Im looking to build a repeater and want to have mult. PL. I'm going to use two GM300 for my TX,RX . Has anyone used the Zetron Model 38 as there controller and what do they think. Easy of programming, Hookup and that kind of stuff.
Thanks,
Haloncloud
GM300 and Zetron Model 38
Moderator: Queue Moderator
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Haloncloud
- Posts: 68
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2002 4:00 pm
HI:
Seems many are on the " Repeater Quest "
Please be aware, setting up a Repeater requires
more than just a couple of Mobile Radiosm and a
panel.
1. The Zetron 38A panel is not a bad Panel, is programmable
and you can get the installation instructions from Zetron
Wiring up the 16 Pin Plgs can be a little bit of a hassle unless
you have the correct tool.
2. You will need to know some facts:
Building a Good Repeater / and have it reliable will
require some of the following materials and good
construction skills
A Good Duplexer ( Celwave Band-Reject ) 6 Cavity is generally
a very good choice. Finding a good / used one can sometimes be
tough if you have never purchased one.
Good ones known to be in good operating condition, can be
a bit expensive 200.00 and up
A Set of " Interconnect Cables made with RG-142B/U is a must
( Forget using RG-58A/U)
Detuning a 40 Watt Transmitter to 25 Wand adding a Fan
will add many years to its life....No Fan, running full Power,
plan to replace radio every month
A very Good power Supply is a must !
A good Cabinet / or 1U Rack Mount will provide enough space
for the above.
What I do is Mount all the Radios on top, I cut out a area below
the Heat Sinks of the Radios, install a MSF5000 Fan Panel ( 3 Fans )
below the !U Rack Mount, and it works great.
I have set up several of these, none have failed yet. Some are
on " Remote " Mountains on Solar Power.
A good Antenna and transmission line, you are all set.
The only real issue is, plan to have a 1200.00 ~ 1800.00
investment by the time you are finished. Persons who beleive
they can make a relaible repeater for 400.00 ~ 500.00 most
times loose thier investment with blown equipment.
PS: If you are in a area where the weather is bad, a good
lightning arrestor is good insurance against a rx failure
MS
Seems many are on the " Repeater Quest "
Please be aware, setting up a Repeater requires
more than just a couple of Mobile Radiosm and a
panel.
1. The Zetron 38A panel is not a bad Panel, is programmable
and you can get the installation instructions from Zetron
Wiring up the 16 Pin Plgs can be a little bit of a hassle unless
you have the correct tool.
2. You will need to know some facts:
Building a Good Repeater / and have it reliable will
require some of the following materials and good
construction skills
A Good Duplexer ( Celwave Band-Reject ) 6 Cavity is generally
a very good choice. Finding a good / used one can sometimes be
tough if you have never purchased one.
Good ones known to be in good operating condition, can be
a bit expensive 200.00 and up
A Set of " Interconnect Cables made with RG-142B/U is a must
( Forget using RG-58A/U)
Detuning a 40 Watt Transmitter to 25 Wand adding a Fan
will add many years to its life....No Fan, running full Power,
plan to replace radio every month
A very Good power Supply is a must !
A good Cabinet / or 1U Rack Mount will provide enough space
for the above.
What I do is Mount all the Radios on top, I cut out a area below
the Heat Sinks of the Radios, install a MSF5000 Fan Panel ( 3 Fans )
below the !U Rack Mount, and it works great.
I have set up several of these, none have failed yet. Some are
on " Remote " Mountains on Solar Power.
A good Antenna and transmission line, you are all set.
The only real issue is, plan to have a 1200.00 ~ 1800.00
investment by the time you are finished. Persons who beleive
they can make a relaible repeater for 400.00 ~ 500.00 most
times loose thier investment with blown equipment.
PS: If you are in a area where the weather is bad, a good
lightning arrestor is good insurance against a rx failure
MS
Need help on a Program Cable or (/\/\) Rib Box ?
Contact me anytime/All availible / Free Support Info !
mail to: [email protected]
PLease avoid PM's whenever possible. Box gets too full.
Contact me anytime/All availible / Free Support Info !
mail to: [email protected]
PLease avoid PM's whenever possible. Box gets too full.
-
RapidCharger
- Posts: 611
- Joined: Thu Apr 10, 2003 5:11 pm
And I would also add the following
having done this same project, only with a RICK, I took the route less travelled, being two antennas rather than a duplexer because I wanted to be able to have multiple frequencies in there. That way you can repeat frequency A sometimes and frequency B sometimes. Most repeater systems have no use for that. A novel idea, only problem is you spend more on twice as much cable and a second antenna than if you had the duplexer.
I think Monty's figure pricewise is a little optimistic. I think the reciepts totalled between $2300 and $2500 including the radios which were used.
I also skipped the cabinet, as the whole set-up lives atop a book case.
If you're looking for "easy" I'd go with something like a DeskTrac or even a GR1225, as these are pretty plug & play and have internal duplexers (usually). Had I known what the project was going to cost in the beginning and how long it would take to get all the crap, I would have gone with a GR1225.
And I also echo monty's comment on the 16 pin connectors I would avoid using a Zetron controller for that very reason, but I like simple.
having done this same project, only with a RICK, I took the route less travelled, being two antennas rather than a duplexer because I wanted to be able to have multiple frequencies in there. That way you can repeat frequency A sometimes and frequency B sometimes. Most repeater systems have no use for that. A novel idea, only problem is you spend more on twice as much cable and a second antenna than if you had the duplexer.
I think Monty's figure pricewise is a little optimistic. I think the reciepts totalled between $2300 and $2500 including the radios which were used.
I also skipped the cabinet, as the whole set-up lives atop a book case.
If you're looking for "easy" I'd go with something like a DeskTrac or even a GR1225, as these are pretty plug & play and have internal duplexers (usually). Had I known what the project was going to cost in the beginning and how long it would take to get all the crap, I would have gone with a GR1225.
And I also echo monty's comment on the 16 pin connectors I would avoid using a Zetron controller for that very reason, but I like simple.
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Haloncloud
- Posts: 68
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2002 4:00 pm
OK, Monty and Rapidcharger thank you for your opion on building a repeater but I already know how and the importance of using good components . My question was about the Zetron Model 38 not on what I needed to build a repeater. I will take the first tip and order the Manuel from Zetron. All I wanted was some first hand knowledge from someone who has used a Model 38 not to be given a lecture on how I couldn’t possible know how to build a good repeater. Over the past several months I have really been disturbed by what I’ve seen in the way of answers on this board. If you can’t answer the question don’t write anything. People are really good at belittling people here.
Haloncloud
Haloncloud
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RADIOMAN2002
- Posts: 1102
- Joined: Thu Apr 04, 2002 4:00 pm
- What radios do you own?: More than I can count
38
I have quite a few Maxtrac and model 38's out there, They are fine as long as they are used sparingly( they overheat real quick). Of course if you want you can turn down the power to about 7 watts and put an amp on it. Then they work great, but I wouldn't use them on a high RF noise site