The main controller is a CAT-700B in an RME-1000 Enclosure with a DL-1000 Audio Delay. Additional accessories are, a DR-1000 Digital Recorder with S.A.M.E decoder,  a RLS-1000 Remote Link Switch and a WX-200 Digital Weather Receiver enclosed in a RME-200L Enclosure.

The 100 watt PA and matching power supply are from Henry Radio. The 28-66-02A Duplexer and 80-05-06 Cross Band Coupler are from TX RX Systems Inc.

Antenna remains an unsolved mystery, mainly because one has to be chosen. More gain, less gain, length, etc. The transmission line will be Andrews (now CommScope) Heliax SuperFlex coax, FSJ4-50B. Part of the delay is analyzing what the best operating power, placement, and configuration is before assembly. The repeater is operating into a dummy load without the PA operational for testing and initial set up.

Haven't determined which interface for Echolink and/or IRLP. Probably going to build one as I did previously. They work great but I am going to add isolation transformers this time.

A few notes about this machine. I purchased it used and found numerous areas that may save someone time and grief...a little anyway. The Henry PA, and I really like them so this is just a check it over in case, had the interior power wire from the main power feed to the distribution point for the various boards melted off. It looks like it was probably a cold solder joint but nevertheless, it was completely disconnected. I wonder if this PA has anymore than a few minutes of transmitted time on it, the inside is absolutely perfect with zero traces of heat.

The REP-200 repeater and connecting cables/harness have been problematic since arriving. The cabling is functional, all shielded, not too heavy, etc, BUT it is way too stiff. Any movement, which is inevitable, causes grief.

The cables, ran though the REP-200 case, were cut through the wire insulation for two reasons. One, the insulation on the cable is of a rigid plastic material that doesn't take abrasion well. Two, the punched hole through the repeater case is super sharp, finger cutting sharp, and  the harness didn't have a grommet or extra protection where it fed though the hole.

The cable stiffness probably caused the ground to come loose and disconnect inside the repeater. I fought with feedback and numerous other issues before realizing this had happened. I blame the stiff cables for no less than three other bad connections in the multiple DB9 connectors as well. While the DB9s are a neat idea, how many times will/have they been apart? Each piece of add-on equipment has a connector interface but the repeater does not so I can see leaving the one, the others have to go. I won't tackle this project until I find some very good shielded flexible multi-conductor cable to construct a new harness with.

The power cables are going to be replaced at the same time. Standard two conductor wires are feeding the CAT controller and Weather receiver and are going to be replaced with shielded cable. All of the power feeds will be changed to feed from a fused junction block like Waupaca has. The Grounds will also be fed to a terminal strip like Waupaca.

The LMR400 patch cables (jumpers) used to connect the repeater, PA, Duplexer and Multi-coupler will all be changed to CommScope (Andrews Heliax), probably half inch. I am contemplating 1/4" in the receive path because it is available with BNC connectors which would eliminate adapters on the Duplexer and tentative preamp. It would seem to me that 1/4" on the transmit side would be too light but for the short runs (less than 36") and relatively low power (max 100 watts) it may be efficient/sufficient enough, any thoughts?

This unit consists of a Motorola Maxtrac receiver and Maratrac transmitter, TP154 controller, RFS/Celwave 526-4 duplexer, Advanced Receiver preamp, Motorola T1500 series pass cans and a 30 amp rack mount power supply in a commercial cabinet. The station is producing about 75 watts, less out the duplexer.

The transmitter is installed and working, still need to run a complete system check to verify everything is working correctly. One concern is the match between the transmitter and duplexer and power loss in the system, it may not be within acceptable parameters.

1/24/07 AB9NS and N9QIP replaced the RG400 patch cable from the transmitter to duplexer with an LMR400 cable. The RG400 cable was getting warm for some reason. UHF male and N male.

Made a short Patch of RG142 with a male Mini-UHF and male BNC connector to replace two adapters and long RG400 cable between the receiver and preamp. Changed out by KB9MRR on 01/27/07.

Replaced the RG400 patch cable from the duplexer to the through cabinet and the chassis mount with Andrews super flex hard line. N male and N female/chassis mount combo. Changed out by KB9MRR on 01/27/07.

Need to replace the RG400 between the repeater cabinet and 7/8 hard line to the antenna with Andrews super flex.

Propagation Characteristics and Paths

The repeater site elevation and lack of antenna height above terrain are proving to be a problem. The site is at about 830 feet and the antenna at about 60+ feet, a tough match for the hilly terrain and climbing elevations, especially to the West.

Seems to favor the East Southeast towards the Fox Valley with a handheld 14+ mile contact. Handhelds are averaging 3-8 miles with good signal reports. Great news with HT coverage to the Northeast, Symco on 22, 14.5 miles to the Northeast, signal was first heard at 45 and C intersection in Clintonville about 24 miles out.

Mobiles so far have gotten about 12-13 from the North, about the same Southwest with scattered hill contacts to about 20 out and a clear 16 mile signal to the east.

The higher elevation to the West is proving problematic with the first low power test giving us about 8+ miles depending on the location. Next test with better equipment, 9+ miles in the woods. AB9NS had a clear copy on the hill at the J and 10 intersection which is 23 miles to the West. Continued contact while inbound the repeater on Hwy 10 was a bit scratchy in the low areas initially but improved steadily. Super solid from Amherst.

Excellent mobile coverage to the airport in Appleton, about 26+ miles to the East Southeast. Good mobile coverage to downtown New London, about 16 miles East.

Southeast is where the coverage is best. AB9NS maintained good communications with the repeater to Hwy N and 41 just Northwest of Fondulac, which happens to be exactly 41 miles from the repeater! The repeater is heard on the higher elevations, once at 60+ miles out but not for usable communications.

A base from 13 miles North was full quieting. Any base stations please give us a call for additional signal reports. We're listening.

Will continue to add signal reports as they come in.

Looking for a local site with more height, any ideas?

Thanks to KB9MRR, KC9KIW, AB9NS for help with the equipment, trouble shooting and extensive testing.

The Waupaca repeater is connected to an IBM Netvista machine running XP, Remote Administrator, Echolink, Echotime, and Ambient Weather. The IBM's are some of the BEST computers I have ever worked on and with. More on the Echolink and IRLP pages.

Echotime has current weather and weather warnings (when they exist) rotating in and out of the announcement slot. This file can be played at any time.

These are sample files that were used in Echotime. The files rotated through the file titled 0 using a batch file and Window's scheduler.

For rack nuts and screws, or other rack and cabinet hardware to complete your repeater installation, visit Stay Online