[W1SMH] Repeater update, 7/9/2003

[Clayton L. Coleman]

Summer update on KB5TBB/R:

On Wednesday, July 9, I installed a permanent controller for the system.
It is a CAT (Computer Automation Technologies) 200B.  This controller
allows for a link radio (for future expansion) and connectivity to a
Peet Brothers Weather Station (not installed).  The Kenwood repeater
(transmitter and receiver) has been using an on-board controller for the
past few months but it had limited abilities, such as no courtesy tone.

A few operational notes:

1. The repeater courtesy tone occurs exactly 1/2 second after it sees
your signal drop.

2. After the courtesy tone there is a 2/10 second delay before the
repeater tail drops.  You must wait for this tail to drop before
transmitting; otherwise the repeater may time out!  It's only 7/10 of a
second to wait between transmissions.  Remember: Courtesy tones have a
purpose besides letting you know you hit the repeater.  It's there to
give others an opportunity to break in conversations.

3. When the repeater identifies in voice, you may begin speaking over it
and it will immediately switch to CW.  The same occurs when you are
already speaking and the repeater identifies.

4. The repeater will beacon multiple times a day informing listeners of
the ARES net at 8:30 PM on Thursdays.  This message may change
periodically.

If there are any other matters which you feel need clarification about
the repeater, please respond to me directly at kb5tbb@arrl.net.

73,

Clayton KB5TBB
Repeater web page: http://www.qsl.net/kb5tbb/kb5tbbr.html