Due to a lack of participation by local hams who promised to help install the 6 Meter Repeater, a new site is being sought. At this time, the Tar River Amateur Radio Club (Rocky Mount, NC) has identified a potential site. The calculated signal range is depicted to the right. Hopefully, some progress can be made in the next few weeks.
- Site Frequency: Input: 52.23 MHz
- Output: 53.23 MHz.
- Tone: 100 Hz. (if needed)
The repeater will be open and available to local hams, and provide excellent service for future ARES and other public service activities.
A solid-state regulated 12VDC power supply (PS), replacing the original cabinet PS, freed up room for other fu
ture upgrades. A half-height GE Executive MASTR II cabinet houses the repeater and controller. The cabinet locks were replaced with combination locks, eliminating the need for keys. From top to bottom are the Arcom RC-210 Repeater Controller, Rack Mount Power Strip, and the Hamtronics REP-200 6 Meter Repeater. The repeater power supply and a weather radio will be installed, along with breakout terminal strips for interfacing additional circuits (such as cabinet alarms, battery power backup, temperature sensor, etc.) as they are developed and integrated into the repeater.
The repeater components are:
Duplexer: Decibel Products model DB4030-A Duplexer tuned for 53.23 MHz. The specifications for the duplexer are:
- Type; Band Reject
- Frequency range: 30-54 mHz.
- Frequency separation: 1.5 mHz or more
- Max input power: 150 watts
- Insertion loss TX to antenna: 1.5 dB
- Insertion loss RX to antenna: 1.5 dB
- TX noise suppression at RX: 55 dB
- RX isolation at TX frequency: 55 dB
- Max VSWR: 1.5:1 ref 50 ohm Z
- Temp range: -30 to +60 deg C
- Number of cavity filters: 4.
Repeater Radio: Hamtronics REP-200 matched to the duplexers. The repeater output is 25 Watts. A TD-5 CTCSS module has been obtained (the repeater did not come with one) for installation if needed.
Repeater Control Link: A Kenwood TR-271 will provide a 2-meter control link for the repeater. It will interface with the controller to manage the repeater radio.
Controller: An ARCOM RC210 repeater controller provides enhanced capabilities to include support for three ports, various macros and interfaces, and a robust vocabulary.
Weather Radio (S.A.M.E Alerting): A planned addition to the repeater will be the capability to broadcast weather alerts originated by the National Weather Service. A Radio Shack 12-251 Weather Radio can be interfaced as a future option to provide automatic alerts sent by the National Weather Service. An external antenna will be used to receive the NWS alerts.
Antenna: A Cushcraft AR6 Ringo Ranger, a half-wave vertical, provides 3.75 dB (5.89 dBi) gain. The antenna will be tower mounted at approximately 451 feet ASL and provides the coverage depicted above.
- Frequency: 50-54MHz
- Gain: 3.75dB
- Power rating: 1,000 watts FM
- Vertical radiation pattern: 16 degrees
- Horizontal radiation pattern: 360 degrees
- Base diameter: 1 inch
- Height: 10.1 ft
- Mast Size Range: 1 to 1.25 inch
- Wind load: 0.37 sq ft
- Weight: 2.5 lbs
Power: A 12VDC 30A switching power supply provides the power for all components, and will reside in the cabinet bottom. A deep-cycle ASM battery has been obtained for future use as backup power, which will be float charged within the system.
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