MSF 5000 External Controller Interface Problem

[ve9xf]

Hello,

I have an MSF 5000 (model C74CXB7106BT) that I'm trying to interface with an ARCOM RC-210 repeater controller. I have the repeater controller wired to the MSF and every time there is a carrier detected (with a vaild PL) and the COS goes active low and the TX comes on. One the TX comes on, the COS indicator goes high again and inactive. When the TX goes off, the COS becomes active again, then shuts of when the TX comes back on again. As you can see, this cycle goes on and on as long as a carrier with a valid PL is detected. I have set it up as a base station, but still have I have this problem. Also, I have the repeater controller configured for active low on the COS (< .8V)

My repeater controller connections to the MSF are as follows:

SSCB MRTI Connector J802
Pin 5 - PTT
Pin 8 - Audio In
Pin 10 - Audio Out

TTRC Connector J2900
Pin 8 - COS/PL Detect (active low)

Initially, I thought that my controller may be overloading the COS output, however, when I disconnect the PTT line, the COS works fine, always sending the proper signal to the controller whenever a signal is present. Only when the MSF is allowed to TX does the COS signal disappear.

I've read through all of the suggested interface methods on Batlabs and the Repeater Builder website, but none seem to solve this problem.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Don
VA3XFT

[Doug]

Don,
I ran into a similar scenario, and after pulling out what little hair I had left this is what I had to change to make it work.
#1 I set all squelch qualifiers to "C" pl detect only
#2 set your ptt qualifiers as "M,L"
#3 change your station back to repeater mode. (without "R" in the ptt qualifiers the station will follow your arcom controller)
#4 you're only going to use your "cor" line on the controller which is no problem unless your want to get fancy and do things like drop your pl and such. With "C" only in the squelch qualifiers the station will only give a cor signal with the appropriate pl.
I don't have my notes in front of me as to where I grabbed cor on the ttrc board but you should be able to find it easily enough with a voltage meter.

There are some obvious down sides to this configuration but it should get it up and going. Once you have it going who knows maybe you can change somethings around and experiment and find a better way.

As a point of interest there are several people around the board familiar with the msf station and all are more than willing to help out. Just to list a few, Bernie, kcbooboo, KB0nly
Doug

[FMROB]

Check this post it, it may help you.


Also, Search MSF5000 locally here on the board. There are many other technical posts on the msf and external controllers.

http://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.p ... t=#p181239

Thanks, Rob

[K0XM]

Are you running a duplexer or split antennas? I am running a 210 with a 5k UHF 100w and have not had any problems, but then I have a set of TXRX cans on it also. Sounds like desense.
Chuck K0XM

[ve9xf]

Actually, I took Doug's advice and set REPEATER to ENABLE in the RSS and it worked like a charm!!! Apparently, it must have been operating in simplex mode with the base station configuration, not allowing the TX and RX to operate at the same time.

If anyone wants to hear what it sounds like, it can be found on IRLP 2108 or Echolink (repeater VA3XFT).

Thanks guys for you help!

Don
VA3XFT

[George]

There is a simpler way to go about this...

Set up your station as a base with no repeater functions enabled AND with full duplex enabled.

Use the connector on the side with the spare pin set up as receiver active and I want to say it's A2B0...or just look it up, but it's the receiver active bit, NOT the PL/DPL detect bit. You can set the next field on the advanced options RSS page 8 for polarity as high going or low going. It's the option next to the bit setting. That's the one below the external PTT option.

Set up the external PTT as a line PTT.

It's low going for transmit unless you have old firmware. If you are using anything less than 5.45, you should have your head examined.

Strap your TTRC as a four wire station. If I remember correctly, there are two jumpers to change. Look in the TTRC section of the book...you'll figure it out.

Now that you are done, you have a receiver with an unsquelched indication and a line level out [b]and [/b]a transmitter with nothing but a line level in.

Done.

Your welcome.

Yes, I am tired and falling asleep at my desk. Goodnight.

George