timer: B10,Z10 Ground to transmit. All the input pins have EMI filter networks that are a series inductor and 330pF cap to ground. Where I know the voltages or levels to expect, I've labeled them as such. If someone wanted to put this in the files area, I think that would be a good idea.

Kevin, Did you ever recieve my shipping address? Should I be looking else where for a pair of TCXO's? At this point what would be of minimal help is one receiver TCXO. Unless of course someone has a spare UT-2 and UR-2 they could affort to part with. Thanks Rob <koconnel@k...> wrote:

The products are practically identical to the MT-2 gear, and the FCC registration numbers do not check out, they link to Kenwood. http://www.tuwolf.com/rptr.htm

I recently finished off a major project, and now I have some time to actually work on this :) Last night, I interfaced the "A" radios (2 Meter) to port 1 of the RC-210 controller. It went nicely, and the audio levels seem good with the pots in the Arcom all set to mid-range. I haven't done all the deviation adjustments yet, I just wanted to make sure that the signals were what I thought they were. I have the basic functionality in, plus monitoring of RSSI and AFC voltages from the receiver. Battery voltage monitoring will go in today, but that's pretty trivial, and not really anything to do with the Daniels gear directly. I'm also looking at implementing controls to open the squelch and control the hysteresis remotely. Should be straightforward. I am looking at adding in alarm functions on the RC-210, but something on that end isn't right, a tripped alarm isn't noticed by the controller yet. That's a controller internal issue, probably something that I haven't dialled in yet. Today, I'll harness the "B" radios (440 in my case) and see about cross-linking etc.

"rfguys" has a bunch of Daniels manuals up on ebay at the moment.

At invitation from the RepeaterBuilders guys, I did a writeup on interfacing the Daniels subrack to an Arcom RC-210 controller. http://www.repeater-builder.com/daniels/daniels-index.html This covers the basic control signals, plus RSSI and AFC analog readings through the Arcom's analog "meter faces". It's a bit short on pictures at the moment, I'm having a hell of a time getting enough light into the cabinet, but all the basics are there. ASAP, I'll add pix of the modules, connectors, and the subrack, and go into more detail, including realignment procedures transcribed from the docs I have. So, after a weekend hack, I have a first-light daniels system interfaced to the RC-210, and it runs very nicely. No problems on either side, very straightforward, once you work out the signal locations on the subrack. Now if I can get my site questions answered, and get my coordination paperwork done, then I can get my UHF frequencies in, order the crystals, retune the modules, make the cross-connect cables..... So much fun to be had!

I am in dire need of a single RX TCXO for a VR-2. Does anyone have one they can spare, trade, sell, whatever? I do not need the crystal, just the TCXO itself. Rob

Anyone know where I can get a UT-30 amp (or similar)?

Does anyone know what is happening with all the MT2 and MT3 units the USFS is replacing? I'd like to know if, when and where they will come up for auction or purchase.

Yes, Tait repeaters are off subject. Does anyone have (or know where to find) service info on 300 series Tait VHF repeaters? Thanks Rob

Does anyone have one they'd like to sell or trade?

I am starting to get some of the MT-3 gear in hand now. My first receiver arrived without a manual though. How do I program it? I see four switches which look awfully tempting, but until I know something concrete I'm not going to mess with them.

Hi gang.. Firstly, I would like to say "thanks" for allowing me onto the oldDanielsElectronicsRepeaters list. I am in the process of building a Ham repeater for the Thompson Rivers University (VA7TRU) in Kamloops BC. Once complete, it will be a VHF repeater on 146.800- with a full duplex UHF hub on 442T875/447R875 using retired MT-2 equipment. Does anyone on the list have any words of wisdom for me before I start replacing the capacitors required for the move in freq from 164Mhz to 146Mhz as well as the mods for the UHF tx?? 73 de Kevin va7tru

Just put our daniels system online! This is a VHF and UHF system, with single RC-210 controller running those, plus a UHF mobile radio used for the command link. I am using the VT-30 for VHF amp, and a motorola 100W amp for UHF. All the hard mechanical stuff went today. Tomorrow, I need to build all the new cables. At the moment, it's all interconnected with 'junk' coax and a ton of adaptors, but I needed to see it all in place to get the cable routing sorted out. Tomorrow, I make totally new cables with hardline, and do final tuning. Working out very nicely. This is the system that I detailed for the daniels page on repeaterbuilders. Once I get things settled in, I'll activate the IRLP connection, node 4161. We have a yahoogroup up for the system as well, k1fzy is the group name. I have a lot of pictures up now, and will be posting more as I go along. It's a SMALL room, the rack cabinet has to be slid out to the left after you open the door, so you can work on it, then slid all the way back and to the right, so that the door will close again.

Low band manual http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7586127107 Extender cards, mic, tuning tools http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7586127209

We are also almost finished scanning the manuals ...so if you want to wait a few weeks? I think they may too big to e-mail, better on a CD, but will see as my friend in Toronto is doing this for us - could be Word and/or Adobe format. Jeff