Batboard

I just got a new Feq. from fcc. We have been running a MTR-2000 VHF as a base unit. I was wanting to know what all had to be changed in the RSS to make it a repeater also if you have to use a duplexer to make it work....

FEQ. is
TX: 158.850 pl 114.8
RX: 154.190 pl 114.8


Thanks,
Josh

I think with the MTR2000's you have to order them in a repeater configuration, as they are not full duplex stations out of the box.

The MTR's are pretty customizable depending on what your looking to do with them.

-Alex

I hooked up to the repeater today and it has a spot in the RSS to change it to a repeater not a base unit... right now it has the same feq. in both the rx and tx

ffcato wrote:I just got a new Feq. from fcc. We have been running a MTR-2000 VHF as a base unit. I was wanting to know what all had to be changed in the RSS to make it a repeater also if you have to use a duplexer to make it work....

FEQ. is
TX: 158.850 pl 114.8
RX: 154.190 pl 114.8


Thanks,
Josh

I do believe it is just a matter of reprogramming it for repeater operation, and bypassing the antenna relay. And yes you need a duplexer, or two antennas.

MTR2000s are full duplex and come with a repeater controller as standard.

Here's what you do.

First, you have to license your freqs, get an antenna, and get a duplexer and have it tuned. Assuming all that is done, remove the antenna relay (used to switch the simplex antenna from the Rxer to the Txer and plugs into a three pin connector on the backplane). Run lines from the Txer and Rxer to the duplexer inputs and from the duplexer output to the antenna.

In RSS, change the station type from "Station" to "Repeater."

Plug in your freqs and reset the Txer idle freq (the RSS will do that for you automatically, if you want it to; in most duplex operations, the idle freq equals the Tx freq). In general, both the Txer and Rxer in an MTR cover the full spec'd bandwidth, but the Rxer is generally then limited by the pre-selector installed in front of the Rxer; this may have to be retuned. There are instructions in the manual, but this is best done by someone who has done it before and has the right equipment.

Set your Rxer qualifications (usually just PL or DPL) and Tx encoding.

If the station operates as an "in cabinet" repeater, that is pretty much it. If it is going to be wireline controlled, you have to be sure there is a wireline board installed (it is standard) and in RSS set the board for either 2-wire or 4-wire operation, depending on the type of equipment you'll be using at the other end. In RSS, program the control tones (despite what the RSS implies, the MTR2000 comes only with tone remote capability; no DC) and functions; if the only control is Tx, this is one line of programming, but be sure that for the control tone used by your remote (usually, but not always 1950 Hz), you command both Change to Ch. 1 and Tx on LLGT.

Disable the repeat boost (3 dB) function, and verify that the machine gives you 3 kHz deviation out for 3 kHz deviation in. If using a wireline, set your wireline line levels for the same. Then reinvoke the boost if that is your preference.

There is a Morse ID function built into the MTR controller, but it is a tad crude. Most public safety folks take advantage of the unwritten rule about IDs and just turn it off.

At this point, I think you're pretty much in business. In reality, the job is simpler to do than to write about.

well what i did was get a lic. for the tx but the rx is the same we have been using for ever. so really all i need to do is hook up the duplexer and change the tx feq and leave everything else the same... we are using the same rx so we don't have to retune any pagers and so other dept. can still talk to us just won't hit the repeater till they reprogram their radios..... RKG can you email me a phone number so I can call you and ask some more questions?? [email protected] Thanks for all the help... also the fire chief is worried that you have to be certified by fcc to work on radios is that true???? That is what the radio shop told him and that i wouldn't know what i was looking at anyway........

Thanks, Josh

1. If you really want to do it off line, PM me and I'll send you contact info, but remember that the point of these boards is to enable others to benefit from reading the exchange.

2. I'm a bit rusty, but the last I knew for sure was that you needed an FCC license (used to be called Class 2 RTO, but I think the terminology changed and I don't feel like trudging to the office) to make any adjustments to a transmitter that might affect the frequency, character or power of emissions. At a minimum, you're changing the Tx freq. To be sure, this rule (a) came about at a time when things were done with a screwdriver, and if you didn't know what you were doing, you could splatter the whole neighborhood and (b) is today more honored in the breach. But I do believe that to be the rule.

3. That said, having the hand of a good tech is wise, even if not legally required, in terms of what it means for the performance of your station. If this were an original install, you'd want at a mimimum to verify the frequency, deviation, and symmetry of your output wave and the sensitivity of your receiver; and, unless you had great confidence in whomever did it, the tuning of your duplexer. Truth to tell, if you gave me a station that had been working just fine and all I did was a slight Tx freq change, I'd probably forego the SINAD test (unless I had adjusted the preselector) and (I hate to say it) even the F&M check, simply based on my experience with these machines and the reliability of their synthesizers. But in your case, paying a tech for two or three hours to set up and PM the machine is worth it in terms of knowing that it is working as it should. I don't think it's as simple as saying that you "wouldn't know what you were looking at," though there may be some truth to that. After all, if you were swapping the carburetor in your car, wouldn't you feel better about having a guy do it who had done it before?

4. I guessing from your response that the machine will not be wireline controlled. And I should have stated, rather than implied, that I was also assuming that you will not be using a voted system, in which case most of the instructions I gave you were wrong.

To the best of my knowledge, the Radiotelephone Operator License is currently only required to work on radios in the marine, aviation, and international fixed public radio services.

I believe that LMR is currently a free for all as far as service tecnician qualifications are concerned.

http://wireless.fcc.gov/commoperators/wncol.html

The FCC wrote:Radio Maintenance and Repair

You need a commercial radio operator license to repair and maintain the following:

* All ship radio and radar stations.

* All coast stations.

* All hand carried units used to communicate with ships and coast stations on marine frequencies.

* All aircraft stations and aeronautical ground stations including hand-carried portable units) used to communicate with aircraft.

* International fixed public radiotelephone and radiotelegraph stations.

You do NOT need a commercial radio operator license to operate, repair, or maintain any of the following types of stations:

* Two-way land mobile radio equipment, such as that used by police and fire departments, taxicabs and truckers, businesses and industries, ambulances and rescue squads, local, state, and federal government agencies.

* Personal radio equipment used in the Citizens Band, Radio Control, and General Mobile Radio Services (GMRS).

* Auxiliary broadcast stations, such as remote pickup stations.

* Domestic public fixed and mobile radio systems, such as mobile telephone systems, cellular systems, rural radio systems, point-to-point microwave systems, multipoint distribution systems, etc.

* Stations that operate in the Cable Television Relay Service.

* Satellite stations, both uplink and downlink of all types.

NOTE: Possession of a commercial radio operator license or permit does not authorize an individual to operate amateur or GMRS radio stations. Only a person holding an amateur or GMRS radio operator license may operate an amateur or GMRS radio station.

it is a wireline system to the dispatch but i was under the impression that all i would need to worry about was hooking up a duplexer that is pre tuned from factory and change the tx info and that is it.........
Josh

ffcato wrote:it is a wireline system to the dispatch but i was under the impression that all i would need to worry about was hooking up a duplexer that is pre tuned from factory and change the tx info and that is it.........
Josh

99% of the time, that is all you'll need to do. Oh, make sure your new frequency, and your existing frequency as well, are "approved" for repeater use...I believe there's rules for that as well.

Todd

As noted, first figure out if your existing wireline is a 2-wire or 4-wire system. In RSS, program the MTR accordingly. Next, figure out what tone your remote sends for F1 selection and in RSS program that tone for Select Ch. 1 AND Tx on LLGT.

If it is a 2-wire system, the wires go into "Line 2" of the wireline connector on the backplane (push-in type terminals labeled "2+" and "2-", though polarity is not a factor. If it is a 4-wire system, the TX line FROM the remote goes into Line 1 and the Rx line TO the remote goes into Line 2.

It is a 2 wire system and I have been working with APCO to get the fcc to change for repeater use. I had to fill out fcc 601 main form, a schedule D, and schedule H and then I sent it to APCO and they found another feq for us and then sent it to the fcc the whole process took about a month...
Thanks for all the help just want to make sure I am not going to do anything I don't feel good about doing........
Josh

Sounds like you're all set.

also the fire chief is worried that you have to be certified by fcc to work on radios is that true???? That is what the radio shop told him and that i wouldn't know what i was looking at anyway........

That's what us "radio shop" types say to unqualified people that want to take changing frequencies and determining how (or if..) to install or tune a duplexer into their own hands, usually because of budgetary issues. FCC GROL hasn't been required to work on commercial 2 way since '90-91 or so but most shops still ask technicians for that or PCIA/NABER cert which is long gone too.

The info you've been given is accurate, there is a wealth of info on this board. Nothing personal but if you become confused with the programming or tuning of this system, please call a reputable shop to do it for you. I can't tell you how many times I've had to chase interference to PS and other business band systems and find out it was due to customer installed and tuned issues.

Good Luck!

Dave

I don't think I will have any trouble but if I do I will ask for help... that is why I posted it on here....... I don't know everything about radios and never will...!!!!!

Thanks again for all the help
Josh Cato

Ok one more question I am trying to find out what type of ends I need to connect the duplexer to the MTR-2000 the duplexer is a Telewave TPRD 1554 also what type of cable to order....
Thanks,
Josh