GB7DX
Apart from the information on the front page, there are a few other things you might like to know about GB7DX.
Basic User Guide
I've attached a basic user guide to get you started with the basics involved in getting you going on D-Star. I did this a few months ago, so all the detail may not be 100% accurate, but there is plenty there to give you the basics on how to get started. I would always recommend that in addition to buying a D-Star Radio that you also buy the Programming Software and Cable to go with it.
Reflectors
There are a number of Reflectors set up worldwide. These Reflectors are a "central hub" to which lots of repeaters and dongle users can connect. Details can be downloaded in pdf format, from the UKIT website on how to use the Reflectors and how to programme your radio to enable you to link and unlink. Please ensure that your RPT 2 is set to G. If you want to see which Repeaters are currently connected to the UK Reflector, REF005 A, click here. Keep an eye on this document, its a work in progress and based on feedback we get we'll update it from time to time. Lots of information is also available on the various D-Star Yahoo Groups.
DPRS
There is some additional functionality installed on the GB7DX Server with the addition of "dplus" and "dstarmon" software. So there are a few additional capabilities that are available on the repeater. If you want to run DPRS you can do so using GB7DX, although I would not like to encourage setting up a regular beacon using the GPS Auto TX in your radio. This causes the repeater to key up and beep everytime the beacon is sent. You can imagine how annoying this can be to listeners, especially if there are a number of users beaconing at the same time. If another users TX clashs with the beacon, its possible that their TX will not be heard due to the clash of both TX's. Auto Beacons add an unnecessary nuisance to the operation of the repeater (in my view). If you want to use DPRS via the repeater, then please set your radio to beacon on PTT, and not with an Auto beacon. In the event that you want to use the repeater with Auto Beacon turned on, then please email me and let me know your intentions. Perhaps its a Raynet event or something like that, in which case I'm generally happy to support, and can advise users in advance.
If you want details on how to set up your IC-E92 or IC-E2820 to send a beacon that will be seen on APRS then have a look at the information prepared by Mike, G1ZRN, on the Wyre Forest Repeater Group website.
Youtube Videos
There are many videos on Youtube but two worthy of note are the ones produced by Gary Pearce, KN4AQ, which describe how to programme your radio manually. These give you a really good idea on what to do to get you going. There are two videos, I've put links to the videos below.
Video 1
Video 2
GB7DX Back Up Power
I've recently installed some back up power for the repeater and the Gateway Server. The picture here shows the set up for the Repeater and it should provide about 16 hours of back up power for GB7DX. The Power Supply and the Battery connect to a West Mountain Radio PWRgate40s which provides the switching circuitry to determine where to draw power from. In addtion it keeps the Battery charged while mains power is on. The repeater draws power from the Mains/Power Supply under normal circumstances, but in the event of a power failure it automatically switches to the back up battery. The battery is a 125 Ah Deep Cycle Leisure battery. Having tested the battery, by drawing a constant 7.5V from it (100% duty cycle), it takes just over 10 hours to discharge from a full charge to 11.4V, and the battery can be discharged to about 10.5V without causing any damage to it. Hence my forecast of approximately 16 hours of Back Up Power for the Repeater.
I also use an MFJ Super Battery Booster, this ensures the Repeater continues to receive a constant 13.8V even as the Back up Battery Voltage discharges to 10.5V. All the connections between the different devices are made using Anderson Powerpoles, which means I can easily insert my "Watts Up" power meter in different parts of the circuit to monitor power useage, and make sure everything is operating as expected.
In a real test done over the Christmas period, I left the Repeater on Battery Power for a "real life" test, and while it was not the busiest time with the Repeater connected to Reflector 005A, the Back UP power went for 30 hours before I switched mains power back on again. There was still plenty of power available in it, so I think this set up should be more then sufficient for just about any requirement the Repeater may ever encounter. In an emergency, should the power be out for longer then this, I guess I'll have other things to worry about.
As far as the Internet and the Gateway Server is concerned, I have a Belkin 1200UPS which runs the Server Tower and the Router in the event of a power outage, and when I tested it recently, this will operate for approximately 90 minutes. Most power outages in this part of the world usually get sorted within a 90 minute timeframe, but in the event of something more serious, I know that although we will lose the Gateway on the repeater after 90 minutes, we still have local RF for a much more significant period of time. I also have an option to power the Server/Router from the battery via an Inverter if I need to.
So, hopefully while we sit in the dark waiting for the power to return in the event of an outage, we will still be able to enjoy our hobby.
Reflector 005 Links
Reflector 005A Last Heard List
Whose Connected to Reflector 005
| getting_started_on_d-star.pdf |
