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maratrac
- Thread starter Frank_005
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petnrdx
Member
The RF boards of the Maratrac and the similar M-400 are basically the same as a Maxtrac or Radius.
So, the "modification" is pretty much the same.
Been a while since I did a bunch of those, but the steps are pretty much:
If your radio won't accept the programming of the freqs, hack the band limits in the RSS.
You might be able to get the programming to work by entering the freqs digits with the "shift key" method.
Once you have programmed to freqs in the range you want, measure the steering line voltages ( stenciled SL on the RF board ) You want the steering line voltage between 2 volts and 8 volts for the range of freqs you want. I can't remember for sure, but I think 2 volts at your lowest freq, and 8 is going to be your highest.
One VCO is RX and one is TX, set the SL for both. Meaning, adjust one of them during RX, the other while TX'ing. If you turn one while RX and and the SL doesn't change, you probably are trying to adjust the TX. Change and try the other coil.
You will likely find that the radio will transmit WAY too much power below 146.
Look at Batlabs or Repeater-Builder for "manual TX power mod" for a way to put a POT in to adjust the drive of the RF board.
I found most of the VHF Maratracs will try to put out maximum power when running out side of the designed band. Like 180 watts or so if your power supply will handle that much current.
But, they won't do it for long.
Batlabs and Repeater-Builder have lots of info on the Maxtrac. Just treat your Maratrac the same.
So, the "modification" is pretty much the same.
Been a while since I did a bunch of those, but the steps are pretty much:
If your radio won't accept the programming of the freqs, hack the band limits in the RSS.
You might be able to get the programming to work by entering the freqs digits with the "shift key" method.
Once you have programmed to freqs in the range you want, measure the steering line voltages ( stenciled SL on the RF board ) You want the steering line voltage between 2 volts and 8 volts for the range of freqs you want. I can't remember for sure, but I think 2 volts at your lowest freq, and 8 is going to be your highest.
One VCO is RX and one is TX, set the SL for both. Meaning, adjust one of them during RX, the other while TX'ing. If you turn one while RX and and the SL doesn't change, you probably are trying to adjust the TX. Change and try the other coil.
You will likely find that the radio will transmit WAY too much power below 146.
Look at Batlabs or Repeater-Builder for "manual TX power mod" for a way to put a POT in to adjust the drive of the RF board.
I found most of the VHF Maratracs will try to put out maximum power when running out side of the designed band. Like 180 watts or so if your power supply will handle that much current.
But, they won't do it for long.
Batlabs and Repeater-Builder have lots of info on the Maxtrac. Just treat your Maratrac the same.
petnrdx
Member
It is nowhere near that simple.
If you want the info, go to the www.repeater-builder. com website.
Then scroll down to the Motorola section
Then Maxtrac, Radius and GM300 section
Finally the Maxtrac manual power control article.
If you want the info, go to the www.repeater-builder. com website.
Then scroll down to the Motorola section
Then Maxtrac, Radius and GM300 section
Finally the Maxtrac manual power control article.
petnrdx
Member
No.
See my post above.
You have to get the radio to accept the programming ( might have to hack the software )
Then you have to adjust the VCO steering line voltages at the new frequency .
Then you have to do the manual power modification at the new frequency.
There is a small chance that you won't have to do all three, but it is VERY likely that you will.
See my post above.
You have to get the radio to accept the programming ( might have to hack the software )
Then you have to adjust the VCO steering line voltages at the new frequency .
Then you have to do the manual power modification at the new frequency.
There is a small chance that you won't have to do all three, but it is VERY likely that you will.
I don't know about anyone else's experiences with maratracs, but I have several VHF and UHF Maratracs and they all "play nice" in the ham bands. The VHF ones all transmit fine down to 144 MHz.
No modifications to the overlay file in the RSS is necessary. The UHF ones all work fine too...but you have to hex-edit an overlay file in the RSS to transmit below 450. None of them transmit above normally expected output power.
Now, I can't vouch for M400's. I haven't owned any of those.
No modifications to the overlay file in the RSS is necessary. The UHF ones all work fine too...but you have to hex-edit an overlay file in the RSS to transmit below 450. None of them transmit above normally expected output power.
Now, I can't vouch for M400's. I haven't owned any of those.
petnrdx
Member
That is kinda the way those things were.
Some took the programming just fine.
Some won't program below 146 without RSS hack. ( Depends on the software version )
I have had several that transmitted in the 170 watt range on anything below 145.0000 with the normal TX adjust POT not having enuf range to get the power down.
But, I have also seen some that worked at 144.39 just fine.
I have seen some M400's that would not go below 150.0000
Too many RSS versions, with too many FIRMWARE versions, and too many hardware versions. Unlimited combinations.
I have started to just blank the logic board with Maxtrac-Lab, then put Maratrac firmware in, and re-initialize the radio as a Maratrac with the Maratrac RSS.
Some took the programming just fine.
Some won't program below 146 without RSS hack. ( Depends on the software version )
I have had several that transmitted in the 170 watt range on anything below 145.0000 with the normal TX adjust POT not having enuf range to get the power down.
But, I have also seen some that worked at 144.39 just fine.
I have seen some M400's that would not go below 150.0000
Too many RSS versions, with too many FIRMWARE versions, and too many hardware versions. Unlimited combinations.
I have started to just blank the logic board with Maxtrac-Lab, then put Maratrac firmware in, and re-initialize the radio as a Maratrac with the Maratrac RSS.
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