Repeater Overview
The Clarksville Amateur Radio Club FM repeater is located on the two-meter frequency of 146.865 (-). The system outputs a PL of 88.5Hz (but you don’t need to use a tone to get in).
A fully open autopatch (long distance IS allowed) and other features are documented on the repeater’s code page. We encourage use of all the features so as to keep our bands active (see Club Goals), so do not hesitate to use them.
The core of the repeater is a Vertex VXR5000 repeater, being controlled by a customized Micro Computer Concepts RC1000 digital controller. See the repeater pictures for the configuration.
VHF reception is aided by a +24dB Advanced RF Design preamp, RX144LN. The remote HF receiver is a Drake R8-B with a G5RV antenna. The receive frequency is set in the mornings to 40 meters, in the early evening to 40- or 80 meters, and late night to 80- or 160 meters. Midday on the weekends, it is set to 20- or 17 meters.
The metering system is made of NOS meters from the former USSR circa 1981, which I purchased from Lithuania, where there appears to be an endless supply post-Union breakup. I highly recommend them. A Kenwood TR-7400A transceiver is at the site feeding a 1/4 wave verticle dipole for control functions and monitoring the repeater. The Motorola Micor supply provides power for the system.
The duplexer is a 4-cavity Wacom (Telewave) WP641. The transmitter PA is from RF Concepts and is modified for repeater duty-cycles. Coaxial cabling within the system is RG-213. The feedline to the antenna is LMR-400 from Times Microwave. The antenna is 565 feet above sea level, and 62 feet above the terrain. Estimated Radiated Power (ERP) of the system is 27 watts, consistent with a small-footprint, local community repeater (see Club Goals).
Check out this picture of the repeater, or this close-in shot.
Click to enlarge.
Click to enlarge.
Using a 50-watt mobile, reasonable coverage in S. Baltimore, Ellicott City, Columbia, Jessup, Laurel, and Burtonsville can be realized. Note that the receiver is better than the transmitter. If you receive the repeater at an S1 or 2, then you are nearly full quieting into the repeater’s receiver and can use all the features. The voice synthesizer technology is from Voice Synthesis: AT&T Labs, Inc, Research.
The repeater is maintained by KC8AOT, WA4BVO, Claire Fraser, Cricket Fraser, and other members of CARC.
The Club E-mail is Carksville.Amatuer.Radio.Club@gmail.com
The Club Web address is: http://www.clarksville-repeater.org/