SGARS Repeaters
The VK2RKG 2m FM repeater has been relocated to a new location at Raglan, near Kelso in the Central Tablelands, about 150 kms northwest from Sydney. Designed as an infill repeater to provide coverage of the local area around Kelso and Bathurst, the VK2RKG repeater also includes a link to the VK2RCW 2m FM repeater, located in Central West region.
The repeater output frequency is 146.900 MHz with a negative 600 kHz input offset. No CTCSS. Please program this repeater into your FM transceiver and give a call when you are next in the Bathurst area.
The VK2RKG repeater was the inspiration of the Kelso Amateur Radio Group, recently progressed by Josh VK2MES with a custom designed repeater controller. Various other hardware components have been provided by members of The St George Amateur Radio Society, with support and assistance from other local amateur radio operators. The VK2RKG is a great example of collaboration between amateur radio operators and groups.
More information on the VK2RKG repeater can be found here
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.
|
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- Echo Link connection via VK2RLE-R Node: 170628 Information about EchoLink, login, downloadable applications, link and system status can be found at Introducing EchoLink
- Operational status of the VK2RDX and VK2RLE DMR repeaters can be monitored at VKDMR Repeater Dashboard
- Whilst the VK2RYL 2m repeater is sponsored by SGARS, the day to day operation and maintenance is undertaken by the site owner.
- More information on Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) and the VK-DMR network can be found at VK DMR Network