Another flexar question??????

[K8SWR]

I'm new to the motorola brand of radio's and I'm looking into a flexar repeater. I just want to stay cheap, Because if things don't work out I don't want to have a lot invested. Is the Flexar capable of haveing ID voice or CW? I read that you can use a phone patch with it... Thanks...AB8JD

[Jonathan KC8RYW]

I'm new to the motorola brand of radio's and I'm looking into a flexar repeater.

You will probably learn a lot about repeaters just by setting it up. Keep in mind, it will need a re-alignment, and a quick service check when you change the frequency crystals. If you have lots of RF test gear, you could do it yourself. Best bet is to find a more experienced ham (aka: Elmer) in your area that has an entire workbench full of RF testing gear and expierence.

I just want to stay cheap, Because if things don't work out I don't want to have a lot invested.

Repeaters will cost money no matter how you look at it. You'll need at the least an antenna with some gain, some good quality feedline (RG-58 need not apply) and a duplexer. I don't think a Flexar should cost very much, compared to other options. The two Maxar radio's that make it up can be had for about $10 - $20 each at a swap. The controller that comes with it isn't much, but it does the job. These come with an /\/\ base power supply. I'd put a guess down at around $125 for cost just for the Flexar with the original power supply. But, that's just my opinion of value for it.

Is the Flexar capable of haveing ID voice or CW? I read that you can use a phone patch with it... Thanks...AB8JD

You may come across a model with an after-market CW-ID board. However, for the most part, I believe the Flexar didn't come with an auto-IDer. Don't hold me to this, though, as I could be wrong.

Voice IDing usually means buying a repeater controller board, which can be quite costly. You could make a voice ID'er using a timer circuit, and one of those digital recorder chips at Radio Shack. I'm sure there must be a circuit out there to do this.

Just to be honest, l have never used a Flexar repeater, nor have I ever read the manual for it. I do, however, have a little expierence with the Maxar/Moxy line of radios that the Flexar is made out of.

[2002radioman]

I have a UHF 40watt flexar with duplexer. I can get you a power suppy new for $75. (Astron) The Flexar will do DPL but I have a PL board I can install. As fas as VOICEID or whatever I don't hink so. I can sale this to you if you want. I caould even dig up a ant. for it too. Let me know. Thanks

[Will]

Flexar, Maxars in a box, did not come with any sort of ID'er. Most were LPI, two to ten watts UHF.
They are good radios and not too hard to work on. They ARE crystal controlled. The built in duplexers were good, but are the notch/notch type and relitivity easy to align.
I have worked on 100's of them.
ID'er, I have used the Com Spec. ID8 for 70 bucks for those too d&%## lazy to ID their station.