/g/xcat

Re: Looking for an Xcat

serc1mp@... (Mike WA9FDO) — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 18:01:31 -0700

Thanks to all who replied to my post. I sort of figured that they were not being made anymore, but I did stir some good conversation. Sorry, but my SMD abilities are lacking, however, if someone does decide to build some boards, please put my name on the list of "I'll take one".

73 for now,

Mike, WA9FDO_at_arrl_dot_net

Re: Looking for an Xcat

swguest@... (swguest) — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 19:10:58 -0700

Hey Brad,

Good to see you are still monitoring. I'm sure you realize I've been pacing the floor over those X-Cats....lol

Time/life/priority stuff here as well...play when I can. Retired doesnt mean plenty more time to play, more like plenty of time to do stuff you didnt get to while still working the salt mines.

Anyway, as I said then, no hurry, those X's arent going anywhere and I figured I'd hear from you when the stars align ("Age of Aquarius' playing in my head...Ahhh the 60's...lol) and you could get back to it....no let down, no worries. As we talked then, between loss of sight in one eye and cataracts in the other SMT vision is out of the question any more. I'd take you up on the offer if I knew someone that could do the assy. Remember that 10 year old OG DDS kit I told you about?....still in it's parts bag...lol

Re: Looking for an Xcat

swguest@... (swguest) — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 18:53:37 -0700

@ Tyler,

Also, all the project related source code w/comments is on Skip's Github as well, per Skip's posting in the files section.

Re: Looking for an Xcat

kb9bpf@... (Bradley Andrews) — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 18:14:08 -0700

You're right, Stan. Time-life priority stuff, like what took Lee N7LD out of the business. I've been deep into some projects at work and when I get home I don't have much brain-space or energy for more electronics projects. Not to mention that there's only about one square foot of open space on my bench right now. It's a horizontal surface - What else need I say :)

I've got parts including a handful of PCBs and would be willing to put what's necessary in an anti-stat bag if you care to assemble your own. I think around $80 would cover my costs and shipping but I'd have to double-check before making any promises. No other support or warranty of any kind included except my assurance that I have assembled them and made them work. Except for one which I in which soldered the processor to the PCB 90 degrees off and ruined everything trying to fix it. It takes extraordinary attention to detail, a very steady hand, good eyes, and appropriate soldering equipment to assemble because it's all SMD. Most hams will lack proficiency, I think.

If anyone feels brave I'll accommodate them.

73,
Brad KB9BPF

PS to Stan: I am sorry I've let you down.

PS to all: Here is a copy of the info file I posted in the file area of the group:

Xcat PCB layout by Brad KB9BPF: Notes 26SEP22
- I am NOT interested in building Xcats. These resources are for those
who are interested in DIY.
- I used free ExpressPCB Classic software to create these files. It is
available at https://www.expresspcb.com/
- I've found ExpressPCB to be extremely easy to learn and use.
- Boards are ordered through the ExpressPCB software using an internet
connection.
- If I have spare PCBs I would be willing to sell them. Contact me if
interested.
- If I have spare parts I would be willing to sell them. Contact me if
interested.
- I can program PICs. Contact me if interested.
Anything I sell will be as close to my cost as possible. I would like to
defray some of the modest costs I incurred developing and debugging.
I do not make any guarantees or provide any warranties.
- You must judge for yourself whether or not these resources meet your
specifications or standards.
- You must judge for yourself whether or not your skills and tools are
adequate to the task of assembling these very small surface mount
devices.
- Any parts I provide will be new, or NOS, from a reputable source,
usually Digikey or Mouser. All sales will be final - no refunds or
returns.
Contact:
Brad Andrews KB9BPF
kb9bpf
- at -
A R R L
- dot -
NET

On Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at 07:04:42 PM CDT, swguest via groups.io <swguest@...> wrote:

OOPS. Should have selected reply to group......

Greetings Mike,
Welcome to the group.
Skip Hansen, the group owner and co-developer of the X-Cat has make all info for a "roll your own" available to the public in the files section.
There is/was a guy on here by the name of Brad Andrews that picked up the mantle and made a (proto?) batch, that I presumed he did sell at/near cost. I had asked for 2 ea as well, and he ended up with some time/life/priority things to address and hasnt been back in touch. That was about 1 1/2 years ago.....I have not followed up nor do I know if he will be pursuing the project any further. His contact info is here in the group. I have at least 2 more (4 total) I could press into service as well.....I guess I need to drop him a line and see what's up.
At any rate, the info is in the files section should you be so inclined. IIRC, Brad also posted the PCB specific files to order the PCB(s).
Good Hunting.
sw

Re: Looking for an Xcat

wz5tx@... (Tyler- WZ5TX) — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 18:02:46 -0700

I had no idea the info to build your own was in the files section. This is fantastic news!

WZ5TX

David “Tyler�� Bufkin

Re: Looking for an Xcat

swguest@... (swguest) — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 17:04:39 -0700

OOPS. Should have selected reply to group......

Looking for an Xcat

serc1mp@... (Mike WA9FDO) — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 16:30:52 -0700

Greetings all,

I was given a VHF SyntorX. It has some ham channels programmed in it, but none usable in the Indy area. Are the Xcat boards and software still available? If so, how do I acquire one? If not, are there any used ones floating around? Thanks in advance for any info.

73,

Mike, WA9FDO

Re: Looking for a VHF Syntor X...

sjord1053@... (steve jordan) — Sun, 25 Aug 2024 07:56:43 -0700

I also have a few Syntor X VHF. Some are complete sets ready for a mobile install. Mike, if you are interested, you can email me directly.

KD1OM at arrl

Re: Looking for a VHF Syntor X...

skip@... (Skip Hansen) — Sun, 25 Aug 2024 05:53:57 -0700

Hi Jim,

No need for licensing the IP as the Xcat is now open source. Thanks
for asking however!

The code is posted on github and is GPL.

Firmware: https://github.com/skiphansen/xcat_fw
Windows control program: https://github.com/skiphansen/xcat_pc
Bootloader: https://github.com/skiphansen/xcat_ldr

The PCB design was done by K7KAJ using (if I remember correctly) a DOS
based version of Eagle and
it has been lost to the mists of time.

Brad KB9BPF recreated the PCB a couple of years using ExpressPCB. The design
files are in the files area of this group (/g/xcat/files).

Good luck with your project!

73's Skip WB6YMH

On Sun, Aug 25, 2024 at 5:42 AM Jim Conrad via groups.io
<jjc@...> wrote:

Hi,

I have a couple stacks of Syntor X (~40) - different bands but don't have a count handy. Willing to part with a few if someone is interested in a few.

I do have a question for the XCat Developer/IP Owner .. Any XCats available or are you willing to license the IP to further develop it.

I'm a Ham and we have a group working on APRS and some over data modes on VHF and UHF I'm interested in getting my stack of Syntor X's operational in that project

Thanks,
Jim - N4WFP

At 07:09 PM 8/12/2024, M M wrote:

...or maybe two...

Email me direct...

Thanks in advance

Mike
WA6ILQ // at// arrl //dot// net

Re: Looking for a VHF Syntor X...

jjc@... (Jim Conrad) — Sun, 25 Aug 2024 05:42:23 -0700

Hi,

I have a couple stacks of Syntor X (~40) - different bands but don't have a count handy. Willing to part with a few if someone is interested in a few.

I do have a question for the XCat Developer/IP Owner .. Any XCats available or are you willing to license the IP to further develop it.

I'm a Ham and we have a group working on APRS and some over data modes on VHF and UHF I'm interested in getting my stack of Syntor X's operational in that project

Thanks,
Jim - N4WFP

At 07:09 PM 8/12/2024, M M wrote:

Looking for a VHF Syntor X...

wa6ilq@... (M M) — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 10:14:40 -0700

...or maybe two...

Email me direct...

Thanks in advance

Mike

WA6ILQ // at// arrl //dot// net

Re: Recycling Syntor X PA

rhyolite@... (RFI-EMI-GUY) — Sat, 19 Aug 2023 20:54:59 -0700

Syntor X radios are fantastic radios, but they are terribly complex inside. On the other hand the new stuff has it all baked onto a chip and not much to play with.

Re: Recycling Syntor X PA

rhyolite@... (RFI-EMI-GUY) — Sat, 19 Aug 2023 20:52:57 -0700

The TX may have a delayed PTT logic that needs to be eliminated. I worked on a Metrocom data system for People Mover in Miami decades ago. There was a capacitor for PL reverse burst (Micors!!) that needed to be removed or the one train that it hadn't had it removed, would collide/interfere with the next one in polling sequence. Fixed it by listening on the air for distorted data.

On 8/19/2023 11:07 PM, Dennis Boone wrote:

[email protected]">

 > Securenet versions are signalling at 12 kbps 2 level FM so it would
 > seem the radios should be good for 9600 backet if you go past the
 > audio chain and follow Securenet paths and jumpering. Modulation Comp
 > will be a must.

I did use the Securenet pins for audio when I tried it.  It's possible I
screwed up the jumpering.  Or perhaps the modulation used by Securenet
works better than the usual ham 9600 stuff.

Turnaround time for Securenet isn't as critical as packet.  Around here,
the usual settings are faster than the Syntor X can do.

OP's application may or may not care about any of this.

De

-- 
Joe Leikhim


Leikhim and Associates

Communications Consultants

Oviedo, Florida

JLeikhim@...

407-982-0446

WWW.LEIKHIM.COM

Re: Recycling Syntor X PA

drb@... (Dennis Boone) — Sat, 19 Aug 2023 20:07:35 -0700

Securenet versions are signalling at 12 kbps 2 level FM so it would

> seem the radios should be good for 9600 backet if you go past the
> audio chain and follow Securenet paths and jumpering. Modulation Comp
> will be a must.

I did use the Securenet pins for audio when I tried it. It's possible I
screwed up the jumpering. Or perhaps the modulation used by Securenet
works better than the usual ham 9600 stuff.

Turnaround time for Securenet isn't as critical as packet. Around here,
the usual settings are faster than the Syntor X can do.

OP's application may or may not care about any of this.

De

Re: Recycling Syntor X PA

rhyolite@... (RFI-EMI-GUY) — Sat, 19 Aug 2023 19:51:12 -0700

Securenet versions are signalling at 12 kbps 2 level FM so it would seem the radios should be good for 9600 backet if you go past the audio chain and follow Securenet paths and jumpering. Modulation Comp will be a must.

Re: Recycling Syntor X PA

drb@... (Dennis Boone) — Sat, 19 Aug 2023 17:54:41 -0700

I have several 110W Syntor X lying around. It is probably no longer

> my interest to get them working by the means that XCat or Piexx
> offered... But the RF frontend still holds promise with SDR
> applications. Has anyone documented the signaling for the RX LNA, TX
> PA, T/R switch, and feedback monitoring? Would love to hook them all
> up to an Arduino (or similar) GPIO header.

The internal control setup in an X isn't all that complex. But note
that those subsystems are scattered across multiple boards. The radio
isn't up to 9600 baud packet signalling, and the turnaround time isn't
all that quick. If those things don't counterindicate your proposed
application, then the Moto manuals (try repeaterbuilder.com) and
onfreq.com have the information you'd need.

De

Recycling Syntor X PA

Tyrell@... (Tyrell, KD7TKJ) — Sat, 19 Aug 2023 17:18:23 -0700

I have several 110W Syntor X lying around. It is probably no longer my interest to get them working by the means that XCat or Piexx offered... But the RF frontend still holds promise with SDR applications. Has anyone documented the signaling for the RX LNA, TX PA, T/R switch, and feedback monitoring? Would love to hook them all up to an Arduino (or similar) GPIO header.

Re: Anyone have a copy of the windows executable xcat.exe?

kb9bpf@... (Bradley Andrews) — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 09:45:32 -0700

Glad I could help.

73
Brad

On Friday, June 9, 2023 at 11:40:59 AM CDT, <kd6gdb@...> wrote:

That was exactly what I am looking for. Thank you.

Re: Anyone have a copy of the windows executable xcat.exe?

kd6gdb@... — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 09:40:58 -0700

That was exactly what I am looking for. Thank you.

Re: Anyone have a copy of the windows executable xcat.exe?

kb9bpf@... (Bradley Andrews) — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 09:27:14 -0700

Is this what you want? It's right in the file section of the group.

/g/xcat/files/XCat%20files/xcat_pc-0.25.zip

73
Brad

On Friday, June 9, 2023 at 11:20:58 AM CDT, <kd6gdb@...> wrote:

Anyone have a copy of the windows executable xcat.exe?

My only copy was stolen with my notebook computer during a home burglary a few years ago.

Jeff

KD6GDB

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