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Meeting minutes
by Bryan Fields 28 Apr '16

28 Apr '16

I've compiled the meeting minutes for our meeting last Saturday. Have a review and I'll put them up on the website too. 73's -- Bryan Fields, W9CR Florida Simulcast Group, Inc.

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Meeting today 3:30 PM
by Bryan Fields 23 Apr '16

23 Apr '16

If you're coming please hit me up with a note. Bring something to grill for after if you want too. Its at 501 80th Ave, St Pete Beach, 33706 If you're not attending but want to vote please shoot James an email with your vote. 73's -- Bryan Fields, W9CR Florida Simulcast Group, Inc.

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Update
by Bryan Fields 20 Apr '16

20 Apr '16

The 220 repeater had an issue today due to the computer clock being out of sync with the GPS due to lack of NTP. A reboot of the controller computer was required to clear this problem, however we didn't have this enabled. I stopped by the site and added the ability to reboot the controller computer from any of the working repeaters. While I was up there I took the 900 MHz pre-amp out of line and it seams to be working once again. Reminder about the meeting next weekend at my place, if you're getting these mails, you're a member and welcome to come by for it. Hit me up if you have any questions :) 73's -- Bryan Fields, W9CR Florida Simulcast Group, Inc.

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Donation Promotion for 220
by Bryan Fields 17 Apr '16

17 Apr '16

As we work to get 224.280 online at the new site, I've got a bit of a promotion offer for the group. *If you make a $160 or greater donation to FSG, you'll get a 220 band Motorola HT1250. *These have been professionally modified for wideband FM by changing the IF filters and further modified to 255 Channels (16 per Zone). Each will program with the standard window software, and have been checked out on my test equipment. I've upgraded the firmware to the newest as well. While I could sell them for double on eBay <http://www.ebay.com/itm/MOTOROLA-HT1250LS-217-225MHz-250-channels-VHF-5W-RA…>, I've donated these to FSG and they are to be used for our members to spur some activity on the repeaters. I doubt most on eBay are modified <http://gallery.keekles.org/d/30580-5/1031151149.jpg> with the filters changed for wideband. The HT1250 is a rugged commercial grade HT and includes features not seen on most ham grade radios. * True bi-level squelch, with no setting needed * PL and DCS reverse burst, meaning the radio will transmit a shutoff code before unkeying, eliminating squelch tail. * 1/5 W transmitter, with no measurable harmonics. I measured one at the ARRL Lab booth, where most boafeng HT were failing, this HT was one of the cleanest they saw! * Great FM audio * LOUD! receive audio * 24 Hour Clock * 5/12.5/20 KHz steps * DTMF keypad * MDC/tone signaling support * Personalized serial number, the radio serial number will be your callsign and have a label identifying it to you on the back. * Multiple colors, Black, Cammo, Clear, Yellow, Green, Blue, Red o If a color has been taken, I'll let you know what's left, or we can get the color you want case off eBay for about 14 dollars. This is for the radio and antenna only. You'll need to supply a battery, charger, and optionally, a programing cable. The Li-Ion batteries <http://www.ebay.com/itm/2000mAh-Li-Ion-HNN9013B-Battery-for-MOTOROLA-GP328-…> are about $19 from ebay, and the cables <http://www.ebay.com/itm/Motorola-GP328-GP338-HT1250-HT750-GP329-PTX760-GP38…> are under $10. The programing software is up here. <http://wiki.w9cr.net/index.php/Waris#Software> These are programed with the local Tampa bay repeaters and should be good to go. We have 5 available, once they are gone, we may not get more. There is simply not a better quality 220 HT on the market. 73's -- Bryan Fields, W9CR Florida Simulcast Group, Inc.

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Annual members meeting April 23
by Bryan Fields 13 Apr '16

13 Apr '16

We've scheduled the annual members meeting and board election for Saturday April 23. It will be at my house at 3:30 PM, 501 80th Ave, St Pete Beach, 33706 We'll probably have some drinks and fire up the grill after. Agenda: * Election * Technical committee makeup * Financial/state compliance * Donations and planing for next year * Repeater update * Digital update * additional items are welcome to be added, please email the list or James/me 73's -- Bryan Fields, W9CR Florida Simulcast Group, Inc.

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Update (with Video)
by Bryan Fields 11 Apr '16

11 Apr '16

Matt and I spent most of today over at the site doing some final cleanup and attempting to diagnose the 900 MHz repeater noise issue. The bad news is the 927.050 repeater input (902.050) has pulsing frequency hopping signal on the input that was not present before. There is nothing we can do at this point. We did add a preamplifier, but this introduced some desense into the system. A spectrum analyzer was used and we cannot seem to find a clear channel, even 902.0125 was noisy. We're going to add a preselector and see if that works. We had to do some maintenance to the business band repeater antennas, and got the return loss down from -10dB to -18dB. The 220 and 440 repeaters are working well at this point, however there is risk that a DMR user may be coordinated by the FRC on 443.5125. The FRC refuses to provide us with any information regarding this and the section 4 director (Mike Felcher, NI4M) said they will continue to operate in violation of their stated policies. I was told by Mr. Felcher at the TARCfest this past Saturday, "I wrote the bylaws and policy, don't you quote them to me". "Is your non-compliance with FRC policy malice or incompetence? It's one or the other, and frankly hard to tell." was my retort. If/when this becomes an issue we can deal with it. I would add this is the same organization that routinely takes one year or more to coordinate a 900 MHz repeater. We added a 8k BTU AC unit in the shelter and believe it will do a decent job of keeping it cool in the room. The only other environmental issue is the gap above the old AC unit which needs to be be sealed, as it's open to the elements and allowing air/water into the shelter. The fiber connectivity is still pending, and the ethernet is run up to the roof ready for access points. We removed all the tools and spare parts from up there. We'd like to get a tool chest and some basic hand tools to keep on site for the future. Matt has a service monitor and I'll make up some test cables so we don't have to lug that up every time. I have a Dell D820 for programing and test we can put in to program the radios too. We made a bit of a video showing the setup as of today. https://youtu.be/u7QyZFnpoPs 73's -- Bryan Fields, W9CR Florida Simulcast Group, Inc.

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Tampa Radio club hamfest Saturday
by Bryan Fields 08 Apr '16

08 Apr '16

http://hamclub.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/TARCFest-XXXVI-April-9th-F… It's at tarc 7801 North 22nd Street Tampa, FL 33610. There is a VEC session after the hamfest if you know anyone who wants to take and exam.... 73's -- Bryan Fields, W9CR Florida Simulcast Group, Inc.

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Board Elections
by Bryan Fields 28 Mar '16

28 Mar '16

Wanted to give notice to the voting membership that we will be having elections in April so we can file our annual report with the state. We'll have the update as to when we'll be having the meeting once it's finalized. We're accepting nominations in accordance with the bylaws, all positions are up for re-election for two year terms. If you want to nominate someone please do so on the list. Currently we have the following running James, KM4CEF - treasurer/secretary Bryan, W9CR - president Kris, KC9EXH - vice president Thanks and 73's -- Bryan Fields, W9CR Florida Simulcast Group, Inc.

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FS: Alinco DR235 222 MHz Mobile Radio
by Bryan Fields 26 Mar '16

26 Mar '16

I have an Alinco DR235 for sale. This is a 25w unit and the PA has been repaired. It's putting out 28W on the wattmeter now. More info and specs are up here: http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/fm_txvrs/4336.html Note this is a black unit and I have a picture up here: http://gallery.keekles.org/d/30711-1/Alinco+DR-235.jpg $80 (member special) and includes a mic and power cord. 73's -- Bryan Fields, W9CR Florida Simulcast Group, Inc.

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220 and asterisk controller is online
by Bryan Fields 25 Mar '16

25 Mar '16

I re-imaged the controller computer and installed it today. The repeaters are now using the linux computer running asterisk and app_rpt as a controller. The P25 should work, but it's in-cabinet repeat only, meaning it will not go through the analog controller. The node numbers are as follows: 40821 - 224.280 41618 - 443.525 42032 - 927.050 For some reason there is no curtsey tone on the repeaters when audio is coming in from a another one. Once we have internet up there we'll be able to change this remotely. The standard allstar commands work to link/delink them *1 <node> = disconnect *2 <node> = listen to audio, no transmit back on that link *3 <node> = full duplex link *70 = link status *71 = disconnect all links *72 = Last Node to Key Up *73 = full system status *80 = Give ID *81 = Give time of day Right now they are all linked up. Once we have the internet up there we can link to other connected repeaters around the globe. 73's -- Bryan Fields, W9CR Florida Simulcast Group, Inc.

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