[PARC] UHF repeater proposal

[David Moes]

Hello  PARC members

This is an urgentemail to all PARC membersPlease read onits important 
and requires your response.

I am proposing the purchase of another repeater from Yaesu under the 
system Fusion repeater upgrade program. This repeater will replace the 
70 cm repeater that suffered damage from a lightning strike some yearsago

We need to make a descision before the end of this month because of the 
Yeasu deadline of March 31^st which is before the next meeting so we 
need to make this vote using emailThose that are members that are not on 
this list will receive a phone call from one of the members of the 
executive to provide them with this information and to get their vote on 
the topic.For the rest of us there will a second email to make your vote 
with instructions on where to send your response.All responses will be 
open to all members maintain transparency.

The good news is that we have been approved for the purchase of one 
repeater under the Yaesu DR1-X system fusion repeater upgrade program to 
replace VE3TJR and has been ordered

The Peterborough Radio Club has an opportunity to acquire another DR1-X 
system fusion repeater from Yaesu using the same Upgrade program with 
the same discount of one third of the regular price of $1,499 MSRP for 
$500.00 USD.This means we can purchase a complete repeater with a simple 
controller to replace our UHF repeater VA3PBO which was damage beyond 
repair due to a lightning strike some time ago.When this repeater was on 
the air it had limited use because it was just another repeater with 
similar function of other repeaters.My hope is that this new repeater 
would offer some additional features not available on the other local 
repeater.It will function like any other repeater using conventional 
analogue FM but will also work as digital repeater using several types 
of C4FM digital modulation.This adds several capabilities on top of 
being a legacy FM repeater that include the ability to send text 
messages and pictures using capable radios. Other value added features 
that can be implemented is repeater networks such as IRLP, Echo link and 
Wires –Xthe last is a network popular in Japan but is new to North 
America and is growing rapidly with the introduction of the DR1X 
repeaters across the continent. Most analog FM Yaesu handhelds and 
mobile radios purchased In the last 10 years or so support Wires networks.

I am in support of this and have discussed it with many other members 
who mostly agree.However vote from your heart and avoid voting based on 
what you think others want.I encourage all to vote but If you do not 
feel you are qualified or are indifferent you may abstain by not 
voting.  Take a little time to think about this but not too much time.  
as it will take a few weeks to process the forms and get them off to 
Yeasu should the club agree to make the purchase. The voting deadline 
will be Sunday March 15th  23:50  (11:59pm)

Ballot email to follow shortly.

The proposal

I propose that a repeater be purchased under the Yaesu System Fusion 
repeater upgrade ProgramThis repeater is to replace the existing 70cm 
repeater owned by the Peterborough Amateur Radio Club
The repeater will be purchased at a cost of $500 USDplus taxes, shipping 
and exchange to a total not to exceed $1,000 CAD

See Q&A below.If you have any further question please select reply or 
send me an emailand I will do my best to answer as soon as possible.
dmoes at nexicom.net <mailto:dmoes at nexicom.net>

A few Q&A points that hopefully will answer some questions.

Why is this being handled through email rather than at a meeting?
Due to weather conditions the March meeting did not have enough members 
to vote on this purchase and the deadline for submission to Yeasu for 
this discount programis March 31before the next meeting

What are its frequencies and location?
The repeater will be installed at the same location as the current 
VE3PBO repeater with antenna on the Sherbrook street water tower. which 
is the same location as before. It will be on the same frequencies as 
before that are still allocated.  444.575 and PL 162.2tonesInput tone 
will only be used if necessary to reject interference.

Will the repeater be a backup for the current VHF repeater?
Yes this is a dual band repeater.Should the VHF repeater VE3PBO suffer a 
failurethe DR1-X can be easily be reprogrammed to the VHF frequencies 
and change antenna system within  minutes of technicians arrival onsite 
to  fill in as an analog VHF repeater until repairs are made.

What installation costs will there be.
The purchase price of the repeater is $500 plus taxes and shipping.
The antenna, coax,racks, and duplexer are already in place and this unit 
has a built in power supply with the ability to charge and automatically 
switch over to backup batters  in the event of a power failure. This 
will keep installation costs to a bare minimum

Will I need a digital radio to use it?
No.Your existing FM UHF or dual band radio will be compatible including 
those  inexpensive Beofeng and WuxonHTs. It will be set up so that it 
will transmit the same signal type that it receives.Most of the time 
users will use analog FM so it will work like a conventional FM 
repeaterAnalog in analog out.It will also be set up for those that have 
digital C4FM radios that it will receive digital then transmit digital 
enabling the full set of C4FM features for those with System fusion 
radiosAnalog voice will be encouraged except for text and pictures or 
for experimental use.There seems to be some interest among members I 
have spoken to in the digital modes and we already have several members 
with radios compatible with this digital system fusion operation.

What if the repeater is a complete flop and nobody uses it.
Yes this is a possible gamble.Keep in mind that in the program we will 
purchase it for $500 USDand after a year we will be permitted to sell 
the repeater which can be sold for at least what we paid since by that 
time the purchase new DR1-X system fusion repeaters will be retailing 
for three times the price we paid.

-- 
David Moes
President Peterborough Amateur Radio Club
VE3SD