W7AVM/R
146.860 - MHz 127.3 Hz tone
February 6, 2005
Repeater News
Our new Vertex VXR-5000 repeater with a Pacific Research RI-310e controller is up and operational! The repeater's call sign has been changed from "K7NK/R" to “W7AVM/R". Please contact one of the control operators listed below if you have any questions or find that the repeater is not operating correctly.
The repeater is located on the high ground to the west of Coupeville, at about 250 feet above sea level. The output power is 25W with an 8db gain antenna. The antenna is a vertical collinear array atop the tower at K7NK’s property.
The repeater is operated by "The Island County Amateur Radio Club” The repeater is an open repeater and available to all licensed amateurs. Support for the repeater is generally on an unsolicited base. The repeater is equipped with an Auto Patch which services the local dialing area. The support for which should be made by those using the repeater. The bulk of these donations go toward the payment of the phone bill which is about $20 per month.
The repeater should be used to extend your 2m communication range. Simplex frequency use is encourage where possible. In-order to maintain shorter and precise conversations a one minute timer is activated. The timer begins "beeping" at about 45 seconds prior to shutting off the repeater transmitter. The transmitter cannot be restarted until the offending input signal is released and the courtesy beep is heard. This function allows for other stations to inject for comments or for emergency notification.
IRLP OPERATION IRLP is a way for our repeater to link to other repeaters or nodes anywhere in the world. Our IRLP node number is 3333. Use this link to find out the node number of remote stations: http://status.irlp.net/statuspage.html
To make a IRLP connection the operator should ensure that his transmitter is activating the repeater and has a very readable signal. See notes below on how to do this. Operating on the fringe of the repeater coverage will mostly not allow IRLP connections to take place.
The steps to make a IRLP connection are: 1. Identify the person placing the connection. "This is (your call) accessing IRLP". 2. Holding the mic button down enter: "A followed by the number of the remote IRLP node." Example: A9990 release mic key. 3. You should notice a pause, then IRLP controller will announce the connection is made or was unable to connect. After a 2 to 3 second pause you should now identify your self. 4. Now all of your transmission will be relayed between our repeater and the distant node. Be courteous. Always listen a few seconds before transmitting. Remember that the distant node is probably a repeater and could have traffic on it at the time. Also allow 2 to 3 seconds pause between each transmission to allow for emergency traffic or to allow someone to break in. 5. Upon completion of the connection, with mic button down, enter "A73". The IRLP controller will announce the disconnect with the remote node. 6. Announce "This is (your call sign) clear IRLP". The courtesy “beep” should be heard.
EchoLink OPERATION EchoLink is a way for our repeater to link to other repeaters or nodes anywhere in the world. Our EchoLink node number is 236685. Use this link to find out the node number of remote stations: http://www.echolink.org/logins.asp
To make a EchoLink connection the operator should ensure that his transmitter is activating the repeater and has a very readable signal. See notes below on how to do this. Operating on the fringe of the repeater coverage will mostly not allow IRLP connections to take place.
The steps to make a EchoLink connection are: 1. Identify the person placing the connection. "This is (your call) accessing EchoLink". 2. Holding the mic button down enter: "B followed by the number of the remote EchoLink node." Example: B9999 release mic key. 3. You should notice a pause, then EchoLink controller will announce the connection is made or was unable to connect. After a 2 to 3 second pause you should now identify your self. 4. Now all of your transmission will be relayed between our repeater and the distant node. Be courteous. Always listen a few seconds before transmitting. Always allow 2 to 3 seconds pause between each transmission to allow for emergency traffic or to allow someone to break in. 5. Upon completion of the connection, with mic button down, enter "73". The EchoLink controller will announce the disconnect with the remote node. 6. Announce "This is (your call sign) clear EchoLink". The courtesy “beep” should be heard.
THE AUTO-PATCH OPERATION The auto-patch allows mobile operators to place telephone calls to all local numbers in the call area of 240, 257, 279, 300, 499, 622, 639, 675, 678, 679, 682, and 745. You can use 7 or 10 digit dialing but any out of area dialed numbers will be unconnected.
To place a call the operator should ensure that his transmitter is activating the repeater and has a very readable signal. See notes below on how to do this. Operating on the fringe of the repeater coverage will mostly not allow phone connections to take place.
The steps to place a call are: 1. Identify the person placing the call. "This is (your call) accessing auto-patch". 2. Holding the mic button down enter: "*8 followed by the number called." Example: *8 555 9876 release mic key. 3. You should notice a pause, then a dial tone and the digital tones of the number you dialed. 4. The phone, should be heard ringing, and the party will answer. In the case of a phone answering device you should be able to leave a message. 5. Upon completion of the call, with mic button down, enter "#". The courtesy "beep" should be heard, indicating disconnect from the auto-patch. 6. Announce "This is (your call sign) clear patch". The courtesy “beep” should be heard.
EMERGENCIES In the event of an emergency that requires you to call “911” hold down the mic button and enter 911 then release the mic button. The sheriff’s office will answer and asked for the information of the emergency. Your identification and your location is most important. Upon completion of the call, press # and announce, “This is (your call sign) clear patch”.
HOT-KEYS The repeater has is equipped with pre-assigned auto-dialing numbers. There are 99 memory slots for these numbers. They are referred to as "Hot-keys!'. The assignment of these hot-keys has been done by the repeater committee on the bases of needs and desires expressed by amateurs using the repeater.
01. Island County Sheriff 02. Oak Harbor Police 03. U.S. Coast Guard (emergency, SAR) 11. Rich Scoble, K7NK 12. Phil & Lydia Sikes, N7UX & K7LET 17. Don Monteith, WG7W
To use a hot-key to place a call to anyone of these listed you merely press the mic button enter "*8*(the hot-key number)" release the key. Example: *8*01 release mic key and the call should be placed. To terminate the call enter "#". Listen for "beep".
REVERSE AUTO-PATCH Not available at this time.
How to verify how well the repeater is receiving you. 1. Key the repeater and identify your self. 2. Key the repeater and press #64 then release the key. 3. If the repeater can receive you well enough to decode the DTMF then it will read back your signal strength. 4. If the repeater can not receive you will enough to decode then only a courtesy “beep” will be heard and you are not being received well enough to use the IRLP or Auto-patch.
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL REPEATER. To support the repeater your technical or physical help is always appreciated. Monetary donations please send to:
Island Country Amateur Radio Club, PO Box 352 Coupeville, WA 98239
Control Operators/Phone Information:
Wayne Jeffers: WJ7H 360-331-7844
Steve Harper: KE7BNP 360-341-3369
John Bolte: W0QJM 360-678-0821
Tom Stoio: N7WI 360-675-9404
Rich Scoble: K7NK 360-678-3745