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Information on GE Delta and Rangr ham conversions seem to
be more scarce than what is available for the older MASTR-II, MICORs,
etc.
The Delta should be a rising star within the ham
community due to
- high supply due to recent FCC narrowband equipment rules changes
- very low prices as surplus via eBay and hamfests
- versatility via optional control head choices
- very high performance when compared to multi-band
off-the-shelf ham rigs
- low conversion requirements
- relatively easy to program (if you know where to go)
That being said, we are now collecting web content
specifically for the GE Delta and to a lesser extent, the the GE Rangr (a
quasi-Delta built in Japan). This will not be the ultimate root source of
actual Delta information but it may, in fact, be one of the best locations
on where to find it. This web site is already in data collection mode with
a number of "under-the-RADAR" contributors already helping out. We
will also contribute much of our own original content.
In addition, please try these sites as they are are already great
sources on GEMOTO technical information, some of it being GE Delta:
Kevin Custer's great anthology of links for both MOTO and GE:
http://www.repeater-builder.com/rbtip/geindex.html
Duane Hall of Hall Electronics:
http://www.hallelectronics.com/getech/index.php3
What one New Hampshire club is doing with Deltas:
http://www.gemoto.com/cnharc/
Much information is already posted on these sites above
but it may take time to dig through it all.
In addition, once you find the docs, the GE Delta manuals are lacking on how to perform some of
the most basic installation tasks. For example, "Where does
one hook up the speaker" (seriously... and FYI don't connect one end to
ground!) as well as "Which cable-end connector goes into what control head
connector". Previously, you needed to dig and manually confirm internal
pin numbers and at times analyze a motherboard schematic. It was all there
in the GE manuals,
but it was not easy to find. We hope to improve on that.
A few "gotchas" and examples of what we hope to clarify:
- Q: What does "narrowband" mean?
- A- Old terminology: A Delta SX receiver that
could receive all frequencies within a 30 MHz spread as opposed to 5 MHz
(Delta- S) SX's can be desirable for mobiles, undesirable when you
are building a repeater. Delta-S has a narrowband receiver.
- A- New terminology: A receiver and can
receive newer modulation schemes with FCC-required 2.5 kHz modulation.
In this sense, all Deltas and RANGRs were wideband and are being retired
from commercial service.
- How are all seven models of control heads different
(and similar)?
- How are the dozen variants of control cables
different (and similar)?
- What models do what (Delta S vs SX, LB, VHF, UHF
ranges plus more)?
- How much conversion may be needed to operate on the
adjacent ham bands?
- Where can I get the frequency PROMs programmed?
- Where can I buy manuals?
- Where can I buy the radios and accessories?
Our first Delta/Rangr installments:
- Historical perspective
- The basics and a few gotchas (links
very soon)
-
Radio models and control cables
- Radio
control heads
- installation hints and basic cable
interconnections (links very soon)
- ham modifications (links
very soon)
- manuals (links very soon)
- where to buy surplus radios, control
heads, cables, etc. (links very soon)
- where to have EEPROMS programmed
(links very soon)
Stay tuned for more of...
Just GE Delta, really fast.
New England area contributors:
Rick Zach, K1RJZ
Al Muise, K1NZQ
Kim Peck, WA1PBU
k1rjz (at sign) komcast-dot net
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