[OZAPRS] Digipeaters and iGATE's

[Nik Presser]

G’day Peter and all on the list, 

An APRS Digi in SW Vic? That would be very nice and certainly fill in a hole from where coverage from Mt William finishes. 

I think there was talk that a Digi was going to be re-established in the Ouyen area again. I’m not sure and haven’t heard any more. There’s a big gap in the Mallee from where you leave the Mt William coverage until you get towards the Digi coverage in the Mildura area. 

And as you might know, the VK3ROW Digi is down due to an unplanned event down there earlier this year, but I’m sure once everything is sorted out, we’ll have that one going again sometime next year I suspect – hence why the VK3ROW 2m voice repeater is also offline for now. 

Cheers,

Nik Presser
VK3BA

From: VK3AJ 
Sent: Sunday, October 19, 2014 8:50 AM
To: OZAPRS at aprs.net.au 
Subject: [OZAPRS] Digipeaters and iGATE's

 

Greetings to all on this list,

 

I manage a number of radio sites here in Victoria for Scouts Victoria as well as myself in significant locations.

Since getting a nice new TM-D710GA to play with, I have been getting more interested in APRS and how it works.

I noticed some significant holes in the APRS coverage in the areas my voice repeaters cover, so have started the process of establishing APRS on one of the sites (VK3RSA) to fill these holes and learn more about how the network works.

I’ve tried contacting our Victorian APRS coordinator to no avail, so are seeking advice from members of this list on the right way to set it up, how best to configure it for best performance and not have an adverse effect on the APRS network.

 

The site has excellent free high speed internet access, so I am interested in setting it up as an iGATE as well.

 

So to specifics.

 

The hardware is a Microsat WIN3in1 mini connected to a 25W Motorola MCS2000 mobile into a Folded Dipole antenna on a water tower 48m AGL.

 

The site is a high mountain that has 360deg visual coverage for 100+ Km in 85% of horizon. Nearest obstructive mountain is the Dandenong ranges 15Km away.

Current tests from the site shows significant coverage improvements across the area.

Some of the information I have read on the internet (so it must be true J) suggests that APRS sites on high mountains aren’t necessarily a good option. Is this correct?

The site shows a path from my mobile (VK3AJ-9) as SW55Q7 via VK3RSA-1, WIDE*,WIDE2-1,qAR,VK3GY-1. I’m note 100 percent sure what all this means, but have noticed that other sites show WIDE1-1 where mine shows WIDE*. What effect does this have?

Can anyone advise the correct settings for a WIN3in1 mini in such an environment?

 

How do I go about setting it up as an iGATE? Is this an appropriate option?

 

I have three other sites that I could add APRS to depending on appropriateness. 1 is in a rural area not currently covered by APRS (SW corner of Victoria) and the other 2 are outer eastern Victoria sites. How do I get / Who is best to advise me on suitability of these sites for adding to the network?

 

I’m a hands on learner, so please, no highly technical answers.

 

Thanks in advance for the collective wisdom.

 

Regards,

 

Peter Chaplin

peter at chaplin.net.au

VK3AJ

Scout Radio & Electronics Service Unit

Repeater Coordinator

0418 328 882

 

No trees were harmed in the posting of this message...however an extraordinarily large number of electrons were horribly inconvenienced.

 



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