[SMCARA] Old Laptop computer

[LDG Electronics Inc]

Hurray! 

 

The computer that Tom (W4OKW) provided will program the GM-300 radios. It's
been the highlight of my day to get the programmer to actually get data to
the radio. There are still a few days of learning to be able to make a radio
to go into repeater service. Each radio has to be tested with a service
monitor and spectrum analyzer.

 

Many thanks to Larry Norris (N3JTN) for helping program several radios over
the past few months to help get many of the systems up to the test phase. We
would have been months behind without his help.

 

Also thanks to Gene (N3NO) for transporting the repeaters back and forth as
we tried different combinations.

 

We're basically making a low power Motorola GR-300 repeater (from around
2005) and then adding an external amp to get about 100 watts or so. This
will eventually be the next generation of the 146.640 repeater (in two or
three or four months). The plan is to make it a 10 year repeater with a
spare RX and TX in storage. 

 

This is a replacement for the GE MastrII from the early 80s that was
installed in 2009. It still works great, but needs yearly maintenance. The
new GR-300 repeater "should" last for 10 years with no maintenance. And with
spares should go another 10 years.

 

Dwayne Kincaid

WD8OYG