VK5RWN – Service Restored

LcK75XpcaNow that the bush fires in Adelaide are over and vehicular access to the repeater site has recommenced, the VK5RWN D-Star services have been restored.   All ports are operational and the wireless internet link re-established.  Further changes to the internet configuration are planned in coming months.  We thank the D-Star users for their patience while services were disrupted.

73, Matthew VK5ZM

VK5RWN – Adelaide Bush Fires

AUSTRALIA-ADELAIDE HILL-BUSHFIRE

Due to the bush fires in the Adelaide hills mains power to the VK5RWN repeater has been lost.   As of Tuesday the 6th of January the repeater sites 300Ah backup battery system has run out of power.

The bush fire has passed within 2kms to the north of the repeater site, for which we are thankful.  Access to the repeater site is currently restricted due to road closures and the proximity of the fire ground.

Until the damage to the power infrastructure can be restored and road closures removed the VK5RWN D-Star system will be unavailable.

We thank you for your patience as we wait for the VK5RWN service to be restored.  Our thoughts and best wishes go to those people who have lost property and homes in these recent fires.

73, Matthew VK5ZM

VK5RWN, D-STAR in Adelaide, update-2

d-star-logo-350As was previously forecast in earlier posts, AREG has now installed and tested the secure Wireless link to the VK5RWN site. This means internet connectivity to the VK5RWN computer server is now independent of the Telstra phone line to the site.

As a consequence of these changes,  IP addresses have changed which have affected a number of links on various D-STAR web pages. These are in the process of being updated.

One of these links is the VK5RWN Registration page link at the bottom of the http://www.dstar.org.au/registration.htm page, which currently does not work!

However, access is available for anyone wishing to register on VK5RWN or for existing registered users to access their registration details.

Access to the VK5RWN Registration page is via, https://dstar.areg.org.au/Dstar.do

The rest of the operation of VK5RWN has been tested and is believed to be operating correctly with all connectivity to the D-STAR world in place.

If anyone experiences any problems with access to VK5RWN system, or have any questions regarding the operation of VK5RWN, you may contact the VK5RWN D-STAR Administrator, Ben VK5BB at, vk5bb@wia.org.au

As further changes to VK5RWN occur, more information will be provided by both the Local VK5 Broadcast medium and the AREG website.

73, Ben VK5BB

VK5RWN, DSTAR in Adelaide update

d-star-logo-350The AREG manages the VK5RWN D-STAR repeater system here in Adelaide.

Until recently, the yearly running costs of the VK5RWN D-STAR system was shared between the WIA and the AREG, with the WIA paying for the licence, power and the internet, while AREG picked up the bills for the telephone connection needed for the internet connection.

The WIA, who was sponsoring a large number of D-STAR systems around Australia, has made the decision to divest itself of the D-STAR costs by transferring the licence and full yearly running costs to the respective D-STAR sponsoring clubs and/or group. This means that the AREG is now financially responsible for the entire operating and maintenance costs associated with keeping the VK5RWN local D-STAR repeater system on air.

AREG have reviewed all aspects of maintaining the site and VK5RWN installation and are committed to keeping the system running. To assist with this, the AREG are currently implementing a number of cost saving initiatives to reduce the ongoing expenditure.

As was recently posted, the AREG are in the process of installing a high capacity WiFi link into the site providing alternative internet connectivity without the need for the fixed telephone line and ADSL.   As part of the cut over process, it is expected the VK5RWN connectivity to the world wide D-STAR network will be interrupted a number of times over the coming weeks.  We ask that regular users of the D-STAR system to be patient and understanding while these upgrades are in progress.

As changes to VK5RWN occur, more information will be provided by both the Local VK5 Broadcast medium and the AREG website.

73, Ben VK5BB

VK5RWN Wireless Link

On October 18th the AREG installed a new 5.8GHz wireless link into the VK5RWN repeater system.

The system is on test for the next couple of weeks, the results have been very promising with the link providing in excess of 30Mbit throughput (full duplex).  Certainly many times faster than the current 512kbit symmetrical ADSL connection.

RWN_Antennas_20141018

Once the wireless link has been finally commissioned and cut over the AREG will be able to close the current ADSL and Telephone internet connection which will significantly reduce the on-going running costs of this site.

I’d like to thank Bob VK5FO, Ray VK5RR, Andy VK5AKH and Mark VK5QI for assisting me with the installation and setup of both ends of the link.

73 Matt, VK5ZM

VK5RWN Port C (2 metres) frequency changes

Hi all D-STAR Users,

Just to advise, VK5RWN Port C (2 metres) has had its frequencies changed as of Monday 23 September 2013.

The new Repeater frequencies are,

Repeater Tx 147.0375 MHz
Repeater Rx 147.6375 MHz, (+ 600kHz shift)

therefore you need to change your portable and mobiles to reflect,

Mbl/Port Tx 147.6375 MHz
Mbl/Port Rx 147.0375 MHz
Set Rptr1 VK5RWN C
Set Rptr2 VK5RWN G

The frequency change has been brought about due to adjacent channel interference from the VK5RLH 2m repeater at Lochiel causing problems for some users mobiles and portables. These frequency changes are temporary whilst we evaluate the impact of the changes. If it works out OK, then AREG will apply for permanent changes and fix the frequencies.

Please let any other users know of the changes.

Advice will be promulgated via the National and Local Broadcast News and Notes, the AREG Web pages, www.areg.org.au, the D-STAR VK5 web pages.

Feedback will be appreciated.

73, Ben VK5BB
VK5RWN D-STAR Administrator