[W3GV] August 2023 notes

[JOHN LINDVAY]

Radio Association of Erie
Monthly meeting notes
August 2023

6 PM Hotdogs and chips
7 PM meeting started by Pledge of Allegiance to American flag
Attendees
Doug Sweet, AD4UL, Jeremy Korwek, KC3UXL, Frank Graziano, KD3D, John Lindvay, WB3IFD, Ed Barlow, K1ZIK, Frank A. Henry KB3NAT, John Lis, N3NKV, Randy Brian, W3PCF, Robert Sorento, KC3GBD, Wendel Howard, KC3IYD, Rich Durning, WA1YJZ, Mat Rea, W3FIQ, and Tom Cowser, KC3TGV
Doug Sweet, AD4UL presented the financials of the club.
Report of repeater committee presented by Frank A. Henry KB3NAT (see attached document).
There is something wrong with the seven element antenna (high SWR)  John Lindvay, WB3IFD, is going to investigate.
Frank Henry offered to toss the accumulation of “junk” out in October.  Motion was made and seconded. The motion was passed by the majority.
John Lindvay WB3IFD suggested attendees to take what they want from “junk pile”.
Meeting was then adjourned.










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1 Year - 82 Repeater Report, August 3, 2023

RAE Committee Report:  Tom Cowder KC3TGU, Frank KB3NAT, Jim Crisman N9AJV, Mike Rinn WB3IGK

Objective:           1) Report on Current Repeaters
The 82-repeater site property is owned by Erie County Department is Public Safety. Access is very limited.    We need a NEW key/combination from ECDPS for the 82 site.


  1.  In the last year, we have gained full access to both the 61 and 82 repeater sites.



  1.  The old 82 repeater was pulled in March of 2023. A rebuild 82 was installed. Then, in May 2023, the System Fusion Repeater was installed. It has been working well for the last 2 months. The only known problem is that we are receiving interference from a 146.82 repeater south of Cleveland, Ohio.


  1.  The RF link on 220Mhz has been removed. It is not possible to use the 220 links with the Yaesu System Fusion Hardware at this time Therefore, a Yaesu Wires-X link is being used. We have had several challenging problems with Wire-X linking, but we have solved most of the problems in the last few months.


  1.  The 61 repeater has been unchanged except for the removal of the 220 Link and commands in the Arcom controller The Arcom controller has been extremely difficult to operate. The past repeater committees left us very little documentation. However, Rick Cutter has been patience and John Lis have been most helpful. We couldn’t have done it without their help.


  1.  We installed the Spectrum Internet service for the Wires-X linking. This was difficult to install, but it is working very well. It has not needed any maintenance.


  1.  Currently, we have applied for free money through the Erie Community Foundation. We are a registered member and have request $9,000 from donors. Our membership for 2024 was $150.



  1.  Both the 61 and 82 repeaters are working. The links are becoming stable as we resolve the software problems & computer problems.


  1.  The committee will soon be exploring an experimental RF linking system. It involves purchasing a 3rd Yaesu System Fusion Repeater. The cost is normally $2100. Yaesu has offered to sell us new DR-2x repeaters for $700 each under our current club agreement. The committee will be deciding if we want the RF linking system and if the purchase should be made under the current repeater committee budget.






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