Spectra service manual query

[nealg58]

Does anyone know if the service manual for the Spectra (non Astro) is still available? I am looking for the full manual with schematics. I saw in another message where the 6880101W33 was no longer available from MOL but not sure of the others. I purchased 4 units and I want to get at least two going on the 440 MHz band to link two 2 meter repeaters together. So far I have found the Astro Spectra manuals but wasn't sure how close they were (probably not very). I already have the software for programming.

Neal

[Jim202]

Does anyone know if the service manual for the Spectra (non Astro) is still available? I am looking for the full manual with schematics. I saw in another message where the 6880101W33 was no longer available from MOL but not sure of the others. I purchased 4 units and I want to get at least two going on the 440 MHz band to link two 2 meter repeaters together. So far I have found the Astro Spectra manuals but wasn't sure how close they were (probably not very). I already have the software for programming.

Neal

In most cases the manuals for the Spectra and Astro Spectra are just about the same. You will find that the board numbers don't match, but the layout and parts on the different circuit boards are just about the same. The same thing goes for the control heads.

Been playing with the Spectra radios for a long time. There are a bunch of different links and documents on the web if you search. But I haven't found any complete service manuals that have been put into an electronic format. You could go take a look at the repeater builder site. They also have a bunch of info and some links to other sites.

Depending on which version of the software your using, you may or may not have access to the MOFLAG settings. These allow you to change a good number of the radio's features. Plus the different memory locations that can be changed to correct or change other functions of the radio.

Jim

[kcbooboo]

The regular Spectra Detailed service manual has been No Longer Available for many years. They show up on ebay or flea markets once in a while. The command boards are quite different between the Spectra and A/S radios, but most of the rest of the boards are the same.

The detailed manual only has the circuit boards, their schematics, X-ray views, and theory of operation. The Basic service manual has the interconnecting cables, alignment, and disassembly instructions. For some reason, these don't seem to have been available as PDF files and no one has scanned any. Probably 3/4 of the manual is composed of fold-out pages, and all the X-ray views are in color. To have them scanned in gray-scale really wouldn't do them justice, but color scans create a huge PDF file.

Bob M.

[nealg58]

Gentlemen thanks for replying.

I found two versions of the Astro Spectra detailed manual on the Repeater Builder site and a fellow ham's web site but wasn't sure how close it was to what I have. The software I have is version R06.00.05 (RVN4001N) and the readme.doc says it supports Spectra E models. I am almost finished building a RIB - already had the parts including the DB-15 connections and have an IFR-1000 to set levels and such. The units I have are all conventional 50 watt units and will be interfaced with 2 Mastr III repeaters. I regularly check here and the Repeater Builder site for any updates for the radios.

Neal KC4YCM

[motorola_otaku]

What UHF range are the radios in, and where in the 440 band are you going to be doing your point-to-point linking?

403-433 radios will work up to 438 with no hardware mods needed - just reprogram. Most 450-482 radios will work down to 442 MHz without needing modification, but below that you may need to tweak the VCO - the procedure is up on Repeater Builder. Pushing a 403-433 radio up to 450 to cover the entire 440-450 repeater range is more problematic and requires working on the VCO and RX preselector, but you can search here for a rundown on the procedure.

[Will]

Just a note: most of the information to bring a Spectra down to 440 IS incorrect.

[motorola_otaku]

Just a note: most of the information to bring a Spectra down to 440 IS incorrect.

Really? So this Astro Spectra I have here built from conventional Spectra parts that receives down to 441.500 with zero hardware mods doesn't exist, then?

[nealg58]

The units are group 3 - 450 to 482 MHz. So how much trouble is it to tweak them to say 445 to 447 MHz range? The link frequencies will be simplex - the receiver of one repeater keys the link radio and the receiver of the link radio keys the transmitter of the repeater but they won't be linked full time.

[motorola_otaku]

The units are group 3 - 450 to 482 MHz. So how much trouble is it to tweak them to say 445 to 447 MHz range? The link frequencies will be simplex - the receiver of one repeater keys the link radio and the receiver of the link radio keys the transmitter of the repeater but they won't be linked full time.

They might work just fine as-is. Program your frequencies in, then test for transmit power and receive sensitivity. In-band sensitivity should be between .17-.22 microvolts for carrier squelch unmute, but below 450 MHz .25 to .35 is more common. If your path isn't too long and you're using good feedline and Yagi antennas the difference will be unnoticeable. If you get a FAIL 001 on receive or transmit then you'll need to tweak the VCO.

Whatever the most recent version of Spectra RSS is (version 6.xx IIRC) doesn't require modification to program 450-482 radios down to 440.

[N4KVE]

Just a note: most of the information to bring a Spectra down to 440 IS incorrect.

Really? So this Astro Spectra I have here built from conventional Spectra parts that receives down to 441.500 with zero hardware mods doesn't exist, then?

What is the rx sens at 441.5 vs 450 on your radio? GARY

[nealg58]

@ motorola_otaku

I will do that. I am finishing the construction of a RIB and programming cable. I have been checking all 4 to see what the condition is of the 'time bomb capacitors'. So far a few look like they have already been replaced. The coax runs to the antennas will be good quality 1/2" or 7/8" coax or heliax. The total distance between sites is roughly 20 miles and one of the sites will have a 100' tower at it giving it an overall height advantage of at least 150' above the height of the other. The other site already has a 100' tower but is sitting at a lower elevation. Even though the radios are all 45 watt, I am going to program the power out lower to save the finals and keep from going over the power supply rating of the repeater supply (a GE Mastr III).

[nealg58]

@ motorola_otaku

Oh and the RSS version I have is R06.00.05 which I think is the latest and greatest.

Neal KC4YCM

[motorola_otaku]

Just a note: most of the information to bring a Spectra down to 440 IS incorrect.

Really? So this Astro Spectra I have here built from conventional Spectra parts that receives down to 441.500 with zero hardware mods doesn't exist, then?

What is the rx sens at 441.5 vs 450 on your radio? GARY

Around .3 for squelch break. Not as hot as a radio that's actually built to operate there, certainly, but still light years better than a hammy radio. Selectivity doesn't suffer at all. Didn't notice much of a change when I parted it out to build an Astro Spectra either.

[wa6jbd]

Just a note: most of the information to bring a Spectra down to 440 IS incorrect.

Could you please fill us in on what you mean? I've done quite a few successful conversions based on information gleaned here and the main Batlabs site and it all just seems to work. Is there something we're missing that we should be doing? Thank you.