[PARC] UHF repeater proposal

[David via VE3PBO]

Hello PARC Members

All the votes are in and the polls are closed   The Motion is carried 
with 25 votes submitted.    one abstention,  twenty four YES, and zero 
NO   There were two unidentified votes that were not counted.

The paper work to apply to Yeasu for this repeater will be sent soon and 
we will keep our fingers crossed that they will approve this 
application. As you know they did aprove the application for VE3TJR and 
it will be shipped soon and will be on the air soon after that.

I will have a short  video at the next meeting talking about System 
fusion repeaters and how they work. It will be interesting video with 
some information about how this system can be used in day to day and in 
emergencies.   For most it will be business as usual. Over time we will 
begin to gather what is needed to add linking and other added features.

Once again my Apologies for the huge bandwidth.

Thanks everyone
73
David Moes
President PARC
VE3DVY, VE3SD


On 3/12/2015 10:12 PM, David Moes wrote:
> 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.
>