Another NEW DSTAR repeater for QLD - VK4RBD

[VK4BQ]

VK4RBD Blackdown Tableland 2m DSTAR repeater has been commissioned.

Blackdown Tableland Repeater now has DSTAR operational on 2M the frequency is 146.6375 Mhz - offset 600khz.
Steve Wood VK4SM has put a lot of work in to this upgrade that included going from one antenna to two Antenna operation.
A Transmitter combiner was modified to work on the 2 meter band.
2 Receiver preselectors were modified for use also.
A Raspberry pi 2 (VK4TUX minimal image) is operating as a repeater controller at the site, this talks to the GMSK modem model dvrptrv1 and Tait TB8100 repeater.
This is another great example of a home brew DSTAR Repeater.

[VK4VIP]

It gets out very well too as you know Wazza, it streams through to Biloela

[VK4BQ]

Glad to know it makes it 160 km south to Biloela Brandon. We also have reports that it's working 150km into Rockhampton. VK4RBD is truly a key site for CQ. Blackdowns tableland has no internet connection available ...not even mobile phone coverage but with the low cost and flexibility of home brew DSTAR Steve (VK4SM) has made it work. Steve has really done a great job putting this system together. Another Mackay radio club member has been accessing Blackdown Tableland from south of Clermont at least 170km away. Digital voices modes are really interesting with just how far they can go. Its been a small cost for our clubs to set these sites up compared to other commercial modes that cost many thousands for each and every site.

[VK4VIP]

Yes that is right he has done very good, it also gets into parts of Gladstone aswell as Steve VK4VFO has stated he can sometimes receive and transmit to it.
Just need the upgrade and a D-STAR Radio, but DMR/Mototrbo looks so good at the moment and i am having a ball with it on commercial frequencies