Repeater controller features

Features a minimum of components and cost to achieve the following features:

Two carrier-operated switch inputs (i.e. a receiver A and receiver B) either +ve or –ve going and programmable at ‘burn’ time.
Two PTT outputs (any combination of low or high active programmed at ‘burn’ time.)
Programmable delay for mute opening to overcome transient interference.
Onboard DTMF decoder (jumpered to either receiver - may use an external receiver with no COS facility)
Onboard CTCSS decoder (to meet licensing conditions or remove interference on main TX or link)
Timeout timer
Callsign generator with timer
Short message morse beacon if required.
Two adjustable tails - one before the beep and one after.
Tail with mode pips (high pitch and low pitch depending on receiver)
Remote inhibit of timer (two methods)
Remote inhibit of primary repeater
Remote inhibit of gateway (or link)
Remote control of CTCSS requirement on primary or secondary
Remote control of 'roger' beeps (inhibit or allow)
Remote callsign change
Remote adjustment of callsign delay (1 to 75 minutes in 1 minute increments)
Remote adjustment of timeout period (0 to 75 minutes in 1 min increments)
Remote adjustment of extended CTCSS operation
Remote adjustment to support either a link or a gateway
Remote adjustment of morse code speed (very slow to approx 35 wpm) and tone
Remote adjustment of COS trigger (delay opening up to 255msecs)
Remote adjustment of tail length (tail adjustable in 0.1sec increments from 0 - 15 seconds).
Remote adjustment of secondary tail length (after the beep) from 0-15 seconds.
Remote enable and timing of a regular CW message (never, or 1-75 minutes in 1 minute increments).
Remote change of the morse message
Remote decision on whether to pass DTMF tones through and DTMF may be received from any of three receivers (external, rptr, link)
By retuning the CTCSS decoder the controller can be programmed to use 1750 tone "beep" access.
AC Fail indication if a small board modification is made.
LEDs to indicate power on, DTMF decoded, CTCSS decoded, PTT main, PTT secondary
All components are readily available in Australia including commercial boards.

PCBs with plated through holes and component mask are available from the author for AUS$15 each and the sometimes hard to get MC145436 DTMF chips are available for AUS$7.50 each. A programmed PIC16F628A or PIC16F1827 is AUS$10, on the supply of a suitable PIC the author will burn the program for Australian amateurs at no cost . P/P of $2 would be appreciated.

I now support the PIC16F1827 for this project. It has the same pin connections but is an enhanced device, has improved features and double the memory meaning future upgrades will be easier. Version 7.02 is the latest. Version 6.50 is a very usable program for the 16F628A, it doesn’t have the watchdog or crystal emergency function in the 16F1827.

NEW: French language translation of the manual thanks to Patrick TK5EP see Downloads page.

General operation of the linking controller:

The controller enables a conventional duplex repeater to be controlled by a COS line from a receiver(s). The various timers and tones for operator information are provided.

It uses DTMF tones for remote control (password protected) and has facility for CTCSS control.

In addition it provides either a gateway or linking port (software determined). When configured as a gateway the secondary port has identification and a tail with telltail beeps if required.

The controller has a beacon function for club information.

There is a choice of five identification modes to match European and some local Australian requirements.

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