We'll discuss current repeater problems, and the new AM repeater currently under construction. (RSVP 241-8663)
Its that time again. Dues are normally paid by members in the month of January ($30 / 1 year, $55 / 2 years). So if you can help, it would be much appreciated. We need your support so we can improve not only the coverage area of the repeater, but also improve the quality and features of the repeaters. Send your check to:
Most of you know that the Portland ATV AM repeater has been removed from the KGON tower in preparation for a rebuild including the link with the Salem ATV repeater. A temporary FM repeater has been constructed and placed into operation at the same repeater site.
You'll need a few more pieces of equipment in order to receive pictures and sound from the FM repeater. You'll need a Ku band satellite receiver that has a receive connector that ranges from 900 to 1400MHz. Next you'll need a low noise 20dB pre-amp. Talk to Ed, WB2QHS, about obtaining one of the satellite receivers as he has been collecting them.
Most of us are hooking up the pre-amp directly to the Ku band input which also supplies 18vdc to the preamp on the center pin of the F connector. Don't forget the DC block on the antenna side of the pre-amp. We don't want anybody burning down their towers or melting their antennas just because of a little power short circuit at the 1.2Gig antenna driven element.
We've found that for those of us who can "see" the repeater consistently tune to a so called channel 10 on the satellite receivers. You may have to fine tune the video. Set the sound to tune to about 5.86MHz for both left and right audio channels.
It has been reported by the manufacturers of the 1.2Gig exciter that the sound channel drifts. This can cause lousy and multi-path sounding audio signals. It is the repeater's transmitter, not your tuner, unless the repeater is just not coming in very well to your home ATV station.
Another problem, weather. Both cold, rain, and wind. Cold seems to affect the receiver, making it insensitive when colder than 65 degrees. Rain and wind cause poor reception of the transmitter signal.
Overall, it has been a great success, short of a receiver experiment that did not work well, this FM repeater experiment exceeded most of our expectations. John (W7SIR) in Sandy, Arnie (N7YAG) in Scapoose, Jeff (KG7KH) in Vancouver, all report incredible improvements. Everyone has reported how rich the colors are and how well the audio sounds. Let us know how well you are receiving the repeater.
Now that the old repeater is down we can begin to call it the "new" repeater as it is soon to have some major re-construction.
Planned for the "new" repeater are the following changes: a new controller, (the same model as what is in the temporary FM repeater now operating in place of the old repeater), a 2.4Gig link to Salem, both AM and FM output, new color bars, and a tower camera.
So get set for more construction and show and tell of the project.
The controller is now complete. The new 1.2Gig FM repeater is using one, primarily to test it to long time exposure to variable temperatures and humidity and a high RF environment. Some of you have seen the new repeater controller on the air. For those who make it to the December meeting, you'll get a chance to see it in person in it's new 1U 19" rack cabinet.
You may contact us via the following email addresses or take a look at our web page.
So, we look forward to seeing your comments via the oregonatv list server.