Spectra suitcase repeaters?

[oh2lak]

As the search function seems not to work, I must ask here.

I've seen information about the suitcase repeaters, newer model which have a spectra control head. Assuming by that, there is also a spectra radio inside the setup? Is there any information available on the radio model used for that, as I am interrested in using spectra's as small, low power repeaters. Could a normal Spectra be converted to be a repeater, with hardware modification (to add second antenna port etc) and new firmare?

Or, are there two radios inside the suitcase repeater with a single control head? That would be also usable for me, to use one radio for TX and other for RX, hooked to a single head which thinks it's talking to a single radio...

Any info appreciated!

Erik OH2LAK

[Will]

A Spectra 'repeater' would have to have two radios in it. We have made up several Spectra 'repeaters' using two stock Spectra radios.

"Low power'' ? not with Spectras as each radio draws 500 ma just in standby, so they are not very efficient. There are LPI 7 to 20 watt Spectras but they are hard to find, AKA known as motor cycle radios.

[icom98]

I own one of the spectra suitcase repeaters which I'm currently in the middle of band changing from range 1 to a range 2. There are 2 spectra chassis inside the unit. I used 2 of the motorcycle radios to do the range change and all is well so far. I can't find my spectra programming cable so I ordered a replacement. That is as far as I got.
You can build just as nice of a repeater using Maxtracs, GM300's, M1225's, ect. Also you have to modify a spectra receive radio for COR/COS since nothing is provided at the rear plug that you can use. Those $10 interface cables sold on Ebay work just fine if you want a no frills repeater.

Regards,
Larry

[Batman]

.
You can build just as nice of a repeater using Maxtracs,

Regards,
Larry

it's my understanding that maxtrac's have a really hot receiver (better then a spectra) to boot

[Will]

it's my understanding that maxtrac's have a really hot receiver (better then a spectra) to boot

Yes the Maxtrac is a good receiver. The Spectra has a much better receiver especially when it comes to intermod.

[oh2lak]

Well I have both, Maxtracs and Spectra's and if there is some information available on hooking two radios to a single head, my choice is clear

Erik

[motorola_otaku]

it's my understanding that maxtrac's have a really hot receiver (better then a spectra) to boot

Yes the Maxtrac is a good receiver. The Spectra has a much better receiver especially when it comes to intermod.

My personal experience has been that Maxtrac-line radios win on sensitivity but are somewhat less selective than Spectras, primarily when it comes to adjacent channel interference. For that reason, I'd prefer to use a Maxtrac in a repeater environment versus a Spectra; you can add cavity and notch filters to an infrastructure device to improve selectivity, but there's not much you can do to a Spectra to make its receiver hotter. Plus, the Maxtracs are easier to interface to (again, personal preference) and you're not "wasting" a feature-rich multi-channel radio.

[N4KVE]

Some of us need to use our radios in the UHF ham band as well as the commercial portion. The Maxtrac has no radio that does this well. It works well from 449-470 mhz but at 442 mhz it is slightly deaf. My Spectra R2 is a 438-470 mhz radio & receives 442 mhz better than any Maxtrac I've ever owned. Maybe at 460 mhz they are equal, but certainly not at 442 mhz. Some Spectras came with an optional pre amp. All spectras have the traces on the circuit board for this pre amp. Will was able to add these components to my radio to enable the preamp to listen to repeaters 2 counties away. My other R2 Spectra which has no pre amp will rx at 442 mhz better than a Maxtrac. I guess it all boils down to what freq the OP intends to use the repeater. GARY N4KVE

[Jatla]

Somewhat away from the topic, but does anyone have a .pdf of the service manual for the Suitcase repeater, or at least some schematics for the backplane and controls?

Thanks,
Jatla.