South Metro Radio Club Forum - Recent Posts

Vintage Turner 253 Desk Mic For Sale

Admin — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 23:37:58 +0000

Turner 253 Microphone for Sale, a vintage desk model from the mid-20th century.

Here are the key details based on historical documentation:

Type: Carbon microphone (common in its era)

Impedance: High impedance (typical for vintage mics of this type)

Connector: None, but originally 1/4" phone plug (common for period equipment)

Frequency Response: Limited compared to modern mics, optimized for voice transmission

Typical Use: Early radio, telephone, and public address systems

Notable Feature: Durable construction with a distinctive “tombstone” or rounded rectangular shape

The Turner 253 is valued today primarily by collectors and enthusiasts of vintage audio equipment. Its sound character is notably lo-fi by modern standards, with a warm but limited frequency range that some find appealing for specific retro applications.

The estimated value of a Turner 253 microphone in today’s vintage audio market typically ranges from $50 to $150, depending heavily on its condition and completeness.

Factors affecting the price:

Excellent/Working Condition: A fully functional microphone with minimal cosmetic wear, a clean grille, and its original cable/connector can reach the upper end of the range ($100-$150).
Good/Fair Condition: A unit that shows signs of use (scratches, minor dents) but is electrically functional might sell for $60-$90.

$65 firm

Will ship on your dime. Local Pickup in Rosemount, MN

Joe N0YJJ / WRPU609

Contact me on this web site via the contact form. QRZ and MyGMRS has phone

6 meter repeater on the air

Admin — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 03:55:19 +0000

(Nov 21th, 2025). The repeater is ON THE AIR

The system is up now temporarily on 10 watts low power using low low test two antennas (one transmit / one receive). Receive 52.210, transmit 53.210. CTCSS 103.5.

Had a couple of challenges with the duplexer we were getting. The duplexer on eBay we thought covered our frequency actually only tops out at 50 MHz, and we need 53.210 MHz. You can stretch it to about 52.5, but that felt too risky for the cost. That duplexer is out.

So back to hunting for a good duplexer. If anyone knows of, or has a 6 meter duplexer, let us know.

We do have a cheap Chinese duplexer ordered that should be here anytime. That will allow us to potentially run at 100 watts, and a much higher antenna

- Joe / N0YJJ / WRPU609

RE: St Paul GMRS Radio Wolverines

Admin — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 16:44:37 +0000

The new Farmington GMRS antenna is up... Looking for Signal Reports!

Channel 18 repeater set, PL tone 100

St Paul GMRS Radio Wolverines

Alex Carlson WSJM792 — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 15:42:40 +0000

Tonight 11/17/25 at 7pm at Taco N Madre (63 Winifred St W St Paul) is the St Paul GMRS Radio Wolverines Meet and greet. Tacos on special $1.89ea. Hope to see y'all there!

RE: Farmington GMRS Repeater Antenna Update

Alex Carlson WSJM792 — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 20:23:38 +0000

I'll repost to StP Wolverines group, be safe with installation!

Farmington GMRS Repeater Antenna Update

Joe Metzler — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 20:10:17 +0000

Farmington Repeater Antenna Update - Nov 13, 2025

The current commerical antenna (at 80 feet) has been having issues, so all summer we have been running on a a Comet GP9-NC antenna at only about 50 feet, and sort of stuck in some trees. This lower height and leaves has had the system under performing.

We recently bought another commercial GMRS, rented a lift, and installed it at the 80 foot level. While the SWR was good, line loss and other testing was not optimal. We therefore went back to the lower antenna, which is what the repeater is operating on today.

We have now purchased three new antenna's that are all being tuned, and will be ready to put up over this weekend after we rent a lift again. Hopefully between these antenna's, we finally get back the optimal performance, making the repeater a powerhouse system for GMRS in the south metro area.

SIGNAL REPORTS REQUESTED.