[aprssig] Re: Saw filters/di(du)plexer

[Al Wolfe]

    Here's an idea for a stand-alone rig for APRS. Am putting one together 
for my pickup.
    Find an old VHF Micor (or Mastr II) mobile and rock it for 144.39.  They 
have a very narrow and bullet-proof front end. They are very inexpensive. I 
found a trailer full of Micors at a hamfest once for $2.00 each. They're on 
Ebay often for $10. A set of rocks from West Crystal will set you back less 
than $30 if you install them yourself in the channel elements. Run it to a 
separate 19 inch whip away from the rest of your ham antennae.
    Most Micors come with PL boards so using them for PL100 should be easy 
to implement. (Of course then you would need a speaker and mike.) They come 
in several power levels with 25 to 110 watt transmitters
    The down side is that these old beasts are bulky and heavy. Not a "plug 
and play" project, either, but you can bolt one into the trunk or under the 
seat and forget about it. Don't need a full control head for them. There is 
room inside for squelch and optional volume control. Much info on web to set 
one up.

73,
Al, K9SI