[10-21-09] Over a decade ago, Bruce Bergen, KI7OM, wondered about
an apparently abandoned building on the Scott's Hill site,
a few miles northwest of the Brighton ski resort. After
a long process of negotiations with the Forest Service
and even intervention by a Congressman, Bruce was able to
procure a lease agreement for UARC to use the building.
Partly as a result of discussions during the famous
“Wednesday Night Hikes,”
the plan was hatched to use the Scott's site to house
a new '62 repeater to run synchronously with the existing
'62 on Farnsworth Peak. Coverage of the two would
overlap. The two repeaters would
be linked together in such a way that they appeared to
be a single repeater with coverage containing all the coverage
areas of both repeaters. This kind of system has been known
for many years in the Land Mobile Service, but we had not
heard of its use by amateurs.
Over the next several years, the plan went through several starts,
stops, and redesigns. In recent months the project was resurrected using a
simpler technical scheme than the one originally planned. There are basically
two problems that must be solved to create a “synchronous” pair
of repeaters. First, the transmitters at both sites must receive
the same audio, and it must be that of receiver getting the
best signal. Second, the two transmitters must be close
enough to each other in frequency that they will not create
a heterodyne in areas where both can be heard.
The first problem is solved by bringing the receiver audio
from the Scott's site to Farnsworth on a 70-cm link. A custom
“voter” unit at Farnsworth selects which of the
two signals — the one from Scott's or the one from the
local '02 receiver — has the best signal. That audio is then
fed locally to the Farnsworth transmitter and simultanously to
Scott's using another 70-cm link going the other direction.
The original plan to solve the second problem, matching
transmitter frequencies, was to generate both frequencies
from the same standard and distribute it over a 902-MHz
link. Thanks to the availability of very precise oven-controlled
oscillators at affordable prices, it is now possible simply to
use these oscillators at both sites, eliminating the need to
communicate frequency information.
The necessary equipment was built and software written over
the latter part of the past summer. It was a race against the weather
to try to get everything ready before snow closed easy access to the
two sites. On Saturday, October 10, the Scott's repeater was installed
and put into operation for the first time. For the first week it
ran as a simple stand-alone repeater. Then on Friday, October 16,
the necessary equipment for voting and linking was installed
at the Farnsworth site along with a new receiving antenna, and the
fully linked system was put into operation for the first time.
The installation party (KA7OEI, K7ALA, and K7HFV) left the site
late Friday night congratulating themselves on a job well done, only
to wake up Saturday morning and find that the system had some serious
problems with audio quality and some anomalies in the voting process, i.e.
choosing the best received signal between the two sites.
Clint, KA7OEI, and the author, Gordon, K7HFV, returned to the
site Saturday afternoon and identified at least a half-dozen
problems involving audio levels, unexpected interaction between
units, voting parameters, and performance of the 30-year old '02 receiver.
After a Sunday trip to restore a now refurbished receiver and
re-check levels, the whole system was put back on the air. The
final job necessary was a 1 A.M. trip to the Scott's site to
tighten the receiver squelch, which had developed a propensity for fits
of random opening due to an unknown cause.
The system is now fully functional and extends the '62 coverage
into areas east of the Wasatch Mountains. Stations in Park City,
Coalville, Heber, Midway, and even Evanston, Wyoming, have successfully
used the system to work stations along the Wasatch Front. There
are a number of enhancements and fine-tuning adjustments planned (mostly
for next season), but the system is quite usable and members are
encouraged to try it out.
Thanks to everyone who helped with this sizable project. Bruce Bergen,
KI7OM, originated the idea and coordinated numerous work parties to
get the building in usable condition including power service, antenna
supports, ground systems, new roof, and door security. Bruce also built
the 420-MHz cavities required for the links between sites and all the
antennas used at the Scott's site.
Clint Turner, KA7OEI, particularly should be recognized for constructing,
testing, and debugging virtually all the custom electronics required as well
as writing the software for several embedded microprocessors. Accomplishing
this task between July and October was an amazing feat.
Many others pitched in mounting gear in rack panels, building the
mechanical parts, and helping with
installation at both sites. They include Brett Sutherland, N7KG; Don Rawlins,
N7YUQ; John Lloyd, K7JL; John Hardy, K7ALA; and Bryan Mogensen, W7CBM.
Thanks to all (including the ones I have inevitably forgotten to include).
[11-21-09] [11-21-09] No nominations were offered from the floor. However, that's by no means
the final word. Nominations from the floor will be accepted again
at the December election meeting. There is still a chance to volunteer
or to convince a likely candidate to run.
Here are brief descriptions of what the
officers do:
[11-07-09] Now, the QSO is actually on the
ARISS schedule and the time is getting close. The window
for the QSO is the week of November 30 through December 6,
2009 (Monday through Sunday). The potential QSO would take
place on 2-meter FM. Those with a reasonable outdoor 2-meter
receiving antenna in the Salt Lake Valley should be able to
listen in on most of the QSO. We will list more details in
this space as they become available.
For the most up-to-date list of imminent school contacts, download
http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf.
Scott's Hill Repeater On the Air
The new Scott's Hill repeater on 146.62 MHz is on the air
and is now linked to the venerable '62 on Farnsworth Peak.
If you've been active in UARC for a bit over a decade, you
may remember when the “synchronous repeater project”
was first proposed. Well, it's finally on the air.
Web Site Gets New Look
You've probably noticed a new look to the UARC web site.
The new design was created by Gary Wong, AB1IP, who won
our web design contest last spring. UARC President John
Hardy, K7ALA, recently applied the new design to all
the most commonly accessed pages. Thanks to Gary and
John!
Time for Nominations
It's that time of year when we need to be thinking about
officers for the coming year. Many have found it enjoyable
to serve as officers, and we hope more will be inclined to
give it a try.
President: Linda Reeder, N7HVF Executive Vice-President: *Andrew Madsen, AC7CF Vice-President: *Brett Sutherland, N7KG Secretary: *Dick Keddington, KD7TDZ Treasurer: *Chuck Johnson, WA7JOS Program Chairperson: Gene Deal, KF7BSF Program Chairperson: Gary Wong, AB1IP Microvolt Editor: *Gordon Smith, K7HFV Assistant Editor: *Rick Asper, AC7RA *Incumbent
President:
Presides at club meetings and board meetings.
Makes sure all the other jobs get done.
Executive Vice-President:
Substitutes for the President if unavailable.
Makes sure Field Day and Steak-Fry have leadership.
Vice-President:
Substitutes for the President if both the President and the Executive
Vice-President are unavailable.
Chairs the bylaws commmittee.
Secretary:
Accepts dues.
Maintains membership and payment records.
Treasurer:
Maintains the club bank accounts.
Pays bills.
Program Chairpersons:
Arrange programs for club meetings and special events.
Microvolt Editor:
Edits and composes the newsletter.
Assistant Editor:
Mails the newsletter.
Meets post office requirements for reports and records.
Space Station QSO Possible Soon
Carla Burningham, KC7HON, who is the Principal at Midvalley
Elementary School, has been working for nearly two years
to arrange a QSO between students and astronauts aboard
the International Space Station (ISS). She worked with
local hams, particularly Randy Kohlwey, WI7P, to put
together a plan that was acceptable to the ARISS (“Amateur
Radio Aboard the International Space Station”)
administrators.