More playing.

The Echolink seems to running OK. I have changed the Internet feed. It was running of a range extender but that was messing with my house WIFI. I am now sharing the Internet from my weather and APRS laptop. It has been fine all day but I will monitor it to make sure it doesn't time out or go to sleep. I have also adjust the aerial and made some slight audio adjustments which seem to have improved things. Ant comments would be most appreciated.

UB Update

Was planning to visit tonight but other commitments have prevented it. A visit is now planned for Wednesday evening. I know this is not ideal and many of you will be disappointed, but as the repeater, although not re transmitting is still sending an ID there is not an immediate need to shut it down.

All repeaters back on air

All the repeaters at Bath Uni came back on at 1738, today 26th Feb 2018. There are currently no plans for any further disruptions.

Temporary Closure of GB3UB, MB7UB and GB3UT

Work is finally starting on the building where the repeaters are located. While, there are no plans to remove the aerials yet, we feel it a good idea to shut them down while there is a chance that a feeder could be cut or damaged. Therefore, the repeaters will be switched off around midnight on Friday 23rd February 2018. It is hoped, that should no disasters happen they could be back on early next week.

UB site update.

Following a meeting at the UNI today this is the current situation.

1. There are alternative roof's  being considered. These are lower  (still good site)than the present, however, they only seem to have restricted view to the North, and will mean we will have easier access.

3. When the equipment is moved it will need to put it into a cabinet and ensure that it is regularly checked and safely maintained. 

There are plenty of radio amateurs on campus who are keen to support this and we anticipate that we can identify and propose a new site in early January.

So there we are chaps. I will not name anyone (unless they own up) until everything is sorted and I can thank everyone in the appropriate manner. In the mean time thank you to everyone. And have a great Christmas.

Loss of site and close down.

It is with deep regret that after over 30 years of continuous use I have to announce that GB3UB, MB7UB and GB3UT with cease operation with almost immediate effect. This is due to the site changing owner. A new location will be looked for but finding one as good as the Uni will, I fear be impossible. I understand the cost of a typical site is around £5000 per year!
Of course this could be end of one era and the start of another, but UB has always successfully been run on a shoestring. Maybe someone will donate a few thousand pounds and we end up with a dual mode repeater in the Bath area. Still time will tell and I will post any updates on this site.

GB3UB Renewal

Just had the email from RSGB which reads -

The RSGB's Emerging Technology Co-ordination Committee (ETCC), acting as agents for Ofcom, has pleasure in attaching your replacement NOTICE OF VARIATION on your amateur radio licence number 
This permits you to operate station GB3UB until 23 Feb 2020 or as stated on the document. 

Good to hear the repeater being used and no plans to change anything. I will probably make a site visit the end of this week after the winds have eased just to double check everything is OK. I you wish to make a donation there is a link on the blog to the PayPal site.

A digital UB?

There seems to be some interest in a DMR repeater for the Bath area. As the repeater keeper I have no desire to stand in the was of developments that are driven by the users. I do not have the funds to go and buy an of the shelf unit and pay for the monthly costs such as internet access. However, if enough people get together than hopefully all these things can be resolved. However, one thing I do want to remain is, the given the current availability of very cheap handhelds, is the ability for all radio amateurs to have access to a repeater. We are in interesting times and the future is looking interesting.

Wrong Callsign

It seems that GB3UB has thrown a wobbly and is currently transmitting a corrupted ID. Everything else appears to working OK. I assume it is as a result of the mains problem causing the logic to become corrupted. A site visit is required which will be the early part of next week.

GB3UB & MB7UB update

OK, made a site visit this evening to fix the problem with GB3UB, which was stuck open with a tone. Turns out it was a simple reset and the repeater is running fine, if a little hot. As a result of this visit I have reinstated MB7UB, the APRS digipeater which is now running fine. I still hope to get it running standalone with the Tiny 2 at some stage.

Repeater Update

Just noticed I have not updated this. GB3UB is back working and seems better than ever. We only took the box out and then reconnected it so maybe there was a bad connection somewhere. MB7UB is a different matter. I have the equipment, but the TINY 2 TNC I have is version 2 and not version 5 which has all the digi software. I am trying to find a source of the firmware but not having much luck at present.

GB3UB Back in service

Just to report that GB3UB went back on air at approximately 2030 today. The problems with the pips was found to be a software setting which has now been corrected. There has also been a slight change to the CTCSS timings which means if you have CTCSS enabled you will not hear any audio once a station has dropped carrier.

MB7UB, GB3UB update

Ok, both repeaters are ready to go but due to work commitments it will not be possible to visit the site until next week to reinstall the equipment. Sorry to those that are missing the box.

GB3UB Off Air

As you may have noticed UB has lost it's pips. A visit was made today but unfortunately an on site repair was not possible. The unit has been removed for repair and hence UB is off air for the next few days.

Pirate Activity

It appears that there is at least one unlicensed station operating through UB. May I remind you all that it is against the terms of you license to communicate with such a station. If  you know someone is operating who does not hold a current license perhaps it would be good to suggest they join one of the excellent courses run the Bath so they can operate legally.I will be monitoring the repeater as much as I can and if the situation continues I, as the repeater keeper will have no option but to contact Ofcom on Wednesday. I very much hope it does not come to this as it has the potential to open a can of worms.

Back on

Both repeaters came back on at 0021 today, so I assume this was caused by routine maintenance on site.

GB3UB and MB7UB off air

Just up in the shack and noticed MB7UB not showing on map. Check on GB3UB and that appears to be off air. Seems they both went off at about 0900 today so suspect a power outage on site. Not much I can do at present but will check tomorrow and if necessary try and make a site visit ASAP.

OK until 2017

As you may know all repeater NOV's were up this month. I had to make some admin changes and add some close down operators, but UB is now all legal until 2017.

Noise logging

Should have added that it would be helpful if you hear this noise you could note the following -

1. Date and time
2. frequencies heard (check input etc)
3. Location
4. Strength (strong weak etc).

If you could send this to g4kvi@yahoo.co.uk I can then forward it on and we can get a report to Ofcom

MB7UB Off Air

MB7UB the Bath APRS DigiPeat is currently off air. It appears to have gone off around 1700 yesterday. Unless my helpful fairies make a visit I will try and visit the site before work tomorrow. GB3UB is currently working with no problems.