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Reviews For: Motorola MTR2000

Category: Ham Repeaters

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Review Summary For : Motorola MTR2000
Reviews: 6MSRP: 7,000 - 10,000
Description:
Commercial VHF/UHF/800 MHZ repeater, 40 and 100 watt models.
Product is in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0065
N4DBM Rating: 2019-04-13
Excellent A+ Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I like detailed reviews. Sorry if it's long-winded, but here's my take.

I am most familiar with the product that the MTR2000 replaced, which is the MSF5000. As you may know, the MSF5000 is the size of a small fridge. The MTR2000 is "16% of the product it replaces" so says the manual. It only takes up three rack units so the fact that it's self-contained and compact is the first benefit. MTR's can come in many configurations. They can be set up as base stations with a T/R relay, repeaters, or receive only units with a "dummy" power amplifier and exciter. They can come with or without a power supply as well. The power supply is either 14 or 28 volts depending on the model. High power units use 28 volt supplies. This is important to know if you're planning on using a battery backup. You'll obviously need two 14 volt plants to run a 28 volt unit.

The power amplifier and power supply have fans that switch on as needed. If the fan should fail, an alarm tone will be sent over the air if enabled. The units are designed to run 100% duty cycle at 100% power even at 160 degrees F. I usually run everything at 75% power as a habit but there's certainly nothing wrong with running it at 100%.

The receiver comes in two flavors. You may have a receiver with an INTERNAL preselector that is software tuned, or one with an EXTERNAL mechanical preselector which you tune with a flat blade tool. The external preselector provides more rejection for high RF environments and introduces about 1.5 dB of loss which is excellent. Receive sensitivity for a UHF unit WITH preselector is 0.35 uV for a 20 dB quieting signal. The VHF model is slightly better, at least the one I have.

Programming - you will need RSS and an older computer with a serial port running Windows 98 or maybe one later. I don't think the RSS will run with newer Windows. The setup is easy and there aren't many parameters to dink with. The ONLY problem I see with the setup is you can't change the CW ID level, and it's quite loud to me but this is minor. The CW ID is "polite" and it won't ID over you. If you key over the ID, it keeps trying over and over until you let it. This could become a problem and go on like that forever if you let it. To solve the loud deviation level of the ID and this problem, buy a cheap ID-O-Matic for $50 and interface it into the MRTI port.

The "flutter fighter" noise canceller on the RX is great. The audio is great, clean, and just all around you can tell it's Motorola quality. For an analog, all-around good machine, I recommend this above anything else out there right now. It's 20-year-old technology but it's rock solid and you'll be very satisfied with it.

W4RYR Rating: 2017-09-06
best ham repeater Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I now have 3 uhf and yes 3 vhf 100 watt repeaters on the air. The Vhf is the 130 to 150 split. These are very rare. only Florida and Canada used them commercially. If you find one jump on it. These units will perform perfectly for years on the ham band. all parameters are software controlled. Beware of ebay - make sure it is the low VHF range. I have not had to return to the site in 18 months.
G7UZN Rating: 2013-07-21
Easy to set up Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have 3 uhf MTR2000's to run GB3OY repeater here in the UK.

They are easy to program and easily interfaced to an external controller.

I use the 4 wire connections for the audio with a simple ID-O-Matic controller. The 2000's are built like tanks and I'm sure will give trouble free service.

GB3NS repeater also consists of an identical setup and GB3EL uses a 2M version with a 38A controller.

If you get the chance to get one....GRAB IT !!!
K6ZRX Rating: 2009-02-07
Motorola Quality Time Owned: more than 12 months.
These repeaters are designed for commercial and public safety service. They are about 1/3 the cost of a Quantar, and are often used for less critical applications. As ham repeaters they are great. IF you are buying used, the 100 watt VHF high split will not do 2 meters. The 40 watt will. Also the 900 stations will not transmit at 927MHz, however the receivers do 902 fine. There are 3 versions of the MTR, base station, repeater, and receiver. The difference between a base and repeater is the base has a T/R relay. The receiver model is used for voting and monitoring. We have several in ham use, along with many on public safety frequencies. Audio interfacing to some external controllers can be problematic and some I/O functions require a "wildcard" board.
WB6FLY Rating: 2007-04-21
Bulletproof Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I first became aware of the MTR2000 when I saw an installation for Union Pacific Railroad that had a VHF unit in 100% keyed service. Yes, I mean it was continuously transmitting on an Opticom circuit at 40 watts, 24/7/365, and it was working continuously for two years before I saw it. I now have three VHF units in Amateur Radio service, and two UHF units in service for my employer. I don't think there's a better repeater available for the money, but it ain't cheap! Just be aware that the 100 watt VHF power amplifier is available in two splits, 132-154 and 150-174 MHz, and the high-split PA will NOT tune into the 2m band. This is an all-digital station, and there is nothing to tweak or tinker with, so don't think you can modify the high-split PA to work in 2m. Other than the fact that the modules are not user-repairable (and they are VERY expensive) I would recommend the MTR2000 to anyone. Essentially, you get Quantar quality in a 3U rackmount station. If you decide to purchase an MTR2000, don't forget to include the programming software, control microphone, monitor speaker, and the cables- for an extra $500 or so. You can save money by deleting the wireline control module, and don't buy the 100 watt unit if the 40 watt unit will suffice. The 40 watt PA runs on 14 VDC, and covers the entire 132-174 MHz band, while the 100 watt PA runs on 28 VDC and comes in the two splits, as noted above.
N3IVK Rating: 2006-04-08
Great repeater Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have 3 of these units, 2 on UHF and 1 on 800 MHZ and have been awesome. The 444.375 in Madison sees during storm season keydown times ranging sometimes up to 12 hours !

Keep the cooling fans working, and throttle back the power just a hair and you will have a turnkey ham repeater that will be a workhorse for years. I run mine with a Scom 7K controller, and the pair work very well together.

My 100 watt unit runs at about 40 watts, and doesnt miss a beat. With the preselector inline, this unit hasn't had any intermod at all.

Just watch the VHF units, the high split ones will NOT do 2 meter ham.

They are starting to come out on the used market as public safety users goto Apco 25 digital systems.