Building a repeater

[wx5atx]

Hello all. I am wanting to build a UHF repeater with 2 kenwood tk-805d or 2 icom f6011 radios. The controller I am buying is a cat 250. What I want to know is about a link radio. I have a acc fc900 interface with 2 icom band units. I have been told that it will not work with a cat controller. If anybody knows of a way it will please let me know. My back up plan is to buy a link radio. But what is a good affordable unit that I can control changing memory channels on the link radio with the cat controller? Any input would be great
Tyler

 

[ka4gfy]

...

 

[ka4gfy]

From what it sounds like, you might be trying to run a split-site repeater system. The link port on the CAT 250 controller is primarily for repeater control, and its receive only. The purpose is to have a receiver on a discrete frequency so you could turn the repeater on and off or other control functions.

You CAN interface the two radios through the controller. Use one as the transmitter and one as the receiver. In that configuration, you will need a duplexer. This is a far better way to go. Our radio club's analog 1.2 GHz repeater is two mobile radios slightly modified and linked with a controller. It sounds great.

Good luck on your project.

73,
Rich, KA4GFY

 

[wx5atx]

I was going to use two icoms or two kenwoods as my transmitter and reciever. The other port is for a transceiver. What would be a good radio that can be controlled by the cat controller? And if anybody has any info on making my fc900 connect to it please let me know

 

[gewecke]

I was going to use two icoms or two kenwoods as my transmitter and reciever. The other port is for a transceiver. What would be a good radio that can be controlled by the cat controller? And if anybody has any info on making my fc900 connect to it please let me know

Rather than a cat 250, maybe look at the specs on a Ics Linker 2a which is a dtmf controlled dual port controller with id and will work well with kenwoods or icoms in a repeater/ control configuration.
Eham.com also has a excellent product review on this controller.

Integrated Control Systems

73,
n9zas

 

[kayn1n32008]

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I was going to use two icoms or two kenwoods as my transmitter and reciever. The other port is for a transceiver. What would be a good radio that can be controlled by the cat controller? And if anybody has any info on making my fc900 connect to it please let me know

A16ch gm300 can be channel steered. It uses BCD to change the channels.

 

[wx5atx]

That is exactly what I was looking for. For the price of them I could buy a transmitter reciever and a link radio. All being gm300's do you have a wiring diagram or do the already make a cable to connect to the controller. And do they have a cable to connect the third one as a link radio to the controller also?

 

[kayn1n32008]

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Look on repeater-builder, I do not have the pin outs handy. As well on fleabay you can get 16pin plugs with breakout boards for less than 5 bucks for two.

 

[kayn1n32008]

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Cables can be made cheap. I have made them for a few repeaters. Home made cables are easy and quick to make. One should be able to make a harness for a repeater with link in about an hour. The controller will include a diagram of the 25pin port. The CAT controllers are pretty easy to set up as well

 

[wx5atx]

Great deal. Can the cat controller switch to all 16 channels? And is a maxtrac about the same thing?

 

[kayn1n32008]

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Not sure about how many channels it can switch, and no the Maxtrac is NOT the same thing. Only the GM300 can channel steer.

 

[W2IBC]

IMO gonna toss in my 2 cents.

Going to build a repeater. Get something rated for 100% duty cycle. Since you want UHF. honestly find a GE Mastr II 100w 100% duty cycle. (see them on ebay alot for under 200.)
Get some good duplexers. dont even bother with the cheap china crap.
Dont go cheap on the antenna and feedline. (use hardline ie heliax only)
As for controller get the elektra 2000. Its a good controller.

 

[gewecke]

Here is a very good review on the ICS Linker 2a commercial controller :wink:,

ICS LINKER IIa REPEATER CONTROLLER Product Reviews


73,
n9zas