Can I use a spectra hi power as an amp only?

[mancow]

I'm sure this has been asked before but I don't recall it and can't find it.

Is there a documented procedure to wire the amp section of a hi power spectra amp for use as a stand alone amplifier? I understand the RF portion and the drive levels and all that but am sketchy on all the control circuitry. I would like to drive it with a maxtrac.

[Bill_G]

I suppose it could be done. Both drive the RFPA sections with low level right out of the exciter / vco. You would have to check the manuals to see if the levels are similar. You'd have to McGuiver your own power set ckt. Again check the manuals. It would definitely be a Franken-radio. You might be better off finding a Maratrac.

[Jim202]

I'm sure this has been asked before but I don't recall it and can't find it.

Is there a documented procedure to wire the amp section of a hi power spectra amp for use as a stand alone amplifier? I understand the RF portion and the drive levels and all that but am sketchy on all the control circuitry. I would like to drive it with a maxtrac.

Why would you even consider trying to use a Maxtrac for a driver for a Spectra PA stage? You have many more features in the Spectra than you do with the Maxtrac. You get a 100 watt transmitter for the most part, many more channels (up to 128, depending on control head), a much better scan flexibility (scan list per channel or zone, depends on control head), multi PL, ability to organize channels into zones and the list goes on.

Plus the Spectra is a little newer radio. They are becoming available on the used market at a reasonable price. Just don't get suckered into some of the deals that are looking to sell these radios way above the $150 plus region.

The only drawback to the Spectra radios is that they probably will need the dreaded capacitor change. It is not that bad to change the caps. You just need some soldering skills and a small, decent soldering iron.

Jim

[mancow]

I know what the spectra does but for a small repeater it's a POS. I would have to use a large cumbersome cable and unneeded control head or do the headless jumper mod and then try to interface the rest of the pins which is what I will probably end up doing. But, the maxtrac is very simple, has all the nice programmable I/O pins, has better audio (flat audio options) etc... plus I have some old spectras laying around that I no longer need.

Personally, pretty much hate the spectra. Most, even Astro have s*** sensitivity and are totally cumbersome in their operation.

[TXCAP]

Hey Mancow, Did you ever get that P25 Repeater going?

[mancow]

Yep, works great and has been going strong for about two years now. It's as full featured as any Quantar, maybe more. The sensitivity is off the chain.

Thanks for your help with it.

[TXCAP]

Wow been that long? Here I was thinking it was almost a year ago...