ToDo
From Ohio Packet
Here is a list of things we are collectively working on.
Purchase
- Acquire/split up power supplies at CMHSW2, CMHSW3, CMHSW4, #RCHWD to handle higher load from Midland LMR Radios
- Acquire large spool (1000ft) of RG-213 and PL-259 Connectors.
- Continue to acquire gear/test equipment for shared workshop. Will need antennas to cover as much HF as possible, 6m, 2m, 222 MHz, 70cm. Spare power supplies, few computers for workstations/web search, eprom burning facilities, packet host to test cables for 4 main interfaces: soundmodem(Linux), DRSI, TNC2, Kantronics 9 pin.
- Locate Midland LMR radio which will cover 430 MHz, several are candidates including: 70-530A 70-565A 70-1526A 70-1530A 70-1532A 70-1595A 70-1695A 70-5301A 70-5302A. Have eBay saved searched watching on there, keep eyes out at hamfests, these seem to be hard to find. Needed for RF link from Lancaster to Old Washington.
- Locate portable computer, 20amp switching power supply and appropriate cabling for a portable LMR programming station covering both Syntech I and XTR/Syntech II models.
- Syntech I programmer. Ordered on 5/5, expected ship on 5/7.
- Diamond MX-2000 (6m/2m/70cm) Triplexers with pigtails to allow connections to LMR radios.
- SWR Meter effective up to 1200 MHz for usage for 33cm and 23cm antenna construction.
Component orders:
Jameco:
- Precidion Voltage Regulator/Linear UA723CN : Jameco# 1129906 (Qty 10) [Astron Rebuilds]
- 1.25x25" Inline Fuse Holder: Jameco# 108792 (Qty. 50) [LMR Power Cables]
Mouser:
- 500 pF Ceramic Disc Capacitor: Mouser# 562R10TST50 (Qty 10) - equal number to UA723CN Regulators [Astron Rebuilds]
- 10a Fast Acting Glass Fuses: Mouser# 576-0312010.MXP (Qty 100) - equal to 2x the 1.25"x.25" Inline Fuse Holders [LMR Power Cables]
- Bipolar Transistor 2N3771: Mouser# 511-2N3771 (Qty 40) - Replacements for Astron Power Supplies [Astron Rebuilds]
- .093 Molex Pin Extractor: Mouser# 538-11-03-0006 (Qty 2) [LMR Power Cables]
- Digital Multimeter, Fluke-115: Mouser# 676-115 (Qty 1) (General use)
- 3v Lithium Battery for MFJ-1270b/c, 1274, 1289: Mouser# 639-CR2430-P22 (Qty 10) [TNC Maintenance]
- Audio Bridge Amplifier TDA7240A: Mouser# 511-TDA7240AH (Qty 5) [XTR Maintenence/Repair]
Build
- Build cabinet for #RCHWD site, must house computer, radios, power supplies, TNCs. Computer should have 2 serial ports and wireless network card. Computer obtained, build in progress. Total count is 5 radios (1 6m, 2 2m, 1 1.25m and 1 70cm) and 6 TNCs (BPQ32 will be on all but APRS TNC, which will be linked to VM of Linux running Xastir for a digipeater/Igate). The 6th TNC will be wired to "share" the 145.010 radio to give both BPQ32 service as well as a Linux based RMS gateway. ***Update 5/11/09*** Computer built on Dell, had problems with Linksys N card, transplated into IBM desktop, still getting inconsistant behavior with wireless card. Going to return PCI card and locate Wireless Bridge.
- Build Tennis ball Launchers to aid in installation of antennas in trees
- Construct small 222 MHz antenna to be installed very high at CMHSW3 site in hopes of having a clear shot to CMHSW4. ***Update 5/10/09*** 4 Element quad built and installed. 1.4:1 SWR on target frequency. Seems to be holding a fairly strong link. Varies between S1 and S5 depending on time of day.
- Implement 10m FM 1200 Baud RF ports on CMHSW2, CMHSW3. Twinlead dipole constructed for CMHSW2, need coax. Tentative frequency of 29.685 MHz. ***Update 5/10/09*** Radio and TNC are onsite @ CMHSW2. No antenna yet so radio is powered down.
- Establish 70cm 1200 Baud link between CMHSW2 and CMHSW3 in 441 MHz range. CMHSW2 will use 70cm side (Duplexer is on site) of AR-270B. Unknown antenna for CMHSW3. ***Update 5/10/09*** Midland Syntech I onsite @ CMHSW2. Channel 42, 440.050.
- Install APRS Digipeater at N8FRT's QTH. Use directional antenna to favor 71S away from Columbus.
- Rebuild N8FRT's hamshack computer with Ubuntu and configure Soundmodem as needed.
- Build collinear PVC 2m J-Pole for KD8HEZ Home/Voice station
- Where the hell is The Rick? ***Update 5/11/09*** He's Back!
Develop/Test
- Work on Radio/TNC/Computer setup for CMHSW1 site (Lincoln tower)
- Wire up BPQ Polling cable for CMHSW2 (6) and #RCHWD (5). Connectors have arrived. ***Update 5/9/09*** Successfully build 6, 4 and 2 port polling cables. 6 port in use at CMHSW2 as of 5/10.
- Burn appropriate BPQKISS eproms with Channels A-F for CMHSW2, A-D for #RCHWD. ***Update 5/9/09*** Completed
- Investigate 30m APRS HF I-Gate, unsure of location, probably CMHSW2 or maybe CMHSW4 if compact antenna is devised.
- Testing Midland 70-9020 (806-870 MHz) Radios for possible 33cm work, used for local linking to keep 70cm clear.
Maintenance/Modifications
- Continue to modify Midland LMR Radios for Microphone Pre-Amp installation in radio ***Finished as of 5/2/09***
- Replace 6m, 2m, 70cm radios at CMHSW2 and #RCHWD. CMHSW3 upgraded, need to add 6m Syntech I once V2000 is installed and Duplexer issues are resolved.
- Upgrade 222 MHz link from CMHSW3 to CMHSW4 to 9600 Baud. KPC-9612s free. Probably QSY frequency down to 223.400.
- Allocate recycled 2m Mobile radio for KD8HEZ to use, reacquire IC-27a from his mobile setup. Probably TM-241a
- Fix man door to garage at CMHSW3, begin building benches and running electric