[NCARC] NCARC 145.115 on low power.

[Slate]

To all,

I agree that if it is technically feasible to transmit with the output
of the exciter without risk of damaging it we should do so.

I base this on my opinion that we should not leave a system down even
if it is not at it's optimum performance level so that users can rely
on it's availability as much as possible.

I'm capable and willing to drive to the 145.115 to assist in bringing
it back into service.  I do not have a suitable wattmeter to use nor
the confidence of what to do with it but if someone else can provide
that equipment (and skills), and needs a ride, feel free to give me a
call.

I'm available Sunday thru Friday, 16:30 thru 19:30 at the gate (or 
15:30 thru 17:30 at my house, I-25 & hwy 14).  I might suggest after
the meeting on Saturday would be and good opportunity as daylight would
be present.  But daylight is not required...

'73,  Slate, N0TQN
slate at frii.com
970-484-3716

===========================

(excerpt from 145.115 report)
The same can't be said for the .115. Initially, the .115 failed to
initialize due to what is believed to be a dead Lithium EPROM battery.
The net result was that the controller defaulted to an inoperable state.
To add to the frustration, the phone line died. I opened a repair ticket
with Qwest, but at this time, I have not checked the status of the
repair. 

Michael, N7MR, had a spare 7K, already programmed, so I brought it up to
the hill last weekend. After switching the CTCSS logic, I was able to
restore the machine to an operable state, at least for the next seven or
so hours before the machine died again.

A Monday night trip up the hill revealed a dead Power Amplifier. I
pulled the amp and it is on my bench. I hope to get to troubleshooting
it as soon as I get back. In the meantime, I am looking for a spare
MSR-2000 PA and a service manual for the machine.


In the interim, I believe that the repeater will work at significantly
reduced power (1-2 watts.) if the exciter is jumpered to the output. I
haven't worked on too many of the MSR series repeaters, so I am not
positive about this. If someone wants to take a stab at getting it going
again, all that is needed is a 4 wheel-drive vehicle, a Motorola 2135
key and a BNC-female to BNC-female adapter. A low power wattmeter is
also advisable. If you're snickering at the thought of using a QRP
repeater, bear in mind that my 224.520 machine is only getting 4 watts
to the antenna. With 3 dB less antenna gain than the .115 machine, I
have pretty solid mobile coverage into Boulder, Denver, Cheyenne, and
well out on the plains. Give it a shot. The advantages of
Height-Over-Average-Terrain are astounding.
(end of excerpt)