[OZAPRS] hardware suggestions

[Matthew Cook]

I'm not so quick to write off the humble FM828 for APRS work.

The front ends are bullet proof, both in terms of selectivity and
sensitivity.  Knobble the audio driver and you can knock the current
consumption down to 140mA (and lower!).   Once you spent the time to align
the 828 it will stay put, it doesn't move and just works.

I've built many repeaters and APRS digi's using 828's and they are hard to
beat.    However the downside, have a few spares when aligning as you'll
break slugs if you do not have the original tuning tools (they are 30+
years old remember).

I'm yet to see any ex-commercial radio or cheap Chinese alternative
outperform the FM828 in terms of current consumption vs on-air performance
and reliability.   A pll is a nice to have if you're changing freq often,
crystals now cost a few $$$ to cut.  YMMV

73

Matthew
VK5ZM

PS:  I've three or four buckets full of spares if you need any.

On 16 February 2016 at 12:16, Gavin Rogers <grogers at vk6hgr.echidna.id.au>
wrote:

> On 16/02/2016 9:40 AM, Liz VK2XSE wrote:
>
>>
>> The OM has produced one of his stash of Philips FM-828A radios from his
>> "special place". Single channel version.
>> Assuming that it is modified to 145.175, would it be suitable?
>>
> It'd cost you $50 or so for the crystals for a (granted, nearly
> bulletproof) 40 year old radio, plus the time and effort to mechanically
> tune it. Or $100 odd for a Chinese radio that's brand new, or $50-100 or so
> for an ex-commercial Tait/Philips/Simoco from eBay or a hamfest.
>
>
> 73
> Gavin
> vk6hgr
>
>
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