KK4ICE

FCC Licensed Amateur Radio Operator, Extra Class

Latest Project — System of Linked UHF Repeaters

UHF repeaters being tested, repaired, upgraded, and modified as need before re-installation.

UHF repeaters being tested, repaired, upgraded, and modified as need before re-installation.

I recently acquired a number of repeaters from the owner of a two-way radio business that is closing shop. What I wound up with is a system of UHF repeaters which are all linked via UHF linking repeaters attached to each local/talk-around repeater. These repeaters will be used to (re)build a linked system primarily intended as a way for SKYWARN/severe weather nets in the East Central Alabama and West Central Georgia to all connect and their NCS stations to stay in touch with one another during severe weather events, without any reliance upon the internet or cell phone networks.

I’m currently in the process of going through all of these repeaters, testing them all and doing whatever is necessary to get them all back in top working condition. The right-most cabinet in the photo contains a repeater I serviced and re-crystalled at 442.175(+) to install as a replacement for the Opelika, AL machine located in the Gold Hill area. It should be installed at the site and on the air within the next few days. This machine will now serve as the “hub” for the linking system, which was previously the job of the 444.725(+) Phenix City repeater, which has been pulled — along with all the others — for servicing and upgrades.

 

 

 

 

The predicted coverage for the 442.175(+) Opelika, AL repeater when it goes online. Actual coverage may vary from this, but it should still be a fairly nice footprint.

The predicted coverage for the 442.175(+) Opelika, AL repeater when it goes online. Actual coverage may vary from this, but it should still be a fairly nice footprint.

The existing coordination of all three machines (Opelika, Phenix City, and Eufaula) has been transferred to me and this change should show up in the Alabama Repeater Council database pretty soon. I’m currently talking with some fellow members of the LaGrange, GA Amateur Radio Club about re-coordinating the Eufaula frequencies (or getting a new pair for a “talk around” UHF pair for LaGrange) and installing a machine there which would also utilize the existing “link” repeater and a UHF beam antenna directed at the Opelika hub, which would connect the Troup County WeatherNet to the larger system. Meanwhile, my fellow hams in the Columbus, GA area are exploring a potential new site for the Phenix City machine. If that works out, an upgrade to a new Yaesu System Fusion repeater for the 444.725(+) pair in Phenix City might take place. This would facilitate tying a number of machines already using System Fusion repeaters in the Columbus area to this UHF SKYWARN Link System (or visa versa, depending on how you look at it.) I will also be exploring locating a local/link UHF repeater in the Wetumpka/Montgomery area for the system as well.

As you can see, this is all a pretty big project; however, all the work will be worth it when we have a reliable system for all the SKYWARN Net Control stations to remain in contact with one another during severe weather events. Best of all, failure of the internet or cell networks will not affect this system at all, except possibly the Columbus tie-in, which would be the only part of the system dependent upon ISP service.

Stay tuned for updates on this project, and I’ll let you all know when the new Opelika machine goes in so that you can try hitting it.

~ 73 from KK4ICE, East Alabama SKYWARN Coordinator

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