As everyone should be well aware, the 145.23 repeater has been down since.....well, I don't know when. Nobody told me it was down but I removed it from Schweitzer in October. The repeater, a MASTR II mobile conversion, had been completely fried.
The good news is that Emergency Management is able/willing/interested in replacing the repeater with a commercial quality unit. So I'm shopping for that. But I would really like this to be an improvement in more than reliability, I want ot add some functionality to the system as well. We need to do something to boost the participation of local hams and I'm thinking that a whiz bang repeater system will do that.
To give you an idea of what our old system used to do for us, here is an illustration:
As you can see, this system didn't do a heck of a lot for us. Sure, it's nice to have a repeater just to extend the range of mobiles or talk across the county. But there is so much more we can do with a modern system. The regional emergency managers have already expressed an interest in some sort of system that they could talk on in the event that the phones and state microwave system failed. This is where amateur radio is supposed to step up and provide a system as well as provide an example for other systems they might operate under Part 90. To that end I'm thinking about something along the lines of:
This is the existing 145.23 system with a new radio and I would like to add a 70cm repeate to it. But the real magic is that we add a nice repeater controller with multiple channels in it so we can attach remote bases and link radios. We would install four VHF radios on site that are programmed for each of our neighboring counties sponsored repeaters. Then, from our site, we have the ability to link together any or all of these repeaters whenever needed. Imagine the abilty to communicate from points south of St. Maries all the way into Canada on your handheld running low power! Imagine that capability put to use during a regional emergency!
I've already got a new unity gain antenna. I went with unity gain because the mountain already gets us some distance but coverage down below the mountain needs improvement. Study up on your antenna theory and you'll see that the higher the gain, the flatter your pattern. By putting a 6 dB gain antenna on Schweitzer you can talk to central Idaho but users in Sandpoint can't get into the system with 25 Watt mobiles.
I'm considering a M/A-Com MASTR III station for this. We're hoping to obtain the repeater using grant money and new BHS requirements mean that we can only buy radios that are P25 digital. Don't worry, that means they'll work in analog as well. The county would then pull the P25 module out and use it somewhere else. The other benefit is that the county and state use these repeaters extensively so repair parts are quick to obtain and can be free or cheap.
For the controller I'm looking at the RLC-3 from Link Communications . Does anyone know of anything better? This would be nice because we can link in some other radios. I would also like to consider a local UHF repeater.
How it's shaking out.
Mark and I are in the process of putting everything together now. With luck we'll get everything up on the mountain before the Independence Day weekend.
We're using Vertex VXR-7000 repeaters for both VHF and UHF. That's right, we're adding another repeater, this one will be on 444.075 MHz with the standard +5MHz offset and will identify as K7MEE. The controller is, as planned, an RLC-3. We're attaching a Motorola GM300 VHF radio that will link to various other VHF repeaters in the region. And there will be a UHF GM300 to use for linking to other UHF repeaters in the region as well as other utility uses.
We've got some alignment left to do and I've got to tune up the duplexers. But we're also likely to need some help mounting the antennas on the phone pole up there. I sure could use help with that so if anyone is willing, please speak up.
That's the plan. Stay tuned to this forum because I'll post the operational details here once it's up.
Radios Are Ready
We had some challenges with the radios and the audio alignment. Vertex sent us the wrong bandsplit for the VHF and it took a week to get that swapped out. But the good news is that we now have VHF and UHF repeaters working on the bench with the RLC-3 controller and VHF and UHF link radios.
This week we'll get the duplexers tuned and finish programming of the controller. We're still a little unclear on the antenna situation up there and what we're going to do on that front.
Most of all, we could really use some help, especially with testing.
It's up!
We got all the audio alignment done, including the link radios. We also proved that the channel steering for the link radios works just fine. I haven't yet tuned any UHF duplexers.
The bad news is that the VHF duplexers really aren't wanting to tune properly. I got them as close as I could but they aren't doing well on receive. Ideally we should replace these, I just don't know if that's going to be in the cards.
So the 145.230 repeater is on the air. It's working on a temporary antenna mount. Here's what remains:
As always, Mark and I are looking for help with any of this.
Thanks
We have missed the -5.23 and looking forward to resuming the ARES nets. I have notified members of the Bonner Co. Amateur Radio Club. Thanks Thor for all the work you and Mark have put in on getting this repeater up and runniing. Plans look great. I hope that we can get the -6.78 up soon.
If there's anything we can
If there's anything we can do to help put the 6.78 back on the air, just let us know. In fact, I may create another thread here to discuss that repeater. I'm not sure I know what the problems were with it.
Control Operators Needed
One thing that concerns me, as I listen to the thunder tonight, is that Mark and I are the only control operators for this system. That's great for routine operations but not for emergencies....and the whole point of this system is for communications during emergencies! If you think about it, Mark and I are on call and will ALWAYS be working during any situation in which this system will need to be used. In the course of our duties we might pay some attention to the system, but we wouldn't be able to do it properly.
We need some people to step up and be willing to become trained control operators for the system. Anyone interested should contact me here or at n7jct@aplaceonthe.net
Update
The repeater has been on the air a while now. I've had some comments from Bob (W7LMA) about it but nobody else. Bob confirmed what Mark and I had experienced, the range of the repeater isn't all that good.
The antenna is still just lashed up to the ice bridge on the site. I've been waiting for the state guys to let me know if I can mount antennas elsewhere. Hopefully in the next two weeks we'll get them more properly mounted.
ok....
so back in september of 2007 was the last comment, so im curious to know...
Is it still up? (ok i know the answer.. yes)
"Welcome to the N 7 J C T Repeater at Sand Point, The time is 8 31 PM"
Is the antenna still "lashed up there" or have we contacted state to move the antennas?
as far as range goes... i have hit the repeater from.....
Bonners Ferry
Noxon, MT
Hayden, ID
Priest River, ID
I havent really checked or tested it beyond this....
And as far as this system being able to bridge / link to the other repeaters in other counties is that up/ or still the plan... or.....???
repeater range
I read the comments about the range of the repeater. I am just north of Deer Park, WA. I receive the repeater full scale at my home QTH.
I would guess that it takes me about 10 watts to bring the machine up. Sounds really good.
May 23 2008
Range
That is very good to hear that this repeater can be received from that location. This repeater is in place to act as our emergency communications, ARES / RACES type, dont completely quote me on that...
Repeater Use
That's a fact, it's for emergency communications for anyone who needs it. Bonner County Department Of Emergency Management has contributed much to this system. But we also encourage just general use, that's the best way to know that everything is working properly.
I'm working on adding some things to the system. I just purchased items necessary to add a UHF simplex link to the system so that users on a UHF portable can use the repeater from the greater Sandpoint area. I also purchased a six channel receiver voter that I might work into the system, still thinking about the design for that.
Anyone interested in working on, or contributing to this repeater should contact me.
Assistance
Of course you know, from previous conversations that i am more than willing to assist with getting such things as above, online and ready to go!
Work on 145.230 on 7/22/08
We've got a crew that will be working on the Schweitzer repeaters on 7/22/08. Hopefully we'll get antennas hung on the tower and get the UHF repeater running as well as the VHF remote base. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Please join us on 145.230 repeat or simplex with a 100Hz CTCSS starting at 8:00 am local time. It would be nice to have some folks out there monitoring to help us with testing later in the day.
Repeater Update
For those who don't already know....
On Monday we finally connected the new antennas at the top of the tower to the repeaters. We also got the UHF duplexer tuned. So both repeaters are operational now on antennas that are 60+ feet up in the air. Signal reports have been excellent so far, especially DX.
While the system does finally allow limited communication in the Sandpoint area, it is really only usable in the north part of town. When you think about it, that make sense becuase the line-of-site is limited that way. Still, performance in town is a zillion times better than before.
Both repeaters transmit a 100 Hz tone at all times. That's handy for you in case you hear interference from computers, cash registers, cable TV or whatever. In that case simply set your radio for CTCSS squelch and you'll only ever hear the repeater.
Both repeaters have the capability of being limited to CTCSS squelch. Unless absolutely necessary we will not require you to transmit a tone to access the repeater. However, there is no harm in you transmitting the tone all the time if you want. I highly recommend it. In the event that interference starts disturbing the repeaters we'll issue commands that will cause the repeaters to require that 100 Hz tone.
Here's what you need to get started using the repeaters:
2 Meters: 145.230 MHz receive, -600 KHz offset for transmit, 100 Hz CTCSS
70cm: 444.075 MHz receive, +5.00 MHz offset for transmit, 100 Hz CTCSS
The repeaters are linked at the moment. Eventually we'll create codes for you to link and de-link the repeaters and perform a variety of functions. When those codes are available you'll find them here on my web site. So stay tuned.
Please encourage use of the repeaters. They are available for rag chewing or anything else within Part 97. My philosophy is that we won't know that they're ready for emergency use, or how well they'll perform, if we don't use them on a daily basis. And if they can't take the abuse of us having fun with them then they aren't good enough for emergency service anyway. So put 'em through their paces! Most of all, have fun with them. We need to promote amateur radio and recruit folks. Having fun and learning is the best way to do that. Without experienced operators it does us no good to have even perfectly functioning repeaters.
See you on the air!
repeater
i just wanted to let you know that the repeater sounds great and that it can hit it with a 5 watt ht from moyie springs. it sounds as good as our local 6.96 repeater, i have let our club know about your monday net and hope that our members will give you some check ins. ke7mdq
what else.. the repeater...
So..it was great to finally have contact with another operator who was in Kellog.... and I had contact with him again the other day when he was between Plains & Thompson Falls... so it is great to hear that we are getting such a great distance on this repeater. since it is only putting out 25 watts. And then I did a radio check with a gentlemen KE7MDQ from Moyie Springs who was also coming in 5x9.. so i am definately impressed with the performance of this repeater.. I have even been able to hit it on portable with 1watt from the Priest River Airport. ... now i know that KE7CJV has been having difficulties hitting it with a 5w portable from Laclede.. but there is a mountain in the way... not that that usually helps the situation or anything. I would love to see that people are able to hit it from
Priest Lake, Newport, Spirit Lake, Rathdrum, Hayden, CDA, Bayview, Shoshone County, Spokane County, etc.. push the limits as far as we can.. and see if we cant get some sort of outer type perimeter established for the use of the repeater... so we know what it will and wont do... especially if we do have to put it in service in an emergency.
Pretty Pictures Promised
This weekend I'll try to do new coverage plots with SPLAT! that reflect the systems as built. That will give you a good picture of where these systems are expected to cover. When I have that done I'll make them available here....so stay tuned to this thread for details.
That's excellent news on Moyie Springs too. I'm glad we're getting signal reports, and just getting people to use the thing.
I'm working out the kinks with the VHF remote base and the UHF link/base. I hope to have those running nicely before the weekend is over.
Usage
There has been alot more use of this repeater, and quite a few more people checking into the net... it has been great that this is taking off as fast as it is......
Repeater Range Report
Thanks for all your efforts on the repeater. Thought you'd like to know we're able to hit it very cleanly from near the water (ice at the moment) of Lower Twin Lake just outside of Rathdrum. And that's with a small Kenwood HT at its midpower (less than one watt). Very impressive performance, especially considering that from the same location we cannot reliably hit most repeaters in Spokane and on Mica Peak.
Keep up the good work, and thanks!
the 145.230 repeater
Got a clean hit down here at the Mill Pond, Spirit Lake - 5 watts, 2mtr/440 beam stashed in the bedroom closet. Same with the ducky.
the 145.230 rptr
Well, dang! Now neither the beam or the ducky are able to key up the 'peater! Made a liar out of me!
-de KM6JG/7-
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