[MRCA] HF-VHF Retransmit success!

[W2HX]

Hi all, just a note to tell you I was able to get a two-way retransmission system set up and working (preliminarily).  Here is the set up:

PRC-138, 2W, 4' antenna
Retransmit cable CX-13298
RT-1439 (PRC-119)
PRC-68A to communicate with the RT-1439. 

It was surprisingly easy to set up using this 15' cable. 
PRC-138 set squelch to LOW and ON and set Retransmit=Enabled
PRC-119 set FCT=RXMT 
Interconnect the two radios using the RXMT port on the PRC-119 and the PRC-138 through a Y adapter (so I can hear and transmit if necessary)

And that was it.  Using my PRC-68A on 51 MHz, I was able to receive and transmit on the HF frequency selected on the -138!  Here is a picture of the set up

http://www.w2hx.com/x/RXMTProject/IMG_1438.JPG

and here are three short videos showing the setup and testing it both ways from the PRC-68A.

http://www.w2hx.com/x/RXMTProject/MVI_1439.MOV  (receiving HF through PRC-119 to my 68A)

http://www.w2hx.com/x/RXMTProject/MVI_1440.MOV  (second attempt after lowing squelch threshold on PRC-138)

http://www.w2hx.com/x/RXMTProject/MVI_1441.MOV  (transmitting on the PRC-68A and having it relay through the PRC-119 to the HF PRC-138 and transmitting on HF)

For gilbert, I am still not 100% sure if I can get this all up and running but the idea would be to use a 125W amp and RF-382 tuner on the PRC-138 (with 150' of cabling) and the 40W amp on the RT-1439. I have an AS-2259/HR antenna for the PRC-138 and a tripod that I can put an AS-3900 on.  I have to see what length of BNC I have for that.

I have yet to try the RT-1439 in the vehicular mount with the 40W amp. Still short on some cables to do some testing (I ordered some hopefully they'll arrive soon).  


 
73 Eugene W2HX