Just picked this up, but now...

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Posted: 9/28/2020 6:23:33 PM EDT

I need a new power supply. My 30 amp isn’t quite cutting it. Keyed up and it pegged the meter which only goes to 32a. SWR meter said it was putting out 117 watts. I bought it since it was super cheap and I have a thing for older radios. Anyways, I’m not really in the position to buy a new, expensive PS. I have heard about people using HP server supplies. If anyone had any links or info on those I’d appreciate it.

Posted: 9/28/2020 6:46:18 PM EDT

[#1]

$20 100 AMP 12v Power Supply: Good for Ham Radio?? || HP DPS-1200 Review

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AaiUUrKmK4

Posted: 9/28/2020 7:08:33 PM EDT

[#2]

Quote History

Quoted:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AaiUUrKmK4

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Thanks! I’m assuming your call is your user name. Nice to meet you ATF, my suffix is DEA.

Posted: 9/28/2020 7:25:10 PM EDT

[#3]

Just fyi, it prolly need to be hit with a calibration.

I have a buddy and one of his highpower XTLs was putting out almost 200 watts.

We calibrated it and it was fine then.

Posted: 9/28/2020 7:53:48 PM EDT

[#4]

I did some math, guessing the radio runs on 13.6 VDC. If it is putting out 117W, and is an FM radio running class "C" at ~~ 50% efficiency, then 234 watts / 13.6 VDC following the notion that 234W/ 13.6 VDC = 17.205 ADC either the meter is wrong or there is something funky with the radio. The current draw should be under 20 ADC. Anybody with more info on the rig?
73,
Rob

Posted: 9/28/2020 8:06:04 PM EDT

[#5]

Quote History

Quoted:
I did some math, guessing the radio runs on 13.6 VDC. If it is putting out 117W, and is an FM radio running class "C" at ~~ 50% efficiency, then 234 watts / 13.6 VDC following the notion that 234W/ 13.6 VDC = 17.205 ADC either the meter is wrong or there is something funky with the radio. The current draw should be under 20 ADC. Anybody with more info on the rig?
73,
Rob

View Quote

FWIW I just talked to a couple guys that have been using this rig for awhile. They said it pulls around 33-35 amps, and recommended getting a 50amp supply at minimum. It might be something either the rig. My icoms are rated at 13amp max (50 watt) and on that same meter they’re usually reading about 10 amps.

ETA: One guy mentioned that he has his tuned up to run about 175 watts. Said something about the radio having (2) 100 watt transistors. I’m still kinda new to this so maybe that might help.

Posted: 9/28/2020 9:13:46 PM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:

Thanks! I’m assuming your call is your user name. Nice to meet you ATF, my suffix is DEA.

View Quote

An older HAM down the street has xxxTHC

Posted: 9/28/2020 9:24:45 PM EDT

[#7]

Quote History

Quoted:

FWIW I just talked to a couple guys that have been using this rig for awhile. They said it pulls around 33-35 amps, and recommended getting a 50amp supply at minimum. It might be something either the rig. My icoms are rated at 13amp max (50 watt) and on that same meter they’re usually reading about 10 amps.

ETA: One guy mentioned that he has his tuned up to run about 175 watts. Said something about the radio having (2) 100 watt transistors. I’m still kinda new to this so maybe that might help.

View Quote

That's a lotta juice, for testing you might go with a good sized deep cycle battery (and charger) until you are sure it works, then get a bigger supply.

Posted: 9/28/2020 10:45:27 PM EDT

[#8]

For some strange reason, I suddenly feel the need to find me a 100++ watt FM Transceiver.

Posted: 9/28/2020 11:31:16 PM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:
For some strange reason, I suddenly feel the need to find me a 100++ watt FM Transceiver.

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Do it!! UHF/VHF is very active down here, especially UHF, hence the reason I bought this radio. I’m gonna let this radio live on my beam I think pointed north until I get a rotator. I’m in south Miami so everything is north anyways. The only downside is I don’t have a windows XP machine which is needed to program it, however I have a few friends that can.

Posted: 9/29/2020 3:58:15 AM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:

Do it!! UHF/VHF is very active down here, especially UHF, hence the reason I bought this radio. I’m gonna let this radio live on my beam I think pointed north until I get a rotator. I’m in south Miami so everything is north anyways. The only downside is I don’t have a windows XP machine which is needed to program it, however I have a few friends that can.

View Quote

Try 'program compatibility' on your current windows machine. It Might be able to run the programming software.

Posted: 9/29/2020 7:11:19 AM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:
For some strange reason, I suddenly feel the need to find me a 100++ watt FM Transceiver.

View Quote

So do I. Anyone have any model numbers one should look for?

Posted: 9/29/2020 8:22:07 AM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:

So do I. Anyone have any model numbers one should look for?

View Quote

I can check the radio for any ID numbers when I get home. But it’s a GE/Macom/Ericsson Orion.

Posted: 9/29/2020 12:13:51 PM EDT

[#13]

I have a server supply I converted. It works fine but be aware they are really dirty RFI wise. If you have HF it might not play well.

Posted: 9/29/2020 2:40:38 PM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:
I have a server supply I converted. It works fine but be aware they are really dirty RFI wise. If you have HF it might not play well.

View Quote

Not on HF yet so that’s why I decided to go with it. It’ll be just for that 110 watt UHF radio in the OP.

Posted: 9/29/2020 2:43:49 PM EDT

[#15]

I bought my first power supply used off Ebay and haven't regretted it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Astron-Original-RS-35A-Power-Supply-Linear-Regulated-35A-Peak-24A-Continuous/274511734349?hash=item3fea2ca64d:g:-JgAAOSwFcdfY~gH

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ASTRON-RS-50M/254696834585?hash=item3b4d1d4619:g:wxcAAOSwwFZfQcQ7

Posted: 10/10/2020 12:47:07 AM EDT

[#16]

Got it going today. Came programmed with some repeaters I use but a lot of it is outdated and I need to add some other repeaters and such. No damn clue how to program this thing. Lol. Guess I have some more research to do.

Posted: 10/10/2020 7:40:53 AM EDT

[#17]

Can you find your "package number" in this list?

I am trying to locate the same radio:

http://www.hallelectronics.com/getech/d22.htm

Just joined here: https://groups.io/g/GE-Orion

Seems like they have software for windows, ProGrammer Version R17A05

I downloaded and installed it on windows 10:

Posted: 10/10/2020 4:53:21 PM EDT

[#18]

Three video series about GE Orion:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOjsWjqiwWw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSIbazhbfEo

He uses ProGrammer software version R17 too!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5V4A2CfN0pc

Posted: 10/10/2020 6:39:01 PM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:
Can you find your "package number" in this list?

I am trying to locate the same radio:

http://www.hallelectronics.com/getech/d22.htm

Just joined here: https://groups.io/g/GE-Orion

Seems like they have software for windows, ProGrammer Version R17A05

I downloaded and installed it on windows 10:

https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/518465/prog-1628980.jpg

View Quote

D2UHCX

ETA: Can you send a link for that software? Not sure if I can use it since I’m running a MacBook with a windows 10 partition, so I don’t have com ports, only USB.

Posted: 10/10/2020 6:58:44 PM EDT

[#20]

Quote History

Quoted:

D2UHCX

ETA: Can you send a link for that software? Not sure if I can use it since I’m running a MacBook with a windows 10 partition, so I don’t have com ports, only USB.

View Quote

https://groups.io/g/GE-Orion/files/Software/ProGrammer17/ConvProgrammerSetupR17.zip

USB Programming cable
https://rfguys.com/collections/programming-cables/products/ge-ericsson-m-a-com-jaguar-orion-programming-cable-tq-3377-usb-version

Or if you have or make or find a cheap db9 cable, there are many usb to serial adapters like this one
https://www.amazon.com/USB-Serial-Adapter-Prolific-PL-2303/dp/B00GRP8EZU/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=startech+serial+adapter&qid=1602371229&sr=8-4

D2UHCX =
D2 = Orion Series Radio 1999 and later
U = UHF 440 - 470 Mhz
H = High Power 100 Watts
CX = Operation is Conventional (vs TX = EDACS)

Posted: 10/10/2020 7:53:31 PM EDT

[#21]

I just got one of these for $19.99 plus $30 shipping.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/124377635328?ViewItem=&item=124377635328

Its a newer Harris Macom 7100 that is programmed with RPM software, but there is a process to revert it back to use the Programmer R17 software:
http://www.n0mb.net/?p=11

Im going to order on of these from Ebay: GE Ericsson Orion VHF (150-174Mhz) D2HHCX
for around $30 shipped and do the frequency shift described in the third video above.
D2 = Orion Series Radio 1999 and later
H = 150 -174 Mhz
H = High Power 110 Watts

Supposedly the heads, mics and cables will all swap between the two, we shall see!

Posted: 10/10/2020 8:43:30 PM EDT

[#22]

That’ll be cool. They sell a cable so you can use one head unit for 2 radios. So if you get both you can use U/VHF with one control head.

Posted: 10/10/2020 8:44:40 PM EDT

[#23]

Quote History

Quoted:

https://groups.io/g/GE-Orion/files/Software/ProGrammer17/ConvProgrammerSetupR17.zip

USB Programming cable
https://rfguys.com/collections/programming-cables/products/ge-ericsson-m-a-com-jaguar-orion-programming-cable-tq-3377-usb-version

Or if you have or make or find a cheap db9 cable, there are many usb to serial adapters like this one
https://www.amazon.com/USB-Serial-Adapter-Prolific-PL-2303/dp/B00GRP8EZU/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=startech+serial+adapter&qid=1602371229&sr=8-4

D2UHCX =
D2 = Orion Series Radio 1999 and later
U = UHF 440 - 470 Mhz
H = High Power 100 Watts
CX = Operation is Conventional (vs TX = EDACS)

View Quote

Shit!! $100 for a cable!! That’s more than I paid for the radio.

Posted: 10/10/2020 8:54:50 PM EDT

[#24]

Quote History

Quoted:

Shit!! $100 for a cable!! That’s more than I paid for the radio.

View Quote

Make your own cable (then get the db9 to usb converter):

GE / MAcom Orion radio programming cable build your own DIY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSIbazhbfEo

DB37 plug:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/DB37-G2-Male-D-SUB-37Pin-Plug-Breakout-Terminal-Solderless-Connector-Inward-/183842531166

Posted: 10/10/2020 9:48:02 PM EDT

[#25]

Gonna look into it more. Have a good friend who works in a motor pool for a local municipality. They have junk boxes full of stuff like that. He’s going to see if they have a cable on Monday. He’s already scored a few Harris speakers for me.

Posted: 10/11/2020 11:30:47 AM EDT

[#26]

Sold! $13.50 plus $17 shipping. D2HHCX
Probably going to be an alternate base station somewhere else on the property, like a workshop.

Its 150-174 Mhz. Needs the frequency shifted down to the 2m band however.

Posted: 10/11/2020 11:57:50 AM EDT

[#27]

Wanna program me one?

Posted: 10/11/2020 12:11:35 PM EDT

[#28]

Quote History

Quoted:
Wanna program me one?

View Quote

Sure, I did order the $100 usb programming cable

Let me get a few of them working then we will talk.
Im not scheduled to even get any delivered until week after next anyway.

Posted: 10/11/2020 12:23:40 PM EDT

[#29]

In my searches I see the only VHF Model that I can find online that does 2m out of the box is this later Model Harris Macom M7100:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/MA-COM-MOBILE-RADIO-M7100-MAHG-SHHXX-WITH-CORD/362975738964?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

It needs to have the RPM to PRoGrammer reversion process done on it first to be able to program with the vR17 Programmer.
Anything above a 7100 model can only be programmed with the unobtainable (I cant find it) RPM (Radio Personality Manager) software, the 7100 is the last model that can use ProGrammer.

Have one on the way to play with too:
MAHG-SHHXX

H = 136 - 174 mhz
H = High power 110W
XX = Unencrypted

The older Ge Ericsson Orions in 2m seem to be unobtanium:
http://www.hallelectronics.com/getech/d22.htm

Being geared toward public safety I think all these radios have a PA feature, the only thing I missed form the old CB days.

Posted: 10/11/2020 2:21:10 PM EDT

[#30]

Can I get in line to have one programmed?

Posted: 10/11/2020 5:09:29 PM EDT

[#31]

Quote History

Quoted:
In my searches I see the only VHF Model that I can find online that does 2m out of the box is this later Model Harris Macom M7100:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/MA-COM-MOBILE-RADIO-M7100-MAHG-SHHXX-WITH-CORD/362975738964?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

It needs to have the RPM to PRoGrammer reversion process done on it first to be able to program with the vR17 Programmer.
Anything above a 7100 model can only be programmed with the unobtainable (I cant find it) RPM (Radio Personality Manager) software, the 7100 is the last model that can use ProGrammer.

Have one on the way to play with too:
MAHG-SHHXX

H = 136 - 174 mhz
H = High power 110W
XX = Unencrypted

The older Ge Ericsson Orions in 2m seem to be unobtanium:
http://www.hallelectronics.com/getech/d22.htm

Being geared toward public safety I think all these radios have a PA feature, the only thing I missed form the old CB days.

View Quote

One of these would be a great radio for an APRS digipeater. Any word on connecting a TNC to it?

Posted: 10/12/2020 8:01:02 PM EDT

[#32]

Quote History

Quoted:

One of these would be a great radio for an APRS digipeater. Any word on connecting a TNC to it?

View Quote

I think sacrificing a spare mike for the cable to tie in MIC, SPKR, PTT and GND should do the trick.
Just hope the MIC levels are in the right range. If I get a radio working, I will try it.

Posted: 10/16/2020 1:29:11 PM EDT

[#33]

I said fuck it and ordered the $100 legit cable. I’ll try reading the radio and maybe everything will make more sense when I can see a written personality.

Posted: 10/16/2020 2:21:54 PM EDT

[#34]

Quote History

Quoted:
I said fuck it and ordered the $100 legit cable. I’ll try reading the radio and maybe everything will make more sense when I can see a written personality.

View Quote

My $100 cable just came today.
I'm trying for a 2M 110w Radio to use on a yagi, UHF is dead around here.
But any successful methods I find would still apply to UHF radios.

UHF radios seem to not need any other work (the ones that fall into the 70cm band) if they will work with Programmer - if they are 7100 radios, they most likely use the unobtainable "RPM" Software.
Look for the Dxxxx model numbers from the website I provided previously and hope they weren't programmed with RPM.

From what I read, once a radio has been programmed with a later version of software, it cant be read by an earlier version, but it can be written then reread with the older software, with some caveats and possible extensive work.

If you know someone with a copy of RPM then you are golden

I have ordered multiples of the following radios for testing/bricking:

VHF (150-174Mhz) D2HHCX 110 watt - going to use documented procedures using a .sc4 file and easily accomplished alignment
to shift frequencies into the 2m ham band. I feel better about this method. These are older radios and more likely to have been programmed with ProGrammer, but any radio can have been used with RPM. also see below about RPM.

VHF 7100M 136-174 110 watt - Newer model, these are at the right frequency band but more than likely use the "RPM" software.
there is also a procedure to reflash and reprogram using obtainable ProGrammer software but there is an unknown alignment procedure that needs to happen possibly. Also all "Features" (P25, Encryption, etc etc ) are lost when reverting from RPM without using RPM to save the config first. Lets hope xmit and recieve aren't lost features.

From what I can tell, If I can read from the radio using ProGrammer 17, I should be golden.

I also had to order a dummy load substantial enough to handle 110 watts for minutes at a time while doing the known alignment procedure on the older DXXXX radios.

Posted: 10/16/2020 3:34:05 PM EDT

[#35]

Quote History

Quoted:

My $100 cable just came today.
I'm trying for a 2M 110w Radio to use on a yagi, UHF is dead around here.
But any successful methods I find would still apply to UHF radios.

UHF radios seem to not need any other work (the ones that fall into the 70cm band) if they will work with Programmer - if they are 7100 radios, they most likely use the unobtainable "RPM" Software.
Look for the Dxxxx model numbers from the website I provided previously and hope they weren't programmed with RPM.

From what I read, once a radio has been programmed with a later version of software, it cant be read by an earlier version, but it can be written then reread with the older software, with some caveats and possible extensive work.

If you know someone with a copy of RPM then you are golden

I have ordered multiples of the following radios for testing/bricking:

VHF (150-174Mhz) D2HHCX 110 watt - going to use documented procedures using a .sc4 file and easily accomplished alignment
to shift frequencies into the 2m ham band. I feel better about this method. These are older radios and more likely to have been programmed with ProGrammer, but any radio can have been used with RPM. also see below about RPM.

VHF 7100M 136-174 110 watt - Newer model, these are at the right frequency band but more than likely use the "RPM" software.
there is also a procedure to reflash and reprogram using obtainable ProGrammer software but there is an unknown alignment procedure that needs to happen possibly. Also all "Features" (P25, Encryption, etc etc ) are lost when reverting from RPM without using RPM to save the config first. Lets hope xmit and recieve aren't lost features.

From what I can tell, If I can read from the radio using ProGrammer 17, I should be golden.

I also had to order a dummy load substantial enough to handle 110 watts for minutes at a time while doing the known alignment procedure on the older DXXXX radios.

View Quote

Mine’s a D2UHCX. Hopefully I didn’t just blow $100. I have no clue how it was programmed.

Posted: 10/16/2020 4:43:51 PM EDT

[#36]

Quote History

Quoted:

Mine’s a D2UHCX. Hopefully I didn’t just blow $100. I have no clue how it was programmed.

View Quote

Im rooting for you!!

I bought the $$$ cable and a pile of radios.

Don't have all I need yet to start the process.

Posted: 10/16/2020 5:03:00 PM EDT

[#37]

Quote History

Quoted:

Im rooting for you!!

I bought the $$$ cable and a pile of radios.

Don't have all I need yet to start the process.

View Quote

Thanks. I'm gonna give it a shot. If I can't figure it out I have a buddy that's a computer whiz for a living. He's also a ham so he's willing to help.

Posted: 10/20/2020 5:41:36 PM EDT

[#38]

Quote History

Quoted:

Im rooting for you!!

I bought the $$$ cable and a pile of radios.

Don't have all I need yet to start the process.

View Quote

Well shit.

Posted: 10/20/2020 6:14:46 PM EDT

[#39]

Quote History

Quoted:
He’s already scored a few Harris speakers for me.

View Quote

If there's anything GE/Ericsson/Harris you want to snag, it's speakers, they're the best.

Posted: 10/20/2020 6:40:29 PM EDT

[#40]

Quote History

Quoted:

If there's anything GE/Ericsson/Harris you want to snag, it's speakers, they're the best.

View Quote

Have one in my car for my Icom 2730. Great audio for a mobile.

Posted: 10/20/2020 6:49:33 PM EDT

[#41]

Quote History

Quoted:
In my searches I see the only VHF Model that I can find online that does 2m out of the box is this later Model Harris Macom M7100:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/MA-COM-MOBILE-RADIO-M7100-MAHG-SHHXX-WITH-CORD/362975738964?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

It needs to have the RPM to PRoGrammer reversion process done on it first to be able to program with the vR17 Programmer.
Anything above a 7100 model can only be programmed with the unobtainable (I cant find it) RPM (Radio Personality Manager) software, the 7100 is the last model that can use ProGrammer.

Have one on the way to play with too:
MAHG-SHHXX

H = 136 - 174 mhz
H = High power 110W
XX = Unencrypted

The older Ge Ericsson Orions in 2m seem to be unobtanium:
http://www.hallelectronics.com/getech/d22.htm

Being geared toward public safety I think all these radios have a PA feature, the only thing I missed form the old CB days.

View Quote

So my friend has the RPM software and sent it to me if you need it. Still didn’t work but he figured out my issue. I need a later version of the vR17.

Posted: 10/20/2020 7:07:20 PM EDT

[#42]

Quote History

Quoted:

So my friend has the RPM software and sent it to me if you need it. Still didn’t work but he figured out my issue. I need a later version of the vR17.

View Quote

Wow, I would love to get ahold of the RPM software!! I'll PM you.

My parts are starting to trickle in.

I just got all the brand new accessories (with a new 800 mhz radio) for my 2m M7100 model for $29 PLUS SHIPPING.

It was too dark and me too tired to pull the battery out of the tractor and start messing around tonight.
PLUS this is the model that probably needs the RPM software and not ProGrammer.

Now I just need to find control head and cables for my high band VHF D2XXXX radios on Ebay.

Most of the cheapie GEs I got are radio only no cables, speakers or even control heads.

Posted: 10/20/2020 8:51:13 PM EDT

[#43]

Quote History

Quoted:

Wow, I would love to get ahold of the RPM software!! I'll PM you.

My parts are starting to trickle in.

I just got all the brand new accessories (with a new 800 mhz radio) for my 2m M7100 model for $29 PLUS SHIPPING.

https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/518465/s-l500-1645825.jpg
It was too dark and me too tired to pull the battery out of the tractor and start messing around tonight.
PLUS this is the model that probably needs the RPM software and not ProGrammer.

Now I just need to find control head and cables for my high band VHF D2XXXX radios on Ebay.

Most of the cheapie GEs I got are radio only no cables, speakers or even control heads.

View Quote

Nice. Good luck. I'm still figuring it out. I need a more recent version of ProGrammer it seems. RPM was too new and the version I downloaded from the link you posted is too old.

Posted: 10/20/2020 10:25:41 PM EDT

[#44]

Where I live and am a EMT and Deputy, we are still using these radios for our 800mhz EDACS System, I can tell you the heads will switch and play no problems have done it many times in our fire vehicles. We are in the process of upgrading to a P25 Phase II 800mhz system here. We have a few of the VHF units running around in the fire departments but yeah almost everything is plug and play with these as far as heads and accessories, my buddy a Ham bought one in the 900mhz Ham band but we have nothing around us 900mhz to use repeaters or such and I I haven't bought any 900mhz to use either. I too am thinking about picking up a VHF and the UHF decks because I really enjoy these radios.

Posted: 10/20/2020 11:15:29 PM EDT

[#45]

Well good news. Got everything working with the software. I needed a newer version than what I had but at later version than the RPM. R18 software worked fine with the cable I and FredtheLurker bought. This is my first go with programming a commercial radio. Not the easiest thing ever but I think I got the hang of it.

ETA: might have to buy some more. And these things run HOT!!

Posted: 10/20/2020 11:20:56 PM EDT

[#46]

Quote History

Quoted:
Well good news. Got everything working with the software. I needed a newer version than what I had but at later version than the RPM. R18 software worked fine with the cable I and FredtheLurker bought. This is my first go with programming a commercial radio. Not the easiest thing ever but I think I got the hang of it.

ETA: might have to buy some more. And these things run HOT!!

View Quote

That is great news. Sent a PM.