RC-1000V Repeater Controller

w/voice ID, autopatch & remote base

The RC-1000V is a complete repeater controller providing all that is needed to connect a receiver and transmitter together to produce a high quality repeater. With the addition of a phone line, your repeater will have an autopatch.

When the RC-1000 was first introduced in March, 1988, it changed the way many repeater owners thought of a repeater controller. Never before had the amateur radio community been offered a controller with autopatch and many other features, such as remote base, at such a low cost. Today this is still true. Your repeater can have autopatch, links to another repeaters, reverse patch, autodial, easily changed codes and parameters at a fraction of the cost of other controllers offering fewer features. Compare the RC-1000V features to other controllers and see why over 1000 repeater owners continue to chose the RC-1000V.

Feature Summary

Complete repeater receiver to transmitter to remote base to phone line interface
Carrier access mode.
CTCSS mode (requires external decoder) with override code.
DTMF access mode (requires user to enter code to wake up repeater).
Programmable courtesy tones and programmable CW courtesy beep.
RC-1000V has VOICE and CW ID.
RC-1000 has CW ID
Voice ID is remotely recorded.
CW ID is DTMF programed with up to 31 characters.
CW ID with selectable tone and speed.
Autopatch built in. Complete interface with all audio interface and routing.
Autopatch CTCSS tone access mode (separate from repeater).
Reverse patch. If enabled, users can call your repeater to contact a user.
60 number autodial with up to 11 digits each
Special 911 access emergency access code.
Area code table to allow dialing phone numbers with pre-set area codes
Autopatch toll restrict with override access codes. Also 911 lockout if desired.
DTMF re-encode or pulse dialing. Insures clean dialing. A must for a patch.
Programmable patch access codes.
Repeater and autopatch modes can be defferent.
Remote base interface built in for linking to other repeaters. Requires simple transceiver.
Over 47 DTMF control codes for providing complete control access.
Programmable timeout timers.
Programmable tail timer.
DTMF muting with control code enable/disable.
Three auxiliary outputs controlled by DTMF code.
DTMF pad tester with CW read back.
Telemetry tone feedback when performing control functions.
Microprocessor controlled using low power Intel CMOS 87C52.
Control receiver input for private control access.

The RC-1000V is a complete repeater controller with on board interfacing for the repeater receiver to transmitter, remote base and autopatch. Unlike some controls the RC-1000V contains buffered audio switching and interface allowing for direct connect of the repeater hardware to the control. Pots are provided for adjusting the various audio paths between receiver, transmitter, phone line and remote base. The field programmable CW ID is complete with programmable timer, tone and speed up to 31 characters.

Controller Microcomputer

The heart of the RC-1000V is an Intel CMOS 87C52 microcomputer containing 8 kbytes of EPROM, 256 bytes of RAM and 32 input/output pins. The EPROM contains the operational software allowing for upgrades and adding features. The 87C52 controls access status and audio routing through out the control.

EEPROM Programmable Data Storage

An Electrical Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM) contains the many programmable parameters, CW ID, DTMF control and user codes, the modes of the repeater,etc. The EEPROM will retain data for 10 years without need of a battery. Whenever the repeater mode is selected such as CTCSS access or autopatch disable this status is saved to the EEPROM. If power is lost the status is recovered on power up placing the repeater in the mode when power was lost. This insures no surprise with mode changes.

Repeater Operation

The RC-1000V has three access modes of carrier, CTCSS tone and DTMF access. In carrier any input to the repeater will allow access. In CTCSS tone access a logic input must be activated from an external tone decoder to access the repeater. The control was designed to directly connect to the Communications Specialist TS-32 and TS-64 tone encoder/decoder, but other decoders can be used. In the DTMF access mode a three digit DTMF code must be entered for repeater access. Once entered the repeater functions until at least 20 seconds of no activity requiring the DTMF code to be re-entered.

When in CTCSS mode a special over ride DTMF code allows for a user to take the repeater out of CTCSS placing into carrier access allowing other users to access the repeater. The control will remain in carrier until either the repeater has no activity for 20 seconds or the over ride code is re-entered. The repeater timeout is DTMF field programmable from 20 seconds to 40 minutes in 10 second intervals and reset on the repeater courtesy beep or with DTMF digit 1 allowing for user reset. The timeout timer can be enabled/disabled with a DTMF control code.

Courtesy Beep

The courtesy beep and the time within the repeater tail after repeater input dropping are programmable. The courtesy beep is made up of 4 segment each segment being programmed with either no tone or a tone of 1000 Hz/n where n is 1 thru 6. This allows for a wide verity of courtesy beeps and not being limited to only a few. A special CW character courtesy beep can be programmed. Using a control code the normal courtesy beep or this special character can be selected. This feature is very useful for signaling users of special events, nets, etc. Any character can be programmed such as W for weather, N for net, R for roger, etc.

DTMF Control

The control contains a Mitel MT8880 crystal controlled DTMF encoder/decoder for control access. A complete set of control codes allows selecting the repeater modes of access. A specialDTMF code enable/disables control codes access for securing controller access.
The control codes are DTMF programmable. Control can be from the repeater receiver, a control receiver or via the phone line. During control receiver access and control via the phone line the repeater to DTMF decoder audio is muted locking out the decoder out of the repeater receiver. During call in from the phone line a special control access code must be entered to take control.
When control is from the repeater receiver telemetry responses tones indicate control acceptance.DTMF code and repeater parameter programming is enabled using special access codes. When enabled the CW ID, control and user access codes, timeout timers, courtesy beep, various repeater parameters and autodial numbers can be programmed. With programming disabled changing of these items cannot be done, but the repeater operational state (patch enable, remote base disable, etc.) can be changed.

Repeater Connections

Eight connections must be made between the RC-1000V and repeater; Receiver COS and audio, transmitter audio and PTT, power , ground and phone line. For remote base, external ID (RC-1000), AUX outputs and the additional feature will require additional connections.
Three single-inline connectors interface to the repeater and the other accessories. Mating connectors are provided with the RC-1000V.

Voice and CW IDs

The RC-1000V contains a digital voice recorded ID witch can announce up to 20 seconds any recording one wishes. This allows for special sounds of any kind. The ID is remotely recorded allowing for changing the ID/message without need to go to the repeater site. Daily announcements such as weather conditions in the event of severe weather, up coming events such as hamfest or meeting, etc. can be recorded. Both the RC-1000 and RC-1000V have a programmable CW ID. A control code is entered to select CW ID programming and using DTMF 1s for dits, 2s for dahs, * for space/next character and # to terminate programming is used by the user to program the ID. The CW ID can be changed remotely on a daily basis if desired. The ID timer, speed and tone are also programmable. The CW ID can be enabled/disabled.
Either or both IDs can be used. When the repeater is in use the CW ID is used to identify the repeater. This keeps the ID short and out of the users way. With the RC-1000V's voice ID the the voice ID is sent when the repeater is not in use unless the CW ID has been disabled leaving only the voice ID to operate.

Autopatch

An autopatch interface is on board the RC-1000V for interconnect to the local phone system. Pots and audio routing from the CPU control the autopatch audio. Patch access is through 3 digit patch up and 2 digit down DTMF codes or a special * up/# down access. The patch has toll restrict so if either 1 or 0 is the first digit entered or if more than 9 digits are dialed the patch is automatically terminated. A separate access code allows for toll restrict override. Normally the users transmissions are repeated during a patch. However, if selected, the users audio can be muted with the party on the phone being the only one heard during the patch. A programmable digit for outside line can be enabled when the control is used in a PBX system requiring this feature. When enabled the controller automatically dials the number at the beginning of phone line connect. This is done for manual and autodial access. The dialing of 911 can be enabled disabled in the event of patch abuse. A complete set of control codes provide for complete autopatch control. The patch can be enabled/disabled and placed in carrier or CTCSS tone access separate from the repeater access. This allows for placing the repeater in carrier access and patch in CTCSS tone access if desired. Dialing modes of tone store-and-forward, re-encode while dialing and pulse dialing are DTMF selectable. This insures clean dialing. No autopatch should be without this re-encode dialing. In the DTMF dialing mode when the patch access code is entered and the user drops the input the phone line is connected giving a dial tone. Then the user is to re-key and enter the desired phone number. As the number is entered the controller decodes the digits and re-encodes these same digits which go to the phone. If however, the user enters the patch access code and without dropping the input and continues to enter the phone number the controller stores the number and when the user drops the input the line is connected and the number autodialed by the controller. This last method allows for users with autodial built into their rigs to program the complete string into one of their memories. In either case the phone number is encoded by the controller insuring clean tones into the phone line. Normally toll dialing is restricted. However, up to 8 area codes can be entered into a special table and when either a 10 or 11 digit phone number is entered during manual patch dialing and the entered area codes matches one in the table the patch is allowed. This is required in many areas where 10 digit dialing is required for all patch calling. This also allows for 800 dialing if required.

Reverse Patch

The reverse patch has three modes of answer, no answer and DTMF access. In the answer mode the control will answer the phone and if the caller simply does nothing the controller will key the transmitter and generate a mild ring tone signalling the users of a call in. In the no answer mode the repeater keys the repeater and generates the mild ring tone each time the phone rings. In this mode the controller never answers the phone. In the DTMF access mode the RC-1000V answers the phone whenever the repeater phone is called. However, the caller must enter a DTMF code to force the ring tone to signal the repeater users. In all reverse patch modes no phone audio is transmitted until a user answers the call with the normal patch on code. The reverse patch is DTMF enabled/disabled.

Autodial

The autopatch contains a programmable 60 slot autodial with up to 11 digits each . The phone numbers are stored in EEPROM. Each autodial slot has its own access code requiring the user to simply enter his code with the controller accessing the phone and autodialing the stored phone number.A special 911 access autodial code is provided for autodialing whatever number is stored in slot 60.

Remote Base

A special port is provided for connecting a transceiver to the control providing a link to another repeater or frequency such as ten meters FM. This port is separate from the repeater port. Like the repeater interface the remote base has input/output for receiver COS and audio and transmitter PTT and audio. The remote base is DTMF enabled/disabled and is accessed with user DTMF codes. During an autopatch the remote base is muted and unkeyed, but when the patch is terminate returns to its state prior to the autopatch. The linking of repeaters has become a desirable feature in emergency operations when large area coverage is needed than the local repeater can provide. It also allows the repeater to be linked into a global repeater system linking many counties together is available.

Auxiliary Outputs

Three auxiliary DTMF controlled outputs allow for controlling external hardware. These outputs can be used to control loose/tight squelch, high/low power and many other repeater functions. Each output can be latched on or off. The auxiliary outputs are TTL (0-5V).

Power Requirements

Due to the advanced design using CMOS components the power required for operation is 10 to 15 VDC at 100 ma. This allows for use of the repeater power supply with no additional power supplies needed. Input power filtering and over voltage protection are provided.

Mechanical Specification

The RC-1000V with voice is contained on a single 6.8" x 3.6" PC board with standoffs.

The RC-1000 without voice version is 5.2" x 3.6"

Connections are made through three single in line connectors. Mating connectors are provided.

Warranty

The RC-1000 & RC-1000V are warranted for a period of 180 days from date of purchase to be free of defects in design, material, and workmanship. Micro Computer Concepts will either replace or repair the RC-1000/RC-1000V if returned to MCC. If for any reason the purchaser is not satisfied with the RC-1000 during the first 90 days it may be returned for a full refund if received in the same condition as originally shipped no questions asked.

Optional Enclosure

The RC-1000/RC-1000V can be ordered installed in a 19 inch by 1.75 inch high rack mount enclosure. The enclosure has a removable top, a DB-25P rear mounted connector for the various input and outputs and a standard RJ-11 phone jack for the phone line. The front panel has a power switch and power LED. The enclosure provides an RF tight environment, secures the control and provides for ease of mounting.

List of DTMF Control codes

(these codes are for control operators)

Repeater enable/disable
Repeater timeout enable/disable
Repeater CTCSS tone/carrier access
DTMF Access enable /disable
Voice Remote Record Command
Voice ID enable /disable
CW ID enable/disable
Autopatch enable/disable
Autopatch dial digit for outside line enable/disable
Autopatch CTCSS tone/carrier access
Dial 911 enable/disable
Reverse patch enable/disable
Patch long distant enable/disable
Call In Answer phone enable/disable
Patch timeout enable/disable
Patch * up/# down enable/disable
Patch pulse dialing
Patch DTMF dialing
Reverse patch signal enable/disable
Patch w/user muting access
Auxiliary output code
Remote Base enable/disable
DTMF muting enable/disable
CW ID enable/disable
Voice ID enable/disable
ID beacon mode enable/disable
CW tail beep/normal courtesy beep select
Control code enable/disable
Programming enable/disable (for opening up setting up codes, timers, CW ID, etc)

List of DTMF User codes

(These codes are normally given to repeater users)

Patch access
Patch w/long distance access
Remote Base ON/OFF
Anti-kerchunker ON/OFF
DTMF Access code
CTCSS override
DTMF pad test
Force CW
Force voice ID

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