WB4GBI

VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING WB4GBI/R 927.725 Mhz!!

2012-04-25T22:24:00.001-07:00

VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR WB4GBI/R 927.725 USERS!!

As of Wednesday, April 19^th, 2012, the WB4GBI 900 Mhz repeater is now on 927.0625 Mhz, with a PL access of 151.4 Hz. Why did this happen? As those of you with 900 Mhz radios already know, my 900 Mhz repeater was not working well at all. Even the strongest of signals were experiencing "arcing" and noise as they transmitted thru the repeater. I was finally able to spend some time at the repeater site (the same site as 146.94 and 444.300) and troubleshoot the problem.

Kevin, W4KEV, has already placed his 900 Mhz repeater on the air from Sharp's Ridge in the center of Knoxville. When he did so, he experienced noise and interference problems as well. What he discovered was the same information that I used when troubleshooting mine. The 900 Mhz band is a "shared" band, meaning there are lots of other services, licensed and unlicensed, that are in the same "neighborhood" as we are. Some of those services are "spread spectrum," meaning that they emit an RF signal over a broad range of frequencies. This includes hospitals, some cordless phones, fixed links (ever wonder about all those yagi antennae on traffic light control systems?), and remote meter-reading devices used by electric utilities, etc. Kevin discovered that the 900 Mhz spectrum was littered with this kind of noise at his site above 927.100 Mhz (remember I was on 927.725).

After checking the repeater thoroughly for "desense" and antenna problems, and finding none, I decided to re-program the Motorola Quantar repeater and give it a try. The results are REMARKABLE. Users who were constantly noisy and hard to copy were quiet. Even when users are less than fully quieted into the repeater, they were not "arcing" as they were before. The data burst noise that appeared in the repeater at regular intervals is GONE. Finally, I can be proud of how the repeater is performing.

Lastly, Kevin has installed a link radio that has our two 900 Mhz repeaters linked together. So far, it seems to be doing very well.

For those of you who have one of the Motorola MCS2000 radios that were purchased recently, you can find my new frequency by selecting "ATL 0625" in the first zone of programming. There is a repeater in downtown Atlanta that is on this same frequency and PL tone. I picked this frequency and tone combination on purpose, as it is already in the MCS2000 radios that I have programmed. This is one channel above the "NFARL" channel that Kevin's repeater is on. Or, you can contact me and I will make arrangements to re-program your radio for you.

I have just received notification that my coordination request for the frequency change was approved by SERA. Thanks to Mike Bishop, WM4RB, for his quick response.

And on a final note, while at the repeater site, after taking care of a couple of matters for the " Frog," (that's the nickname of the radio station whose tower we share), I was also able to complete some work on the 146.94 repeater which removed the FM broadcast audio from the repeater audio. Now I know some will be disappointed that they can no longer hear the faint country music on 146.94, They can tune to 107.7 and hear it for real J.

I have the 53.150 Mhz antenna in hand, and will be installing it post haste! Get your six meter radio ready!

73 de Tim WB4GBI

Tim Berry

***PLEASE NOTE NEW EMAIL ADDRESS!!!***

tim.berry@cumulus.com

Tim Berry WB4GBI

Chief Engineer

Cumulus Media-Knoxville

WIVK-FM WNML AM/FM WNRX-FM WOKI-FM

OFFICE: 865-212-4519 (leave a message, I will be paged)

FAX: 865-909-0821

check out my website at www.wb4gbi.com

Chief Engineer

Vol Radio Network

IMG College/University of Tennessee

Tim Berry
timb447457@aol.com

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

2011-12-23T08:45:00.001-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

I know that this blog is supposed to be my feeble attempts at describing my repeaters and the goings-on involving them, but I wanted to take this opportunity and share with you a small essay that I discovered years ago. I used to read this little essay on .47 when it was newly on the air. It reminds me of the real reson for the season.

One Solitary Life

Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty. Then for three years He was an itinerant preacher.

He never owned a home. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family. He never went to college. He never put His foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place He was born. He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but Himself...

While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against him. His friends ran away. One of them denied Him. He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves. While He was dying His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth – His coat. When He was dead, He was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend.

Nineteen long centuries have come and gone, and today He is a centerpiece of the human race and leader of the column of progress.

All the armies that ever marched, all the navies that were ever built; all the parliaments that ever sat and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has that one solitary life.

I hope that everyone has a wonderful Christmas! May God Bless you and keep you this holiday season and throughout the year!

THANK YOU to all of you who use my repeaters. By doing so, *you* help me enjoy this great hobby and public service that we call Amateur Radio. I would much rather hear each of you on my repeaters, where they are facilitating your communications, than I would be talking on them myself.

73 de Tim WB4GBI

How about a little news?

2011-12-09T07:13:00.001-08:00

HOW ABOUT A LITTLE NEWS?

Its been since September, hasn't it? Well, now that football season is over, I can "catch up" just a little. The real "catching up" won't occur until until basketball season is over in the Spring. Such is the life of a college sports radio engineer.

But here's some good news!! Thanks to the help of a donor, I have just ordered a NEW antenna for the 53.15 six meter repeater! I have also re-coordinated it to the 146.625 site where it will be in its new home. Why did I re-coordinate from English Mountain? Here's why: I have to RENT tower space on English for 146.73. Renting more space for the six meter repeater would be an additional recurring expense, and as an individual repeater owner I need to keep those at a minimum. The new antenna will be here in a few weeks. One thing about the .625 site...I don't have to pay rent-it's mine.

There are several new callsigns showing up on the 927.725 MHz repeater! Recently, I have heard WB4CTW, K4BWG, and WA4FLH. I hope the same will happen when 53.15 returns to the air.

The antenna is here and the monies are set aside for the 146.73 antenna relocation. As soon as the weather, the tower owner, and the tower climber are all on the same page, it will be relocated. The Jefferson County ARES group is making 146.73 their home for the JCARES net...here's hoping more folks will discover 146.73 from its lofty perch on English Mountain!

I hope to write another blog entry before the end on the month, but in case I don't- Here's wishing you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a happy New Year! And let us all remember the REAL reason for the season, the celebration of Jesus's birth.

73 de Tim WB4GBI

145.47 is 30 years old!!

2011-09-20T09:41:00.000-07:00

145.47 is 30 years young!!!

30 years ago, on September 17, 1981, a long-time dream of owning my very own amateur radio repeater was fulfilled. 145.47 first went on the air at my parent's home in South Knoxville. I had to call people on the phone to get them to find it and try it. Today, it's on top of Cross Mountain and is used and enjoyed by a great number of Amateur Radio operators. It hosts several nets, including the Thursday night 47 net that has had as many as 80-plus check-ins. Last Sunday, a group of wonderful folks gathered with me at Norris Dam State Park to celebrate the 30th anniversary of my big dream. THANK YOU to all who attended, helped with the event itself, called on the radio with well wishes, and who use and enjoy the repeater every day!

Special Thanks to: Ralph Lockhart, WB4CTW, for the “birthday” cake, and for staying at the picnic shelter to reserve our picnic spot!

Also, thanks to Rick, N4JTQ, for organizing the event, and inviting folks on the nets.

Thanks to Gloria, KJ4BHF, for helping with the food and drinks at the picnic.

In other news: I installed the $500 isolator on 146.73, and unfortunately the intermod problem did not completely go away. It is very weak, however, and I hope that moving the antenna higher up the tower and away from the offending UHF antennae will eliminate the problem altogether. Please “cross your fingers…” that the vertical separation will help, and also it will get the .73 antenna above the tree line and help its coverage that way as well!

Thanks for subscribing to the blog…This time of year, with my “other” job, I don’t get to write as much. But I *do* hope you use and enjoy the repeaters-that makes the efforts to keep them up worthwhile!

73 de Tim WB4GBI

Tim Berry

***PLEASE NOTE NEW EMAIL ADDRESS!!!***

tim.berry@cumulus.com

Tim Berry WB4GBI

Chief Engineer

Cumulus Broadcasting of Knoxville, TN

WIVK-FM WNML AM/FM WNRX-FM WOKI-FM

OFFICE: 865-212-4519 (leave a message, I will be paged)

FAX: 865-909-0821

check out my website at www.wb4gbi.com

Chief Engineer

Vol Radio Network

IMG College/University of Tennessee

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good news for 146.73!

2011-07-13T17:20:00.001-07:00

Good News for 146.73!!

For those of you who remember 146.73 as Sam (WB4HAP, SK) and Matt (WB4IOB) Kirby’s repeater, and how well it worked from it’s English Mountain home, you know that I have not been able to duplicate their great success since I returned .73 back to English almost two years ago. It’s been a “work in progress,” and I’m happy to report that progress is being made!

If you have tried .73 lately, you have noticed that it has had a “squeal” in the audio on occasions when it has been keyed up, or when it has been up with a QSO in progress. The squeal is a result of an “intermod hit,” or two or more (in this case three) signals that mix together and produce a different signal that is the sum or difference of the others. Intermodulation, or “Intermod,” has long been a nemesis of Mountaintop repeater operations, but sometimes it is misdiagnosed, or confused with other problems. When Sam had 146.73 on English for all of those years, he never had to deal with this problem- probably because the offending transmitters in question were not on the mountain or on the air. In this case, while Todd (KA4OAK) and I were on a recent trip to English Mountain, we actually observed the problem in person for the first time. We were changing the LMR 400 cable on .73 for ½ inch heliax, which by the way eliminated all of the “desense” that the repeater had and really perked up the coverage. It allowed me to take the repeater back to full power, and re-connect the receiver preamp for weak signals. I learned the hard way to never use LMR400 for duplex repeater service. But the “squeal” continued. While we were there, we found one of the commercial UHF trunking transmitters in the building was “keyed up” every time that .73 had the problem squeal. The noise was consistent with this UHF transmitter being active.

“So,” you think- “it’s that fault of that commercial transmitter!!” Well, not so fast. The offending signal is actually produced when two UHF transmitters (there is another one involved) and the 146.73 transmitter are all “up” at the same time. How did I determine this? There several software programs out there in shareware and software land that will help you calculate all of the possibilities. I tabulated the frequency of EVERY transmitter on the tower and loaded them into a database. The software that I used showed a “fifth-order” intermodulation product caused by three transmitters that would cause a signal to be generated on 146.13 Mhz. Recognize that frequency? It’s the INPUT to 146.73. The two UHF transmitters are on a combined antenna system, which means that they already have an isolator in place to keep one transmitter’s RF from going back into the other transmitter(s)’ RF output section. However, 146.73 did not have one of these devices. RF from the outside world could make it back into the .73 PA, and cause the “mix” to happen. So, armed with an intermodulation report, and a clean bill of health from the owner of the UHF transmitters (who gladly checked them just to make sure), I ordered an isolator tuned for 146.73. Isolators are not cheap. They are precision-tuned devices that allow RF on the tuned frequency to pass in one direction, but nothing to pass back into the PA on any other frequency. Mine was almost $500. Now you know why repeaters and their upkeep are not cheap J. Most commercial tower sites now require the use of an isolator.

In just a few short days, we will find out if the RF “mix” was occurring in the .73 transmitter, or if I will have to spend more time and effort troubleshooting this perplexing problem. I’m betting that I have found it, and .73 will make another huge step in becoming the mountaintop high profile machine that it once was and deserves to be again. Stay tuned here on the blog…or better yet, come check 146.73 for yourself!

73 de Tim Berry WB4GBI

Its baaaacccckkkk!!!!

2011-05-30T20:30:00.001-07:00

It’s baaaacccckkkk!!!

This afternoon, my XYL Tammy (KB4TQO) and I went to Cross Mountain and replaced the power supply on the 145.47 repeater. A few quick checks (duplex power, “desense,” and remote control function), and I am happy to report that 145.47 is back up and ready to go. I am also happy to report that *this* power supply has the provision for battery backup, which I hope to add the batteries for in the very near future. Stay tuned!

73 de Tim WB4GBI

Tim Berry WB4GBI

Chief Engineer

Citadel Broadcasting of Knoxville, TN

WIVK-FM WNML AM/FM WNRX-FM WOKI-FM

OFFICE: 865-212-4519 (leave a message, I will be paged)

FAX: 865-909-0821

check out my website at www.wb4gbi.com

Chief Engineer

Vol Radio Network

IMG College/University of Tennessee

145.47 is off the air!!

2011-05-28T20:51:00.001-07:00

145.47 is OFF THE AIR!!

Late Friday Afternoon, I was on .94 when a fellow ham asked me why they could not get in to 145.47. I was surprised (based on his location), but then imagine MY surprise when I couldn’t access it either!! Today, I made a hurried trip to Cross Mountain to see what was wrong. I thought I had the repeater repaired and in fact a couple of QSO’s were made and then it failed again. The problem seems to be in the GE MASTR II power supply for .47. When it has been on the air for a while, the DC voltage drops to 2 volts (well below the 13-14 volts the repeater needs). It appears that the AC transformer is overheating and opening up.

The Good News: I have a spare power supply.

The Bad News: I ran out of time today, as it is a 1 hour trip (one way) to the repeater site. I will try to get the new power supply to the site tomorrow or (at the latest) Monday, which happens to be an off-day for my employer.

Speaking of Monday...how many of you have a Veteran in your family? Perhaps a relative...in my case my grandfather (Fred O. Berry, Sr.) served in World War II. Even if you don’t have a veteran in your family, let us all remember that Memorial Day is a time for us to pause and remember the sacrifices that they made for our freedoms. If they are still with you, tell your family member “Thank You.” Make it from all of us. Freedom isn’t free. Many have paid with their lives. And that is why we remember on Memorial Day.

73 de Tim WB4GBI

Tim Berry WB4GBI

Chief Engineer

Citadel Broadcasting of Knoxville, TN

WIVK-FM WNML AM/FM WNRX-FM WOKI-FM

OFFICE: 865-212-4519 (leave a message, I will be paged)

FAX: 865-909-0821

check out my website at www.wb4gbi.com

Chief Engineer

Vol Radio Network

IMG College/University of Tennessee

147.075 is back on the air!!

2011-05-25T19:29:00.001-07:00

147.075 is back on the air!

Hooray! After a week of shutdown due to it causing interference to Kevin (W4KEV)’s 145.37 repeater, I was able to pay a visit to the 147.075 site on Tuesday Evening. I exchanged the defective PA (power amplifier) with one that I had as a ready spare. The result was a “clean” signal from 147.075, with no interference to other repeaters. It’s back on the air and ready for your use!

Remember, 147.075 has an open autopatch for your use. I realize that in the age of cellular phones that an autopatch is not as needed as it once was, but there are still a significant amount of autopatch calls that are made by .075 users. And what about those areas up in the mountains where there is NO cellular service? I have heard several autopatches from HT’s up on the tops of some of the mountainous areas within the Smoky Mountains National Park. In case you are interested, you can check out the instructions on how to use the autopatch at www.wb4gbi.com/middlebrook.html.

I also discovered yet another antenna problem, this one on .075 itself. It appears that I have an antenna or heliax problem on the repeater antenna. This is going to make it harder for portables and distant stations to access 147.075. Rest assured, as soon as I can get a tower climber to the site I will address this one along with the other sites.

Thanks for reading the ‘blog. I know there are over 50 subscribers…but I don’t have any feedback as of late when I write an entry. Hello…(tap,tap,tap)…is this thing on? J

73 de Tim WB4GBI

Tim Berry WB4GBI

Chief Engineer

Citadel Broadcasting of Knoxville, TN

WIVK-FM WNML AM/FM WNRX-FM WOKI-FM

OFFICE: 865-212-4519 (leave a message, I will be paged)

FAX: 865-909-0821

check out my website at www.wb4gbi.com

Chief Engineer

Vol Radio Network

IMG College/University of Tennessee

In case you were wondering...

2011-05-21T20:26:00.001-07:00

In case you were wondering…is Amateur Radio relevant anymore?

This came via email today from Rick, N4JTQ. I hope he doesn’t mind me forwarding it…

I was sitting at my desk when I heard a call on the 145.470 repeater today, the 21st of May, a emergency call, I got up and responded to the station WA4HSM Alvin from Knoxville who was on the Dragon, apparently a Biker took a curve a little fast and went down, and ran off the road, when Alvin stopped their was another lady there who was a medical person, the bike rider was unconscious, Alvin stated a emergency on the repeater, and requested I call for emergency services, which he had the phone number , called and advised dispatch we had a MVA, gave him my location and information and proceeded to advise the emergency,we relayed information between us and emergency units where dispatched to the scene..a little later Alvin called back and advised that Police ,Fire and EMS was on the scene, the man was conscious, and in fact there was another wreck on up the road, apparently the emergency personal was not able to get out on their radio's, but thanks to Amateur Radio, and Tim Berry who owns and maintains the 145.470 amateur repeater communications ,continued .. and everything looks like it turned out for the best, thanks to all who where able to assist in this accident..
Time Line
Call From Alvin on repeater 11:53 am
Dispatch Notified at 11:55 am
Dispatch sends out units at 11:57 am
Great response !!

Richard Sawaya Sr Amateur Extra Class
Emergency Management Agency Logistics Officer for Sevier County
President Sevier County Emergency Radio Service
Emergency Coordinator Sevier County & TN ARES
Co Founder Of The 470 ARG Net
ADEC for District 6 Skywarn
ARRL VE Manager, ARRL ARECC Instructor & Examiner
CoCoRahs Weather Station TN-SV-5

“When all else fails…Amateur Radio!!!”

73 de Tim WB4GBI

Hey! Why is 147.075 off the air?

2011-05-18T06:16:00.001-07:00

HEY!! Why is 147.075 off the air?

This past Sunday (May 15^th), I received an email that my 147.075 repeater was interfering with Kevin (W4KEV)’s 145.37 repeater. After checking it, I found this info to be true and turned the repeater off remotely. When I have had interference, I expect the person responsible for the offending equipment to remove it from the air until the problem is solved, and when it’s my fault I should not be any different.

I made a trip to the .075 site on Monday morning, and found the transmitter power amplifier (PA) to be unstable. I tried re-tuning it and operating it at different power levels, but I could get the offending spurious signal out of Kevin’s repeater receiver, so it remains off. Now, for the (hopefully) good news: I do have a spare PA, so I will try exchanging them in the next day or so as time permits.

147.075 is by no means my busiest repeater, but it does have the autopatch that is useful to several area hams that I have heard use it from time to time. It is also where I intend to have an IRLP node someday.

As for the other repeaters, I am still waiting on the opportunity to replace the 146.94 antenna with the new one that is at the site and ready to go. This is just a matter of logistics; as I am trying to get the weather, my available time, and an available tower climber to be together all at once. The same applies for the 146.73 repeater. Hang in there…I want .94 and .73 to be the best repeaters they can be. George and Sam (K4HXD and WB4HAP, the respective original owners, both SK’s) would expect nothing less.

Thanks for reading the ‘blog, and I look forward to hearing each of you on the air soon!

73 de Tim WB4GBI

Tim Berry WB4GBI

Chief Engineer

Citadel Broadcasting of Knoxville, TN

WIVK-FM WNML AM/FM WNRX-FM WOKI-FM

OFFICE: 865-212-4519 (leave a message, I will be paged)

FAX: 865-909-0821

check out my website at www.wb4gbi.com

Chief Engineer

Vol Radio Network

IMG College/University of Tennessee

145.470 is BACK ON THE AIR!!

2011-04-06T21:59:00.001-07:00

145.470 is back on the air!!

After a local (not utility-related) AC power issue was repaired, the .47 repeater has returned to the air!

We now return you to a working repeater, already in progress… J

73 de Tim WB4GBI

Tim Berry WB4GBI

Chief Engineer

Citadel Broadcasting of Knoxville, TN

WIVK-FM WNML AM/FM WNRX-FM WOKI-FM

OFFICE: 865-212-4519 (leave a message, I will be paged)

FAX: 865-909-0821

check out my website at www.wb4gbi.com

Chief Engineer

Vol Radio Network

IMG College/University of Tennessee

145.47 is off the air!

2011-04-05T19:59:00.001-07:00

145.470 is off the air!

I’m sorry to report that .47 is off the air after last night’s storms. I suspect that its status may be due to a lack of AC power at the repeater site. I had intended to try to make my way to the site today, but had to take care of other storm related damage to the equipment of my employer(s). Gotta pay the bills, you know… J

While I’m on the subject of AC power, I do want to pass along that I have a battery-reverting power supply and some gel-cell batteries to try to install at the .47 site, assuming my landlord permits. This would keep the repeater on the air for a short while after the commercial power fails, but probably not as long as the AC power has been off this time. But I do hope it would help keep .47 on the air as long as possible. If *did* have a battery backup, we would have to be careful with .47’s “up” time to maximize the battery life.

These other WB4GBI repeaters have emergency (generator) power: 146.73, 146.94, 147.075, 224.34, 444.300, and 927.725. I just wanted to pass this info along if you ever find yourself needing amateur communications in a widespread power outage situation. I am very fortunate and thankful that these repeaters are at sites that are emergency-power ready.

I will report on .47 as soon as I have checked out the site, hopefully tomorrow. Thank you for reading, and for your continued support of my repeaters!

73 de Tim WB4GBI

WB4GBI/R 927.725 is on the air!

2011-03-12T16:22:00.001-08:00

WB4GBI/R 927.725 is on the air!

On Tuesday evening, after an “unplanned” trip to the WIVK transmitter, I took the new WB4GBI/R 900 MHz repeater to the mountain. Since there was already an antenna waiting there (abandoned by a paging company when they changed sites) I was able to hook the repeater to this existing antenna without having to wait for the tower crew, which is scheduled to come to the site and change the .94 antenna. So, it’s on the air! And much to my surprise, there were SEVERAL users already on the repeater when I returned from the SEC basketball tournament in Atlanta today.

The 900 MHz amateur radio band is unique in that there are NO amateur manufacturers that make equipment for this band. All of the equipment, including the repeater itself, is commercially made equipment by Motorola and Kenwood. And further, not all of the 900 MHz commercial equipment out there will adapt itself to Amateur Radio use. If this band interests you, please consult with someone who has experience with the specific types of transceivers to use and which to avoid. Otherwise, you could waste your money on a very nice doorstop.

I will write more about 900 MHz and my experiences in a later blog. If you have any questions in the meantime, please email me. An email link is on the website. Have a great weekend!

73 de Tim WB4GBI

COMING SOON!

2011-01-19T20:07:00.001-08:00

Coming Soon…

WB4GBI/R

902.725/927.725

Pl 118.8

Co-Located with 146.94 and 444.300!!

What have you done for me lately? Chapter Three

2011-01-09T22:56:00.000-08:00

What have you done for me lately?

Hello Blog readers…I hope you have had a wonderful Christmas Holiday and New Years. With the Vol Network broadcasts in full swing, I haven’t had time to do much with the repeaters, but I did manage to sneak up to the 146.625 site this evening and do some much needed maintenance!!

In case you haven’t noticed, the squelch setting on 146.625 had changed with the cold weather to the point that if it was “keyed up,” it would pass open squelch noise for several seconds before the squelch finally closed and the repeater went thru its normal drop-out cycle. With the impending weather coming, and knowing that I wouldn’t be able to make it to the site again for quite some time, I decided to make the trip this evening.

146.625 now has a tone (PL) decoder installed, so that if it experiences noise or interference on its input I know have the option of turning the decode tone on rather than just shutting it down. However, I had tried a tone decoder before and when I did it would make the repeater extremely difficult to access…almost like the sensitivity changed for the worst. Well, it wasn’t a sensitivity issue, but it was a logic problem with the decoder. After a combination of studying the schematic, making some voltage measurements, and some blind luck, I was able to modify the repeater itself to where the tone decoder worked properly for this application. It is not normal for a commercial repeater to have the ability to remotely enable/ disable its tone decode for something other than service, but now 146.625 has that capability! That way, if the repeater *does* have a noise or interference problem, I at least have a way to keep it in service without shutting it down. 145.47 and 146.73 already have this feature.

Now…what about the *other* repeaters? I am waiting on the weather, my schedule, and the schedule of my preferred tower crew (Tower Services out of Hixson), to all come together at the same time! In January, that’s quite a task! But the plan is to do the following work:

1) Remove and replace the .94 antenna and mount

2) remove and replace the 146.73 antenna (see the previous blog entries)

3) Remove and replace the 147.075 repeater Antenna.

4) Install the 53.15 repeater and antenna at the 146.625 site

In addition, I have a surprise announcement to make soon about the addition of a repeater to the “fold…” Stay tuned…

Lastly, I have a question: Are any of my repeater users interested in IRLP (Internet repeater linking project?) I am checking out some options, and I’m wondering if there are enough folks out there to make the purchase expense worthwhile. Please email me with your thoughts.

Well, that’s all I have for now. I hope you enjoy reading my sporadic blog entries, and that you will be back soon as I post updates and pictures!

73 de Tim WB4GBI

Well, phooey!

2010-07-16T04:48:00.001-07:00

Well, Phooey!

Wednesday morning, as promised, I traveled to the 146.94 repeater with the plans of installing the new antenna. I met Kerry Klimecki, the owner of tower services, who has been my choice for tower work for years. When we opened the mounting kit for the antenna, were we surprised! While we could have made the side-mount arms that they sent with the antenna to work, they were very heavy and not the kind of mount that I have used with the Stationmaster antennae before. After some phone calls to the vendor, the correct mounting kit was located. However, Kerry has this little thing called a vacation coming up, so it will be another week or so before we get another try at installing the new antenna. I will keep everyone posted here and on the air. Meanwhile, I had a chance to find out about 146.73’s new antenna status last night. I was informed that the anticipated tower work will be happening as soon as next week. I am ready! The new 146.73 antenna will be mounted MUCH higher than the present one, and I look forward to seeing .73 working more like it used to when Sam and Matt Kirby had it at it’s peak performance.

I know that it seems like it’s a “hurry up and wait” theme today, but that’s the nature of things when you operate repeaters. But the reward is definitely worth it!

73 de Tim WB4GBI

Tim Berry WB4GBI (check out my website at www.wb4gbi.com)

Chief Engineer

Citadel Broadcasting of Knoxville, TN

WIVK-FM WNOX-FM WNML AM/FM WNRX-FM WOKI-FM

Chief Engineer

Vol Radio Network

IMG College Sports

University of Tennessee

Long time no blog...is anyone listening?

2010-06-04T06:45:00.001-07:00

Long time no blog…Is anyone listening?

It’s been a while since I did a blog entry. I’m not sure if folks are reading the blog or not. But today, I have some good news I wanted to share on behalf of several of the repeaters. If you receive this email, please drop me a quick email in return and let me know that the blog “list” is working. Thanks in advance! Now, on with the news…

146.94: Yesterday afternoon (June 3^rd), I placed an order for a NEW 146.94 repeater antenna. I am purchasing a RFS (formerly Celwave…formerly Phelps-Dodge for those who remember) “stationmaster” antenna. It is a 20 ft long, sealed collinear type antenna. After much consideration, I decided on this type of antenna for several reasons: This is the same type of antenna that I have on 145.47, and that Todd (KA4OAK) has on his 147.36 repeater. Todd was experiencing the same “arcing” noise that I have been on .94, and the stationmaster has quieted his repeater down completely. My 145.47 repeater has not had any arcing or noise issues with the same kind of antenna whatsoever. 145.47 is located in a similar mountaintop environment to 146.94. For those of you that may be wondering why I am replacing the .94 antenna after less than a year, please read the prior blog entries. And if you would like to know the name of the company that sold me a $1400 antenna (that’s antenna only, no mounts or installation) that only lasted SIX MONTHS, give me a call. The manufacturer has steadfastly refused to offer ANY assistance, warranty or otherwise, on an obviously defective product. The sad part is that they sell these same antennae to the military, and the owner of the company is a ham. Kevin (W4KEV) and I spent a lot of time trying to present video evidence of the antenna failure to the company in hopes of *some* kind of concession, but they refuse to cooperate in any manner. I have consulted legal counsel on this issue.

The noise on .94 has gotten consistently worse in the past couple of days. While I intended to replace the antenna anyway, the noise issue has exacerbated the problem, and I felt like I needed to make a decision and move on. The new antenna should be here by the end of next week. I have already contacted my tower climber to schedule an install time. I will let everyone know when the installation time is…I will want signal reports! .94 will be down for a couple of hours or so while the change is made. Here’s hoping that 146.94 returns to its “normal” state of service after the antenna is replaced! In case you are wondering, the cost of the antenna and the side mount kit that I need to install it on the side of the WIVK-FM tower is $1200. That price does NOT include the tower crew. THANK YOU to those who have recently contributed to the “repeater fund” as this is where your contribution is going.

146.73: It’s on the air! In case you haven’t noticed, I have *finally* been able to visit the 146.73 site on English Mountain and make some adjustments. .73 has been off the air more than it’s been on, and there are still problems at the site. The repeater antenna is only 10ft off the ground, and I suspect that the mixing and “desense” that have plagued the repeater are direct results of the antenna being literally adjacent to the repeater with no vertical separation. Indeed, I found on the last service trip that the repeater will work perfectly at full power and the receiver pre-amp installed while connected to a 50 ohm dummy load. One thing is for certain…the coverage will certainly improve once the antenna is above the tree line! In the meantime, I have removed the preamp and lowered the repeater power down to 20 watts. This action has made it possible for the repeater to at least be useable. Imagine how .73 is going to work when the antenna is moved and the repeater is back at full power! Speaking of that, I do have permission to raise the antenna on the tower when the tower owner has a crew at the site to remove and relocate some of the other antennae on the tower itself. Since I am a “renter,” I must use the tower crew that the owner specifies and work within their schedule. I have already purchased a new antenna for .73 and it is here at my home awaiting installation. I firmly believe that the wait will be worth it! I can’t wait for 146.73 to return to the status that it had when Sam (WB4HAP, now SK) had it at in its prime. 146.73 is a “heritage” repeater that is one of the originals in East Tennessee…I would like to make Sam proud.

147.075: Have you noticed .075 was off? I had to shut it down after the repeater was inundated with an interfering signal that was cycling the repeater every 30 seconds. The problem was traced yesterday afternoon to a defective telemetry transmitter on a water tank off of Pellissippi Parkway. I want to say a special “THANK YOU” to Cleve Hayes, KB4UAL, who gave of his time and use of his test equipment to locate this source of interference. Cleve is a regular on .94, so if you hear him on- please thank him as well. The .075 repeater is still off while the defective transmitter is repaired.

Within the next couple of weeks, I hope to have the WB4GBI six meter repeater (53.15) back on the air. You may remember this repeater as one of the active six meter repeaters of the area when Sam had it on English Mountain. I acquired 53.15 from Sam’s estate at the same time that I acquired 146.73. The Motorola micor six meter repeater is tuned and ready, and the two-element repeater antenna is ready to go. Look for 53.15 WB4GBI/R on your six meter radio VERY soon!

As for the other repeaters, they seem to be humming along at this time. 145.47 continues to do its great job from atop Cross Mountain, and a few folks have “discovered” 146.625.

In conclusion, I would like to thank you for taking the time to read this blog. I apologize for the lack of activity…this thing called “work” keeps getting in the way of my hobby J. But for those of you who know me, you know that now is the time for me to get things done with the repeaters, as the Vol Radio Network will looking for their engineer in just a few short months!! If you like the blog entries, please drop me an email and tell others about the blog and the web site. Until next time, “73, ” and I hope to talk to you on the air!!

Tim Berry WB4GBI

www.wb4gbi.com

Tim Berry WB4GBI (check out my website at www.wb4gbi.com)

Chief Engineer

Citadel Broadcasting of Knoxville, TN

WIVK-FM WNOX-FM WNML AM/FM WNRX-FM WOKI-FM

Chief Engineer

Vol Radio Network

IMG College Sports

University of Tennessee

Deja Vu all over again

2010-01-20T20:34:00.001-08:00

Déjà vu all over again…

Well folks, I have had to write several “blog” entries that I never thought I would have to do so. This is one of them.

After only five months of service, the 146.94 antenna is defective, AGAIN. Kevin, W4KEV, took some close-up pictures of the antenna, and I hope to post those pictures on the website soon. The two bottom elements are visibly broken. This is the cause of the “static” or arcing noise that you hear. I know this is hard for some to understand when their receiver is showing .94 at full strength, but it is the repeater receiver that is experiencing the problem.

So now what? I have contacted the antenna manufacturer and expressed my displeasure of only 5 month’s service for a $1400 antenna (not counting the $350 for installation). I have had some response from them, but at this point they do not seem to be interested in a warranty remedy. I am continuing to correspond with them, but I’m not hopeful that they will replace the antenna. Even if they do, I’m not sure that I will re-install it, given the poor time of service.

Where does that leave the .94 repeater? I will pursue replacing the antenna once again. I am trying to decide between a Decibel Products DB-224 (which is what the last .94 antenna was for 11 years) or a RFS Stationmaster Antenna, which is what .47 presently has. Both antennas have their advantages and disadvantages. Even though I have been involved in land mobile radio and amateur repeaters for over 30 years, I am still weighing the “pros” and “cons” of each style of antenna.

Here’s what I will NOT be doing: Actively asking for financial help for this project. Granted, this won’t be an inexpensive adventure. The estimates that I have for the kinds of antennae I am considering vary from $700 to $1000. However, area hams were more than kind enough to generously support the last purchase. I DO NOT want them to feel like I have my hand out once again.

So I’ll be saving my shekels. I have also received a used antenna, but it appears to be a 150 MHz land mobile antenna, as opposed to one made to resonate in the 146 MHz amateur radio band. This may not seem like much of a difference, but it will really be noticeable when one tries to use it in duplex (repeater) service. I am also looking to possibly rebuild the old .94 antenna that was removed in August. It was moved to the site as a used antenna, and it lasted 11 years after I installed it there. That’s a little better than the five months that the new one lasted. I may take one of these antennae and install is as a “spare” repeater antenna at the site. It will be much lower, but it will give us an alternative when there is another antenna issue or question.

I sincerely apologize to everyone that this problem has happened once again. I hope to get a new antenna delivered and installed shortly.

Tim Berry WB4GBI (check out my website at www.wb4gbi.com)

Chief Engineer

Citadel Broadcasting of Knoxville, TN

WIVK-FM WNOX-FM WNML AM/FM WNRX-FM WOKI-FM

Chief Engineer

Vol Radio Network

IMG College Sports

University of Tennessee

OFFICE: 865-212-4519 (leave message, I will be paged)

DIRECT FAX: 865-909-0821

"Do you really want to know what's wrong...or do you just want me to fix it?

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

2009-12-24T21:37:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Once again, I am posting a “blog” entry that has nothing to do with Amateur Radio or my repeaters, other than I used to read this poem over my repeaters on Christmas Eve. This was a long time ago, when all I had on the air was .47 and when I owned 145.43 in the early eighties. Perhaps next Christmas, I will read it again, over all of the repeaters. Lets all remember the real reason for the season.

One Solitary Life

Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in an obscure village. He worked in a carpenter shop until he was thirty, and then for three years he was an itinerant teacher.

He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never owned a home. He never had a family. He never went to college. He never travelled, except in his infancy, more than two hundred miles from the place where he was born. He never did one of the things that usually accompanies greatness. He had no credentials but himself.

While he was still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against him. His friends ran away. One of them denied him. He was turned over to his enemies. He went through a mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves. His executioners gambled for the only piece of property he had on earth, his seamless robe. When he was dead, he was taken down from the cross and laid in a borrowed grave through the courtesy of a friend.

Nineteen wide centuries have come and gone, and today he is the centerpiece of the human race and the leader of all human progress. I am well within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever were built, all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has this one solitary personality.

- Unknown

73 de Tim WB4GBI

Tim Berry WB4GBI (check out my website at www.wb4gbi.com)

Chief Engineer

Citadel Broadcasting of Knoxville, TN

WIVK-FM WNOX-FM WNML AM/FM WNRX-FM WOKI-FM

Chief Engineer

Vol Radio Network

IMG College Sports

University of Tennessee

"Do you really want to know what's wrong...or do you just want me to fix it?

Exciting news for 146.73!!

2009-11-07T08:06:00.001-08:00

EXCITING NEWS FOR 146.73!

I’m sure many of you know that I have been struggling with 146.73. I purchased the repeater from Sam (WB4HAP)’s widow, Debbie, and after rebuilding it around a GE Mastr II unit, I took it back to its long-time home on English Mountain. However, its performance has not been great. The antenna was installed just above the 10 or 15 foot level on the tower, as that was the only space available. However, I have been working with the tower owner (I rent space on the tower) and he has graciously allowed me to relocate the repeater antenna to the 130 foot level on the tower! I am purchasing a new Decibel Products DB-222 antenna for .73, and I will be installing 7/8 inch heliax to connect it back to the repeater. This should significantly improve .73’s footprint over East Tennessee. I will let everyone know when work is completed. THANK YOU for your interest and support!

73 de Tim WB4GBI

Tim Berry WB4GBI (check out my website at www.wb4gbi.com)

Chief Engineer

Citadel Broadcasting of Knoxville, TN

WIVK-FM WNOX-FM WNML AM/FM WNRX-FM WOKI-FM

Chief Engineer

Vol Radio Network

IMG College Sports

University of Tennessee

146.94 is 42 years young!

2009-10-29T21:23:00.001-07:00

146.94 is 42 YEARS YOUNG!!

Hello, everyone! It’s been a while since my last “blog.” I hope everyone is enjoying the new 146.94 antenna. Speaking of .94, I have been on a bit of a mission lately to find out exactly when .94 went on the air. For those of you who are recent additions to our great hobby, you might not know that the 146.94 repeater was the very first two meter repeater in East Tennessee. Its history is that of great and continuous service. I am VERY proud to be carrying on the tradition started by George, K4HXD, who was the creator and founder of this repeater. We lost George in 1992. He was of my mentors. Please read the article about K4HXD on my website if you haven’t already.

Lately, I have been attempting to learn more about .94’s history, which started before I received my license in 1973. Thanks to conversations with great hams like Gene (W4UVR), Charles aka “Digger” (WA4QGX), Jerry (N4SH), Lee (WA4QXC), Bill (WB4YPO), Jim (WA4HQP), Bob (W4ZTV), and others, I am starting to piece together some of the history of this great repeater that I am now proud to own and operate. As of today, I have been able to determine with some accuracy that 146.94 is 42 years young this year. The repeater started out in George’s basement in Maryville, Tennessee, before it went to its long-time home atop Chilhowee Mountain near Walland. I am told that in 1967, Ed (ex WA4GKN, now WF4H), moved to Knoxville from Nashville, and was one of the first users of .94 from his RCA tube-type dynamotor mobile as he came into the area. Note that this commercial radio, state-of-the-art in its day, was capable of only ONE channel. Look how far we have come in just a few short years!!

I hope to be finding out more about .94’s storied history, and I will be adding a few details to its service record before 1985, when I was able to take over for George as .94’s owner and caretaker. I can readily share about the post 1985 years, including a story about how my then-girlfriend, who knew very little about what she was getting into, helped me pay for the repeater. I guess that’s why I might have married her…J

If you or anyone you know can share anything about .94’s early years, PLEASE contact me. I would love to include your information about .94’s history as I share it with everyone.

What’s going on elsewhere? I’m sure you have noticed some of the problems that I have been having with 146.73. Something has been “mixing” with the repeater transmitter’s signal and appearing as a signal in the receiver input. The result is a nasty “squealing” sound similar to what happened on 145.47 when I was experiencing the problem with the high-powered UHF TV station. I hope to travel to English Mountain next week to at least install a 118.8 Hz tone board on the repeater receiver, again similar to that of 145.47. I chose 118.8 as it is an SERA- recommended tone for East Tennessee. Please note that this is NOT a permanent solution. I will be attempting to find the source of the problem and removing its capability to “mix.” This could be as easy as finding a transmitter on the mountain that has gone astray, or it could be as expensive as adding a $600 isolator to .73’s transmitter. It’s almost a two-hour trip to English Mountain, as I am a renter on a site and I must go to the office of my “landlord” and get the keys before I can access the site. I am VERY fortunate to have .73 on the site that it calls home, and these are the rules I must abide by. I am also working toward improving the antenna situation on .73, as it is low to the ground at this time. Stay tuned and please be patient as I attempt to get .73 back to the service it provided when Sam (WB4HAP, SK) and Matt (WB4IOB) placed it on the air around 1973. And if you know anything about .73’s history, I would love to hear from you as well! I do remember the great .73 picnics!

THANK YOU for reading. If you like what you see, please tell others. If you have a comment or even a complaint, please tell me. I can be reached via the email link on the website…www.wb4gbi.com.

73 de Tim WB4GBI

Tim Berry WB4GBI (check out my website at www.wb4gbi.com)

Chief Engineer

Citadel Broadcasting of Knoxville, TN

WIVK-FM WNOX-FM WNML AM/FM WNRX-FM WOKI-FM

Chief Engineer

Vol Radio Network

IMG College Sports

University of Tennessee

2009-09-18T13:47:00.000-07:00

Sent from my iPod

ITS ON THE AIR!

2009-08-27T20:16:00.001-07:00

IT’S ON THE AIR!!

This afternoon, shortly after 12 noon, the new 146.94 repeater antenna was installed! Initial reports show a MAJOR improvement in .94’s signal strength and receiving capability! From a mobile in Cleveland to a mobile in Church Hill, all reports indicate that 146.94 is back at full strength. It’s about time, huh? J

THANK YOU to all who helped…especially to those who contributed to the WB4GBI repeater fund. Thanks also to those who helped check the coverage this afternoon, and to Kevin, W4KEV, who helped me with checking and retuning the duplexer earlier this summer and helping me find the problem with the antenna.

If you get a chance, check the website (www.wb4gbi.com) and look at the pictures of the antenna installation. It’s not easy getting a 20 foot antenna up to its 250 foot above-ground home on the tower! Kerry Klimecki of Tower Services did his usual great job. I have used Kerry’s company for over 15 years for my tower needs.

So, for all of the nets… SKYWARN, METERS, SCRES, Blount County ARES, the Breakfast club, the Sunday Evening APRS net, and for the hams who just enjoy using the 146.94 repeater…it’s back!!

73 de Tim WB4GBI

Tim Berry WB4GBI (check out my website at www.wb4gbi.com)

Chief Engineer

Citadel Broadcasting of Knoxville, TN

WIVK-FM WNOX-FM WNML AM/FM WNRX-FM WOKI-FM

Vol Radio Network

IMG College Sports

University of Tennessee

"Do you really want to know what's wrong...or do you just want me to fix it?

IT'S HERE!!!

2009-08-21T17:35:00.001-07:00

IT’S HERE!!!

After almost eight weeks of waiting, the NEW 146.94 antenna is finally here! It arrived at my place of work yesterday. Today, Kevin (W4KEV), Todd (KA4OAK), and I unpacked and inspected it. There are a couple of things that I will do to it to help weatherproof it, but I will be contacting the tower climber that I use for my employer’s work, post haste, and arranging its installation! Hang on…the long wait is almost over!

A couple of other things: You may have noticed the 146.73 repeater has been off the air more than it has been on. Unfortunately, it has been plagued with some kind of interference that is causing it to lock up and pass noise. My immediate plan is to install a tone board on the receiver. The tone will be 118.8 Hz, the same as used on my other repeaters when needed. I will then be attempting to locate the cause of the “mix” that is plaguing the repeater. I have some great plans for .73, but I can’t discuss them just yet. Stay tuned, as I try to get .73 back to its high standard of performance that was enjoyed by all when Sam (WB4HAP, now SK) had this heritage repeater on the air in recent years.

Also, I am THRILLED to announce that 145.47 has been selected to be the primary SKYWARN repeater for the district 6 area as defined by the National Weather Service. If you are using .47 and someone breaks in and advises you that the repeater is needed for SKYWARN, please allow them to start their nets as it means sever weather is eminent. SKYWARN is a prime example of how we as amateurs can use our hobby to provide vital communications to agencies that need our services. If you are not trained to be a SKYWARN weather observer, check out the upcoming training classes so you can help out with this important service.

THANK YOU all for reading my blog, and I look forward to hearing each of you on the air on one of my repeaters soon!

73 de Tim WB4GBI

Tim Berry WB4GBI (check out my website at www.wb4gbi.com)

Chief Engineer

Citadel Broadcasting of Knoxville, TN

WIVK-FM WNOX-FM WNML AM/FM WNRX-FM WOKI-FM

Chief Engineer

Vol Radio Network

IMG College Sports

University of Tennessee

"Do you really want to know what's wrong...or do you just want me to fix it?

Antenna UPDATE!

2009-07-30T10:54:00.001-07:00

ANTENNA UPDATE!

As I am sure you already know, I have been (impatiently) waiting for the new .94 antenna to arrive. I made a phone call this morning to the manufacturer and found out it should ship by the end of this week. Now, I am not “holding my breath,” as I have already heard this once before. The antenna has been tested on an actual test range, similar to the way radio and TV broadcast antennas are tested. I do appreciate that, as most land mobile antennas are built en masse, and probably don’t get tested individually. I just wish the process would speed up!

Now, on a separate note, I need to pass along a request to those of you who read the blog, and hopefully it will get out to others as well. I am very aware that someone has been interfering with one or more of my repeaters. It tends to happen when people are on the air and enjoying a normal QSO. I want to ask those of you who may be involved in a QSO when this deliberate QRM’ing starts to do a couple of things:

1) DO NOT MENTION IT ON THE AIR. DON’T acknowledge that the person is causing interference. If you can still hear the person whom you are in QSO with, then PLEASE carry on the conversation as though nothing is happening. I know that it is likely that you will not be able to hear the person you are chatting with, depending on how successful the jammer is in his efforts. In that case, either sign off, or move to another repeater…and make it one that you may have previously agreed to…because if you mention which machine you plan on switching to, the jammers will simply follow you.

2) LISTEN ON THE REPEATER INPUT to see if you hear the interfering signal at your location. Let me or someone else know if you do hear the signal and how strong it is at your location. If you have the means to determine which direction it is coming from, that would be especially helpful.

Once we determine where the offending signal is coming from, I can ASSURE you that the offending person or persons will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. If they are a licensed amateur, they will be banned from ALL of my repeaters. And yes, that is enforceable. However, in the meantime, the more we acknowledge them, directly or indirectly, the more we feed their “jollies,” and they will continue to cause interference. I know its hard not to do so, but PLEASE do not engage them in any way. If you have to, sign off, or move to another frequency. It’s better to do this than to engage in a “whizzing contest” with them on the air.

I’m sorry to have to devote a blog entry to this, but the problem is growing, and it is only going to get worse if we don’t stop letting these people know that they are getting to us.

As soon as I have more information on the .94 antenna, I will post it here. I am also working on some other good things for 146.73 and 53.15. Stay tuned!!

73 de Tim WB4GBI

Tim Berry WB4GBI (check out my website at www.wb4gbi.com)

Chief Engineer

Citadel Broadcasting of Knoxville, TN

WIVK-FM/HD1 WNOX-FM WNML AM/FM WNRX-FM WOKI-FM

Chief Engineer

Vol Radio Network

IMG College Sports

University of Tennessee

"Do you really want to know what's wrong...or do you just want me to fix it?