Site Works at VK5RSB Repeater

G'Day folks,

Well the working bee achieved what we set out to do.

A 15 amp 240 volt power circuit has been installed from the hut switch board so that now all AREG equipment runs off that circuit all on our own. There is no fear that our equipment will accidentally trip out a mains circuit breaker putting the other tenants off air etc.

With this circuit in place, we now are able to run the C38 power supplies as well as the Chloride battery charger.

All is now switched on and has been individually tested, the two C38s and the battery supply.

The AREG rack is now effectively running off the 240 via the two C38s in parallel (double redundancy) and in the event of the mains power failing, will run off the batteries. This has all been tested through a process of only running the system on one supply and switching the others on and off in a sequence that demonstrates that one supply can hold the system up. Yep it works!

We also checked and topped up water levels on the batteries and changed one cell out and fitted a replacement. This cell was down on water and has consistently been the one that always needs a couple of litres added so the decision was to replace it. Thanks Graham for your extra run home to get the replacement.

Also we have refitted the Unilab repeater with the AREG controller. The controller anti - noise filter has been adjusted. So remember when using the repeater, PTT and wait half a second before you start to talk.

The Quantar is still in the rack as a backup if needed.

We have a second Unilab, but it talks to itself when it was connected up so we have taken it out again for more remedial work, probably need to improve internal shielding or grounding. Did not appear to be a problem on the bench, but you know how it is, the problem will only show up when it is the most difficult to fix!

So thanks to all who were able to make it and were able to squeeze in and around those there. It was starting to get a bit crowded, but we got the jobs done relatively quickly and without any issues.

What up Next

AREG are currently investigating setting up a D-STAR repeater for Adelaide. Everything to make the system operational has to be considered in the project planning stage. AREG is currently investigating 2m, 70cm and 23cm digital voice and 23cm data services for the new D-STAR repeater.

D-Star has the capability to link via the Internet to other D-Star systems around Australia and the world. AREG will be incorporating the necessary hardware to provide this facility and more.

For information on D-Star in Australia, please visit the national D-Star web site, http://www.dstar.org.au

As details become available more information will be provided. As the D-STAR project is still in the planning stages, many aspect are still very fluid and change on a regular basis.

That is all for this week, we will try to update the pages again soon.

All the best AREG

Page updated on 10 May 2008