2001.07.23 - NLARC Repeater Site Inspection

Reason for Inspection:

The 146.34/94 repeater has been exhibited a squelching problem that has made the transmitter retransmit what sounds like audio oscillations that resemble intermodulation distortion.

Course of Action:

Jim Byrd and John Parker visited the site and performed the following items:

• The Ringo Ranger antenna was replaced with a home-made j-pole antenna.
• The power output problem was addressed.
• Some preliminary inspections of the controller (external) were made.
• The repeater control cards inside the 146.34/94 repeater rack were reseated.

Results:

• The full-up antenna VSWR is now 1.2/1. Some subsequent tuning can make this figure better.
• The power output of the repeater was brought up from 7 to 70 Watts with an appropriate combination of driver and final tubes and proper output tuning.
• In the short term it was noted that the squelching problem was no worse.

Further Action:

• Look for solutions to the squelching problem.

Web page operations: James E. Byrd
Responsible NASA Official: Richard S. Eckman