Chelsea Yaesu DR-2X Repeater Setup
Wesley Cardone, N8QM
July 3, 2022
Final Configuration Showing on the Front Face
The final configuration sets the
repeater up in a quasi-digital
mode. That is, it receives both
analog FM and C4FM. However,
it ONLY transmits by means of
Analog FM. The B-channel is
reserved for control only. It will
listen to its assigned frequency
for the purpose of command
receipt. It cannot transmit on
this frequency. The frequency
itself, nor its PL tone, is not
named in this document.
The advantage of a quasi-digital
mode of operation is that this is
the most friendly and
transparent to all amateur radio
operators operating on 2-
meters. No one at any time will
hear digital noise where a voice would be expected.
The repeater will at all times listen for both analog FM and digital C4FM. When it repeats an incoming
analog FM signal, it will simply repeat it in analog FM on the transmission output. However, when it
receives an incoming C4FM digital signal it will translate it into analog FM and repeat that analog FM
duplication. The repeater output will be exclusively analog FM so that no amateur stations tuned to the
repeater frequency will hear a data stream signal.
The advantage of this quasi-digital mode is that the magnificent clarity of digital will appear at the
repeater input. It will be free of bacon. The repeater will first transform the incoming digital signal to
analog FM and then put it on the output as analog FM. It goes without saying that the disadvantage is
that the magnificent quality of audio at least starts out on the output with magnificent clarity but will
pick up bacon as the distance to receiving station increases.
For the A-channel we see an AMS (automatic) mode selected indicating that the repeater will
automatically recognize incoming (RX) C4FM or analog FM signals. On the transmit side (TX) a FIX mode
is selected. As the name suggests, there is no automatic selection. The output mode of transmission is
fixed, in this case, for analog FM.
For the B-channel we have something that may possibly not be readily recognized by many. The B-
channel is set up to receive ONLY. It cannot transmit. Its uplink frequency will not be published for
security reasons. The uplink frequency can be any frequency within the FCC allocation for both 2-meters
and 70-cm that is not otherwise assigned for specific use such as other repeaters. The uplink signal may
or may not have a PL tone defined for it.
Figure 20 This is how the front face of the repeater shows when programmed with the
final configuration.
