Merry Christmas

May I take this opportunity to wish you, the uses of GB3UB and MB7UB a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Thank you for your support over the year. It is a great buzz for me to read posts on user groups about people arranging skeds on the repeater. I look forward to more activity on UB, and please remember if you have any ideas or comments on the operation please let me know.

Update

Just an update. Both repeaters continue to work well and Ian G0GRI is i the process of setting up a 2m internet link.
Some of you may have heard I am moving. I am not moving far and will almost me line of sight with the box. It may be some time before I can get all the aerials up so will run on indoor ones for a while.

Bath Amateur Radio Club Meeting

If you are a local amateur there has been talk of starting (restarting) the Bath club, well it's happening.

The first meeting of Bath amateurs is planned for Wednesday 17 October in the Boathouse (map), starting around 20:00 - 20:30.

Come along and help get this club off the ground. Remember when you sign the book you will be part of history!!!!

To keep up-to-date with the latest local ham ragchewing, please join our active discussion group.

What is APRS??

Heard a couple of locals on UB last night asking 'what is this APRS thing'?

Well found this site which explains it very well.

http://www.gb3ip.org.uk/index.php?s=aprs

CTCSS Change

For those running CTCSS you may have noticed a change. CTCSS is now enabled all the time. You will not here the 'K' only through audio. You will here the callsign when the repeater first starts but that is all. Sounds good and will enable the Echolink to function quicker when that is running CTCSS.

CTCSS and 1750 tone burst.

For those observant ones of you will have noticed that -

• CTCSS is now enabled on both RX and TX (ie Encode and Decode) This required a bit of bypassing and modification of the logic board.
  

• 1750hz tone burst is now working. This seems to have been caused by a dirty IC socket. All of the sockets on the board have been cleaned.

Hope you find this useful. And please don't forget the Interlink is active. Information on usage is contained elsewhere on the blog.

Off Air for maintenance

Off for a few days and John has some time so UB will be off air today for some maintenance. I hope to have it back on latter today of tomorrow morning.

Update

Made a visit to site today to sort the ctcss out. Didn't go quite according to plan as when I left UB had no through audio!!! Had to go back and despite various checks on the software could not find the cause, just about to give up when the audio came back. Bit worried about this, however the box does seem to be OK apart from the 1750hz not functioning very well. I do not plan to make another visit for a while so things will stay as they are.
A good thing however is that the 'third J' has gone and beacons have gone to every 15mins.
Still all good fun and still a learning curve.

g4kvi-7

For those of you who wonder what my tracker looks like. I have some information on my work blog.


http://bumpyhighway.blogspot.com/2007/07/g4kvi-7-upgrade.html

CTCSS Update

OK the CTCSS is still down. 1750 is all OK, however. Please note that you must use narrow deviation or whistle. I have used both with no problems at all. I will try and make a visit over the weekend but it is my wedding anniversary and the fridge is loaded!!

CTCSS Problem

Just noticed there seems to be a problem accessing UB with a 118.8 tone. I have no plans to visit the site at present so I do apologise for any sore fingers and time wasted finding the rig manual!! Everything else seems to be working OK.

West of England Rally. Frome

Don't forget it is the Frome Rally this Sunday 24th June.

I will be there but I do not have a stand. Maybe next year. I will be lurking round the Trowbridge stand at about 1130.

More info at http://www.westrally.org.uk/

UiView Maps updated.

I have updated the link to local UiView Maps. They now cover most of the local area.

Both repeaters continue to operate well. I hope to pay a visit this week and sort out the 'Third J' and check the other settings, such as time out. But I need to make up a lead so will try and pull my finger out!!!

London Activity

Not quite in line with this blog but thought I would bring this up. I travel to London most days and always take a handie. But I am very surprised at the lack of activity. There is no APRS digipeater, only one 70cm repeater no 2m repeater and no Internet link. So if someone from the BBC club, Scout association and some of the other radio related bodies who have offices in London there are still lots of empty roofs!!

Operating and photo's

Been listening in on the repeater and things seem to going very well. Quite a few new callsign coming on which is very encouraging to me. It does seem now that 'if you can hear it, you can work it'. Below are a few photo's (i did do some work!!)

Now, just a note about operating through the repeater. I have noticed quite a lot of stations opening the repeater and not giving a callsign. I am aware that some of these may be weak signals so no problem there. However if you are checking to see if you can access or checking the Echolink is active, could I ask you give your call (required) and if possible your location.
Also as the repeater becomes more widely used there is the chance that some people will try and spoil our enjoyment. This is very rare on 70cm but if you do encounter this here are some helpful points -
Ignore it - this is sometimes very difficult, but do not rise to the bait.
Do not reply to any call.
If you do here anyting please let me know of times etc.


Apart from that, enjoy the repeater and please spread the word that UB is up and running.

New Aerials

The new aerials are installed.

I visited site today along with Stuart (callsign escapes me), and Dennis M1NED. Thank you very much gentlemen. The weather was fantastic(dry) with almost unbroken views across Somerset. The only problem was that the roof area had not drained and had about 3inch's of water in it so Stuart and I ended up with very wet feet!The existing aerials were removed from the pole, new ones fitted and checked for alignment. They are mounted a wavelength from the pole which should give an almost omni directional pattern. All connectors were checked before being covered with self amalgamating tape. Once installed a call was made and the first station worked was in Abergavenny!!! Apart from that first indications are that the performance is pretty well unchanged, which is to be expected. However we now have an aerial system which should see us through the next 25+ years.
Below are a few pictures of the installation and team.
Thanks go to Mike, G8CPF (left) for arranging the key.

Aerial Installation

I will be on site tomorrow (Tuesday) from about 0930 to install the new aerials. If any one is available (sorry about short notice) to help an extra pair of hands could be good. Call on UB or via email

Help with aerial installation

As you know the aerials are ready to be installed. The problem being is that access is only available between 0900 and 1600 weekdays. If you or know any one who is available could you let me know as I would like if possible to have a 'pool' of people I can call on on at relatively short notice.

Receive much improved

I am very excited!! I made a visit with John last night and we have a result. As you may have noticed there has been a strange noise on the repeater. This was traced to a wireless access node on site. This has now been replaced and I thank all those concerned for providing the replacement so quickly. As a result of this the squelch setting has been substantially lighted. The receiver sensitivity is now around -118dbm. So what does this mean? Well, I can now use the repeater from home on a handheld, as before I could only open it with 35w!!
The echo link is working well now. So please let those that may not read this as I know there were many people who could not access even though they were receiving a strong signal.

Echolink (Node 201135)

Ok, another new(ish) feature for GB3UB. The Echolink link is active again. I know some of you will know how to use it but for those that do not, and for those like me who have forgotten the commands I have put together some links to helpful sites.

The number others will need to connect to GB3UB is 201135

This link gives basic set up information on Echolink

Below is a list of the DTMF commands

DTMF Functions

These commands are used to connect or disconnect a station on the Internet.

Each command consists of a sequence of digits (or the special keys *, #, and A through D).

The table below lists each of the DTMF commands.

Command	Description	Default
Connect	Connects to a station on the Internet, based on its node number.	num
Connect by Call	Connects to a station on the Internet, based on its callsign.	C+call+#
Random Node	Selects an available node (of any type) at random, and tries to connect to it.	00
Random Link	Selects an available link or repeater (-L or -R) at random, and tries to connect to it.	01
Random Conf	Selects a conference server at random, and tries to connect to it.	02
Random User	Selects an available single-user station at random, and tries to connect to it.	03
RandomFavNode	Selects an available node (of any type) at random from the Favorites List, and tries to connect to it.	0

RandomFavLink	Selects an available link or repeater (-L or -R) at random from the Favorites List, and tries to connect to it.	011
RandomFavConf	Selects a conference server at random from the Favorites List, and tries to connect to it.	021
RandomFavUser	Selects an available single-user station at random, and tries to connect to it.	031
Disconnect	Disconnects the station that is currently connected. If more than one station is connected, disconnects only the most-recently-connected station.	#
Disconnect All	Disconnects all stations.	##
Reconnect	Re-connects to the station that most recently disconnected.	09
Status	Announces the callsign of each station currently connected.	08

Play Info	Plays a brief ID message.	*
Query by Call	Looks up a station by its callsign, and reads back its node number and status.	07+call+#
Query by Node	Looks up a station by its node number, and reads back its callsign and status.	06+num

Connect

The default for the Connect command is to simply enter the 4- 5-, or 6-digit node number to which you wish to connect. To prevent interference with other DTMF functions, however, you may wish to configure a special prefix, such as A or 99.

Entering Node Numbers

To enter a node number (for the Connect or Query by Node commands), enter the 4-, 5-, or 6-digit node number. If the specified node is not among the stations currently logged on, EchoLink will say "NOT FOUND".

Entering Callsigns

To enter a callsign (for the Connect by Call or Query by Call commands), press two digits for each letter and number in the callsign. The first digit is the key on which the letter appears (using 1 for Q and Z), and the second digit is 1, 2, or 3, to indicate which letter is being entered. To enter a digit, press the digit followed by 0. When finished, end with the pound key (#).

For example, the letter "K" is entered as "52", the letter "Q" is entered as "11", and the digit "7" is entered as "70".

Callsigns need not be entered in full. If a partial callsign is entered, EchoLink will find the first match among the stations currently logged on. If no match is found among the stations currently logged on, EchoLink will say "NOT FOUND".

Examples

(These examples assume that the default DTMF codes are configured.)

• To connect to node number 9999:

Enter: 9 9 9 9

EchoLink responds with:

"CONNECTING TO CONFERENCE E-C-H-O-T-E-S-T"

followed by

"CONNECTED"

because 9999 is the node number of conference server "*ECHOTEST*".

• To get the status of K1RFD:

Enter: 0 7 5 2 1 0 7 2 3 3 3 1 #

EchoLink responds with:

"K-1-R-F-D 1-3-6-4-4 BUSY"

because 13644 is the node number of station K1RFD, and K1RFD is currently busy.

• To connect to a random link or repeater:

Enter: 0 1

EchoLink responds with:

"CONNECTING TO K-1-O-F REPEATER"

followed by

"CONNECTED"

because K1OF-R was selected at random.

I hope you find this useful. If you have any problems give me a call/email and I will do my best to help.

Man with a big lorry

Apart from the pouring rain I had a ray of sunshine. A lorry turned up today with two shinny new 70cm aerials!!

They look good and seem up to the job of 25years on top of Bath Uni.

Next step is to get a work permit on a day when I can get help and away we go.

Aerials & Donation

As you may be aware the aerials at GB3UB are coming to the end of their life. They were hand made to a very high standard but are now over 25 years old.

A recent visit found one to be full of water which meant using the one and only spare. We had a look at replacing them and came up with folded dipoles from Jaybeam. This seems the best option as soon it will be virtually impossible to gain access to the roof we need a 'fit and forget' solution.

As you now I recently asked for donations and there have been several generous donations.
During this time a contact was made with the Bristol RSGB Group even though Gb3UB is outside their normal area.

However, I am delighted to tell you that thanks to the help of various individuals, who I would rather not name at the risk of causing embarrassment, have provided the full cost of replacing the aerials.

As you can appreciate this is fantastic news for the repeater and should ensure it's long term future.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in providing this very generous donation.

The aerials have been ordered and expected delivery is around 11th May. Hopefully with good weather and ability to obtain a work permit we hope to fit them by the end of May.

In the mean time the repeater is in daily use and there are plans to reactivate the Internet Link.

Coverage

As a repeater keeper I am required to monitor the repeater. It has been great this weekend to hear stations using the box. I have been playing with google maps and have produced a map showing locations I have heard stations operating from. I cannot be on 24/7 so if you hear a location not on the map, let me know.

The map is GB3UB Coverage

Observations

The weekend has been busy on the box with a lot of new callsigns heard (well new to me)

There are a couple of things that need to be noted.

The repeater does not encode (transmit) the 118.8 ctcss tone at present.

It can be accessed with a 1750 tone burst but please be careful with deviation. Some radios tone burst will push the deviation outside the range of the repeater and access will not be possible.

If you are using a wide deviation radio try and keep the audio quiet and you should be OK.

Local Ui-View maps

Have made a load of maps for Ui-view. They are all for the local area and the area I travel most days.

Click on the title or Click Here

If you have problems downloading them please let me know.

GB3UB back. watch deviation!!

Well the visit tonight went well the repeater is working well with many stations heard tonight.
There seems to be a slight problem with weak stations having a noise with them but we think we know the source of this and hopefully will have a solution soon.

One thing to watch is that the repeater is set for +-2.5Khz. Some radios can be adjusted (set to 'Narrow') however some older models and some modified radio's can not. If you have one of these please be careful with the modulation (i.e. don't talk too loud) and you should not have a problem.

It would also be helpful if you could let me know where you are when you access the repeater this will give me soom idea on how the repeater is performing.

Re Installing

Hi,

Will be up on site tonight around 1930 to reinstall GB3UB John has had it on the bench for a while so hopefully it should go ok. If you are around tonight it would be good to get some on air reports .

Off Air again

Went up to site tonight with John. Made some measurements and it looks like the demodulator is not working correctly. So we have removed it form site so it can be looked at. Things are still progressing and I hope to make an announcement soon.
MB7UB continues to work well.

Experiment

Tomorrow, Friday I plan to go to site and remove the attenuator. This will mean that the box will be open until the time out kicks in. That is approx 5 mins. I am sorry in advance but I would like to see how the noise behaves i.e. is it there all the time etc. etc. I plan this to last until Tueday next week. If there any major problems I can be contacted by email at g4kvi@yahoo.co.uk

GB3UB Back on & donation

Well made a visit today and put the attenuator back in line. So it is very deaf at present so only those local to Bath will be able to get in. I am at present trying to raise some funds for some new aerials and cavity filters. I have added a donation link to the site and I know there is a link from the Bath club site (thanks for that) Although I am asking for donations I would like to make it clear I provide both GB3UB and MB7UB for the benefit of all radio amateurs and THERE IS NO CHARGE expected for there use.

Have to think of the next step regarding input noise.

UB off.

Made the visit on Monday. The filters, well they were on 70cm,just. They were realigned and put back in. Seem to working ok but all was not well . The noise was back. This time I did not think it could be desence. So had a listen on the input and the noise was there. Easy cure to that and that was to raise the squelch. However I did have an allan key with me. So will try and make a visit on morning this week before work. In the mean time UB is off.

Aerials & seagull

Ok a visit was made today to investigate the poor operation of the repeater. Thanks to John and Mike. The rain mainly stayed off. On first look the top aerial had the feeder wrapped around the element after it had come away from the mast. We lowered the mast down and discovered the aerials to be full of water!! A replacement aerial was located and the top dipole replaced. The feeders were tidied up and reattached to the mast. When we came to test UB it was found to have severe feedback/desence. It would appear that the aerial poor performance was masking a problem with the cavities. I have put a 15dB attenuator in line so UB works but is VERY deaf. I have arranged to put the cavities on test on Monday so hopefully things will improve. I have attached a photo, can you see the dead seagull???

Problem with access

Seems to be a problem getting in to UB. Will try and visit over the next few days.