[K6BW] Attn Bill Smith

[Josh Heide]

To every else...I'm sorry, I lost Bill's email address, but it might be 
interesting...

Bill,

I have been working with 900MHZ lately. I know you wanted to do wideband for 
you link. Some common mobile radios I think I could get to do about 10kc 
deviation, but nothing like a commercial link radio. I think that even more 
deviation could be possible with more work internal to the radios. Having 
them transmit in the unpopulated part of the band (outside the repeater band 
with it 3 or 4 reepaters) is not a problem. The transmitters are designed for 
both 896-902 and 935-941 which means that if the VCO can be made to lock (and 
it can) it will tranmit in any section of the ham band. The recievers are not 
so easy, but that is not an issue. From what I recall, you'll use your own 
receiver at home. I think a balance between audio quality and the transmit 
capabilities of the radio could be met with good results. Once all the 
digital processing is disabled in the radios, they sound very clean, even on 
the reduced bandwidth channels associated with repeaters. I had a fellow tell 
me that my signal on 900 sounded better than my signal on UHF through our 
linked system. The only problem I see is propagation of this near microwave 
signal. It is great out in the open. In fact my little 15 watt repeater on 
900, with a lesser and lower antenna, than my 464 business repeater works as 
well in open terrain. Up close in the hills around the repeater site, it is 
very weak, while the 464 is very strong. I might add that the UHF system is 
over 100 watts! If an omni type antenna was used at the clubhouse, and the 
users used Yagis that might work ok. Also, those over hills at soem distance 
would probably do OK. The 900 seems to refract down at a sharper angle as it 
passes over a mountain range. 

I guess if someone really wanted a signal they could get a PURC 5000. They 
are 300 watts, and I've got one for my high level repeater. Glenaire and 
Quintron also make some nice transmitters in the 1000 watt area.......

Josh KD6KML
The BIG system in Napa
146.820 - 103.5
444.175 + 151.4
927.400 902.400 192.8
and 52.525 of course!