Metrocrest Amateur Radio Society
Archives
Updated November 15, 2015
Repeater Update
October 19, 2015
As previously noted, the City of Carrollton is repainting the water tower at Marsh and Keller Springs. The primary MARS 2-meter repeater (145.210) has been switched over to the backup machine at Baylor Medical Center at Josey and Hebron.
The elevation of the antenna on this site is much lower so the “footprint” of full quieting on the 210 machine will be reduced. Because this is a new site, we are eager to learn what our coverage might be. We especially want to know about areas in Carrollton, Farmers Branch and Addison that are scratchy or weak, but welcome reports from other areas. Please send brief signal reports to David Gilpin, K5GIL, david.k5gil@gmail.com.
As part of the same painting project, our 444.075 repeater is down as well. Work is underway to bring it back up at an alternate location. We’re looking forward to having full coverage return in the spring of 2016.
For a look at the Baylor antenna installation, please go here for photos.
Tom Brewer, K5MET, and Bill Krueger, AE5BK, load a new 2m antenna to deliver to Baylor Medical Center.
Digital
September 10, 2015
MARS is installing a Yaesu System Fusion repeater at the Bellar tower location. This will replace the 442.275MHz machine and give us new digital capabilities.
It will be configured with automatic mode select that recognizes whether the received signal is C4FM digital or conventional FM. The mode automatically switches to match the received mode.
The frequency will remain the same, tone 110.9. Thanks go to Kevin Grantham, N5KRG, Andy Parcel, KE5KOF, and trustee Jerry Mabray, N5ZW, for their financial support and providing this valuable resource. We expect it to be on the air in a month or so. Look for progress reports as they become available.
Andy Parcel, KE5KOF, unpacks the new Yaesu System Fusion repeater.
Build-A-Thon Play Day
August 15, 2015
MARS hams gathered at the Carrollton Library to assemble and test their Fox Delta analyzer kits.
Many were old hands at kit building, while others enjoyed learning new skills. Still others made fashion statements with fancy eyewear. All participants met the stated objective which was to have a good time.
Please go here to see the photo gallery.
Analyzer Software Update
August 19, 2015
Tony, I2TZK, has updated the Fox Delta Windows software to fix a bug. Please go to the link below to download the version 6.03 update.
http://www.i2tzk.com/index.php?option=com_rokdownloads&view=file&Itemid=55&id=173:swra-win-v6-03
Sound Chipset Not So Sound
If you are running Windows Vista or later, and you use an external USB sound card interface, you may have an issue. This affects:
• Icoms with built in USB audio
• Kenwoods with built in USB audio
• Yaesus with built in USB audio, as well as the SCU-17 Interface
• Signalink USB
David Gilpin, K5GIL, explained the problem and the solution at the August 13 meeting. The problem is outlined here:
This video explains it further: https://youtu.be/guH0NMRRTAo
Note that the fix has been updated. View this video for the permanent and much simpler solution: https://youtu.be/GwFUUMrPazA
Nifty apps mentioned in the article:
Soundcard Oscilloscope http://www.zeitnitz.eu/scope_en
Digital Level Meter http://www.darkwooddesigns.co.uk/pc2/meters.html#Digital
