EYRG.net
East Yorkshire Repeater Group, a radio amateur group dedicated to providing repeater services including training to the East Yorkshire Region.
Jun
09
Following discussions at the last East Yorkshire Repeater Group committee meeting, we agreed to apply for a club callsign to be used for our training and emergency communications role. We were fortunate enough to have been granted the callsign M0GYR - whilst this was not our first, second or even third choice, it does represent what the group provides...
This isn't officially our new logo - it's just one I've drawn up to get us away from the one we "borrowed" many years ago from our the local council!
Andy G0VRM
This isn't officially our new logo - it's just one I've drawn up to get us away from the one we "borrowed" many years ago from our the local council!
Andy G0VRM
Jun
01
A common criticism of 70cms D-Star repeaters is that the input can be somewhat "deaf". This ofter results in a situation where you cannot always access it even though you can hear it on your radio - this is more apparent when using a hand held with low power and inefficient aerials.
The standard fix for this is to retrofit a 70cms preamplifier and a simple filter inside the ID-RP-4000V band module - the one recommended by the RSGB ETCC is the Kuhne Electronic MKU LNA 432 A is retrofitted inside most systems. In our case, this task is not easy with the output being only 1.6MHz away instead of the usual 9MHz and significantly more filtering is required.
For those interested in the details of the preamplifier - the specification is shown below...
The standard fix for this is to retrofit a 70cms preamplifier and a simple filter inside the ID-RP-4000V band module - the one recommended by the RSGB ETCC is the Kuhne Electronic MKU LNA 432 A is retrofitted inside most systems. In our case, this task is not easy with the output being only 1.6MHz away instead of the usual 9MHz and significantly more filtering is required.
For those interested in the details of the preamplifier - the specification is shown below...
May
26
The RSGB is giving its membership the opportunity to buy, at a substantial discount from the retail price, one of the top choices in towers for amateur radio use—the LUSO 36EU Tower.
It is no coincidence that most of the world’s top DX stations have their antennas atop impressive towers. When it comes to the best transmitting and receiving equipment, all amateurs know that there is no substitute for getting your aerials as high and clear as possible. And there are few better ways than with a purpose-designed, heavy-duty tower such as the LUSO 36EU. With a maximum head load of 150kg the tower will accept 50sq ft of antenna with ease.
The LUSO 36EU self-supporting tower is a surprisingly compact 12.5m (41ft) when fully retracted. One press of the remote control ‘raise’ button engages the fully automatic motor control system. In less than a minute and a half the tower erects to its magnificent full height, 36m—that’s 118 feet. One of the traditional issues with towers is antenna assembly and maintenance. With the tower in the lowered position the LUSO 36EU solves this beautifully with its built-in platform to work on your antenna. No more dangerous ladders or hiring cherry pickers!
This tower is not for the faint-hearted! Once you have planning permission the installation is straightforward, requiring a suitable concrete foundation and site access for a mobile crane. The purchase package includes the services of two of the Japanese manufacturer’s technicians on-site during the installation. Once erected, the Luso 36EU tower will provide a superb support for the most elaborate of antenna systems—and easy access for maintenance.
The tower has been stored since it was originally purchased by RSGB for use at the Bletchley Park National Radio Centre.
It is now unfortunately clear that heritage conservation and planning issues make it unsuitable for that location. The RSGB is therefore giving its members...
It is no coincidence that most of the world’s top DX stations have their antennas atop impressive towers. When it comes to the best transmitting and receiving equipment, all amateurs know that there is no substitute for getting your aerials as high and clear as possible. And there are few better ways than with a purpose-designed, heavy-duty tower such as the LUSO 36EU. With a maximum head load of 150kg the tower will accept 50sq ft of antenna with ease.
The LUSO 36EU self-supporting tower is a surprisingly compact 12.5m (41ft) when fully retracted. One press of the remote control ‘raise’ button engages the fully automatic motor control system. In less than a minute and a half the tower erects to its magnificent full height, 36m—that’s 118 feet. One of the traditional issues with towers is antenna assembly and maintenance. With the tower in the lowered position the LUSO 36EU solves this beautifully with its built-in platform to work on your antenna. No more dangerous ladders or hiring cherry pickers!
This tower is not for the faint-hearted! Once you have planning permission the installation is straightforward, requiring a suitable concrete foundation and site access for a mobile crane. The purchase package includes the services of two of the Japanese manufacturer’s technicians on-site during the installation. Once erected, the Luso 36EU tower will provide a superb support for the most elaborate of antenna systems—and easy access for maintenance.
The tower has been stored since it was originally purchased by RSGB for use at the Bletchley Park National Radio Centre.
It is now unfortunately clear that heritage conservation and planning issues make it unsuitable for that location. The RSGB is therefore giving its members...
May
23
Thanks go to Sam Hunt who has donated some ex. Met. Police UHF cavities that will allow the use of a state of the art pre-amp on the receiver of the D-Star repeater. These are quite large for 70cm and are well built.
The cavities need a some new coupling loops to make them usable. 40mm brass washers with 16mm holes were sourced by G0VRM and they were then fitted with a N socket, a hairpin of 1.25mm dia silver plated wire and a 1-10pF micrwave trimmer.
Although not optimized, the results from the first one completed look encouraging. With a 1.6MHz spacing, a notch of -37dB with an insertion loss of 0.8dB has been obtained and that according to www.repeaterbuilder.com is about as good as it gets.
We have enough cavities available to enable single antenna working and with that in mind a much better quality 70cm antenna is being sourced.
The cavities need a some new coupling loops to make them usable. 40mm brass washers with 16mm holes were sourced by G0VRM and they were then fitted with a N socket, a hairpin of 1.25mm dia silver plated wire and a 1-10pF micrwave trimmer.
Although not optimized, the results from the first one completed look encouraging. With a 1.6MHz spacing, a notch of -37dB with an insertion loss of 0.8dB has been obtained and that according to www.repeaterbuilder.com is about as good as it gets.
We have enough cavities available to enable single antenna working and with that in mind a much better quality 70cm antenna is being sourced.
May
12
East Yorkshire Raynet are looking for volunteers to assist with the Jane Tomlinson Hull 10K run taking place this weekend on Sunday 15th May - If you are a licensed radio amateur and willing to help from 6:45 AM onwards can you please contact me.
Andy G0VRM
Deputy Controller
East Yorkshire Raynet
07790 779917
Andy G0VRM
Deputy Controller
East Yorkshire Raynet
07790 779917
May
12
Media Release - New Digital Radio System for East Yorkshire.
A group of amateur radio enthusiasts have installed a digital radio system in East Yorkshire to provide a communications network for volunteer groups in times of emergency.
Following their experiences in the flooding of 2007, the East Yorkshire Repeater Group realised that their repeater systems that allow fellow amateur radio operators to communicate over a county-wide area could be extremely valuable to others in times of need. And, when approached by the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire 4x4 Response Group, agreed to provide radio communications training resulting in several new radio operators who have since used their radio skills in transporting critical staff and patients for the Hull and East Yorkshire Primary Care Trust during the recent bad weather.
The East Yorkshire Repeater Group have since been successful in applying for a lottery grant from the Awards for All Big Lottery Fund for £9,446 to fund a digital repeater system, equipment and training for emergency communications. Project Manager Andy Russell, a Chartered Engineer working for BAE Systems said “As part of our pledge, we have provided demonstrations and training to local youth groups, encouraging them to take an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and as result of this have been approached by several Town and Parish Councils in relation to their emergency...
A group of amateur radio enthusiasts have installed a digital radio system in East Yorkshire to provide a communications network for volunteer groups in times of emergency.
Following their experiences in the flooding of 2007, the East Yorkshire Repeater Group realised that their repeater systems that allow fellow amateur radio operators to communicate over a county-wide area could be extremely valuable to others in times of need. And, when approached by the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire 4x4 Response Group, agreed to provide radio communications training resulting in several new radio operators who have since used their radio skills in transporting critical staff and patients for the Hull and East Yorkshire Primary Care Trust during the recent bad weather.
The East Yorkshire Repeater Group have since been successful in applying for a lottery grant from the Awards for All Big Lottery Fund for £9,446 to fund a digital repeater system, equipment and training for emergency communications. Project Manager Andy Russell, a Chartered Engineer working for BAE Systems said “As part of our pledge, we have provided demonstrations and training to local youth groups, encouraging them to take an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and as result of this have been approached by several Town and Parish Councils in relation to their emergency...
Apr
30
Work is underway configuring the Gateway PC for GB7HU and providing the vital Internet link to the site.
The Gateway PC is based on a Jetway JNC92-330 dual core Intel Atom mini-itx motherboard, fitted with 2GB of memory and a 640GB Server Grade WD Caviar Black hard drive - this is mounted in a 1U rackmount case from http://www.mini-itx.com. The system requires approximately 25W of power - vital when the system is running 24/7 and the electricity bill is paid by your subscriptions!
The PC runs CentOS 5.2 Linux (a variant of RedHat Linux) and is currently being configured so that it can be installed at our Weedley Site and remotely administered by the group from the comfort of our own shacks via the Internet using SSH and VNC.
The XYL will be pleased when this PC and the associated clutter leave our dining table!
73 de Andy G0VRM
The Gateway PC is based on a Jetway JNC92-330 dual core Intel Atom mini-itx motherboard, fitted with 2GB of memory and a 640GB Server Grade WD Caviar Black hard drive - this is mounted in a 1U rackmount case from http://www.mini-itx.com. The system requires approximately 25W of power - vital when the system is running 24/7 and the electricity bill is paid by your subscriptions!
The PC runs CentOS 5.2 Linux (a variant of RedHat Linux) and is currently being configured so that it can be installed at our Weedley Site and remotely administered by the group from the comfort of our own shacks via the Internet using SSH and VNC.
The XYL will be pleased when this PC and the associated clutter leave our dining table!
73 de Andy G0VRM
Apr
21
The RSGB and BATC have worked together over the last couple of years to webstream the Society's AGM via live video. BATC again offered the facility this year. The RSGB has considered its position and has reluctantly taken the decision that this year it would not be prudent to go ahead with live streaming. BATC has accepted the Society's position on this but hopes to be able to offer the Society the facility again in 2012.
Apr
17
A team comprising of Dave M0IOK, Andy G0VRM, Richard G4YTV, Lyndon M0LDR and Clive G3GJA visited the Weedley site on Saturday 16th April.
The tower was lowered and a full maintenance check was done on it. The 70cm colinear antennas looked in poor shape so they were replaced and repositioned to get the best possible isolation between them. Repositioning was made possible be removal of the 13cm ATV antennas that are no longer required.
A 5GHz link head-end was installed for tests to see whether a Band C link can be established back to G3GJA's QTH for a broadband feed to the D-Star system.
Richard and Dave attacked the remains of the Hawthorn stump and sprayed the weeds.
Clive re-terminated the 70cm feeders and then ran some tests on the new 70cm antennas to measure the separation between the transmit and receive connections. There's about 33dB isolation and the filters offer a further 10dB each at 1.6MHz separation.
As the new D-Star transmitter is very clean with no noise sidebands visible down to -80dBc at 1.6MHz HF of the transmitter it was decided to put both filters in series in the receive feed to reduce the blocking of the receiver by the transmitter. This gives a total of -53dB separation which is a start but quite still quite poor.
New filters with much better performance are desparately needed unless a move to 9MHz spacing is forthcoming. It's a wonder that the old analogue repeater worked as well as it did!
Anyone with info on designs for 70cm filters or with engineering skills willing to help please get in touch with Clive G3GJA by email to :clive AT hesh.co.uk (modify to normal format.)
The tower was lowered and a full maintenance check was done on it. The 70cm colinear antennas looked in poor shape so they were replaced and repositioned to get the best possible isolation between them. Repositioning was made possible be removal of the 13cm ATV antennas that are no longer required.
A 5GHz link head-end was installed for tests to see whether a Band C link can be established back to G3GJA's QTH for a broadband feed to the D-Star system.
Richard and Dave attacked the remains of the Hawthorn stump and sprayed the weeds.
Clive re-terminated the 70cm feeders and then ran some tests on the new 70cm antennas to measure the separation between the transmit and receive connections. There's about 33dB isolation and the filters offer a further 10dB each at 1.6MHz separation.
As the new D-Star transmitter is very clean with no noise sidebands visible down to -80dBc at 1.6MHz HF of the transmitter it was decided to put both filters in series in the receive feed to reduce the blocking of the receiver by the transmitter. This gives a total of -53dB separation which is a start but quite still quite poor.
New filters with much better performance are desparately needed unless a move to 9MHz spacing is forthcoming. It's a wonder that the old analogue repeater worked as well as it did!
Anyone with info on designs for 70cm filters or with engineering skills willing to help please get in touch with Clive G3GJA by email to :clive AT hesh.co.uk (modify to normal format.)
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