The earlier model VXR-7000 did use a 2SC3102 UHF transistor as it's PA which are now very hard to source.
That design also had some problems where the capacitors on the output side of the transistor may explode and burn the PCB.
On Tue, 27 May 2025, 14:30 Jeff DePolo WN3A via groups.io <>, <jd0@... <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:

> S-AU93 module apparently 'cooked'.? Various datasheets suggest this is a
50-60w part
To follow up on what Andy wrote, I received fake modules from China recently
– the first bad batch of eBay parts in several years.? These were Toshiba S-AV17’s; 50-watt VHF modules, very common in mobile ham radios from
yesteryear.? None of them came close to making rated power.? Upon closer
inspection, it was obvious that the black plastic cap had been replaced,
with the new cap sloppily glued in place.? The baseplate on the fake parts
appears to have been dipped or electroplated poorly with a weird,
easily-flaked-off, substance with paintbrush-like swirl marks.? The shape of
the baseplate wasn’t even the same as known-authentic parts; they could very
well have been lower-power Mitsubishi brick “pulls”.? If anyone wants to see
pics of the real vs fake parts let me know.
As a suggestion for your S-AU93 replacement, look at Mitsubishi RA60H4047M1
(400-470 MHz) or RA60H3847M1 (380-470 MHz).? The package and lead dimensions
are very close to the S-AU93, and the specs are comparable as far as drive
level (50 mW nominal), gate/control voltage, etc.. There's a US seller on
eBay that has the latter as pulls for $28.? I bought 20 (?) of them from him
and all have worked perfectly.? Double-check the footprint to make sure it
will mount and align in your VXR7000.
Oh, one thing to mention - there is a different between Mitsu bricks with an
"M" vs "M1" suffix.? You usually don't want "M" - those have a recess in the
baseplate; they are meant to be used with a gap-filling thermal pad.? M1
parts have a flat baseplate that mounts direct to the heatsink with the
usual extremely-thin coating of thermal paste.
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? --- Jeff WN3A

On May 27, 2025, at 1:24?PM, sflory via groups.io <sflory@...> wrote:

?

It is only for weather warning

On May 27, 2025, at 1:37?PM, WJ4X Adam <adam@...> wrote:

?Hey Roger.

I did revisit Part 97.

97.113 States in part:

"No station shall retransmit programs or signals emanating from any type of radio station other than an amateur station, except propagation and weather forecast information intended for use by the general public and originated from United States Government stations"

This covers the retransmission of the audio. Something the original guy didn't ask for, but it could be argued that he is retransmitting weather forecast information.

"Prior approval for manned spacecraft communications retransmissions must be obtained from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration."

You only need permission for spacecraft stuff. Someone insinuated you needed approval for any retransmission.

97.205 States in part:

"e) Ancillary functions of a repeater that are available to users on the input channel are not considered remotely controlled functions of the station."

Well, since the transmission that will trigger the feature of the repeater isn't occurring on the input channel nor intended to control the repeater, it would probably also be considered not a remotely controlled function.

Since it is in common practice to use weather receivers to trigger functions of a repeater including announcements, changes of courtesy tone, and even rebroadcasting NOAA Radio, it would seem trivial to use a DTMF string that is received on a non-amateur radio receiver to trigger functions such as an announcement or courtesy tone change.

I've found nothing to cover some of the statements made in this thread about certain rules so I am asking for help finding those particular sections of part 97.

So Roger, would you mind breaking out your technician study guide and helping me? It seems a lot of guys are pulling rules out of the air that don't actually exist and I am curious of what is and isn't actually allowed.


Cheerful day to you!
-Adam WJ4X

On 5/27/2025 12:58 PM, n5qs via groups.io wrote:
Go back to your technician study guide.
If you don't understand the need for a license to transmit you need to surrender your license
and we don't need to try to educate you on this forum.
I suggest that the moderators lock this thread.
Roger

On 5/27/2025 11:37 AM, WJ4X Adam wrote:
Please cite your source for those of us following along.

Thank you!
-Adam WJ4X

On 5/27/2025 12:30 PM, Jim Barbour via groups.io wrote:

What Chuck said. A code set off by a local agency, which action causes a station in the amateur service to transmit, is illegal. Only the exceptions listed are legal-NOAA/NWS weather radio, and NASA space relays, and those only with prior approval.


On 5/26/2025 7:13 PM, Chuck via groups.io wrote:

If there are multiple codes used for the siren to be set off, you don't want them all to be used. For instance, the storm sirens in our county use two-tone and DTMF for actual activation, as well as monthly tests. Sometime those tests are not at the exact time on the day of the month they are supposed to go off. That could be confusing to repeater listeners.

Secondly, is the frequency used for the storm sirens only used for siren activation? It is in some counties. In my county, it goes out over the local fire repeaters. I have two-tone decoders set up to decode the storm alerts, much like the fire paging, and know when the sirens are activated. The five-tone DTMF tones are harder to copy, and for good reason.

For what it's worth, Part 97.113 (c) says you can't retransmit a signal onto your repeater unless it meets the following:

No station shall retransmit programs or signals emanating from any type of radio station other than an amateur station, except propagation and weather forecast information intended for use by the general public and originated from United States Government stations, and communications, including incidental music, originating on United States Government frequencies between a manned spacecraft and its associated Earth stations. Prior approval for manned spacecraft communications retransmissions must be obtained from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Such retransmissions must be for the exclusive use of amateur radio operators. Propagation, weather forecasts, and manned spacecraft communications retransmissions may not be conducted on a regular basis, but only occasionally, as an incident of normal amateur radio communications.

Thus, the FCC rules say that only United States Government -- NOAA NWS -- broadcasts on 162 MHz can be relayed on amateur frequencies. It does not say anything about states, counties or municipalities, thus those uses are excluded.

If your intent is to only decode the five-tone DTMF string for a latch to send out an automated station, that might prove questionable because the jurisdiction licensed for the storm siren frequency technically would be keying your repeater.

You'd do much better to install a NOAA receiver at the repeater to stay within the legal limits of the law.

73,
Chuck | N2DUP

Go back to your technician study guide.
If you don't understand the need for a license to transmit you need to surrender your license
and we don't need to try to educate you on this forum.
I suggest that the moderators lock this thread.
Roger

On 5/27/2025 11:37 AM, WJ4X Adam wrote:

Please cite your source for those of us following along.

Thank you!
?? -Adam WJ4X

On 5/27/2025 12:30 PM, Jim Barbour via groups.io wrote:

What Chuck said. A code set off by a local agency, which action causes a station in the amateur service to transmit, is illegal. Only the exceptions listed are legal-NOAA/NWS weather radio, and NASA space relays, and those only with prior approval.


On 5/26/2025 7:13 PM, Chuck via groups.io wrote:

If there are multiple codes used for the siren to be set off, you don't want them all to be used. For instance, the storm sirens in our county use two-tone and DTMF for actual activation, as well as monthly tests. Sometime those tests are not at the exact time on the day of the month they are supposed to go off. That could be confusing to repeater listeners.

Secondly, is the frequency used for the storm sirens only used for siren activation? It is in some counties. In my county, it goes out over the local fire repeaters. I have two-tone decoders set up to decode the storm alerts, much like the fire paging, and know when the sirens are activated. The five-tone DTMF tones are harder to copy, and for good reason.

For what it's worth, Part 97.113 (c) says you can't retransmit a signal onto your repeater unless it meets the following:

No station shall retransmit programs or signals emanating from any type of radio station other than an amateur station, except propagation and weather forecast information intended for use by the general public and originated from United States Government stations, and communications, including incidental music, originating on United States Government frequencies between a manned spacecraft and its associated Earth stations. Prior approval for manned spacecraft communications retransmissions must be obtained from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Such retransmissions must be for the exclusive use of amateur radio operators. Propagation, weather forecasts, and manned spacecraft communications retransmissions may not be conducted on a regular basis, but only occasionally, as an incident of normal amateur radio communications.

Thus, the FCC rules say that only United States Government -- NOAA NWS -- broadcasts on 162 MHz can be relayed on amateur frequencies. It does not say anything about states, counties or municipalities, thus those uses are excluded.

If your intent is to only decode the five-tone DTMF string for a latch to send out an automated station, that might prove questionable because the jurisdiction licensed for the storm siren frequency technically would be keying your repeater.

You'd do much better to install a NOAA receiver at the repeater to stay within the legal limits of the law.

73,
Chuck | N2DUP

Please cite your source for those of us following along.

Thank you!
?? -Adam WJ4X

On 5/27/2025 12:30 PM, Jim Barbour via groups.io wrote:

What Chuck said. A code set off by a local agency, which action causes a station in the amateur service to transmit, is illegal. Only the exceptions listed are legal-NOAA/NWS weather radio, and NASA space relays, and those only with prior approval.


On 5/26/2025 7:13 PM, Chuck via groups.io wrote:

If there are multiple codes used for the siren to be set off, you don't want them all to be used. For instance, the storm sirens in our county use two-tone and DTMF for actual activation, as well as monthly tests. Sometime those tests are not at the exact time on the day of the month they are supposed to go off. That could be confusing to repeater listeners.

Secondly, is the frequency used for the storm sirens only used for siren activation? It is in some counties. In my county, it goes out over the local fire repeaters. I have two-tone decoders set up to decode the storm alerts, much like the fire paging, and know when the sirens are activated. The five-tone DTMF tones are harder to copy, and for good reason.

For what it's worth, Part 97.113 (c) says you can't retransmit a signal onto your repeater unless it meets the following:

No station shall retransmit programs or signals emanating from any type of radio station other than an amateur station, except propagation and weather forecast information intended for use by the general public and originated from United States Government stations, and communications, including incidental music, originating on United States Government frequencies between a manned spacecraft and its associated Earth stations. Prior approval for manned spacecraft communications retransmissions must be obtained from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Such retransmissions must be for the exclusive use of amateur radio operators. Propagation, weather forecasts, and manned spacecraft communications retransmissions may not be conducted on a regular basis, but only occasionally, as an incident of normal amateur radio communications.

Thus, the FCC rules say that only United States Government -- NOAA NWS -- broadcasts on 162 MHz can be relayed on amateur frequencies. It does not say anything about states, counties or municipalities, thus those uses are excluded.

If your intent is to only decode the five-tone DTMF string for a latch to send out an automated station, that might prove questionable because the jurisdiction licensed for the storm siren frequency technically would be keying your repeater.

You'd do much better to install a NOAA receiver at the repeater to stay within the legal limits of the law.

73,
Chuck | N2DUP

On May 27, 2025, at 11:30?AM, Jim Barbour via groups.io <wd8chl@...> wrote:

?What Chuck said. A code set off by a local agency, which action causes a station in the amateur service to transmit, is illegal. Only the exceptions listed are legal-NOAA/NWS weather radio, and NASA space relays, and those only with prior approval.

On 5/26/2025 7:13 PM, Chuck via groups.io wrote:
If there are multiple codes used for the siren to be set off, you don't want them all to be used. For instance, the storm sirens in our county use two-tone and DTMF for actual activation, as well as monthly tests. Sometime those tests are not at the exact time on the day of the month they are supposed to go off. That could be confusing to repeater listeners.
Secondly, is the frequency used for the storm sirens only used for siren activation? It is in some counties. In my county, it goes out over the local fire repeaters. I have two-tone decoders set up to decode the storm alerts, much like the fire paging, and know when the sirens are activated. The five-tone DTMF tones are harder to copy, and for good reason.
For what it's worth, Part 97.113 (c) says you can't retransmit a signal onto your repeater unless it meets the following:
No station shall retransmit programs or signals emanating from any type of radio station other than an amateur station, except propagation and weather forecast information intended for use by the general public and originated from United States Government stations, and communications, including incidental music, originating on United States Government frequencies between a manned spacecraft and its associated Earth stations. Prior approval for manned spacecraft communications retransmissions must be obtained from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Such retransmissions must be for the exclusive use of amateur radio operators. Propagation, weather forecasts, and manned spacecraft communications retransmissions may not be conducted on a regular basis, but only occasionally, as an incident of normal amateur radio communications.
Thus, the FCC rules say that only United States Government -- NOAA NWS -- broadcasts on 162 MHz can be relayed on amateur frequencies. It does not say anything about states, counties or municipalities, thus those uses are excluded.
If your intent is to only decode the five-tone DTMF string for a latch to send out an automated station, that might prove questionable because the jurisdiction licensed for the storm siren frequency technically would be keying your repeater.
You'd do much better to install a NOAA receiver at the repeater to stay within the legal limits of the law.
73,
Chuck | N2DUP

What Chuck said. A code set off by a local agency, which action causes a station in the amateur service to transmit, is illegal. Only the exceptions listed are legal-NOAA/NWS weather radio, and NASA space relays, and those only with prior approval.


On 5/26/2025 7:13 PM, Chuck via groups.io wrote:

If there are multiple codes used for the siren to be set off, you don't want them all to be used. For instance, the storm sirens in our county use two-tone and DTMF for actual activation, as well as monthly tests. Sometime those tests are not at the exact time on the day of the month they are supposed to go off. That could be confusing to repeater listeners.

Secondly, is the frequency used for the storm sirens only used for siren activation? It is in some counties. In my county, it goes out over the local fire repeaters. I have two-tone decoders set up to decode the storm alerts, much like the fire paging, and know when the sirens are activated. The five-tone DTMF tones are harder to copy, and for good reason.

For what it's worth, Part 97.113 (c) says you can't retransmit a signal onto your repeater unless it meets the following:

No station shall retransmit programs or signals emanating from any type of radio station other than an amateur station, except propagation and weather forecast information intended for use by the general public and originated from United States Government stations, and communications, including incidental music, originating on United States Government frequencies between a manned spacecraft and its associated Earth stations. Prior approval for manned spacecraft communications retransmissions must be obtained from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Such retransmissions must be for the exclusive use of amateur radio operators. Propagation, weather forecasts, and manned spacecraft communications retransmissions may not be conducted on a regular basis, but only occasionally, as an incident of normal amateur radio communications.

Thus, the FCC rules say that only United States Government -- NOAA NWS -- broadcasts on 162 MHz can be relayed on amateur frequencies. It does not say anything about states, counties or municipalities, thus those uses are excluded.

If your intent is to only decode the five-tone DTMF string for a latch to send out an automated station, that might prove questionable because the jurisdiction licensed for the storm siren frequency technically would be keying your repeater.

You'd do much better to install a NOAA receiver at the repeater to stay within the legal limits of the law.

73,
Chuck | N2DUP

If there are multiple codes used for the siren to be set off, you don't want them all to be used. For instance, the storm sirens in our county use two-tone and DTMF for actual activation, as well as monthly tests. Sometime those tests are not at the exact time on the day of the month they are supposed to go off. That could be confusing to repeater listeners.
Secondly, is the frequency used for the storm sirens only used for siren activation? It is in some counties. In my county, it goes out over the local fire repeaters. I have two-tone decoders set up to decode the storm alerts, much like the fire paging, and know when the sirens are activated. The five-tone DTMF tones are harder to copy, and for good reason.
For what it's worth, Part 97.113 (c) says you can't retransmit a signal onto your repeater unless it meets the following:
No station shall retransmit programs or signals emanating from any type of radio station other than an amateur station, except propagation and weather forecast information intended for use by the general public and originated from United States Government stations, and communications, including incidental music, originating on United States Government frequencies between a manned spacecraft and its associated Earth stations. Prior approval for manned spacecraft communications retransmissions must be obtained from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Such retransmissions must be for the exclusive use of amateur radio operators. Propagation, weather forecasts, and manned spacecraft communications retransmissions may not be conducted on a regular basis, but only occasionally, as an incident of normal amateur radio communications.
Thus, the FCC rules say that only United States Government -- NOAA NWS -- broadcasts on 162 MHz can be relayed on amateur frequencies. It does not say anything about states, counties or municipalities, thus those uses are excluded.
If your intent is to only decode the five-tone DTMF string for a latch to send out an automated station, that might prove questionable because the jurisdiction licensed for the storm siren frequency technically would be keying your repeater.
You'd do much better to install a NOAA receiver at the repeater to stay within the legal limits of the law.
73,
Chuck | N2DUP

On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, 10:04 AM, N4FOX via groups.io <N4fox.r@...> wrote:

Harold

?That's interesting. The cans are suspended in the air. So they don't touch the cabinet mostly. I'll take that into consideration though. I greatly appreciate the help in trying to help diagnose things.?

?

?Im debating on trying to re-orient the cans for a different harness layout than the one I came up with (photo below). I tried to make the rg214 flow around nicely. I did notice I have the main TX coming in & going right by the 2 & 3rd RX cavity cable. I doubt that's really much of an issue, but maybe it is & I don't realize it. This thought was born from using the TinySA Ultra as a signal generator. When I'd place it by the cables trying to get the receiver to hear the generator. I thought..we'll if I'm able to to do that..perhaps there is something happening there with the unfiltered TX line being right beside an already filtered RX line. ??♂? likey just my mind wandering, lack of sleep & aggravation talking.?

?

?