Category Archives: Repeaters

Repeaters

Cataby VK6RCT Working Bee – APRS

December 2011 saw a working bee at the Cataby repeater site.

Party consisted of Craig VK6FLAM, Graham VK6LV, Heath VK6TWO and Monique VK6FMON.

Activities consisted of:

APRS installation – Antenna/Coax/TNC/25W Radio/Lightning protection

2m Voice – Cavity Sweep/tune, Lightning protection, 5w handheld into antenna to reach VK6RAP.

Batteries – voltage/charge monitoring

Mast – Inspection

The Batteries were identified as requiring replacement. APRS voltage beacons indicate that overnight the voltage is reaching as low as 12v, then rising during sunlight hours.

Foliage in the area has increased significantly since the last visit so some fire prevention maintenance may be required.

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VK6RAV – Hoddy’s Well (Avon Valley) – 2m + APRS

Hoddy’s Well, ~100km East of Perth now has APRS and 2m FM Voice repeaters.

Coverage ranges from Perth to the East right through to Kellerberrin.

Voice Repeater consists of the old VK6RAV from Northam.

APRS equipment consists of an Argent Data OT2 Digipeater coupled to a 25W radio.

The VK6RAV 2m Voice repeater can be accessed on 147.275+

APRS on 145.175

Both services were fully operational as of Aug 2011

Many thanks to Jim VK6CA, Craig VK6FLAM, Rob VK6UFO, Heath VK6TWO, Martin VK6ZMS, Monique VK6FMON.

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Kellerberrin VK6RKN – On-Air!

Kellerberrin, ~200km East of Perth now has APRS and 2m FM Voice repeaters.

Coverage is approximately a 50km+ radius, from Cunderdin to the West, through to the East of Meerredin.

Voice Repeater consists of two PRM80 25W radios controlled by an NHRC repeater controller.

APRS equipment consists of an Argent Data OT2 Digipeater coupled to a 25W radio.

The VK6RKN 2m Voice repeater can be accessed on 147.325+

APRS on 145.175

Both services were fully operational as of Nov 2011

This sites extends the coverage from Perth to the East for almost 300Km.

Many thanks to Bruce VK6LAW, Craig VK6FLAM, Peter VK6FUN, Heath VK6TWO, Martin VK6ZMS, Monique VK6FMON.

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WARG Practical – Cavity Modification and Consolidation

The long weekend in March will be a WARG Practical – Cavity Modification and Consolidation day. All are invited to get involved with commercial cavity modification for use on 2m repeaters. Please bring along any drills, holesaws and basic tools you may have. Learn a thing or two about cavitiy filters and how to modify them for AR use. Time permitting, some of the older existing WARG cavities will be inspected/tested/tuned for future works.

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Perth-Geraldton site propagation testing

Xmas/New Years period will see a week of propagation testing from potential site ~345m HASL up in the hills about 170km south of Geraldton, 75km north of Cateby. Temporary equipment including APRS 145.175 and VK6RLM 146.750 repeater will be running from the site from 26th Dec 2010 till ~2nd/3rd Jan2011. APRS will consist of a Digipeater and frequent beaconing (25W & 50W). Equipment will be powered by 120W solar panel, with antenna mounted on a 15m mast. Keep an ear out on both frequencies and let us know on warg @ warg.org.au if you hear anything.

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VOIP Linking

As part of exploring means of linking repeaters, several VOIP based solutions are being considered and tested. VK6FUN and VK6TWO have been investigating and testing non IRLP and Echolink methods with some great results. These closed systems links, in conjunction with EchoIRLP and RF linking should see some great results.

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RF Equipment Acquisition

Thanks to a lead via the WA VHF Group, a large amount of surplus supplies have been purchased which will significantly assist in WARG’s current and coming activities/projects. Items include LDF4-50 and LDF5-50 coax, Andrews Connectors to suit, Cavities, Mast Cable standoffs, Amalgamating tape, Folded Dipole arrays and all kinds of other RF equipment. The equipment will most certainly be put to good use.

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