[GCARC] Two Meter Repeater Configuration Update

[Burning Image via GCARC]

Hi, All!

The configuration on the repeater has been temporarily changed.  While the norm is Analog in = Analog out / Digital in = Digital out, it's now set to accept analog or digital, but output/convert to analog out - ONLY.

That means you can still transmit digitally, but the repeater will convert it to analog.  If your radio is set for auto select, then it will switch to FM every time it receives.  To continue to transmit digitally, you have to switch back.

Or - just set VFO A for digital (DN or VW) and VFO B for FM.  Transmit on A and listen on B.

For analog users, you will now be able to hear what the clarity of digital audio sounds like (although not "purely", as it's being converted) and judge the signal integrity when the going gets rough.  We're doing this to allow you to experience the difference and hopefully, encourage you to upgrade to digital operation.

For digital users, there are no advantages.  Quite the opposite.  We lose the benefits of having call signs and GPS info exchanged and displayed.  Transmitting pictures will be a waste of time.  The only benefit is that you'll potentially have more people to talk to, long-term.

Additionally, a preamplifier has been added to the repeater to help compensate for the squelch being set a bit higher, which lessens the noise on the squelch tail.  This may - or may not - help portable radio users in Franklinville and other lower-terrain, "shadowed" areas.  If you see an improvement, please email me.

Operating in this mode is important from a Beta Testing standpoint, but something I wanted to wait on, until we shook out other features and all of you had time to get used to the mixed-mode operation.  The test of this configuration will end sometime on June 5th and we'll go back to (the new) normal.

TNX & 73,
Cory - WA3UVV