How did we get here and where are we going?

After several years of weak signal operating on the 222 MHz band, a number of club members proposed that EPARC activate a 222 MHz FM repeater. The purpose of the repeater is to provide communications among the club members, develop the untapped resource of the 222 MHz band, and provide another somewhat esoteric endeavor for club members.

The repeater system is being developed in several stages based on available time and resources. Thanks to all who have donated hardware, money, and/or time to this project. Plans are initially to install a single-site system later followed by the addition of satellite receivers and/or additional repeaters on the same band. Technical performance and reliability are primary considerations.

Coverage Maps

The following maps were generated using the Radio Mobile software package written by VE2DBE. The signal strength legend is at the top of each map. White indicates areas without coverage. All other colors represent covered areas. Blues indicate marginal signal strength. Greens, yellows, and reds indicate “solid” coverage areas.

Repeater Transmitter Maps

250 Watts to 9 dBd Antenna (DB264, 4-pole) at 24 Meters on East side of the Martinsburg, WV 97.5 MHz tower to mobile using 5/8 wavelength vertical and 1 uV sensitivity

250 Watts to 9 dBd Antenna (4-pole) at 60 Meters on North side of the Martinsburg, WV 97.5 MHz tower to mobile using 5/8 wavelength vertical and 1 uV sensitivity

200 Watts to 6 dBd Antenna (G7-220) at 60 Meters on North side of the Martinsburg, WV 97.5 MHz tower

To mobile using 5/8 wavelength vertical and 1 uV sensitivity

To HT using rubber ducky and 1uV sensitivity

Repeater Receive Maps

Coverage using a 9 dBd Antenna (DB264, 4-pole) at 24 Meters on East side of the Martinsburg, WV 97.5 MHz tower

From Mobile using 25 Watts and 5/8 wavelength vertical

Coverage using 6 dBd Antenna (G7-220) at 7 Meters on mast on the building of the Martinsburg, WV 97.5 MHz. This represents the predicted receive coverage as installed on November 16, 2005

From Mobile using 25 Watts and 5/8 wavelength vertical

Combined coverage using 6 dBd Antenna (G7-220) at 60 Meters on North side of the Martinsburg, WV 97.5 MHz tower and 6 dBd antenna at 10 meters at the Frederick, MD 103.1 MHz site

From Mobile using 25 Watts and 5/8 wavelength vertical

From HT using 1 Watt and rubber ducky


Coordination

The following forms were submitted electronically to TMARC on April 25, 2005 in order to establish coordination for the repeater. Some of the data looks odd (e.g., RG-58 transmission line), this is due to problems in the TMARC electronic registration process.

Application for Frequency Coordination (PDF format)

Technical Data Survey (PDF format)

E-mail and Information Form (PDF format)

Construction Permit and Certification of Operational Status (PDF format)

Coordination documents for the Frederick to Martinsburg UHF link:

Application for coordination (PDF format)

Construction Permit from T-MARC (PDF format)