<![CDATA[ARCHIVE: Australian Ham Radio Discussion Forum ( AHRDF ) - *** READ-ONLY *** - FM, Repeaters, D-STAR]]> https://www.ahrdf.net/forum/ Tue, 19 May 2026 22:12:31 +0000 MyBB <![CDATA[Repairs & improvements at VK3RBA in recent times]]> https://www.ahrdf.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=1415 Sat, 18 May 2024 09:51:31 +0000 VK3BA]]> https://www.ahrdf.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=1415
On Friday, Tim VK3TIM and Shaun VK3KK spent the day fault finding & diagnosing the ongoing issues with the RBA 2m repeater. It was eventually tracked down to a radio that was in standby mode from another agency, that mainly operates during summer. It has since been isolated and Tim has developed a solution for this to suppress the intermod issues in future.
 
On Saturday, Tim VK3TIM with the assistance of Shaun VK3KK, Tony VK3UBO and Nik VK3BA spent most of the day up there again, replacing a waterlogged feeder, removed any redundant steelwork, rusty bolts, etc, replaced an antenna, removed a faulty antenna, re-arranged part of the filtering chain, installed some new internal feedlines between racks, replaced the 23cm repeater with a new Kenwood based 23cm repeater and fixed a fault with the 10m simplex repeater. There is a slight new noise getting into the 23cm repeater, but it’s not dominant and set for further investigation. These things can often work well on the test bench, but put them up on a prominent site and new issues can arise.
 
Tim and Shaun have spent a fair bit of time up there in recent weekends, giving the whole site a makeover. There is still plenty to do, but the 2m, 70cm & 23cm repeaters and link radios are now working very well. Tonight we had a report from Chris VK3AML in East Burwood that he was hearing the 2m repeater at 5x9 +20 and the best he’s ever heard this repeater. Steve VK3ZH in Ringwood has reported tonight that the RBA 2m repeater is a vast improvement to his location. That’s an excellent report and validation of the work carried out over recent times.
 
Our next main project is to convert the 10m repeater into a duplex device, with large church-organ-pipe like cavity filters and crystal filters from California to make this all work and has been an ongoing work in progress by Tim VK3TIM.
 
I’d also like to acknowledge Andy VK3AS for his generous contribution around many of the improvement costs around the VK3RBA site as well. Thanks must also go to Amateur Radio Victoria for their assistance with this site.
 
In the interim for a while, the 2m & 23cm repeaters will often be linked together via an IP connection for testing & observation purposes.
 
We’d like to think that the improved 2m repeater will be a much better experience for everyone in the Ballarat and surrounding area.

Cheers,]]>
On Friday, Tim VK3TIM and Shaun VK3KK spent the day fault finding & diagnosing the ongoing issues with the RBA 2m repeater. It was eventually tracked down to a radio that was in standby mode from another agency, that mainly operates during summer. It has since been isolated and Tim has developed a solution for this to suppress the intermod issues in future.
 
On Saturday, Tim VK3TIM with the assistance of Shaun VK3KK, Tony VK3UBO and Nik VK3BA spent most of the day up there again, replacing a waterlogged feeder, removed any redundant steelwork, rusty bolts, etc, replaced an antenna, removed a faulty antenna, re-arranged part of the filtering chain, installed some new internal feedlines between racks, replaced the 23cm repeater with a new Kenwood based 23cm repeater and fixed a fault with the 10m simplex repeater. There is a slight new noise getting into the 23cm repeater, but it’s not dominant and set for further investigation. These things can often work well on the test bench, but put them up on a prominent site and new issues can arise.
 
Tim and Shaun have spent a fair bit of time up there in recent weekends, giving the whole site a makeover. There is still plenty to do, but the 2m, 70cm & 23cm repeaters and link radios are now working very well. Tonight we had a report from Chris VK3AML in East Burwood that he was hearing the 2m repeater at 5x9 +20 and the best he’s ever heard this repeater. Steve VK3ZH in Ringwood has reported tonight that the RBA 2m repeater is a vast improvement to his location. That’s an excellent report and validation of the work carried out over recent times.
 
Our next main project is to convert the 10m repeater into a duplex device, with large church-organ-pipe like cavity filters and crystal filters from California to make this all work and has been an ongoing work in progress by Tim VK3TIM.
 
I’d also like to acknowledge Andy VK3AS for his generous contribution around many of the improvement costs around the VK3RBA site as well. Thanks must also go to Amateur Radio Victoria for their assistance with this site.
 
In the interim for a while, the 2m & 23cm repeaters will often be linked together via an IP connection for testing & observation purposes.
 
We’d like to think that the improved 2m repeater will be a much better experience for everyone in the Ballarat and surrounding area.

Cheers,]]> <![CDATA[Toowoomba 23cm repeater status]]> https://www.ahrdf.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=1185 Sat, 30 Apr 2022 07:43:06 +0000 VK4KHP]]> https://www.ahrdf.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=1185 There is a listing for a repeater on the acma 
RRL, output on 1273.700MHz, just wondering the status on 
When it may be operational
Licenced to Andrew VK4QF.

Many thanks]]> There is a listing for a repeater on the acma 
RRL, output on 1273.700MHz, just wondering the status on 
When it may be operational
Licenced to Andrew VK4QF.

Many thanks]]> <![CDATA[23CM REPEATER ON TEST]]> https://www.ahrdf.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=1041 Fri, 07 May 2021 02:36:34 +0000 VK2BLS]]> https://www.ahrdf.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=1041
Just found this Forum ( thanks to Hilary vk2az) so, to contribute to the posts:-

Just a reminder that  23CM Repeater VK2RMP is under test at Maddens Plains on 1296.850 FM (by IARS)

It is a "Store and Forward" simplex re-broadcaster that records your call message and replays it.

'Wait For The Beep' (before replying)

The 'Beep' verifys you are hearing the recorded message out and not the input call.

It is hoped to become full duplex one day.

73 Darrell vk2bls]]>
Just found this Forum ( thanks to Hilary vk2az) so, to contribute to the posts:-

Just a reminder that  23CM Repeater VK2RMP is under test at Maddens Plains on 1296.850 FM (by IARS)

It is a "Store and Forward" simplex re-broadcaster that records your call message and replays it.

'Wait For The Beep' (before replying)

The 'Beep' verifys you are hearing the recorded message out and not the input call.

It is hoped to become full duplex one day.

73 Darrell vk2bls]]> <![CDATA[Using CTCSS or DCS to filter traffic]]> https://www.ahrdf.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=984 Thu, 27 Aug 2020 23:03:45 +0000 VK3TKO]]> https://www.ahrdf.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=984 My brother's in the habit of leaving his radio (we each have TYT TH-9800 quad band receivers) on all day to pick up when I call. However often there's too much traffic and it can be distracting. I'd like to use CTCSS so he can filter out that traffic. Then the only transmission he'll hear will be that from me.
My questions:
When I transmit on the repeaters uplink my TYT transmits a 91.5 Hz tone to cause the repeater to pass my audio to its transmitter. Does the repeater also pass my 91.5 tone to its transmitter?
If the answer to the preceding is yes, then when my brother's transceiver is set to use the Mt.Alex repeater does it block reception of signals lacking this tone? Or does it receive all, such as nearby simplex traffic?
Can I transmit a DCS with my tone and have my brother set his radio to filter out transmissions that lack this DCS? The idea is to limit his reception to my transmissions and not all Mt.Alex traffic.
Sorry for the long post but I'm new to this. I may be asking too much of the repeater. Things were simpler back in simplex days.
regards, Rob]]> My brother's in the habit of leaving his radio (we each have TYT TH-9800 quad band receivers) on all day to pick up when I call. However often there's too much traffic and it can be distracting. I'd like to use CTCSS so he can filter out that traffic. Then the only transmission he'll hear will be that from me.
My questions:
When I transmit on the repeaters uplink my TYT transmits a 91.5 Hz tone to cause the repeater to pass my audio to its transmitter. Does the repeater also pass my 91.5 tone to its transmitter?
If the answer to the preceding is yes, then when my brother's transceiver is set to use the Mt.Alex repeater does it block reception of signals lacking this tone? Or does it receive all, such as nearby simplex traffic?
Can I transmit a DCS with my tone and have my brother set his radio to filter out transmissions that lack this DCS? The idea is to limit his reception to my transmissions and not all Mt.Alex traffic.
Sorry for the long post but I'm new to this. I may be asking too much of the repeater. Things were simpler back in simplex days.
regards, Rob]]> <![CDATA[Amateur Radio Repeater Repair & Site Visit]]> https://www.ahrdf.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=829 Sun, 07 Jul 2019 09:39:05 +0000 VK7HH]]> https://www.ahrdf.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=829
On my next visit I will bring back a replacement GPS antenna (note early in the video it appears to be locked) and pop the now repaired transmitter back on site.


]]>
On my next visit I will bring back a replacement GPS antenna (note early in the video it appears to be locked) and pop the now repaired transmitter back on site.


]]> <![CDATA[VKLink Repeater Linking Project]]> https://www.ahrdf.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=735 Wed, 27 Feb 2019 00:52:22 +0000 VK7HH]]> https://www.ahrdf.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=735 Hi All,
I've opened this thread up to discuss, support and encourage toward the VKLink Repeater project.

Currently as I type this we have 29 nodes operational, including three on six metres. Why not build one yourself? All you need is a Raspberry Pi, a radio and a USB soundcard to start.

http://www.vklink.com.au/

http://status.vklink.com.au/

We'd love to see some nodes in VK4 and VK5 especially. Many would have seen my article "Building a Simulcasting & Voting Repeater System using VKLink" in the most recent edition of AR. However I'll also post that article here for some to read.


.pdf   Simulcast AR article original.pdf (Size: 799.78 KB / Downloads: 933)

Monday night's we have been running a TechNet with connected nodes around VK. Why not join in?

https://www.facebook.com/vkzltechnet/

73 for now
Hayden VK7HH]]> Hi All,
I've opened this thread up to discuss, support and encourage toward the VKLink Repeater project.

Currently as I type this we have 29 nodes operational, including three on six metres. Why not build one yourself? All you need is a Raspberry Pi, a radio and a USB soundcard to start.

http://www.vklink.com.au/

http://status.vklink.com.au/

We'd love to see some nodes in VK4 and VK5 especially. Many would have seen my article "Building a Simulcasting & Voting Repeater System using VKLink" in the most recent edition of AR. However I'll also post that article here for some to read.


.pdf   Simulcast AR article original.pdf (Size: 799.78 KB / Downloads: 933)

Monday night's we have been running a TechNet with connected nodes around VK. Why not join in?

https://www.facebook.com/vkzltechnet/

73 for now
Hayden VK7HH]]> <![CDATA[Mt Glorious 147.000/146.400MHz FM repeater, VK4RBN]]> https://www.ahrdf.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=710 Sat, 19 Jan 2019 03:09:28 +0000 VK4EA]]> https://www.ahrdf.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=710
The repeater will be configured with this DCS on the first day of February, 2019.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk]]>
The repeater will be configured with this DCS on the first day of February, 2019.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk]]> <![CDATA[2m cavity progress in the VK2ZIW shack]]> https://www.ahrdf.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=558 Sun, 15 Apr 2018 21:41:42 +0000 VK2ZIW]]> https://www.ahrdf.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=558 We're all 'Jack Of All Trades" right, and duplexers, particularly for 2m are a problem....
Here is a surplus UHF set from a VK5 site, yes 3/4 wave @ 70cm, perfect for 2m
[Image: IMG_3725b.jpg]

Using commercial surplus gear is "our speciality".
Coupling loop progress:
Higher freq pass
[Image: IMG_3733b.jpg]
[b]Lower freq pass[/b]
TNC connectors because two N connectors won't fit in the cavity access hole.
I can only get 32db notch depth with a single N and the series loop and cap design.
The above do 35db or so. (measured by my Wiltron 640)
See: http://www.repeater-builder.com/projects...earch.html
===== Now here's the tricky bit ==============
Notice my coupling loops have a Large Area and a two & half turn loop.

"Why is it so?"  -- Julius Sumner-Miller

It makes it so so much easier to adjust the pass-to-notch spacing.
[b]Where is this discussed anywhere else?[/b]
Yes, I'd like to know.
All this "trade secret" stuff was done th the 60s and held tightly in company libraries.
I had a Decibel Products UHF cavity set, I want to see the innards!!
Alan VK2ZIW

]]> We're all 'Jack Of All Trades" right, and duplexers, particularly for 2m are a problem....
Here is a surplus UHF set from a VK5 site, yes 3/4 wave @ 70cm, perfect for 2m
[Image: IMG_3725b.jpg]

Using commercial surplus gear is "our speciality".
Coupling loop progress:
Higher freq pass
[Image: IMG_3733b.jpg]
[b]Lower freq pass[/b]
TNC connectors because two N connectors won't fit in the cavity access hole.
I can only get 32db notch depth with a single N and the series loop and cap design.
The above do 35db or so. (measured by my Wiltron 640)
See: http://www.repeater-builder.com/projects...earch.html
===== Now here's the tricky bit ==============
Notice my coupling loops have a Large Area and a two & half turn loop.

"Why is it so?"  -- Julius Sumner-Miller

It makes it so so much easier to adjust the pass-to-notch spacing.
[b]Where is this discussed anywhere else?[/b]
Yes, I'd like to know.
All this "trade secret" stuff was done th the 60s and held tightly in company libraries.
I had a Decibel Products UHF cavity set, I want to see the innards!!
Alan VK2ZIW

]]> <![CDATA[20 Tait T800 repeater systems]]> https://www.ahrdf.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=552 Sun, 01 Apr 2018 11:21:18 +0000 VK2ZIW]]> https://www.ahrdf.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=552
Is there any interest?

Alan VK2ZIW]]>
Is there any interest?

Alan VK2ZIW]]> <![CDATA[MMDVM setup, emphasis on DMR]]> https://www.ahrdf.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=468 Wed, 20 Dec 2017 05:19:48 +0000 VK2ZIW]]> https://www.ahrdf.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=468 I'm a 'bit of a Linux tinkerer". Supporting data centre Unix systems before retirement.
I've just received my Xmas present, four STM32 Nucleo-64 boards and now have them
functioning as MMDVM boards.
The usual support group is on Yahoo, MMDVM.

Does anybody here need help on the Linux and firmware building side?

Alan VK2ZIW]]> I'm a 'bit of a Linux tinkerer". Supporting data centre Unix systems before retirement.
I've just received my Xmas present, four STM32 Nucleo-64 boards and now have them
functioning as MMDVM boards.
The usual support group is on Yahoo, MMDVM.

Does anybody here need help on the Linux and firmware building side?

Alan VK2ZIW]]> <![CDATA[DMR "for Dummies" (UK)]]> https://www.ahrdf.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=466 Thu, 14 Dec 2017 21:29:31 +0000 VK4ADC]]> https://www.ahrdf.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=466  About DMR
 A basic Dummies Guide has been created to help users understand various aspects of DMR from the terminology to how each network in the UK is setup.

 We hope many will find this useful especially those that are new to the mode and no matter where in the world you are reading/listening we are sure it will be of value.

 There is an e-mail address included for feedback.

 This is a free download (however should you wish to donate towards the time and work of this and future publications, please use the donate button)

 http://dmr-uk.net/index.php/about-dmr

 (southgate)

From text edition for DEC 17  2017 - VK NATIONAL NEWS BROADCAST ON VK1WIA : http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/wianews/

Also in MP3 edition of news available at: http://www.wia-files.com/podcast/wianews-2017-12-17.mp3

]]>  About DMR
 A basic Dummies Guide has been created to help users understand various aspects of DMR from the terminology to how each network in the UK is setup.

 We hope many will find this useful especially those that are new to the mode and no matter where in the world you are reading/listening we are sure it will be of value.

 There is an e-mail address included for feedback.

 This is a free download (however should you wish to donate towards the time and work of this and future publications, please use the donate button)

 http://dmr-uk.net/index.php/about-dmr

 (southgate)

From text edition for DEC 17  2017 - VK NATIONAL NEWS BROADCAST ON VK1WIA : http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/wianews/

Also in MP3 edition of news available at: http://www.wia-files.com/podcast/wianews-2017-12-17.mp3

]]> <![CDATA[DMR: New repeaters for Melbourne]]> https://www.ahrdf.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=221 Mon, 31 Jul 2017 09:50:58 +0000 VK3RX]]> https://www.ahrdf.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=221
Not much happening on P25 around Melbourne now, so DMR might liven things up a bit. From my listening throughout the day, VK3RMM Mt. Macedon when analogue only could go for a week or so without any traffic, apart from button pushers.

Quote:On a rather cold and windy day Peter Brennan VK3TE assisted by ARV Volunteers attended Mt Macedon to commission the new Multi Mode FM/DMR repeater.

Users of the FM analogue mode can program 91.5Hz tone in and out so as not to hear the digital signal when the repeater is running in digital mode.

No change to the operating frequency, it remains on 439.825Mhz

In DMR mode timeslot 1 is for local traffic and timeslot 2 is for talkgroup connections.

These changes only effect the operation of the 70cm ANALOGUE repeater.

There are no changes to the DSTAR repeater on 70cm or the 2M Repeater.

Regards
Ross VK3CE
Secretary/Treasurer
]]>
Not much happening on P25 around Melbourne now, so DMR might liven things up a bit. From my listening throughout the day, VK3RMM Mt. Macedon when analogue only could go for a week or so without any traffic, apart from button pushers.

Quote:On a rather cold and windy day Peter Brennan VK3TE assisted by ARV Volunteers attended Mt Macedon to commission the new Multi Mode FM/DMR repeater.

Users of the FM analogue mode can program 91.5Hz tone in and out so as not to hear the digital signal when the repeater is running in digital mode.

No change to the operating frequency, it remains on 439.825Mhz

In DMR mode timeslot 1 is for local traffic and timeslot 2 is for talkgroup connections.

These changes only effect the operation of the 70cm ANALOGUE repeater.

There are no changes to the DSTAR repeater on 70cm or the 2M Repeater.

Regards
Ross VK3CE
Secretary/Treasurer
]]> <![CDATA[6m and 2m cavity sets, building and maintenance]]> https://www.ahrdf.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=132 Sun, 05 Mar 2017 20:28:26 +0000 VK2ZIW]]> https://www.ahrdf.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=132 70cm sets are common and available so there is no problems here BUT:

2m and 6m with much narrower frequency split are much harder.
And, there is very little ex. commercial gear around.

With D-Star, Yaesu System Fusion and DMR being available modes on 2m,
we have a new need for 2m cavity sets.

Nationwide, who will put their hand up and be the "guru"?

Me, I've been trying to learn the 'tricks of the trade', the hard way (soldering iron).
I'm looking for someone to talk to.
And, I'm happy to help with any needs in NSW.

Keep Smiling

Alan VK2ZIW]]> 70cm sets are common and available so there is no problems here BUT:

2m and 6m with much narrower frequency split are much harder.
And, there is very little ex. commercial gear around.

With D-Star, Yaesu System Fusion and DMR being available modes on 2m,
we have a new need for 2m cavity sets.

Nationwide, who will put their hand up and be the "guru"?

Me, I've been trying to learn the 'tricks of the trade', the hard way (soldering iron).
I'm looking for someone to talk to.
And, I'm happy to help with any needs in NSW.

Keep Smiling

Alan VK2ZIW]]> <![CDATA[VK5RSC 23CM Operational]]> https://www.ahrdf.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=126 Sun, 26 Feb 2017 21:43:47 +0000 VK5DF]]> https://www.ahrdf.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=126
Not that many look at the new forums but, The Southern Adelaide 23cm repeater VK5RSC 1273.450 + 20MHz offset is now operational in its intended home.

Any reports welcome.

Dan
VK5DF

Big thanks to all the others who put in hard work over the years.]]>
Not that many look at the new forums but, The Southern Adelaide 23cm repeater VK5RSC 1273.450 + 20MHz offset is now operational in its intended home.

Any reports welcome.

Dan
VK5DF

Big thanks to all the others who put in hard work over the years.]]> <![CDATA[VK5RSC 29.620 -offset]]> https://www.ahrdf.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=116 Tue, 07 Feb 2017 23:52:30 +0000 VK5DF]]> https://www.ahrdf.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=116
I have repaired the receiver for the 10m Repeater here in SA. So far it has been well received (Pun Intended).

29.620 - Offset No Tone.
Simplex Gateway on 147.675 with 141.3 tone

Give it a try and let me know any feedback

Dan
VK5DF

SCARC - South Coast Amateur radio Club,]]>
I have repaired the receiver for the 10m Repeater here in SA. So far it has been well received (Pun Intended).

29.620 - Offset No Tone.
Simplex Gateway on 147.675 with 141.3 tone

Give it a try and let me know any feedback

Dan
VK5DF

SCARC - South Coast Amateur radio Club,]]>