Building Maxtrac Repeater-HELP!

mattk@wnaxmail.com · Post by **mattk@wnaxmail.com** » Thu Oct 04, 2001 7:01 pm

Hi,

I am building a back-up repeater using 2 maxtracs using the information found at http://batlabs.com/maxrpt.html

I have a 16 channel maxtrac, just purchased, with logic board HLN 5173B and am looking for Q552 from which to run my switching diode to key up the transmitting radio. The board in this radio looks nothing like the pictures on batlabs. However, the picture matches the board in my other radio perfectly.

I am looking for guidance in finding Q552 on the HLN5173 logic board. I suspect it's at a transistor, but which one? Any schematics/other info available online that anyone is aware of ?? I should have bought a maxtrac like the one I already had, I guess.

Thanks in advance-Matt

Monty · Post by **Monty** » Fri Oct 05, 2001 11:10 pm

Hi;

You would save yourself alot of monies
and headaches if you go the R*I*C*K approch.
which has the Audio Processing, Delay Drop
out, Time out timer features.

Not to say you can't use the alternative
method, but many times I have herd some
unfavorable response to modifying the radios
to make them work.

Monty

Will · Post by **Will** » Sat Oct 06, 2001 1:56 pm

Matt,
You do not need the added diode on the 16 pin logic board radios.
Just program one of the "Accessory" pins for TOS, TOS+COS or COS ( tone operated squelch or carrier op sq.) to activate the transmitt on the other radio. There has been some updates on the method on the bat labs for Xband repeater configuration. I have more on this if you need.

mattk@wnaxmail.com · Post by **mattk@wnaxmail.com** » Sat Oct 06, 2001 6:05 pm

Thanks all very much for the help so far...

I should have said that I have a 5 pin logic board, so I don't believe a RICK will work, nor will programming for a 16 pin connection.

I know there has to be a way that I can find this point on the board ==> Q552.

If it had the same board as my other maxtrac, I would have no problem. I already located the point on that board.

If I can't find the point, then I guess I have an extra 16 channel Maxtrac now!

I'm just trying to build a back up repeater. We farm, and our current repeater is down, which always happens during the busiest times of the year. This time, the 30W power amp blew up (it's a Ritron) And the repeater is only 4 years old! Boy am I glad I paid extra for heliax, so I could put the repeater at the base of the 200 ft tower and not at the top!

Thanks-
Matt

Will · Post by **Will** » Sat Oct 06, 2001 10:55 pm

Matt,
Q552, the audio muting control transistor is located just up from the last pin to the right on the connectors, J8, for the front pannel switch/vol/mic jack board.
There are two eight pin ICs and two transistors, the one inbetween the two ICs is q552 and its colector is on the side nearest the connector pins for the front panel. To verify, measure the voltage on you VOM, +9 volts squelched 0 volts unsquelched.

mattk@wnaxmail.com · Post by **mattk@wnaxmail.com** » Tue Oct 09, 2001 8:58 pm

mattk@wnaxmail.com · Post by **mattk@wnaxmail.com** » Tue Oct 09, 2001 9:00 pm

Thanks Will, I found it!

You said I believe that you have some updated info on building this, please e-mail to mattk@wnaxmail.com if you could.

Also, I can't find a 2N4148 switching diode. Will a 1N4148 work? What's the difference??

Thanks much,
Matt

K2XM · Post by **K2XM** » Wed Oct 10, 2001 3:41 am

On 2001-10-10 01:00, mattk@wnaxmail.com wrote:

Also, I can't find a 2N4148 switching diode. Will a 1N4148 work? What's the difference??

Diodes are numbered 1N**** and transistors are numbered 2N****. Don't know where you got 2n4148 for a diode.....