2M Repeater Question

Geoff AB6BT

Previously I was able to use a local 2M repeater, using a transverter on the XVRT-A port, with no problems. I was using either a 6400 or a 6600. I am trying to use my new 8600 to access the same repeater with the same configuration.

On a net this morning I was unable to access the repeater. My mic level was peaking at about -5. Apparantly I was overdeviating and being blocked by limiters on the repeater input. I made a simlex contact and and was told that my signal was extreamly wide. I reduced the mic gain so it was peaking at about -20 and still received reports of poor audio.

With the mic gain still peaking at about -20, I was able to break CTCSS squelch on the repeater but got reports that my normally good audio was terrible.

I was using an imported profile.

Any suggestions?

KD0RC

Hi Geoff, maybe give NFM a try. It should have about half the deviation of FM.

Geoff AB6BT

Hi Len,

The repeater is not NFM. So…I wonder what else it coould be?

Geoff AB6BT

Well, I don't have a conclusive answer yet, but it almost seems as though the FM deviation in the radio relative to the audio level shown on the mic level meter has changed in the 8600 hardware.

Has anyone else noticed this or is it a personal problem?

KD0RC

Hi Geoff, yes I understand that the system is FM, but if the radio is showing wider than expected deviation, then putting it into NFM mode might give you information. If your audio clears up using NFM, then that data point can be given to Flex to let them better help.

In any event, it is probably time for a help desk ticket.

Geoff AB6BT

Hi Len, with the mode set to NFM my audio quality was reported as "worse". I know, not a very technical term…

I did open a support ticket last evening

Do you think if I put the radio in FDX I could accurately monitor my deviation on a second receiver?

Neil D Friedman N3DF

Are you using a Q5 transverter?

Geoff AB6BT

Neil…No, Ukranian transverter, the same one I have been using for a few years.

Ken Wells

Try this:

1) Set Tx bandwidth to 300/2700 or 300/3000 MAX

2) Do not use PROC for FM.

3) if you are still over deviating, try using FMN mode and see if that helps.

4) Be sure your transmit frequency is not off by a little. The Ukranian transverter can be a bit "drifty" (I have two of them, and then updated to two Q5 Signal transverters.)

Geoff AB6BT

Hi Ken,

Thanks for your suggestions.

The same setup was working last week with my 6400. Perhaps I should try the 6400 again and see if anything changes.

1 - Bandwidth is set to 200/2800 as it has always been.

2 - PROC is off

3 - I tried NFM and got reports that my audio was worse.

4 - The frequency looks corrrect.

Stumped…

Tdreasher

Hey Geoff, I too have been setting up a Ukrainian transverter and was wondering how you resolved your problem as it is similar to the problem I am having? Also, I was wondering what you have the max power and the RX gain set at? The instructions supplied were “murky“ at best.
Thank you for any help and advice you can give me Tony AA0TD.

Geoff AB6BT

Tony…Are you are using the transverter without the optional attenuator? Mine does not have the attenuator resistors. I have the Max Power set to -10dBm and the RX Gain set to 0dB.

The deviation problem may be related to a software defect tracked as SMART-11361.

K2BKD

Geoff were you able to get this figured out? Is this a known software issue? (SMART-11361)? I having the same over deviation issue with my 8600 using NFM. Just curious if you got this resolved.

Geoff AB6BT

The FM deviation problem I have had was with FM, not NFM. I did try NFM as a test.

In any case I have had the deviation issue and other problems that have been addressed in SMART-11361. I do not know specifically which problems are tracked in that number. Eric uploaded logs from my 8600 and determined from what he saw that there was indeed a software problem.

In my case rebooting the radio solves the problem for a varing period of time.

That's all I know at this point. Hopefully the engineers will resolve the issue.