[W1SMH] 147.195 Repeater

[Clayton L Coleman]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO ALL STURDY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL AMATEUR RADIO CLUB MEMBERS
MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2003

As many of you have probably noticed, the 147.195 repeater sounds different.
We have the fortune of a loaner,a high quality, Motorola repeater for several
weeks, for testing purposes. We hope to determine by this test whether the
interference we have been plagued with of late is on account of the
different multiplication schemes used in our repeater or if the noise is
just there. The equipment which we are presently using utilizes a
different pattern than the Spectrum repeater, so hopefully we can learn
something.

There are several changes which users need to be aware of, not major, but
important. First, the time out timer is set for 2 minutes, 120 seconds, and
it is accurate. Second, the repeater now has a short tail, which needs to
drop before the time out timer resets - NO COURTESY TONES!. Third, and most
difficult to explain, the repeater processes audio differently than we may
be used to. Signals that may have sounded weak before, probably won't now.
One way of telling the strength of a signal into the repeater will be the
length of the squelch tail. This will take some getting used too I am sure,
but you will pick up on it sooner than you think.

A big round of thanks should be given to Tom, KA1GXR, who came today with
test equipment and assisted Clayton (KB5TBB), and Pete (N1EZT). All this was
supervised by Bruce (KA1IG), who brought all these parties together. Also,
thanks go out to all who use the repeater, and your understanding and patience
during these aggravating RF times.