Its nice to have the Quantar channel selector module when programming a bunch of frequencies to test.?
?
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I’m surprised it didn’t work. ?
I have a range 2 in 146.13/73
Works perfect. ?No mods. ?
Will
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On Mar 20, 2025, at 5:00?PM, Jeff Acree via groups.io <locustpointlight@...> wrote:
? Friends,
?
I have a gold colored VHF Range 2 Quantar on my bench.? I am using RVN5002 Version R14.10.00.? My Quantar is currently programmed for frequencies in the mid-150s.? After powerup the RX and TX VCOs are happy and the station appears to be green.? I did a quick test to see if it would be happy with a TX frequency of 146.895 MHz and a receive frequency of 146.295 MHz.? ?With those frequencies, the TX and RX VCOs failed to lock which was disappointing but not much of a surprise.? I wrote the original commercial band code plug back to the unit and it is happy again.? I realize we really need the Range 1 VHF equipment, but that seems to be rather scarce.? The range? 2 equipment is readily available to me.? I have noted that may HAMS seem to be using the Range 2 units for pairs above 146 MHz.? Four of the five repeaters on our system are above 146 MHz, so I was hoping to use this.? Is it practical?? I have a fair amount of equipment including an HP8935 and a 8920 and a decent RF lab to work in.
?
Is it safe to assume all the VHF Quantars under $1000 on ebay are Range 2 units.? Most of the vendors either do not know or do not want to advertise what they actually have.? I could not find even one that claims to be VHF Range 1.
?
Thanks!
Jeff KC8VFN
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First program a number of receive and transmit frequencies so you can write down the current VCO voltage on a table before modification.
Then use a proper size tuning tool and try giving the lower numbered VCO coils in the exciter and receiver exactly one turn at a time lowering the ferrite slug and see if you can get a lock to occur.
Ideally the VCOs want to be between 2.5 and 7.5 volts.
Friends,
?
I have a gold colored VHF Range 2 Quantar on my bench.? I am using RVN5002 Version R14.10.00.? My Quantar is currently programmed for frequencies in the mid-150s.? After powerup the RX and TX VCOs are happy and the station appears to be green.? I did a quick test to see if it would be happy with a TX frequency of 146.895 MHz and a receive frequency of 146.295 MHz.? ?With those frequencies, the TX and RX VCOs failed to lock which was disappointing but not much of a surprise.? I wrote the original commercial band code plug back to the unit and it is happy again.? I realize we really need the Range 1 VHF equipment, but that seems to be rather scarce.? The range? 2 equipment is readily available to me.? I have noted that may HAMS seem to be using the Range 2 units for pairs above 146 MHz.? Four of the five repeaters on our system are above 146 MHz, so I was hoping to use this.? Is it practical?? I have a fair amount of equipment including an HP8935 and a 8920 and a decent RF lab to work in.
?
Is it safe to assume all the VHF Quantars under $1000 on ebay are Range 2 units.? Most of the vendors either do not know or do not want to advertise what they actually have.? I could not find even one that claims to be VHF Range 1.
?
Thanks!
Jeff KC8VFN
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I have a spare R1 RX module. Contact me offlist
Ken
At 05:00 PM 3/20/2025, you wrote:
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Show quoted text
Friends,
?
I have a gold colored VHF Range 2 Quantar on my bench.? I am using
RVN5002 Version R14.10.00.? My Quantar is currently programmed for
frequencies in the mid-150s.? After powerup the RX and TX VCOs are
happy and the station appears to be green.? I did a quick test to
see if it would be happy with a TX frequency of 146.895 MHz and a receive
frequency of 146.295 MHz.?? With those frequencies, the TX and
RX VCOs failed to lock which was disappointing but not much of a
surprise.? I wrote the original commercial band code plug back to
the unit and it is happy again.? I realize we really need the Range
1 VHF equipment, but that seems to be rather scarce.? The
range? 2 equipment is readily available to me.? I have noted
that may HAMS seem to be using the Range 2 units for pairs above 146
MHz.? Four of the five repeaters on our system are above 146 MHz, so
I was hoping to use this.? Is it practical?? I have a fair
amount of equipment including an HP8935 and a 8920 and a decent RF lab to
work in.
?
Is it safe to assume all the VHF Quantars under $1000 on ebay are Range 2
units.? Most of the vendors either do not know or do not want to
advertise what they actually have.? I could not find even one that
claims to be VHF Range 1.
?
Thanks!
Jeff KC8VFN
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Makers of repeater controllers and accessories
Phone: (503) 678 6182
Authorized Dealers for Kenwood and Telewave.
We offer complete turn-key repeater packages!
"We don't just make 'em. We use 'em!"
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|
Friends,
?
I have a gold colored VHF Range 2 Quantar on my bench.? I am using RVN5002 Version R14.10.00.? My Quantar is currently programmed for frequencies in the mid-150s.? After powerup the RX and TX VCOs are happy and the station appears to be green.? I did a quick test to see if it would be happy with a TX frequency of 146.895 MHz and a receive frequency of 146.295 MHz.? ?With those frequencies, the TX and RX VCOs failed to lock which was disappointing but not much of a surprise.? I wrote the original commercial band code plug back to the unit and it is happy again.? I realize we really need the Range 1 VHF equipment, but that seems to be rather scarce.? The range? 2 equipment is readily available to me.? I have noted that may HAMS seem to be using the Range 2 units for pairs above 146 MHz.? Four of the five repeaters on our system are above 146 MHz, so I was hoping to use this.? Is it practical?? I have a fair amount of equipment including an HP8935 and a 8920 and a decent RF lab to work in.
?
Is it safe to assume all the VHF Quantars under $1000 on ebay are Range 2 units.? Most of the vendors either do not know or do not want to advertise what they actually have.? I could not find even one that claims to be VHF Range 1.
?
Thanks!
Jeff KC8VFN
|
Re: Steps to setup a MTR2000 internal repeater mode
If you need help, I'll email you my cell and can walk you thru it with my RSS open
You don't change it in the service windows. In your last picture where it shows messages, click on edit and then if I recall station... That's where you change frequency, etc.
No option to change channel info when you read the system and now I got a red light  
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Re: Steps to setup a MTR2000 internal repeater mode
You don't change it in the service windows. In your last picture where it shows messages, click on edit and then if I recall station... That's where you change frequency, etc.
No option to change channel info when you read the system and now I got a red light  
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Re: Does anyone have a manual or schematic for the Helper Instruments PS 250
I have a helper rf voltmeter that I've picked up at a ham swapmeet for $5.00..still works but needs calibration.
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----- Original Message -----
From: M M via groups.io <wa6ilq@...>
To: repeater-builder@groups.io
Sent: Thu, 20 Mar 2025 14:23:36 -0600 (MDT)
Subject: Re: [repeater-builder] Does anyone have a manual or schematic for the Helper Instruments PS 250
The only info I've ever found on that supply is here:
It's on page 5 or 6...
I used to use one back in the mid to late 90s. ? Helper was founded by Bill Detwiler (I forget his callsign) around 1975 and went out of business around 1999-2000 after he died.
The the remains were acquired by Zetron.? Zetron, in turn, was acquired by JVC / Kenwood but continues as a company.?? At a recent IWCE trade show the people in the Zetron
booth had no idea that they once sold Helper products (I tease them that they should bring back the RF Millivoltmeter).
Mike WA6ILQ
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Re: Steps to setup a MTR2000 internal repeater mode
No option to change channel info when you read the system and now I got a red light  
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Re: Steps to setup a MTR2000 internal repeater mode
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Re: Does anyone have a manual or schematic for the Helper Instruments PS 250
The only info I've ever found on that supply is here:
It's on page 5 or 6...
?
I used to use one back in the mid to late 90s. ? Helper was founded by Bill Detwiler (I forget his callsign) around 1975 and went out of business around 1999-2000 after he died.
The the remains were acquired by Zetron.? Zetron, in turn, was acquired by JVC / Kenwood but continues as a company.?? At a recent IWCE trade show the people in the Zetron
booth had no idea that they once sold Helper products (I tease them that they should bring back the RF Millivoltmeter).
?
Mike WA6ILQ
?
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Re: Bluemax 49 crap cable and mtr2000
I ran across this issue....?
1.? Read the original codeplug and save it to another name.
2.? Open the codeplug you just saved.? It should have "personality" at top of screen.... make your changes and write it...
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Re: Bluemax 49 crap cable and mtr2000
I just bought a BluMax cable and plugged in to my WinXP/32 laptop.? I can read/write an MTR-2000 just fine.? A friend has another MTR-2000 with BluMax cable with Win7/32 and he cannot read or write... swapped just my XP/32 and cable and could read/write just fine.? Swapped my cable, set proper com on his Win7/32 laptop and it read/write just fine!!!? Bad cable????? I brought the cable home to reset the drivers before calling it bad...? never had one fail before...??
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Re: Bluemax 49 crap cable and mtr2000
As others have said MTR2000's CPS only runs on a Windows 32bit OS. I have a Windows 10 Pro 32bit installation that works fine using a USB to Serial adapter, I have an old Windows XP Pro computer with a conventional serial port that works fine and a Window 10 Pro 64 bit laptop that I run a VirtualBox VM running Windows XP Pro with a USB to Serial adapter which also works fine (for other 32 bit CPS's too).
For a cable I use a CAT5 patch cable to a RJ-45 to DB-9F adapter with just the 3 needed wires connected.? When I worked for an MSS to simplify the cables I had to carry, I had a bunch of these same adapters configured and labeled for different radios and equipment that required serial connections with or without a RIB.? Wicked easy to setup and you don't even need a soldering iron! (Although an extraction tool is handy if you screw up)
Assuming your Windows installations are OK, 99% of the time it is a driver or driver installation issue.? Check the device manager to start with.? Also as others have also mentioned Prolific drivers especially new ones can be problematic and drive you nuts. see:
P.S. - I too have purchased a couple cables from BlueMAx49 with no issues.
Good Luck
73
Jon
K1IMD
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Re: Bluemax 49 crap cable and mtr2000
Most likely you have the unit setup as a reciever... hafta change it into repeater mode..cant remember where the setting was for this
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----- Original Message -----
From: TheCuecat via groups.io <dasbugle@...>
To: repeater-builder@groups.io
Sent: Thu, 20 Mar 2025 06:23:43 -0600 (MDT)
Subject: Re: [repeater-builder] Bluemax 49 crap cable and mtr2000
I emailed blue max for a return but have better and worse news at the same time.
made my own cable with the db9 cable. Worked like a charm.
issue arises….
can read the station and see all the stuff but the rss will NOT allow me to edit channel information. What’s up with that?
anyone else ever see this? If so how did you fix it.
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Re: Bluemax 49 crap cable and mtr2000
I emailed blue max for a return but have better and worse news at the same time.?
made my own cable with the db9 cable. Worked like a charm.?
issue arises….?
can read the station and see all the stuff but the rss will NOT allow me to edit channel information. What’s up with that?
anyone else ever see this? If so how did you fix it.?
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Re: Bluemax 49 crap cable and mtr2000
You don't mention that you contacted Bluemax49.? I've purchased several cables from him and had no problem.? He was good about answering questions.
Joe, K1ike
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On 3/19/2025 9:28 PM, TheCuecat via groups.io wrote: Ok so this is the setup. IBM Lenovo laptop 697 MHz with 0.97 megs of ram 1 gig basically.
running windows xp 32 bit
no true com port but two usb available.
Installed all the different persons of the ftdi drivers and each got an error. One of them being a language pack difference. One of them say it will work when you reboot and then it goes back find new drivers.
I have ordered from blue max directly and have not had an issue. This just maybe a crap cable.
now the original programming computer is a old dell running windows 98 ?with 528 megs of ram and that has true com port. But mtr rss is wi does only 32 bit. So I’m in this cycle. I need the newer machine but the cable don’t work and I can make a cable for the old machine with true com port but the rss.i newerEither way has anyone had the issue where the drivers just refuse to workfor the cable for this particular machine.
and please do not email on grammatical errors. My phone likes to remove words and add what it likes to add
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Re: Motorola R2600 VGA Output
I have a 2660D and would love to connect an LCD monitor to my unit.
?
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From: repeater-builder@groups.io <repeater-builder@groups.io>
On Behalf Of k9wkj via groups.io
Sent: Wednesday, March 19, 2025 9:23 AM
To: repeater-builder@groups.io
Subject: Re: [repeater-builder] Motorola R2600 VGA Output
?
This Message is From an External Sender
This message came from outside your organization.
?
maybe 2660s or other models have a higher resolution??
I tried to talk my monitor into syncing at a higher res to no avail
WARNING: Do not click links or attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the email is safe.
?
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Re: Bluemax 49 crap cable and mtr2000
Likely an issue with drivers and/or OS versions as described above?? I have NEVER had a Bluemax49er cable failure to work as described.? They are my FIRST choice for cables with any of my projects.? Perhaps an operator error in understanding the limitations of the software and OS?? Just askin'..... Michael L Robinson, KC0TA
“In the beginning of a change the Patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a Patriot.”
― Mark Twain
When Tyranny becomes Law, Revolution becomes Duty!
Ok so this is the setup. IBM Lenovo laptop 697 MHz with 0.97 megs of ram 1 gig basically.?
running windows xp 32 bit?
no true com port but two usb available.?
Installed all the different persons of the ftdi drivers and each got an error. One of them being a language pack difference. One of them say it will work when you reboot and then it goes back find new drivers.?
I have ordered from blue max directly and have not had an issue. This just maybe a crap cable.?
now the original programming computer is a old dell running windows 98 ?with 528 megs of ram and that has true com port. But mtr rss is wi does only 32 bit. So I’m in this cycle. I need the newer machine but the cable don’t work and I can make a cable for the old machine with true com port but the rss.i newerEither way has anyone had the issue where the drivers just refuse to workfor the cable for this particular machine.?
and please do not email on grammatical errors. My phone likes to remove words and add what it likes to add?
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Re: Testing a WACOM WP-678-R2 with a Nanovna-F
In ham radio - it's possible to have
the transmitter appear on either side of the receiver.? With
duplexers that provide symmetrical performance - duplexer ports
marked "Transmit" and "Receive" or "TX" and "RX" are meaningless.?
Mark the duplexer's radio ports "LPHR" & "HPLR".? This will
indicate which radio port provides Low Pass High Reject & High
Pass Low Reject frequency responses.? When tuning the duplexer -
it will be logical when referencing these marks.? I actually mark
each cavity so it's obvious.
Calibrate the VNA with a quality O-S-L.? Use quality cables
between the VNA and device under test.? Remove the duplexer
harness cables observing where they came from (mark them - so you
can put them back).? Connect the VNA's ports to the two connectors
of each cavity.? If this is a really old WP-678, the cavities have
one connector and a F-M-F Tee.
Tune each cavity individually for best return loss at the pass
frequency using the threaded rod.? Maintain the pass to reject
spacing (5.0MHz) using the capacitor adjustment.? For the most
part the notch frequency (spacing) will track with the pass
frequency adjustment - but check it to make sure.? Tune all four
cavities that way - two for HPLR and two for LPHR.?
Then, reconnect the harness cables.? Terminate one radio port with
a quality (high return loss) load - and reconnect the VNA to the
other radio port and antenna port.? Sweep S11 to see the return
loss with the two cavities connected together.? Note the result.?
You may have a situation where the return loss dips do not fall on
top of one another.? You may see one dip, or you may see two dips
that no matter what you do, you can't make them align over one
another. ?This is not necessarily a bad thing.? For now, do NOT
re-peak the cavities in an attempt to make the S11 dips fall on
top of one another.? There's a reason for this that I'll elaborate
on if you want me to.? If you screwed with the tuning and the S11
dips don't align, go back and re-tune the cavities individually -
and don't re-peak after re-cabling.
Now - measure the insertion loss, and note it.? Also, see if the
pass response peak (S21) coincides with the return loss dip.? If
the return loss dip is not one dip, but two dips, see is the pass
frequency is in the center of the return loss response.? Often
times the bottom of the return loss response looks like a smoothed
W.? On this duplexer - it will likely be one dip.? To put this
another way - the frequency you tuned for best return loss should
also have the lowest insertion loss - and those should occur at
the same frequency.? Concurrent best return loss and lowest
insertion loss at the pass frequency is usually the case with UHF
duplexers that have a 5 MHz pass to notch spacing.
If the insertion loss and return loss measurements meet or exceed
, lock the pass adjustments with the locking
nuts (carefully).? Check the opposite side - remembering to swap
the load to the other radio port.? The totally cabled insertion
loss should be 1.2dB, and the return loss should be -18dB or more
on each leg of this WACOM duplexer.? On earlier models - the
insertion loss might be a little higher, like 1.4dB or so.
Now - using something else (SA/TG), tune the notches for greatest
rejection at the notch frequency - remembering to also terminate
the opposite radio port with a quality load.? Do this for both
sides.? You can't use your NanoVNA because it doesn't provide
enough dynamic range to see the bottoms of the notches.? This
duplexer commonly provides 95dB or slightly more notch depth at 5
MHz pass to notch frequency spacing.? If you don't have access to
a SA-TG - use a signal generator and receiver to tune the notches.
Clear as mud?? Ask questions....
Kevin W3KKC
On 3/19/2025 7:47 PM, Don Roden wrote:
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Gentlemen,?
?
What is the "Proper" way to tune a 443mhz bpbr Wacom ??
S11 with a 50 ohm load at the antenna port? or S21? ?
I can "see"? ( and tune ) the notch on S11 , but the notch is
symmetrical.
The capacitor doesn't seem to "band pass"? ?
( at least on S11 ).? ? ?the capacitor does affect the notch
so it is in circuit.
Thanks in Advance?
Don W4DNR
?
?
? ? ?
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Ken Arck AH6LE
Chris Boone WB5ITT
nh6bf
Hudson, John@CalOES
Kevin Custer