DSS-III to Quantar Conversion Results

[d119]

A while back a few folks had inquired about whether or not a DSS-III could be converted to a Quantar voice repeater.

Some said yes, some said no. The fact of the matter is yes, it can be done. I had the opportunity to experiment with some hardware at work, and indeed it does work.

I was able to make an analog voice repeater out of a DSS-III by removing the existing Station Control Board. I replaced it with a spare card I had from a Quantar DBS (Data Base Station). I programmed the DBS SCB as a conventional analog Quantar.

The DSS-III functions as an analog voice repeater using a Quantar CLN6686 DBS control board. Note that the DBS SCB WILL NOT work if a wireline card is present, but if all you need is a standalone analog repeater, it'll work.

I'll test ASTRO functionality once I come across an appropriate Station Control Board. But thus far, it appears that the DSS-III and Quantar more or less have electrically compatible backplanes, exciters, PA's, receivers, etc.

Anyone have any Range 2 438-470 Exciters, PA's, or receivers for sale/trade?