[SMCARA] K3HKI Repeater

[Clarke, Tom AIR4.0P NATOPS]

The K3HKI, 146.64 Repeater is back in operation at it's normal location, the Hermanville, MD tower. Thanks to a ton of work by Dwayne, WD8OYG and Gene, N3NO, a new (to us!) GE MASTR II repeater with a CAT 250 controller is now making lots of RF and sweet audio.

Dwayne and I plugged it in to our existing duplexer and it was up and operating.  "That Was Easy", as Staples says. See attached photo of the repeater on the left and the Phelps Dodge duplexer on the right. The old Motorola MSR-2000 repeater that soldiered on for us for 20 years or so will go to Gene's shop to see if it is revive able.  If so, we will have a backup.

The repeater power output is set to approximately 60 watts (we run the 110 watt PA at less than max smash to aid in longevity!) and coverage should be back to normal, without the "dead spots" we had when it was running at the 1/2 watt level. Remember this is designed as a "local" coverage machine, about 20 miles or so for a mobile.  Getting into it from Waldorf or above Prince Freddie is gravy! This complements the linked repeaters in our area that provide "wide" coverage.

It is still an "open" repeater (i.e., it does not need CTCSS or PL to access), but you may notice a "hum" in the background on receive.  The repeater now transmits 156.7 tone on transmit and that is what you hear.  What this does for you is to allow you to enable CTCSS on receive on your radio and the squelch will only open when it hears 146.64 with the tone.  This will eliminate, for those of you with high antennas, interference from nearby 64 machines, such as the one up in Pennsylvania and another near Richmond.

Use it and enjoy it and let Pete, WA3UMY or myself of any problems.

73 Tom/W4OKW