MSF5000 Narrow Band Capability

[4n6inv]

I have a digital MSF5000 VHF 110 watt repeater ~manufacture date of 1996. Are they capable of doing narrow band, or is there a way to modify them to do narrow band? I have the latest software for the unit, but currently have it on a 2 meter pair. There are more 2 meter repeaters out here in West Texas than there are Hams, so I am considering getting a VHF pair to use it for our local CERT/MRC team, but I'm sure that the FCC isn't issuing any more wide band licenses. Any help or advice will be greatly appreciated!

Jim

[Doug]

Jim,
Com-spec has kits for narrow banding MSF's.

http://www.com-spec.com/nucat10.htm

I've yet to do one...I just ran across this the other day. Post your results for us if you would
Doug

[4n6inv]

Cool. Thanks! And, not anywhere near as bad a price as I would have expected...

I'll keep you guys posted when I get this done.

Thanks again,

Jim

[bernie]

My two bits worth:
Unless you have adjacent channel interference, I do not think it is necessary to modify the receiver.
Just align it to narrow band specs.

[4n6inv]

Interesting thought, Bernie... I'm out in West Texas, and there are a LOT of VHF agencies out here. TONS of tiny little VFD's with repeaters in all of these little tumbleweed towns of 350-1200 people. Some have really decent repeaters, and some have crappy Frankenpeaters. Mine is located at a VERY prime location for the area ie: I can kerchunck it with my XTS5000 from 25-30 miles away driving down I-20. On my Astro Spectra 110 watt mobile, 65-80 miles away. I'm just going to have to look at what's available IF they'll give me a public safety pair. I'll essentially donate it to the county emergency management for licensing purposes, and request a pair through either the SO or FD, which are both involved with CERT/MRC. Oddly enough; in my county (Nolan), the sheriif and fire chief are both very educated and progressive with regard to radio and communications technology and have equipment that they bought with grant money that rivals most big cities. I just can't afford to buy and donate a Quantar and 15-20 XTS anythings. I'm looking at buying some Astro Sabers and trying to resurrect them, so we can communicate with SO and FD (both operating in P-25 - SO with DES-OFB), but still be able to use mine in analog narrowband with DES-XL

Now, back to what you were saying: I'm a fairly decent tech, and can tune the duplexer and preselector with my R2014D/HS. I'm just not sure about doing the narrowband tuning, since I have limited experience working on the MSF5000, and even less on any narrowband equipment - yet. It's been almost three years since I touched it, and that was the first one in 6 years... Since it will be used in psuedo-public safety, I want to make sure that it operates with very good stability, so electronic modifications don't bother me IF it's a good mod, and it offers stability, yadda, yadda, yadda.

Two bits are worth a lot in terms of understanding. Thanks!

Jim