VK2RKG DMR repeater Bathurst - go-live August 2024

 News from Josh VK2MES:

As of 18th August, 2024, the ARNSW VKDMR RadNet Digital Voice Repeater is operational from West Bathurst, running 10W. The first of the new Motorola SLR1000 repeaters for the ARNSW RadNet network, which is the more compact version of their DMR repeaters.

Frequency is 439.875 MHz Output with a -5.0 MHz input. Callsign is VK2RKG and DMR ID is 505115

Reports can be sent to Josh VK2MES

There is also a VK2RKG 2metre analogue voice repeater 146.900 MHz with -600kHz input, no CTCSS tone required.

Nearby NSW Central West DMR repeaters : VK2RAO Orange 438.725 MHz with -5.0 MHz input VK2RBT Wyangala Dam/Cowra area 438.825 MHz multimode DMR & analogue FM, 9.1.5HZ required

VK2RDD Dubbo 439.950 MHz with -5.0 MHz input

VK2RDX Mt.Bindo/Oberon area 438.150 MHz with -7.0 MHz input

Road Trip 5th to 7th May 2023

 Did a road trip, Sydney to Mudgee, via Singleton, Muswellbrook, then Mudgee to Young via Gulgong, Wellington, Molong, Canowindra, Cowra, then Young to Sydney via Monteagle, Boorowa, Rugby, Crookwell and Goulburn.

Heard Murray ZL3MH each day whilst mobile on 29.600MHz FM,  I still getting RFI being generated by the car. I just not happy with noise levels on HF, 6m and 2m. 

Some repeaters that I took notice of their coverage, 438.025MHz  from VK2RCN Newcastle, could hear it do regular idents from Sugarloaf up to Singleton. Could also work  VK2RZL 146.875MHz  from north of Singleton up to Muswellbrook and out to Merriwa, it requires 91.5Hz ctcss. 

Then on road to Young could hear activity from the Wagga guys on VK2RYG 146.875 MHz whilst I mobile from about Cudal through to Young, that repeater is part of the Wagga ARC network, situated near Young.

Here is my APRS track for the trip.

Repeaters VK2RCW 147.200MHz and VK2RKG 146.900 now linked

 Repeaters VK2RCW 147.200MHz at Gowan and VK2RKG 146.900 in Bathurst are now linked. No access tones required to use them.

VK2RCW 439.700 repeater back on air

 VK2RCW 439.700 Mhz repeater is back on air as of today,  after it had failed  some time back. 

It is now a multi mode repeater supporting FM analogue  and P25 digital modes.

This repeaters belong to ARCWG (Amateur Radio Central West Group)  and this repeater is

co-sited with the club's 2metre repeater FM repeater on 147.200 MHz.

Planned for the future, is to link the 439.700 P25 digital into the P25 network.

The Wireless Institute of Australia (wia.org.au)