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BBARC 146.620 McDonald Observatory Maintenance:
- LOCAL REPEATER:
- Blowing squelch. I re-installed the twin TK-762 repeater thing after I did some mods.
- LOCAL REPEATER:
- Blowing squelch. Ongoing problem. Installed twin TK-762 repeater. Transmitter getting into receiver when someone was coming down the link. Slight adjustment to the two upper knobs on the black duplexers cured the problem. Replaced duplexer #37325 with #4785-A and re-installed original TKR-750 repeater system.
- LOCAL REPEATER:
- Blowing squelch. Ongoing problem. I noticed that I had inadvertently programmed the repeater for high power (~50 watts) back during the last programming change back in June, 2007. My bad. Reprogrammed back to low power (~25 watts).
- LOCAL REPEATER:
- Blowing squelch. Sounded like packet or something acking back and forth. I think the interference is all local to the Kenwood TKR-750K2 Local Repeater.
- Changed programming:
- Option Features --> Optional Features1 --> TX Standby on Frequency to unchecked (No). This disables the transmit exciter when not actually transmitting.
- Channel Information --> Channel Edit --> Beat Shift to checked (Yes). Shifts the uprocessor system clock frequency in case that is what is causing the interference.
- LOCAL REPEATER:
- Blowing squelch. Adjusted "Optional Features" --> "Optional Features 1" -->" Squelch Level" from 1 to 10 and "RX Signal Detection..." from -118 to -110.
- LOCAL REPEATER:
- Noisy. Replaced hardline connector at antenna end with a N-F. Replaced the N-M on the end of the antennas coax.
- LOCAL REPEATER:
- Added microphone.
- Labeled front panel to indicate that the "MONI" LED should be on.
- LINK RADIO:
- Labeled front panel to indicate that the monitor LED should be on.
- SITE:
- Visit to convert Local Repeater and Link Radio to make use of RLC Analog Delay Modules.
- Full alignment.
- LOCAL REPEATER:
- Reprogrammed Kenwood TKR-750 from Repeat mode to Base mode. Repeat audio now goes through RLC Controller.
- Removed CWID.
- Replaced Front Panel "CH2" switch with "MONITOR".
- Added "MONITOR ON" to repeater power on list.
- Probably did some other stuff that I don't remember.
- LINK RADIO:
- Enabled the "MONITOR" button.
- CONTROLLER:
- Uploaded programming to have the controller do the Local Repeater control, rather than the TKR-750.
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LOCAL REPEATER:
- Intermittent TX/RX. Added short N-K to N-M jumper between the hardline and the antenna.
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LOCAL REPEATER:
- Re-installed lower section of antenna and replaced coax shield to antenna pole ground jumper to see if the noise problem would return.
- LOCAL REPEATER:
- Noise after key-up keeping the repeater keyed, mostly in A.M. Noise went away if antenna replaced with dummy load.
- Removed lower section of antenna and removed coax shield to antenna pole ground jumper.
- LOCAL REPEATER:
- Reports of loss of coverage. 18 Watts, 0 Reflect, -119 On, -120 Off into Duplexers.
- LOCAL REPEATER:
- TX Low Power adjusted from 124 to 126 for 25 watts out of Local Repeater Transmitter N connector.
- QT Deviation (Wide) adjusted from 106 to 55 for 0.5 KHZ TX CTCSS deviation.
- TA Level adjusted to 75 for 4.2 KHZ deviation.
- CONTROLLER:
- Some idiot (me) left the receive Deemphasis jumpers in. Removed and realigned audio.
- LOCAL REPEATER:
- Cured desense by removing preamp.
- -119 on -121 off, 17 watts into duplexers.
- LOCAL REPEATER:
- Increasing episodes of noise coming in on the repeater. Replaced G.E. MastrII with a new Kenwood TKR-750K2, Version 2, serial #70700264. Also added a Mirage KP-1/2M preamp, serial #28829. Desense on the Local Repeater receiver very bad but I didn't find out until after I had left the site.
- TX Low Power adjusted from default 142 to 124.
- MAX Deviation adjusted from default 114 to 150.
- QT Deviation (Wide) adjusted from default 166 to 106.
- CW ID Deviation adjusted from default 108 to 20.
- RA Level adjusted from default 132 to 200.
- CONTROLLER:
- Added 2 Analog Delay Modules. 25 turn pots and MOV are installed.
- SITE:
- Full alignment to 4.2 KHZ. Levels going into the controller were very low from the Link Radio so I had to finally set the 2 input levels to 2 different levels. It should be OK though since the Local Repeater does local repeat internally.
- POWER:
- System down on Low Voltage Disconnect. Solar Panels only putting out ~7.5 VDC. Found 2 of the 8 ARCO M73 Solar Panels damaged. Removed same and moved the remaining Solar Panes down in the mount. System came back on-line but only ~12.00 VDC on the batteries. Charge Controller was in charge mode when I left the site.
- LOCAL REPEATER:
- Increased output power from 20 to 35 watts at Polyphaser.
- BATTERIES:
- Removed all old batteries.
- Installed 4 Power Patrol SLA1175 UH 75 AH batteries.
- BATTERIES:
- Battery #1, #2, and #3 (counting from the right) down to ~11.00 Vdc. Removed from service.
- 146.620 LOCAL REPEATER:
- Found broken shield on RCA connector on receiver preamp end of repeater case to receiver coax. Disconnected and ran duplexer to repeater case cable directly to receiver preamp.
- Replaced LMR-400 coax with ~70 foot run of 1/2" LCF12-50J hardline inside flexible rubber covered conduit.
- Added coax shield grounds to base of antenna and input to repeater box.
- Replaced large fuseholder.
- 25 Watts, -119 DBM on, -122 DBM off into duplexers.
- SITE:
- Got coordinates and pictures.
- INTERESTING NOTE:
- When I drilled a hole into the Local Repeater antenna mounting pipe, I was rewarded with a hard stream of water out of the hole I drilled! The mounting pipe is an aluminum pipe made from an old DB antenna with the coax and bowties removed. This pipe is cemented into the ground and the top is open to the world. I drilled a small weep hole in the bottom of the pipe. The smell of the water was 'interesting'.
- 146.620 LOCAL REPEATER:
- Loss of coverage/noise on receive after lightning storms. Found arced duplexers, probably. Turned down power.
- 14.4 Watts, -119 DBM on, -125 DBM off.
- 146.620 LOCAL REPEATER:
- Aligned receiver. Increased transmit power to 20 watts.
- 20 Watts, -120 DBM. More than 20 watts causes desense.
- 443.000 LINK RADIO:
- Link radio in monitor mode. Removed plastic coating on microphone hang-up clip.
- 146.620 LOCAL REPEATER:
- Replaced Kenwood TKR-750 #50800033 with original G.E. MastrII #0021223-S.
- 443.000 LINK RADIO:
- Installed Motorola Radius SM50 model #M34DGC20A2AA, serial #682FYE8833.
- Replaced 2 bay dipole antenna with Larsen beam.
- CONTROLLER:
- Replaced RLC-4 #1182 with RLC-1 #0245.
- Disabled Port #1 CWID because the Local Repeater has its own IDer.
- 146.620 LOCAL REPEATER:
- Replaced G.E. MastrII #0021223-S with Kenwood TKR-750 #50800033.
- 448.000 LINK REPEATER:
- Replaced Kenwood TKR-850 #30400171 with Vertex VXR-5000 #4L060057
- POWER:
- Controller in Low Voltage Disconnect.
- This may be due to 145.230 locking up on noise last night.
- Batteries load tested with no problems.
- CONTROLLER:
- Uploaded latest programming.
- 146.620 LOCAL REPEATER:
- Increased power from 20 to 25 watts.
- 448.000 LINK REPEATER:
- Turned internal controller REPEAT to off (I think). Repeater is now controlled by RLC-4 Controller.
- This is done to allow Control Operators to remotely control the Link Repeater.
- Turned internal controller CWID DEVIATION from 116 to 46.
- This is done to lower the CWID deviation.
- 425.300 LINK RADIO:
- Turned off (Not needed at this time).
- LINK REPEATER:
- Replaced temp coax between Polyphaser and antenna with 1/2" hardline.
- Replaced temp coax jumper between Link Repeater and Polyphaser with 1/2" hardline.
- LINK RADIO:
- Moved 3 element beam to pole set between repeater and battery cabinets.
- SYSTEM:
- Controller programming acting funny and G.E. MastrII on 146.620 failed. This and a failure on Twin Sisters helped make a decision to upgrade this site.
- Installed repaired G.E. MastrII on 146.620.
- Installed RLC-4 controller.
- Installed Kenwood TKR-850 Link Repeater.
- Installed Vertex FTL-7011/12 Link Radio.
- Installed Link Repeater antenna and temporary coax runs.
- Installed PolyPhaser for Link Repeater antenna run.
- LINK:
- Removed G.E. Mastr II and replaced with Vertex FTL-7011A/4. This was done because we need the MastrII to replacing the failing Link Repeater at Twin Sisters.
- POWER:
- Cleaned battery terminals and applied battery protectant.
- Sprayed a wasp nest being built near the batteries.
- SYSTEM:
- Adjusted 146.620 transmit power from 15 to 30 watts.
- Full audio alignment.
- 144:
- Transmitter causing Link Radio receiver COR to come on. Re-aligned 144 transmitter and receiver. Adjusted transmitter power down from 60 watts to 15 watts.
- POWER:
- Added 2 used Dynasty batteries.
- 144:
- Replaced receiver coils and ICOM board.
- 144:
- Replaced Vertex VXR-5000 #4J080046 with G.E. Mastr II #0021223-S.
- This is the old 146.620 repeater that was replaced on 08 June 2002.
- LINK:
- Replaced Vertex VX-3000 #1K220014 with G.E. Mastr II #7033382 SPL.
- This is the old 146.620 link radio that was replaced on 08 June 2002.
- 144:
- Replaced G.E. Mastr II #0021223-S with Vertex VXR-5000 #4J080046.
- This is the old 146.720 repeater that was struck by lightning last year.
- LINK:
- Replaced G.E. Mastr II #7033382 SPL with Vertex VX-3000 #1K220014.
- CONTROLLER:
- Replaced RLC-4 with RLC-1.
- POWER:
- Replaced all 4 batteries.
- 144:
- Realigned RX preselector. Preselector was off. Probably whiskers.
- 15 watts.
- 144:
- Replaced RX preamp and realigned RX preselector. Preselector was off.
- Adjusted TX to 20 watts at Polyphaser.
- 144:
- Moved antenna about 20 feet away from the repeater boxes to lessen chance of diode junctions causing static.
- 144:
- Traced RX noise problem to the antenna being too close to the repeater boxes. Couldn't fix yet, though.
- Tuned duplexers.
- CONTROLLER:
- Installed latest programming changes.
- 144:
- Tried to find source of static in sunset hours. It never showed up while I was there.
- LINK:
- Installed Larsen 420 beam, pole, and coax.
- DC:
- Replaced 4 Stowaway 850 and 1 Stowaway 670 with 4 Stowaway 850 bought from Sams.
- ALL:
- VHF:
- Replaced bad duplexers.
- Replaced cables between duplexers and radio with double shielded type.
- Replaced coax connectors on cable between box and antenna.
- VHF:
- RX sensitivity down to 6.0 uV. Replaced receiver preselector/ICOM strip
- BOTH:
- POWER:
- ANTENNAS:
- Added Sacrete to base of antenna pole.
- ANTENNAS:
- Replaced 2 meter antenna 9913 coax with new 9913 coax.
- Replaced guywires.
- 144:
- Replaced Larsen BSA-150 with new Decibel DB224-E.
- FARB:
- Removed FARB, battery box antenna and mast.
- FARB:
- Installed Frequency Agile Remote Base (FARB).
- Lots of interference from-to 146.620.
- Left on 446.000.
- CONTROLLER:
- Moved Twin Sisters Link from Port #3 to Port #4.
- CONTROLLER:
- Replaced RLC-1 controller with an RLC-4.
- Aligned.
- Some white noise on RX coming from Twin Sisters (Port 3).
- POWER:
- Replaced 2 Siemens M55 solar panels with 8 Arco M73 loaner panels and factory frame.
- Added 2 batteries for a total of 5 batteries.
- ETC:
- Moved Tradesman box closer to road to make room for loaner panels.
- Added Delta box to hold batteries and charge controller.
- POWER:
- Replaced ASC-12/12 #Q 1950377 with SCI-12 to get ready for increase in solar panel current.
- POWER:
- Replaced old short clear Ma-Bell batteries with 3 deep cell batteries bought from Sams (part #27DP-6).
- CONTROLLER:
- Adjusted RLC-1 Analog Input #1 (Battery Voltage) Offset.
- POWER:
- Added second Siemens M55 Solar Panel.
- Removed one old panel.
- Charged batteries with my truck.
- 12.06 Vdc 4:00 PM sunny.
- 12.66 Vdc 5:00 PM sunny.
- POWER:
- Added another older 750 mAh(?) panel.
- Charged batteries with my truck.
- 144:
- 440:
- LINK:
- Freq, power, and SWR look good. The link became reliable if I kept the power down to about 4 watts.Did same. WB5MPX says it's probably a bad coax or antenna. Agreed but ran out of time. Left at 4 watts on 440.
- POWER:
- Replaced 2 volt Ma-Bell cells with a total of 4, 6 volt Ma-Bell cells.
- Added 1 older 750 mAh(?) panel.
- 12.25 Vdc 11.60 Vdc keyed 6:00 PM sunny.
- CONTROLLER:
- Replaced SRC-10 with RLC-1 from Twin Sisters.
- POWER:
- Added VCC and Ground terminal strips.
- 440 LINK:
- Installed 440 Link Radio and 440 Beam.
- POWER:
- Replaced Charge Controller ASC-12/8-A with ASC-12/12.
- ALL:
- Back to original SRC-10 and G.E. MastrII.
- CONTROLLER:
- Replaced SRC-10 controller with new RC-96 for burn-in.
- 144:
- Replaced twin Yaesu's with Yaesu repeater.
- 144:
- Replaced MastrII (27.5 watts) with twin Yaesu 7011-4 RX #4I532337 and TX #4L58050.
- POWER:
- 0.57 amps RX. 25 watts with Charge Controller cycling nicely.
- ALL:
- Moved site about 100 feet west per The University of Texas's request.
- POWER:
- Filled batteries with water.
- POWER:
- Added ASC-12/8-A Charge Controller.
- 13:13 Vdc 3:30 PM sunny.
- 144:
- 55 watts, 2.0 reflect into duplexers. 40 watts, 0.5 reflect into antenna. 0.3 uV.
- 144:
- Replaced bad UHS Preamplifier.
- 144:
- 60 watts, 2.0 reflect into duplexers. 0.3 uV at 1 kHz, 0.2 uV quiet into radio.
- POWER:
- 144:
- Replaced Comet antenna with Larsen BSA-150-Kit. 30 watts, 0.1 uV quiet, 0.2 uV 1 kHz.
- POWER:
- ALL:
- Dunno. Started working. Added water. 25 watts, 0.8 uV? 12.20 Vdc.
- 144:
- Moved 10 ohm, 3 watt audio load resistor under System Board.
- Replaced 15 turn VOL/SQ pots with single turn pots on a circuit board.
- Replaced AUD/SQ Board to improve DTMF decode and audio response.
- 30 watts, 12:13 Vdc.
- POWER:
- 7:37 AM 12.20 Vdc clouds, rain.
- POWER:
- 7:53 AM 12.21 Vdc partly cloudy.
- POWER:
- 7:54 AM 12.20 Vdc cloudy.
- POWER:
- 8:30 AM 12.22 Vdc. 5:30 PM 15.11 Vdc.
- ALL:
- Moved to near the Millimeter Site on Mt. Locke at McDonald Observatory.
- POWER:
- 144:
- CONTROLLER:
- No PTT. Replaced controller U2 NSC800 CPU chip.
- 144:
- Replaced broken J-Pole antenna with a Comet CA-ABC 23. 50 watts, 1.6 reflect.
- POWER:
- Battery strap had high resistance. Cleaned.
- 144:
- 144:
- PA blown. Replaced with a new used one. 50 watts out of 110 possible. 0.15 uV.
- ALL:
- Installed at old theater in Marfa. Some talk-off.
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