Re: VHF MTR2000 Poor Receive Performance
I went ahead and tried to work on the receive/high pass side. All 3 cavities were already at their best return loss from when I was working on it the other day. So I went ahead and tuned the notches to a 600KHz split and rotated the loops to get 0.4DB IL per cavity and adjusted the notches back to 600KHz and got 31DB out of the notches. When I called the receive side together, I had almost 7db of insertion loss at the receiver frequency and the notch was way off of where it should have been. Using the notch screws on the 2 cavities closest to the antenna port, I was able to adjust the notch to where it belongs and was getting 90db of notch. However, when I adjusted the 3rd notch screw on the cavity where the receiver connects, all that did was adjust the insertion loss on the pass. I adjusted it to 1.45db of IL and 90db of notch.
Is that right though? I would have expected the 3rd notch screw to also adjust the notch and not the insertion loss on the pass.
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Telewave VHF Bandpass. Nice grab!!!
Jim.
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On Oct 31, 2022, at 6:52 AM, Jim W7RY via groups.io <jimw7ry@...> wrote:
?They are Telewave VHF pass cans. Most likely from a Telewave VHF transmit combiner.
Most older wide space transmit combiners used simple pass cavities.
73, Jim W7RY
On 10/31/2022 8:21 AM, Tedd Doda wrote:
Can someone identify these cans? They are 24" tall and
10" in diameter. Both loops have "insertion loss" adjustments
but no marking other than that.
I haven't sweep one yet. Bench is a little full.
Thanks,
Tedd, VE3TJD
--
Thanks and 73, Jim W7RY
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Connecting Yaesu DR2X Repeater to Raspberry Pi/Allstar?
Someone asked me yesterday how to connect an Allstar node to a yaesu DR2X repeater, and mentioned they would like something plug-and-play. Is the best option? That page mentions the DR1X. Will it work as well with the 2X? ? Do we also need ? Thank you in advance for any suggestions. ? 73, Chris ?
?
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On 2022-10-31 9:56 a.m., Jeff DePolo WN3A wrote: Telewave pass cavities, could be either VHF or UHF (3/4 wave) depending on which loops are in them. Jeff, I've attached a picture of the loop. From the connector to the end of the loop is 1.25" and about 1/2" wide. I've always used Sinclair equipment, so just wondering if these have any usable value. Tedd, VE3TJD
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Can someone identify these cans? They are 24" tall and
10" in diameter. Telewave pass cavities, could be either VHF or UHF (3/4 wave) depending on which loops are in them. --- Jeff WN3A -- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. www.avast.com
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Not 900 MHz at 24 inches in length.
Jim W7RY
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On 10/31/2022 8:23 AM, Don Clark wrote: They look like the ones used on 900 Mhz paging transmitters. Probably tuned around 928 - 932 Mhz. Will handle a lot of power.
On 10/31/2022 8:21 AM, Tedd Doda wrote:
Can someone identify these cans? They are 24" tall and
10" in diameter. Both loops have "insertion loss" adjustments
but no marking other than that.
I haven't sweep one yet. Bench is a little full.
Thanks,
Tedd, VE3TJD
--
Thanks and 73, Jim W7RY
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They are Telewave VHF pass cans. Most likely from a Telewave VHF transmit combiner.
Most older wide space transmit combiners used simple pass cavities.
73, Jim W7RY
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Show quoted text
On 10/31/2022 8:21 AM, Tedd Doda wrote: Can someone identify these cans? They are 24" tall and
10" in diameter. Both loops have "insertion loss" adjustments
but no marking other than that.
I haven't sweep one yet. Bench is a little full.
Thanks,
Tedd, VE3TJD
--
Thanks and 73, Jim W7RY
|
They look like the ones used on 900 Mhz paging transmitters. Probably tuned around 928 - 932 Mhz. Will handle a lot of power.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On 10/31/2022 8:21 AM, Tedd Doda wrote: Can someone identify these cans? They are 24" tall and
10" in diameter. Both loops have "insertion loss" adjustments
but no marking other than that.
I haven't sweep one yet. Bench is a little full.
Thanks,
Tedd, VE3TJD
|
Can someone identify these cans? They are 24" tall and
10" in diameter. Both loops have "insertion loss" adjustments
but no marking other than that.
I haven't sweep one yet. Bench is a little full.
Thanks,
Tedd, VE3TJD
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Many people are using the RIM-Maxtrac 9600 with CDM series radios for Winlink, both packet (1200 and 9600) and Vara FM (Narrow and Wide). Many Winlink Gateways are also using this configuration. The only programming requirement is to set the TX audio to flat. If you do not use the "9600" version, make note of the information on the Repeater Builders website regarding unexpected volume commands.
The RIM-Alinco is also a popular solution for Winlink users that have the Alinco DR-x35 series radios.
-Scott, NS7C
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The RIM Maxtrac and the RIM Alinco are the soundcards that connect your radio to your computer. I do not know for sure but you may be able to use them with Winlink. They are designed to be used with Allstar
You will have to use a program such as Soundmodem or Direwolfe to use as a software TNC to allow Winlink to use the RIM devices to put the signal to the radios. I have not heard of anyone using the RIM devices to do Winlink but would be interested to see if it works. Let us know your results if you go through with it
Les Keegan? N4LPK?
On Sunday, October 30, 2022 at 06:54:31 PM EDT, SCOTT READ <southbfd@...> wrote:
Looking for information. I have a Motorola CDM1250 and all the programming software and cable.? I am looking at buying the RIM-Maxtrac.? Is this plug and play or what do I have to do. I also have a Alinco DR-135T looking to do the same but with the RIM-ALinco.? Any help would be great on product.?
Thanks
Scott Read - KM6RFB
southbfd@...
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I am going to pass on them as I have TMRD (too many radios disease). You should be able to find a collector that would want them. I am surprised that there are no pictures or articles about them. I must have had a manual back in 1980's when I worked on them. Probably gave it to the owner of the radios.
--
The Real RFI-EMI-GUY
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Re: VHF MTR2000 Poor Receive Performance
- I appreciate the write up Jeff! I¡¯ll tune them up based on this and see if anything changes.
Kevin sent me a private email which reminded me you had a Q2330E (six-cavity).? For some reason I was thinking you had a Q2220E (four cavity).? For the Q2330E, target 0.4 dB loss per cavity, not 0.6 dB.? 0.6 dB would be right for a Q2220E. ? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? --- Jeff WN3A ?
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Re: Somewhat OT... imaging a hard drive...
Yup - CloneZilla is not persnickety about which OS is on which drive. Its partition to partition function may be a bit tricky, but drive to drive is excellent and fast.? Just saved my Server 2016 system getting off it's temporary USB boot drive to an internal SSD - whew.
IT has been my paying alter-ego for decades... almost nothing I can't make a PC or OS do.? Just made up two legacy dual-boot DOS and XP laptops for a regional radio shop to keep up service for legacy rigs.? Then ask me about USB-RS-232 adapters...
?
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Re: VHF MTR2000 Poor Receive Performance
Measure test cable losses by replacing the tee with a female-female barrel, then correct your insertion loss measurements based on that value when you¡¯re adjusting the coupling with the tee connected to the cavity and test cables. ? 0.35 dB is pretty light.? You¡¯d basically end up with notch cavities with little in the way of a bandpass characteristic at such light coupling (i.e. less out-of-band rejection, less mid-band rejection).? 0.5 to 0.6 dB per cavity should yield a good balance and still net you 100+ dB of notch depth. ? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? --- Jeff WN3A ?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Jared Smudde
Sent: Sunday, October 30, 2022 7:54 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [repeater-builder] VHF MTR2000 Poor Receive Performance? I appreciate the write up Jeff! I¡¯ll tune them up based on this and see if anything changes.
I know I have each cavity currently set to 0.35db IL.
I have an Amphenol Tee connector I¡¯m using. Now, do I need to normalize the SA cables with the Tee connector in line before measuring? That¡¯s what I¡¯ve been doing when messing with this.
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yes they are similar to an HT-220.? These are on 171.210 Mhz.
?
For further info please? Mail me direct at:
?
My call(at)rac.ca
?
73 John VE3AMZ
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From: RFI-EMI-GUY
Sent: Sunday, October 30, 2022 5:26 PM
Subject: Re: [repeater-builder] RF Harris
Portables
?
Sorry
to hear about your brother.
Are these some older black radios with
similar form factor to the HT220 radio? Used same batteries and chargers. I
worked on some like that back in the 1980's that had a digital pulse counting
discriminator. Rather interesting radios that had only minor problems with the
controls.
--
The Real RFI-EMI-GUY
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Re: VHF MTR2000 Poor Receive Performance
I appreciate the write up Jeff! I¡¯ll tune them up based on this and see if anything changes.
I know I have each cavity currently set to 0.35db IL.
I have an Amphenol Tee connector I¡¯m using. Now, do I need to normalize the SA cables with the Tee connector in line before measuring? That¡¯s what I¡¯ve been doing when messing with this.
|
Looking for information. I have a Motorola CDM1250 and all the programming software and cable.? I am looking at buying the RIM-Maxtrac.? Is this plug and play or what do I have to do. I also have a Alinco DR-135T looking to do the same but with the RIM-ALinco.? Any help would be great on product.?
Thanks
Scott Read - KM6RFB
southbfd@...
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Re: Somewhat OT... imaging a hard drive...
I'll have to see if I still have a copy saved on my portable drives or on the server HD?
This is how well engineered Enterprise systems and computer manufacturers do it.? A lot of details go into that.?
If you never had a problem cloning from that master drive to different machines, you wouldn't mind uploading
that image to the FILES section?? You did keep a copy after you left CenterPoint??
On Sun, Oct 30, 2022 at 11:51 AM, Chris Boone wrote:
When I was working for CenterPoint Energy doing IT and telecom work, I cloned several PCs using a software package that rewrote the system ID on the hard drives to a random number. Then I used Ghost and cloned a master drive with all the software onto 16 different machines at the same time. Never had a problem!
Funny thing is the IT department screamed at me about using Ghost but they were the ones who gave it to me lol
Chris WB5ITT?
The part about moving the installation from a croaked laptop to a new laptop is not a trivial thing.
Different machines even identical models will have different serial numbers on hardware unless the
whole thing is DOS or Win 3.1,?? It may be an even chance that it is only the hard drive that
died or lost boot info.? A lot of the DOS software can be run simply by saving the installation and
running the executable from a bat file, but some won't work that way.?
NOTE - All installation floppies for OS and software of interest and drivers must be backed up to CDs
and DVDs in such a way that either native installation media could be replicated or installed from
the CD or DVD.? This is important because magnetism and media will fail over time, Thumb drives
will fail when they get wet from sweat in your pocket or when they break in the USB port in the laptop.?
I sometimes find old floppies that are too degraded to be used or recovered.
If it is a Windows installation, Activation will probably be blown as well as licenses on some of the
software that actually cares.? There will also be device drivers that will fail requiring reinstalls in
order to build a working OS, then good device driver installations, then the rest of the packages
will have to be reinstalled so they can rebuild working relationships.?
If it is the case of the hard drive only -- Put the drive into a good machine along with a destination
drive for images and pull its boot drive, then boot from a rescue disk with your favorite image software
and get what you can before doing anything else.?
In addition to image software mentioned, there is Macrium Reflect Rescue image.? In an emergency?
the Direct Cable Connection in DOS or windows can be used with a null-modem cable to transfer on a machine
with only an RS232 port.? It is slow and won't image, but you can transfer files.? Bear in mind that
disk structures changed over the years, so you have to make a note what software package was used
so that you can be sure of being able to recover the image that was made.? Various earlier versions
of the Hirens Boot disk from 10 to 15 had versions of Macrium Reflect, Acronis, Ghost and DD and other
imaging software, and some even had Knoppix boot selections.? Knoppix versions 4 and 5 were very
versitile for booting into a GUI session on a lot of machines and is easy to use for partition copy and
building even for NTFS.
Good luck with it all, people have always wished for an easy way to move their whole installation from
a dead computer to a new one, but there is no one answer and few of the answers are simple and
usually require very different strategies depending on what you have to work with and where you want
to move it to.? You will want to study it all in detail before something crashes because you need to
plan ahead so you can do it in 15mins and not hit a wall.
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Re: Somewhat OT... imaging a hard drive...
Yes on Macrium, it requires you to have a licensed windows so that it borrows the PE boot from that installation
to build the boot disk.? As long as the hardware in the computer will boot and be able to use the device drivers,
you are good to go (although it would likely be a Windows TOS violation).?
Also a few years ago, Win10 changed the way it builds partitions, and a new version was required or the recovery
would fail.? Ghost failed a couple of times with the changes to NTFS and the new win10 structures.? This is why I
found it necessary to make recovery CDs and DVDs for XPsp3 and W9x and older and included the software used
to make the image, so I wouldn't lose track of what made it work.?
Nothing prevents (most) DVD drives from working in an old machine and there is a DOS driver for it,? The CD
DOS boot section is the same for the CD as long as the machine can see it.? So you can build a recovery boot disk
that boots into DOS with Ghost with the proper drivers that will recognize the rest of the DVD and all other drives and
be ready to go.?
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On Sun, Oct 30, 2022 at 01:58 PM, wj9jrg wrote:
Marcium is a good one, but won't run on below Windows XP.?
?
Marcium is what I use, and then for OS's older, I use Ghost 8.
?
For the OP, what was the issue with using Ghost 8 anyway?? It can boot into DOS and backup to any CD / DVD or flash.
?
Thanks
?
Andy
WJ9J
The part about moving the installation from a croaked laptop to a new laptop is not a trivial thing.
Different machines even identical models will have different serial numbers on hardware unless the
whole thing is DOS or Win 3.1,?? It may be an even chance that it is only the hard drive that
died or lost boot info.? A lot of the DOS software can be run simply by saving the installation and
running the executable from a bat file, but some won't work that way.?
NOTE - All installation floppies for OS and software of interest and drivers must be backed up to CDs
and DVDs in such a way that either native installation media could be replicated or installed from
the CD or DVD.? This is important because magnetism and media will fail over time, Thumb drives
will fail when they get wet from sweat in your pocket or when they break in the USB port in the laptop.?
I sometimes find old floppies that are too degraded to be used or recovered.
If it is a Windows installation, Activation will probably be blown as well as licenses on some of the
software that actually cares.? There will also be device drivers that will fail requiring reinstalls in
order to build a working OS, then good device driver installations, then the rest of the packages
will have to be reinstalled so they can rebuild working relationships.?
If it is the case of the hard drive only -- Put the drive into a good machine along with a destination
drive for images and pull its boot drive, then boot from a rescue disk with your favorite image software
and get what you can before doing anything else.?
In addition to image software mentioned, there is Macrium Reflect Rescue image.? In an emergency?
the Direct Cable Connection in DOS or windows can be used with a null-modem cable to transfer on a machine
with only an RS232 port.? It is slow and won't image, but you can transfer files.? Bear in mind that
disk structures changed over the years, so you have to make a note what software package was used
so that you can be sure of being able to recover the image that was made.? Various earlier versions
of the Hirens Boot disk from 10 to 15 had versions of Macrium Reflect, Acronis, Ghost and DD and other
imaging software, and some even had Knoppix boot selections.? Knoppix versions 4 and 5 were very
versitile for booting into a GUI session on a lot of machines and is easy to use for partition copy and
building even for NTFS.
Good luck with it all, people have always wished for an easy way to move their whole installation from
a dead computer to a new one, but there is no one answer and few of the answers are simple and
usually require very different strategies depending on what you have to work with and where you want
to move it to.? You will want to study it all in detail before something crashes because you need to
plan ahead so you can do it in 15mins and not hit a wall.
?
?
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Jared Smudde
Don Clark
Scott Currie
RFI-EMI-GUY
SCOTT READ - KM6RFB
Chris Boone WB5ITT