[OZAPRS] Pros and Cons of changing VK3's APRS frequency

Daryl darylj2 at bigpond.com
Wed Oct 15 19:45:22 EST 2003


 If the freq change takes place we are prepared to do our bit for VK2RO-1
AT Tocumwal.
Regards Daryl
VK3KLN
----- Original Message -----
From: Richard  <mailto:lhoskin at bigpond.com> Hoskin
To: ozaprs at marconi.ics.mq.edu.au
Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2003 4:22 PM
Subject: Re: [OZAPRS] Pros and Cons of changing VK3's APRS frequency


Hi Ron,

Thanks for your comments.

> This change would make the management of the 145.175 interesting to
> say the least.  Currently the VK5 network is heard locally from time
> to time.

I think it would make VHF APRS communications very challenging when
conditions where good for VHF DX. This could create channel traffic
overload for many of the Wide Area Digipeaters.

>
> Plans in NW Vic are to get relay digis at Ouyen and Robinvale, and
> later, one to the west on the Sturt Hwy and north on Silver City Hwy.

That's great to hear plans for increasing the coverage in the north west
of the state. One suggestion is to make the Digi at Ouyen a WIDE Area
Digi. You may find that one at Robinvale need only be a Relay Digi to get
into the Wide at Ouyen.

> I wonder how many others do run the above, and therefore need 2 sets
> of Xtals.  Everyone in VK that wants to use FM828 I suspect.

I don’t believe there are too many mobile 828's these days. Most people I
know off around here are running VFO or PROM based radios for VHF APRS if
they don’t run a D700 or D7AG.

>
> I'm happy to contribute $100 as well as help where I can.
>

Thanks for your contribution. Pledges now total $675

Interestingly only 2 VK3 amateurs have pledged money to this project. All
other pledges have come from interstate.

>
> There are only 2 (please correct me if I'm wrong VK3RPG-2 and
> VK3RMG-1) Licenced Digpeaters that need to be changed that are
> managed/owned by groups. All the other Digipeaters and Igates are
> licenced to (and funded by, I'd suspect) private hams. The $2500 cost
> you quoted may be for the whole of VK3 network, but I don't think that
> anywhere near that needs to be funded. I'd think most of VK3 hams
> would happily fund and convert their own equipment to 145.175 when the
> change were to take place.
>

Equipment for all VK3 APRS Digipeaters (except the transceiver and TNC of
VK3RPG-2) was obtained by a few dedicated individuals through fundraising
at local Ham Fests as well as donations from a few other very generous
people. All whom wanted to see the development and expansion of the VK3
APRS network. These same few dedicated individuals have spent may hours
finding sites, building and installing digipeaters.

I believe that it should not be left up to these same people to put in
additional effort and money to change what they already have supported. It
is time for others to contribute to the APRS network if the change in
frequency is to take effect.

Seven temporary test VK3 Digipeaters not located at amateurs home QTHs are
in the process of being licensed. The Digipeaters were temporarily
installed at sites to test site coverage. If the coverage is acceptable
the temporary digis are licensed as permanent hill top repeaters. The
local operator may not necessarily finance any part of the digipeater
installation.

> There would be pain in VK3 as the change to place now, but more pain
> if it is left to a later date.

I agree but to effect the change finances must be raised and labor must be
sort.

> I believe that the advantages outway the disadvantages to have VK3 on
> the National APRS frequency.



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