New DSTAR repeater in Mackay QLD - VK4RBY

[VK4BQ]

Mackay will shortly have a new 2m DSTAR repeater on "The Black Mountain" repeater site. Details are VK4RBY 146.650. The equipment will be installed early next year. This is the first site in a incremental roll out of DSTAR in the central Queensland region. We have pending license applications for Sarina (south of Mackay) and the Blackdowns Tableland site near Blackwater in the central highlands.

[VK4UQ]

Great stuff!

[VK4DU]

Well done. There is also a new repeater going up next year in Hobart.

[VK4BQ]

Central Highlands Amateur Radio Club members Steve VK4SM and Greg VK4VBU have both commissioned DSTAR hotspots in the outback towns of Blackwater and Emerald. Steve is working on the cavities and transmitter combiner for the future 3rd party design DSTAR repeater at the Blackdowns Tableland site west of Rockhampton. Mackay Amateur Radio Club members VK4RM,VK4BQ,VK4DW,VK4AZ,VK4TN and VK4XH have been experimenting with simplex DSTAR communications while awaiting the soon to be commissioned VK4RBY repeater. The ACMA has also advised us that they have received the license recommendations for the Sarina DSTAR repeater from the WIA and we should see the application processed and frequencies allocated in the next few weeks. Mackay and surrounds will be very well serviced with DSTAR coverage. The Icom repeater and gateway VK4RBY will provide coverage including Mackay CBD, Paget, Airport and Northern suburbs. The Sarina repeater south of Mackay is a 3rd party design using a modified Tait repeater, DVRPTR_V1 modem that is linked to another DVRPTR_V1 modem and Raspberry Pi as a gateway. The Sarina DSTAR repeater will provide coverage south of Mackay to Sarina and the Bruce Highway.

[VK3MIX]

Rather interesting that 146.650 was allocated for DSTAR considering that doesn't fit in with the WIA band plans. Was there a reason for it?

[VK4BQ]

Hi Andrew

Not sure what band plan document you are studying but the one from the wia "Australian Amateur Band Plans" Updated 20 August 2014

states this on page 13

146.0375 - 1463875 Digital Repeater inputs

146.6125 - 146.9875 Digital Repeater outputs

Therefore that is the reason 146.650MHz was allocated for the digital repeater VK4RBY

Here is a link to the band plan http://www.wia.org.au/members/bandplans/data/

[VK4DU]

But, isn't there a new plan, using a 1.6 MHz split, with the outputs on odd multiples of 12.5 kHz?

73
Glenn

[VK3MIX]

Hi Andrew

Not sure what band plan document you are studying but the one from the wia "Australian Amateur Band Plans" Updated 20 August 2014

states this on page 13

146.0375 - 1463875 Digital Repeater inputs

146.6125 - 146.9875 Digital Repeater outputs

Therefore that is the reason 146.650MHz was allocated for the digital repeater VK4RBY

Here is a link to the band plan http://www.wia.org.au/members/bandplans/data/

In the notes for Repeaters on page 14 it states "Digital repeaters use frequencies on odd multiples of 12.5 kHz in between the existing 25 kHz spaced FM repeater channels."

Just interesting to see as most of the DSTAR 2m repeaters I have seen usually are on odd multiples of 12.5 kHz.

Anyhow good to see more DSTAR repeaters coming online, using GSMK modems is definitely making it more affordable.

[VK2ZTV]

Hi Andrew
I have been testing a Dstar repeater using a DVRPTR_V3 modem and a Kyodo 50w narrow band repeater, we are using a 600khz split at the moment but plan to switch to 1.6mhz when we finally apply for licences.
We will use a 2.4 or 5.7 ghz WI-FI link for the internet connection.
Will be interested in how you progress with your project, I have spent ages trying different Dstar modems, Satoshi many versions before acquiring the German device.
Hopefully 2015 Newcastle will get a DStar repeater on the same site as the 146.775MHz device.

Good luck with your project.
73's
Peter VK2ZTV

[VK4BQ]

Hi Peter

Did you try the DVRPTR_v1 modem at all?

[VK2ZTV]

No by the time I had exhausted all avenues of trying to get the Satoshi modem to operate in a standalone full duplex mode without a PC, it relied on the USB port to operate in repeater mode.
The DVRRPT modem had become difficult to obtain with long lead times in the changeover from ver 2 to 3, the V3 is properly overkill but with it's on board Ethernet port should make connection to the net hassle free.
73's
Peter VK2ZTV

[VK4BQ]

VK4RBY 146.650MHz under test. dashboard http://vk4rby.ddns.net:82/

Now running with ICOM Rp2c and raspberry pi gateway, internet connection over 3g modem. VK4TUX minimal image running on the Pi2

[VK4BQ]

VK4RBY DSTAR repeater has been commissioned in Mackay. This setup is a worlds first using an Icom RP2C controller and 2 metre repeater and a home brew repeater on port B. As you can see from the photo's no expense has been spared with this state of the art setup. You to can get your club up and running with dstar, no fancy gear, no expensive internet just a raspberry pi, 2nd hand mobile radios and a DVRPTRv1 modem.

[VK4BQ]

New antennas and feeders installed on VK4RBY Mackay today. We have also installed a 23cm antenna as we plan to setup a 23cm DSTAR repeater sometime this year.