Vista Woods Repeater Status

[WSDH649]

 

I will post updates about the Vista Woods repeater here.

Maintenance, upgrades, plans, etc.

Edited October 20 by WSDH649
general info

[WSDH649]

I've ordered an XLT Communications GMRS Mobile Duplexer from https://www.buytwowayradios.com/xlt-dp-gmrs-50.html

It will probably take a week to get here.

It will be replacing the cheap Chinese duplexer that failed out of the box. I do not have the tools to tune a duplexer yet. So it will be set aside until I can. They I may tune it as a backup or for a HAM repeater in UHF.

But, I am able to test it by setting a radio to the frequency high and low were supposed to be set and then putting an swr meter past the antenna connection.

It is not allowing signal through on any GMRS frequency I have tried thus far.

I suspect it was never tuned and is sitting on some other UHF freq. But without an analyzer I have no simple way of knowing.

For now, I have the repeater up on one radio, so really simplex, with a surecom sr-112 controller. So it works like a parrot repeater.

Just give it time between your transmissions to replay what you have spoken and then time for the other side of the conversation to transmit and replay.

It's a bit annoying, maybe even disorienting. But, it does work and is effective. It's just not as convenient as duplex.

Thanks,

Barry

WSDH649

Edited October 20 by WSDH649
general info

[WSEM281]

Looking forward to the upgrades and curious if I'll be able to reach out after you complete the new install! I've been trying for a few weeks to hit your repeater with a 5W HT from Ramoth/Stafford Airport...not much luck unless I hold the ht above my head and key up from various locations around my yard. Best regards. WSEM281

[WSDH649]

Good to hear someone is trying to use it. I think part of the problem with the system right now is that, especially south of my house, the trees are so dense and there are rolling hills.

I can get good reports 5-6 miles north and east of the antenna but south and west it seems to only reach 3 miles or so before fading out.

I may look at getting a taller mast in the new year if distance does not improve.

DX engineering sells a 46ft telescoping mast that is affordable. But, I would have to build a solid anchor before I would order one. Probably that would require a permanent concrete base with a post that goes several feet into the ground.

At least for me to feel safe raising it.

Also, if I do that, I will have the 25 ft mast as backup or for a 2nd repeater or base station perhaps in UHF. I'm thinking about building a DMR repeater but it is more complex.

Need to get this GMRS system working perfect first.

[WSDH649]

Still having issues with the duplex build. Desense is a real issue with the BTech radios I am using. At this point I have decided to keep it in Simplex on 1 radio with the Surecom.

I am looking at options but leaning towards a Vertex VXR 7000 or a Mobile repeater built with two M1225's.

Depending on availability and pricing, my hopes are to order something that is built and tuned professionally and has a support option if there are future issues.

Ideally a known build model so that if parts or service is needed, they are available as well.

Will keep posting updates as progress is made.

On another note, I did some surveying today as I drove to and from Manassas on 610.

Heading out I was using a handset and 30W amp (probably 25 at the antenna). Also a 3dbi Tram 1174 tuned for GMRS.

On the way back I was using my Midland MXTA26 6dbi antenna.

I was able to make contact as far as the field on Cromwell road and Carver Cemetery.

Things were loud and clear inside of Equestrian Drive.

So It seems I can get 5-7 miles North and West.

About 5-6 miles North and East and about the same South and East.

But only 3-4 miles due South.

I haven't gone far South and West but I have gone to Joshua Road and was loud and clear all along Joshua from Mt View to Garrisonville.

I feel like getting a taller mast, the DXE 46 footer, will increase that range a good bit in any direction.

I'll post a screen shot of my survey reports which I have been tracking in Google Earth.

- Barry WSDH649

Edited October 27 by WSDH649
corrected distance of reports

[WSEM281]

I tried again this morning and I'm only getting 6-8% on the RSSI meter on my 5W HT from ground level. Foliage and obstructions are the likely culprit. I did however get through to the repeater and was able to hear the rebroadcast. After looking at your map, I'm slightly E/SE of Post 290 on Ramoth. Was considering putting a magnetic antenna on the roof with a mobile as a base unit but I will likely be moving in the spring so the time, money, and effort could defeat the purpose.

[WSDH649]

I ended up purchasing two CDM 1250s. I have them configured but I am awaiting the IDOM4 controller board, should be here tomorrow. Once that arrives and is configured, I will conduct additional testing and update.

Edited November 4 by WSDH649
add content

[WSDH649]

I believe the repeater is working correctly in duplex now on two Motorola CDM 1250s with the IDOM4 controller sending ID in CW every 15 minutes.

The TX radio is set to high power with 48W maximum. I have not tested power past the duplexer yet. Will try to get some numbers this weekend. I'm just glad the duplexer is working.

I won't be able to really test at range until tomorrow. But, if some one wants to hop on and see if you can reach it feel free to do so.

I will be monitoring on and off and try to respond.

But, even if you just hear the ID maybe you could post and let me know.

Configuring the privacy tones is giving me difficulty. I will be researching the issue and update when I know more.

For the moment, there are no privacy tones configured. Which really might end up being best if folks have trouble configuring them.

I'm open to either way if anyone has ideas about it.

The IDOM4 currently has a courtesy tone configured so let me know if that gets annoying and I can disable it.

Keep in mind, I do intend to get a taller mast at some point, hopefully be late winter, early spring.

More to come.

- Barry WSDH649

[WSDH649]

I have the PL working. Set to CTCSS 156.7.

I had to raise it high enough that it wasn't being filtered.

Just couldn't get 100 Hz to work.

From some of the anecdotal reports on various boards the CDMs may filter the lower CTCSS frequencies in these repeater setups.

Not sure about the science of it all but 156.7 is working.

I know this morning I was picking up a GMRS repeater system near Glenn Burnie on 462.600 so PL tones are definitely going to be needed.

- Barry WSDH649

[WSEM281]

Tried to hit the repeater with the new configuration moments ago and no return from Ramoth/Stafford Airport. Probably too many obstructions between my location and the repeater. I will try to remember to take the radio with me when I need to run errands and give feedback.

-WSEM281

[WSDH649]

I was testing on the way home from work with my wife and was able to hit it from Home Depot loud and clear.

However, we did keep stepping on each other because I have a courtesy tone setup and I think I might have the timing off.

It takes quite awhile before the beep triggers. I think there were a few times when the repeater stayed open and I didn't hear the beep.

So, I probably have some additional fine tuning to do.

I am open to any suggestions if folks have experience with this type of setup or with the ID-O-MATIC IV.

I am not hearing the ID or the Beacon on the schedule I was expecting.

Guess I need to RTFM more closely.

- Barry WSDH649

[WSDH649]

Did a little tuning last night and the audio quality and signal is way way better than it was with the BTech radios.

However, I cannot hear the beacon or cw id at all since I enabled pl.

I may turn it off tonight to test.

Feel like there is something simple I am overlooking.

Also, tweaked the timing and tone of the courtesy beep and that seem to have reduced occurrences of stepping on each other when testing with my wife.

- Barry WSDH649

[WSDH649]

Well, I have spent many hours troubleshooting and researching issues when using PL tones in this configuration and I cannot find a way to operate the repeater reliably with tones applied.

Even removing the IDOM4 controller completely and using a straight through repeater cable for Motorolas, the repeater will not consistently respond or stay open.

For the time being I have disabled the PL tone and it will remain that way until I can find a solution, if that ever happens.

My main purpose for this system is emergency communications for my family and the community I live in and I need it up and running.

I will be doing some additional surveying in it's current configuration and post results.

I am in it for the long haul so I fully plan to continually improve this repeater.

- Barry WSDH649

[WSDH649]

Alright, I replaced one of the 1250's with a 1550 LS+. Configured as the TX radio and now everything is working with the PL tone set to CTCSS 156.7 Hz.

Drove around and tested from various locations with my wife on the other end and everything was working as expected.

I'm saying it is in-service now.

Will continue developing the system and doing what I can to increase the range.

- Barry WSDH649

[WSDH649]

I went for a ride earlier to take my daughter to Poke Mian near the One Life Fitness gym.

I had my 50w mobile in the car and tried to call home with two different antennas from the parking lot.

Funny thing is, the 3dbi Tram was clearer to my wife at home than the 6dbi Midland.

But, in both cases she was able to read me loud and clear when I was parked.

It was a little spotty when I was moving though she said.

- Barry WSDH649

[WSEM281]

Finally able to hit the repeater from my yard this afternoon. Spotty on my end but other traffic was heard clear, however I'm not getting through to the other user (static and white noise heard by other user). Between system improvements and foliage thinning, it has made a difference, at least from my location. 

-WSEM281

[WSDH649]

That was me on the other end. I could hear you a bit on some transmits but yeah, lots of static. Hoping it is just a matter of the antenna height at this point. I need to get the taller mast when I have some extra bucks.

- Barry WSDH649

[WSDH649]

Was able to do some testing with a HAM operator about 2-3 miles away.

We were hearing each other loud and clear on different power settings with different gear.

I think his location is at a higher elevation than mine. Also, less obstructions.

The repeater was working for a several minutes straight and I was checking the heatsink on the transmit radio.

It did get warm but I would not say hot. I could put my hand on it with no problems.

I do have a fan running on top of it constantly for cooling and the HAM shack stays between 60-75 year round.

I still think I may need to do some tweaking of the "polite" settings on the repeater controller IDOM4. I'm concerned it might get locked up at some point.

It does have a PTT watchdog that should reset if that happens though.

Main thing, I need to get that taller mast when I can.

- Barry WSDH649