Thanks to the efforts of Paul K1YBE and Ted W1GRI, who visited the site at noon today, the DSTAR machine is back up and running. The issue was the failure of a “Relay In A Box” — which is used to interrupt the power from the uninterruptible power supply to the computer. That RIB had failed open — no power to the PC, so no fancy Reflector stuff.
The RIB will be replaced when we can gain access to the repeater again.
Unfortunately, the W1`AAD DSTAR repeater has developed a problem. While the repeater itself is operating, the computer that allows it to connect to the internet, allowing the use of Reflectors like 69C, is NOT working.
While we can do much remotely, the computer is simply no longer responding and a trip to the site is being arranged (but it is located in a school that has been closed due to COVID).
Many club members participated in JOTA this weekend at Glen Park. Rob KB1ZZU will have many details at our next meeting (along with some excellent photos from Dave KC1AAA), but in round numbers approximately 20 scouts participated with a large number obtaining their Radio Merit Badge. Two VHF (analog and DSTAR) stations were fielded along with two HF stations. The DSTAR Reflector was much better organized this year and allowed scouts to have arm chair conversations with other scouts world-wide. HF propagation was pretty good with 17 meters open to Europe and Africa the entire time. Dulcet CW Tones were even heard emanating from Rich KC1ARO’s station!
Special hats-off to Jim KA1ZOU and his team of instructors — there were many excellent comments about the revised teaching plan this year.
Now that the W1AAD DSTAR repeater is back on the air, there might be some interest in participating in (or listening to) the Raspberry Pi Net which meets on the 1st and 3rd Monday of the Month on Reflector 38C.
You can change the link over to 38C by keying your rig and pressing the “*38C” DTMF keys, or by adding a “REF038CL” to your UR list.
Please be aware that the repeater will automatically relink to Reflector 69C after 25 minutes of inactivity, or you could put it back there when you are done by sending “*69C” or using “REF069CL” from your UR list.
There is also a rather active Facebook Group called “Raspberry Pi Amateur Radio” with almost 3,000 users. https://www.facebook.com/groups/251260325054240/
The W1AAD repeater software upgrades have been completed. We now have full G3, DPLUS, and ircDDBGateway features. The new G3 features are pretty obscure and don’t operate without purchasing the latest Icom gear like the ID-51APLUS2, so the repeater not usually be in that mode.
The repeater will normally be in the ircDDBGateway mode and connected to Reflector 69C, which services CT, RI, and Western MA.
You can tell what mode the repeater is in by viewing the “Dashboard” status screen, or by the voice announcements. A female voice means ircDDBGateway, and a male voice means pure Icom G3.
W1AAD running ircDDBGateway Mode
W1AAD running Pure Icom G3 mode