13-June-2007
GB3AI
After a number of years, G0RDI has finally given up all hope of keeping interference from nearby
equipment out of the GB3AI receiver. Rather than simply close it down, he has elected to move
to a 7.6 MHz "wide split" UHF system. We have heard today that the Primary User has OK'd the
use of 430.8625 MHz (repeater transmit) and 438.4625 MHz (repeater receive). There is still
some paperwork to do, and some necessary processes to be completed, but there is hope that
all can be accomplished before the end of the summer.
GB3AM
Having spent quite some time looking at the current usage pattern (and the traffic passing
through GB3AM) it has been decided that either we resite this repeater away from Amersham
or we close it down. In the first instance, we have decided to apply to move GB3AM to the
Tring site. For a number of non-obvious reasons, this may prove to be just to onerous a
challenge, so it may have to go. If it does it will be a very sad and bad day.
GENERAL
For the first year ever, we don't have enough money in the reserves to cover the site rental
fees, let alone the attendant running costs (replacement feeders, new antennae for resites,
etc). Understandably, those who have put their hands in their pockets in days gone by are
now no longer willing to do so, because the Amersham repeaters have - for them - become
unusable due to the inconsiderate actions of a handful of people.
For this next year, G0RDI has said that he will personally foot the bills, but it will be
the last time this happens. The message is simple: either those responsible (and they
DO know who they are ...) clean up their act, and behave in an appropriate manner, or
this time next year we will be saying "farewell" to ALL of the Amersham repeaters.
The bottom line is that it's no longer worth the hassle. Please don't regard this as any
kind of threat - it is a simple statement of fact.
13-April-2005
MB7FM
MB7FM was off the air from 11th April to 13:30 on 13th April. It is now fully operational.
4-April-2005
GB3AI
GB3AI our internet linked 2m repeater was off the air from 16:30 until 19:00 local time on Monday, April 4th.
This was for maintenance work to improve the diplexer performance. A 20dB improvement was made to the Tx/Rx
isolation and this has increased the apparent receiver sensitivity. Thanks to Rupert for his efforts.
GB7DXA
We operate GB7DXA as part of the Packet DX Cluster on an internet server that provides a feeder for nodes in the
Home Counties, France, Italy and The Netherlands. It also provides a backup facility to connect the UK to the
rest of the world via the world-famous W3RD cluster in Ft. Lauderdale in the USA.
To reach this from the internet click here: GB7DXA
(Login with your call sign)
31-March-2005
MB7FM now back on the air.
MB7FM has been off the air for a few weeks. The repeater team have been very busy of late and
its taken some time for them to repair it. Sorry for the inconvenience.
The fault turned out to be a corroded terminal on the +12V power supply and this has been repaired.
This is a temporary repair and requires more work for a long term solution, lets hope it holds up until
they find time for a more permanent repair. Thanks to Jon and Rupert for their efforts.
22-February-2005
Happy New Year
There's nothing really to report, I have not updated this news lately because everything is working well
but this proves that I am still alive! Does anyone read this? If so send me
an E-Mail
please. (G8ADM Webmaster)
19-October-2004
MB7FM
The UK's first unattended "store and forward" single frequency voice relay was switched on by Iain G0RDI, at
13:30 GMT on Saturday, 16th October 2004, from our Tring site.
To use the relay:
Key up on 70.4375 MHz FM and speak, your voice will be recorded for up to 2 min's.
De-key and the recording of your transmission will be replayed on the same frequency.
When the carrier drops the next station transmits and records their message etc.
MB7FM is carrier access only, no toneburst required, no CTCSS required (even though the announcement say's it is!).
CTCSS may be introduced later if we get interference problems.
Technical changes may take place over the coming weeks as we gain operational experience.
3-Aug-2004
GB3BAA
The fault with the 6m beacon on 50.016 MHz has been repaired.
17-July-2004
GB3BAA
The good news is that the 4m beacon on 70.016 MHz is now in operation.
The bad news is that the 6m beacon on 50.016 MHz has developed a fault.
Watch this space for an update...
23-May-2004
GB3AI
The antenna has been replaced and the repeater is now fully operational.
5-May-2004
GB3AI
GB3AI internet linked repeater is now on the air on low power from central Amersham.
The RF section, duplexer and logic are working to expectations.
Considerable time and effort has gone into developing the computer to logic interface and although this is not quite complete
yet it should be in it's final form soon. Also the internet software by VA3TO is due to be updated to the latest version before
we are completely happy with it's operation. The repeater is on low power due to an antenna problem. As soon as our
antenna man is available it will be replaced and early indications are that the coverage area will be greater than
our original estimates of the local area. This internet linked repeater is a complex project and due to the efforts of Iain and Jon
will give outstanding performance over the coming months. During this development phase the repeater will be liable to interruption.
GB3HZ
Changing to CTCSS only has completely solved the interference from a local data source. The transceiver is in need of improvement
and the existing Key KF450 will be temporarily replaced by a Motorola unit at the end of May. The Key 450 will then be serviced
and updated by Iain and Jon and put back in due course.
GB3BAA, 70MHz beacon
We expect to get the licence for this by the end of May, well ahead of schedule. If time and effort permits this beacon will be on
the air in early June.
25-Apr-2004
GB3HZ 1750Hz tone burst access
GB3HZ is now CTCSS 82.5 Hz tone access only. The 1750 Hz tone burst access has been remove to avoid interference from a
local data transmitter. This interference was automatically accessing the repeater using the 1750 Hz tone burst access method.
This has solved the problem mentioned below.
20-Apr-2004
GB3BAA on the air
Our 6m beacon GB3BAA commenced transmissions at 16:20 hrs on 20th April on 50.016 MHz.
Initial reports indicate that the signal strength locally is about the same as our GB3AM repeater which is pretty good
considering that it only runs 5W. The DX Cluster also reports good signals throughout England and Wales.
We hope for more distant reports as the sporadic E season develops.
1-Apr-2004
GB3AL Fault
The repeater AL3, a Kenwood TK702, is now repaired and back in service. (Thanks Jon)
21-Mar-2004
GB3AL Fault
AL has had an occasional intermittent fault recently and it finally failed permanently on Saturday, 20 March 2004 at 14:00 hrs.
As this was a weekend Iain found some time to replace it with the spare repeater AL2, a Philips R401/T402. It was back on the air
on Sunday, 21 March at 13:00 hrs.
GB3HZ
HZ is suffering from some weak data interference on it's input. This is thought to be due to spurious signals from some new
equipment that has been installed by other users of the site. Iain is investigating. More later.
15-Mar-2004
Funding
We do not have a funding policy for our group, all contributions are voluntary.
However the cost of funding our activities continues to grow and any financial contributions to the funding of
our repeaters and beacons would be most welcome. These may be sent to any of the
group members or funds may also be handed in to Martin Lynch and Son. in Ealing, West London.
Internet Linking
GB3AM is linked most of the time and GB3AL is linked occasionally. The repeaters now use Echo Link software.
GB3HZ
This 70cm. repeater will have CTCSS, 82.5 Hz, access only as from 1st October 2004. Currently CTCSS and 1750 Hz
tone access may be used.
GB3AI
As from 1st May 2004 a second 2m repeater will be become operational from central Amersham on 145.6875 MHz
with the usual -600 KHz shift and 77 Hz CTCSS access. This new repeater will be a low power device for local
use and will be permanently Internet Linked also using Echo Link software.
GB3BAA
Two new Beacons, for 6M and 4M, both with the same callsign will become operational soon from a new site near
Tring in Herts. locator square IO91PS. Frequencies:
50.016 MHz to be operational from 16:00 hrs, Wednesday 31st March 2004.
70.016 MHz to be operational from 1st August 2004