SGARS Repeaters

For over four decades the VK2RDX 2m repeater at Mt Bindo, has provided coverage from Sydney across the Blue Mountains and west to Bathurst and Orange. Overtime the repeater's performance did decline, so in recent years a team of dedicated amateur radio operators from Sydney and Bathurst areas, have been working to restore and improve the VK2RDX site. The work included removing rust and corrosion causing passive inter-modulation issues and receiver de-sensing, refurbishing antenna systems, replacing the original "REX" 2m repeater with a newer ex-commercial equipment, new customised repeater controller based on the design by John Drew VK5DJ and upgrading and expanding power supply capacity.

The 2m FM repeater operates on 146.650 MHz with a negative 600 kHz input offset. This repeater also features "Smart Squelch", activated by users transmitting a 91.5 Hz CTCSS tone on the repeater input, improving receiver sensitivity by 2 to 3 dB, beneficial for mobile and distance stations. The repeater will operate normally without the 91.5 Hz CTCSS tone.

On Sunday, the 2m FM repeater re-broadcasts the morning and afternoon news from the studios of Amateur Radio NSW in Dural. The previous weekend saw the most call backs for the last 12 months, following the morning broadcast. With the assistance of Amateur Radio NSW, the repeater team have also installed a 70cm DMR repeater, part of the RadNet and VKDMR networks, operating on 438.1500 MHz with a input frequency of 431.1500 MHz.

All amateur radio operators are welcome to use the VK2RDX repeaters. The VK2RDX site is sponsored by The St George Amateur Radio Society.

The St George Amateur Radio Society sponsored repeaters are:

Call Sign

Location

 Mode

Output Frequency

Input Frequency

CTCSS

STATUS

VK2RDX

Mount Bindo

FM

146.650 MHz

146.050 MHz

(2)

Off Air (1)
 

 

DMR (6)

438.1500 MHz

431.1500 MHz

No

Operational (1 & 4)

VK2RLE

Engadine

FM (3)

146.800 MHz

146.200 MHz

No

Operational
   

DMR (6)

438.4250 MHz

433.4250 MHz

No

Operational (4)

VK2RYL

Rylstone

FM

147.225 MHz

147.825 MHz

91.5

Operational (5)

NOTES:

  1. The VK2RDX Mt Bindo site is located in a remote area. When the site power falls below a preset level, the "on air" status of the FM and DMR repeaters will change automatically.
  2. The VK2RDX 2m FM repeater has Smart Squelch enabled. When a CTCSS tone of 91.5 Hz is decoded, the receiver sensitivity is improved by 2 to 3 dB providing enhanced coverage for distance and mobile stations. To take advantage of the Smart Squelch feature, simply add 91.5 Hz CTCSS sub tone encoding to your transmitter. When a CTCSS tone is not received, the repeater operates normally.
  3. Echo Link connection via VK2RLE-R Node: 170628 Information about EchoLink, login, downloadable applications, link and system status can be found at Introducing EchoLink
  4. Operational status of the VK2RDX and VK2RLE DMR repeaters can be monitored at VKDMR Repeater Dashboard
  5. Whilst the VK2RYL 2m repeater is sponsored by SGARS, the day to day operation and maintenance is undertaken by the site owner.
  6. More information on Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) and the VK-DMR network can be found at VK DMR Network

 

Main Menu

Login Form