Vertex/Standard VXR-7000 Repeater page

Keep scrolling down for more useful info!

Programming a VXR-7000U (D) model into the ham band....

A nice tech at Yaesu/Vertex called me back in response to an email about the
use of a "D" version '7000 on the 440-450 band, and he says that if I have
at least version 1.05 of the CE27 software, it could be done.
When launching the software, (from DOS prompt) type:
ce27 -d
that allows adjustments to be made to the hardware environment.

Read rom from radio first, then when you have the existing setup on screen,
push F2 twice, which gets you in a window where you can tab over to adjust
the frequency limits of the RX & TX. Make sure and do both! I reset the
lower limit down to 440.0. I then programmed in the 441.85tx/446.85rx split
and programmed the radio. The radio threw up an error message on the
display, but I "wrote ROM" twice more, and it was happy again. Seems to be
performing to spec, although the Yaesu/Vertex guy says that it should not
be used there, and they don't guarantee the specs (all the while telling me
how to do it!)
Nice folks at Yaesu/Vertex, I always liked them and thier stuff..

I also discovered, that to use an outboard controller, in my case a CAT-200 from www.catauto.com ,the repeater must be operated in the “base” mode, in “remote control”. When you do this the internal software adjusted squelch is no longer in use, and the front panel squelch control now sets that function. The internal squelch setting is only used when in internal repeat mode. I found that out the hard way, when I wondered why the repeater seemed numb! I just had the external squelch control up too high. Also, you must use an outboard CTCSS decoder. I use a Com-spec TS-64, mounted in the CAT-200 enclosure.(NOTE: This is not really true, as Bill, WA6BZS discovered. Please scroll down for the correct info on utilizing the built in PL decode output from the '7000. I'll know better next time!)

UPDATE: 6/23/04. The built-in Vertex squelch is pretty “loose”, so I installed a nice Link-Comm RLC-MOT Motorola squelch board in the controller case. Now it has nice, snappy, Micor-like squelch.

CAT has some nice tech papers for wiring their products to various repeaters, and they had a nice one on the VXR-7000. That can be seen at:

http://www.catauto.com/notes/note11.html This would be handy info for any controller, but I do recommend CAT!


This just in.....   (12/04/2005)

Bill, W6CBS sends this info in on VXR-7000 transmit audio: (geez, now I gotta change mine! 8-)  )

Gentlemen:  (I use the term loosely)
I have gone through 3 VXR-7000 repeaters, having to go out of my way to change the transmitter audio characteristics because out of the box – they sounded muffled with no highs.
I was going in the (PIN 3) TX AF IN (Analog Transmitter Input), which is voice band 300 – 3000 Hz, 600 Ohm, before the limiter, input.

 I ended up using one set up for flat audio, and used (PIN 25) TXD HI, injecting AFTER the limiter, and after the pre-emphasis.  It sounded like good flat audio, but then I had to modify everything else in the system to make links sound right.

 Today – I found PIN 24.  It is the same description as PIN 3, but is for slow speed data input, 300 – 3000 Hz, before the limiter.  It must like the matching impedance, or is pre-emphasized differently, because it sends the audio out the transmitter PERFECTLY.

 So, in all your drawings and notes, change the audio input to the VXR-7000 repeater to PIN 24.  It is high impedance (because I had to turn the level down considerably after I changed pins), so it requires less drive.  Now I have something to modify next year when I go back toMt. Hough near Quincy.

Bill Hudson, W6CBS

 “Life is too short, especially if you must listen to bad audio”

And, this just in on 12/22/2005 from Bill, W6CBS!
VXR 7000 Repeater PL Detect
By Bill Hudson, W6CBS

 December 22, 2005

 Plug the RJ-45 in the LINE jack in the rear of the unit.

 The PL Detect is actually PL Detect AND Carrier Detect on this E&M style line plug (RJ-45).  The Wires are coming out of Pins 1 and 2. 

 Pin 2 goes to ground in the DB25 connector going to the controller

 Pin 1 goes to the PL Detect line going to the controller.  The controller should be configured for PL DETECT ACTIVE LOW.  This will hold the pin HIGH until a PL and COR (both must be present) is detected, then it will pull the pin low to about .6 volts.  This is essentially an open collector circuit, so hooking it up backwards will not work.

 The COR (only) detect, is already in the DB25 Accessory Jack.

This is what it looks like when it’s finished.The Grey/white wire is from PIN 8, which runs to
an analog input for an “S” meter reading in the Linkcomm controller.





































Thanks once again to Mr. Bill, W6CBS!

Here's a link to the WL7CVV 2m VXR7000 project by Roy, KL7GQ, check it out!


Have some info on the '7000 that isn't posted here? Send it in, and I'll post it with appropriate credit!

email me     jammerdave (at) gmail.com     (sorry, not a clickable link, gotta keep those email scanner robots at bay)

73's and happy “Repeatering” de NA6DF

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