Back to basics…..

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After several months of operation, looking at the logs it’s clear to see the repeater is getting very little use. Maybe with all the additional ways of linking that were provided, it’s all got a little too complicated. So….

Changes have been made with the result that GB3OA is now a simple FM / C4FM repeater with no additional ways of linking (Wires-X of course still exists). It’s not normally connected anywhere, but does have its own room (Southport-UK). So, feel free to use it to suit your own needs. Hopefully this way we may get a little more activity!

The SW-LANCS YSF Reflector and XLX704 XLX reflector are no more.

73, The GB3OA team.

Back to basics….. Read More »

Linking

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Everything is to some extent, still being developed. But we thought it may help to give an overview of what linking is available, both in terms of using the repeater and seeing what you can link too, plus how to connect to the repeater if you’re outside of its coverage area.

As a ‘starter for ten’ a new page has been added to the website to give an overview. Please see the link below.

Linking from / to GB3OA

We hope it helps!

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Yaesu DR-2XE now on air.

1 Comment / GB3OA, WiresX / By

Out with the old…..

And in with the new….

We’re pleased to report that as planned, a Yaesu DR-2XE has now replaced the old Tait hardware at GB3OA.

As previously mentioned, the Yaesu DR-2XE offers both standard analogue FM and C4FM. Whatever the receiver hears will be the mode that’s used. Analogue in, analogue out. C4FM in, C4FM out. It’s one or the other, but not both together. Please note the that the standard logic of the repeater will no longer give a K (when using analogue), there is however a squelch tail of 2.5 seconds so you know whether you’re getting in or not. Currently the CW ID is set to go off every 10 minutes (assuming analogue is being used).

Due to a battle with Wires-X networking we’ve had to change the set-up slightly. The room number of SW-LANCS is now 05324, other than that the following sill applies. The repeater will normally be connected to Wires-X room 05234, SW-LANCS. If you wish to disconnect it and connect up somewhere else, that’s perfectly fine. After a period of local inactivity the repeater will automatically re-join SW-LANCS. Please be aware that the connection to SW-LANCS only works if you’re using C4FM.

Yaesu do not allow any none native connection to Wires-X. For those that do not have direct access to a node or repeater that’s connected to Wires-X, the only option to connect somewhere remote is via some form of Hotspot. We have therefore created a YSF Reflector, also called SW-LANCS. Its number is 01704, you should be able to find it on a Pi-Star dashboard. Using a DVMEGA and another Wires-X node (both on dummy loads), these two networks are now bridged together. It shouldn’t matter which SW-LANCS you connect to, you will be heard on both networks. While the hotspot supports both Voice Wide (VW) and Digital Narrow (DN) meaning both will work just fine, please note that if you wish to connect up using your DMR radio and a hotspot running DMR2YSF, then only Digital Narrow (DN) will work.

The GB3OA team.

Yaesu DR-2XE now on air. Read More »

Update – April 2023

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Post updated 28th April 2023 to correct previous VW/DN comments (in italics)

Just a short note to let everyone know of the latest developments.

We’re confident that the new hardware appears to work just fine, at least on the bench. The team are now waiting for a suitable opportunity to get the new repeater installed on site. We may have to wait another month or two for this, but we’ll keep you posted once we have a target date. In the meantime, the existing hardware continues to function.

It may be a good time to introduce everyone to the intended set-up. The Yaesu DR-2XE offers both standard analogue FM and C4FM. Whatever the receiver hears will be the mode that’s used. Analogue in, analogue out. C4FM in, C4FM out. It’s one or the other, but not both together.

The repeater will normally be connected to Wires-X room 05239, SW-LANCS. If you wish to disconnect it and connect up somewhere else, that’s perfectly fine. After fifteen minutes of inactivity the repeater will automatically re-join SW-LANCS. Please be aware the the connection to SW-LANCS only works if you’re using C4FM.

As previously mentioned in other posts, Yaesu do not allow any none native connection to Wires-X. For those that do not have direct access to a node or repeater that’s connected to Wires-X, the only option to connect somewhere remote is via some form of Hotspot. We have therefore created a YSF Reflector, also called SW-LANCS. Its number is 01704, you should be able to find it on a Pi-Star dashboard. Using a DVMEGA and another Wires-X node (both on dummy loads), these two networks are now bridged together. It shouldn’t matter which SW-LANCS you connect to, you will be heard on both networks. While the hotspot supports both Voice Wide (VW) and Digital Narrow (DN) meaning both will work just fine, please note that if you wish to connect up using your DMR radio and a hotspot running DMR2YSF, then only Digital Narrow (DN) will work.

The GB3OA team.

Update – April 2023 Read More »

NOV renewed

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The Notice of Variation has now been renewed which allows GB3OA to operate for another three years.

As soon as we have some news as to when we plan to swap out the hardware to the new Yaesu DR-2XE we’ll post it here first. Several ducks need to be in row to achieve this, but once it’s complete we’re hoping the performance will be at least as good as, but hopefully better. The spec of the new hardware says it should be, but time will tell!

In the meantime, why not encourage other amateurs to get on and use the repeater?

The GB3OA team.

NOV renewed Read More »