Hamish ZL2HC
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- Hi will add to this when possible
Have started work on squelch operation for ATV Repeater Ideal is to have squelch on FM sound channel which will have tail of 5minutes which will have test pattern on it. In the short term CTCSS may be used on the sound channel
- December 2007
- Interesting program on the radio about take over of a hearing group up north and the loss of most of their assets. Unlikely to happen to the branch as the equipment assets are to be blunt are unlikely to raise much if sold and cash reserves are not exactly large.
- December 2007
- working on CTCSS control of repeater. Old Tait RT Boards now working on B2 82.5 Hz. Plan is to use on second channel of 23cm video gear. Also revamping power supplies in workshop so next time the lights go out!
- January 2008
- now trying noise operated squelch for repeater with 10 minute tail, some doubts about CTCSS
- 17.2.08
- Removed ATV repeater during week to install noise operated squelch, removed 23cm transmit and receive modules, install my 23cm receiver, check operation of exciter to allow removal of attenuators and modify rack to allow exciter to be installed in it.
Should provide a neater installation when I reinstall it hopefully this coming week and solve the problem of picture tearing unless the brightness of slide is individually reduced. This should really speed up the production of slides and also allow the use of any video source. At the least now I have read the manual any changes should be able to be made on site.
As work wise things are quiet, after the discussion of the earthquake at the branch meeting I have done a few things to prepare for the next one. (the earthquake that is)
In the workshop I have arranged my small solar panel to charge, via a regulator, several assorted SLA batteries. I have also set up so I can run my two meter gear from a SLA battery by the flick of a switch and change batteries with clips as required. Also by the flick of a switch I can supply the radios from a cable which can be plugged into a feed of the car battery. Effectively this means the vehicle can run to charge it's and any other batteries with the solar panel keeping the SLA batteries charged normally.
I also have used the electronics and leds from those cheap solar lights (8 for $20) to produce a simple light which will operate from one of the SLA batteries Cord from outside of house to power input panel allows me to run vehicle near house, plug into battery outlet on vehicle and then feed 12volt workshop system with car battery.
If battery goes low then it can be simply charged by stating the car engine and letting the car idle. Not an automatic start generator but should allow the 12volt system to operate for a long period with the small solar panel reducing how often the vehicle will need to be run keep the battery ok Have also made sure the torches and radios around the house operate and each has a spare set of batteries nearby. Still planned is a cord to allow direct connection to the vehicle battery to allow inside operation of an hf set and a 80meter dipole The earthquake showed me even if you have all the equipment it takes time to find the torches radios and batteries and connect them all up especially working from torch light.
Seems to me most amateurs did the right things after the earthquake, check they their families and property are ok, check on attractive female sorry frail aged neighbours, check work or emergency services where you may be needed, then go on local amateur channels. 680 (faulty go to 690), check 685 any hf frequencies such as 3.9 or 5680 and then monitoring 690 Some suggestions bite the bullet suggest 680 is official first check in station 690 and 685 back up or use as required. Don't forget 6475 simplex if all repeaters are down. Not legal to have CD, Marine and Forestry frequencies in your radio but if your radio can operate on those channels maybe an idea to know what they are and how to install them in an emergency. Alternately how many people have a marine radio which could be set up at home. Remember that Marine channel 16 is monitored throughout the country Encourage all branch members to have a vhf and hf sets at home which can operate from a battery and attempt to ensure base CD and S&R sets have amateur channels installed
Hopefully have pictures of my dishes small ones are on D1 satellite 10 Freeview channels, other D2 29 channels mainly foreign and religious. large one I hope to place on Intelsat to receive the Nasa channel
18.1.08 Reinstalled the amateur television repeater
- Appears to be working ok on test, set power to 10 watts forward on test pattern no reading on reverse. Must always remember that for an amplitude modulated television signal the meter reads average power which depend on the picture Technically one should refer to peak sync power which is 100% modulation and occurs when the sync pulse is transmitted after every line and is thus constant reqardless of the picture. (several db higher than average reading) No reading on reverse is the same as after the rain, before the rain it was 1.8watts for 15watts forward, salt spray on the aerial fiberglass covering? At home QTH signal is 11db below adjacent channel with slight noise visible Good sharp picture with no sign of tearing regardless of picture content Ran out of time to take pictures but will upgrade when possible, installation is now much neater
25.3.08 Have been working on a box to hold the replacement batteries to
- back up the invertor supplying 690, the digi and soon hopefully the extension of the New Zealand Amateur National Radio System to Gisborne The Internet sure works well, sent an email to the committee and the trustees with info on the repeater activity and a few hours later get a thank you back from from one along with an attachment on his activities in Tanzania, where he is, very interesting Been thinking, hope that all amateurs in the district would agree to be able to operate 680. Why? I think it's the only one that all local amateurs can operate and also IRLP (aplogies to whomever I'm forgotten who can't use it),