Motorola Portable Repeater

jistabout · Post by **jistabout** » Sun Oct 10, 2004 6:48 pm

Hello everyone,

I just aquired a Motorola Multi-XFL VHF Portable Repeater, model SP310211. I currently operate a UHF Ham repeater, and have been thinking about adding a 2m side. Here's my questions:

What is this Multi-XFL? I can't find info.

Its currently on 167/166mhz. Will it tune into the 2m ham band?

Any info is greatly appreciated. Thank you......

Dan562 · Post by **Dan562** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 7:22 am

This Multi-XFL Portable Repeater Model # SP310211 indicates to me that the Florida Speciality Product (SP) Group custom built this unit possibly for a federal government user by the frequencies 167/166 MHz you have provided. A 1 MHz split is normally very narrow for commercial duplexer applications (minimum 1.6 MHz split).

Since you were not provided the SP manual when you aquired this unit and no Serial # given, this might hold a basic clue to indicate what product was used on the SP design. All I need is the first 3 numbers if they used the standard company procedure for serial # assignments, example: 123ABC1234, the 3 letters and 4 numbers that follow will not help me. If they only used ABC1234 then its anyone guess what you have.

Down banding this unit might be a problem, there's a 22 MHz frequency spread between where it's at now and where you want it to be. They have normal (RF) band ranges on all of the products. If you could provide JPEG pictures of the front control panel and inside of the unit, this could help identify what you have.

Dan

jistabout · Post by **jistabout** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 11:12 am

Tnx Dan. I'll snap some pix when I get a chance. The first 3 digits of the serial # are KJ0. Also, I was mistaken on the model #, it is SP3101211, not SP310211 (missing "1"). Anyway, thanks for your help

jistabout · Post by **jistabout** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 11:19 am

Forgot to mention that the serial # is only 6 digits long. The whole thing is KJ005A. I'm pretty sure that I've seen info on this sometime in the distant past, and that it was refered to as a "lookout" portable repeater. Anyway, I'll post pictures soon. Thanks again........

Dan562 · Post by **Dan562** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 12:52 pm

Well what you have supplied so far updating the Model # SP3101211 tells me more than the Serial number. This is definitely a Specialty Product, the next 3 digits are the APC: 310 and the last 4 digits are sequence of the SP Job assignment 1211. Saying this, you should be looking for a "Lookout" portable repeater SP Manual with possibly the following Part # 001S-SP3101211 which also translates into a 68P0xxxxA-Zxx numbering sequence.

In this case, the APC:310 indicates it's either a Mobile or Portable product used in the basic design. What bothers me, is a statement you made that you've seen something about this so-called "Lookout" portable repeater in the not so distant past. I'm trying hard to determine how long ago that could have been, 10-15 years ago? This might present a road block for aquiring an actual SP manual. Although if you're diligent and have some extra time ... you maybe drawing a schematic or two for the internal point to point wiring connections.

Experimenting is half the fun of getting there.

Dan

Post by **batdude** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 1:40 pm

a picture is worth 100000000000 words

doug

jistabout · Post by **jistabout** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 2:35 pm

I'm pretty sure that I've seen info on this sometime in the distant past, and that it was refered to as a "lookout" portable repeater.

Been probably 15-20 years ago. Digital camera is charging

Dan562 · Post by **Dan562** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 6:10 pm

WOW!! Late 20th Century Technology ... enough excitement on the good old days. Going back to the Accounting Product Code or APC came around the mid 1970s when there was a big call for SP options on the Land Mobile Radio Products sold to the customers. These SP options cost a lot more money $$$$$$ Added to original product Price and more weeks for Delivery time to the end users.

The SP Engineering Groups generally changed the first digit of the APC to the next higher digit so in this case the Standard APC:210 for the internal RF assemblies but were bumped up to the SP version APC:310 for the finished product.

One thing you should be aware of, throughout the years the company has used so many 3 digit APC codes that they started re-issuing older codes for newer products, i.e. example: 201 was Base Station MICOR but now it's designates the Key Variable Loader or KVL3000+ for Encryption Products. The APC code was found in the first 3 digits of the Serial # but in your case on this SP product it appeared in the Model # SP3101211.

I'm intrigued by your SP Multi-XFL Portable Repeater, it's like an old toy to play with and see how it performs.

Dan

jistabout · Post by **jistabout** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 3:49 pm

Well, here are pictures of it, suitable for framing......

[/P]

Dan562 · Post by **Dan562** » Wed Oct 13, 2004 9:04 am

Sorry it took so long to reply on this Motorola unit as it's so hard to balance the computer's JPEG picture display on top of my head while performming my infamous impression (of Johnny Carson's) "Carnac".

The Motorola Multi-XFL VHF Portable Repeater is actually a 5 Watt "Lookout" Repeater first developed and designed in 1968 (while I was still in high school) and probably used for Forest Fire Lookout Towers to be used in either a Simplex Base Station or a Link Repeater application feeding a centrally located higher power main repeater.

In 1981 the National Parts Department did a Life Time Buy on the manuals, Part # 68-81036A20 Revision C but that stock is depleted and considered Obsolete. There were several Standard version of this Model as follows:

N1100A, B & C N1102A, B & C, N1106A, B & C and N1116A, B & C
The SP Model # SP3101211 may of had some special features but I wouldn't have any idea what they could have been.

The RF heart of this RF unit were a pair of HT200 Handheld portable radios, one used for Transmit and the other used for Receive. It might be possible to down band the RF units into the the ham bands.

If you're diligent about visually verifying with a magnifying glass looking at the components such as capacitors or transformer, there's a 4 digit code applied to the piece parts like this example 6837. These first two digits represent the year 68 or 1968 and next two digits 37 represent the week this unit was built but check many of the components because some of them may have been changed throughout the years during normal repairs.

Since the service manuals are depleted from AAD (formerly Known as NPD), I would suggest places like Aircomm in Phoenix, Bob Barnett in Arkansas or a nearby Motorola Service Station that still may have one of these manuals in their technical library.

Good Luck!

Dan

jistabout · Post by **jistabout** » Wed Oct 13, 2004 9:43 pm

Thanks Dan!

I'm thinking that this is more of a collector's item than a useful piece of equipment. This particular unit is in very good condition too. If I do add a 2m side, I'll probably use a Mitrek. Anyway, thanks again for all of your help!

- Darrell

Hoseman292 · Post by **Hoseman292** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 10:15 am

I've checked out the photos of your Motorola Multi-XFL repeater and I believe I have its sister sitting on the shelf in my workshop. I purchased it at a hamfest a few years back. The seller did not have a copy of the service manual available. Included with the unit was a blue hardcase which the unit sits inside of.

I just peeked inside the case and found some handwritten notes regarding the hardware. My unit is currently crystalled to 150.945 and 159.42(RX).

Infact, after looking at the notes a little closer, they were drafted by a person named "Dan" in Overland Park! I tell ya... you guys are really on the ball! Anyhow, if you manage to recrystal yours please keep me in mind and let me know how it turned out.

73's

Tim
N3WIR
Silver Spring Maryland

PS.... Dan, I realize it's been about 20 years but I'm pretty sure these are your great notes. Thanks for your dedication and service.

ASTROMODAT · Post by **ASTROMODAT** » Sun Oct 17, 2004 1:51 pm

You can ususally get a special copy of an obsolete manual via Motorola Archives. They almopst always retain several archived copies of all of their manuals. It can be a bit pricey, though.

Larry

raymond345 · Post by **raymond345** » Sat Oct 30, 2004 8:10 am

We find the Old Manuals
TOOOOO costly.
In the old days the manual was
supplied with the radio.