Phase 2 of the SWIARC 146.82 repeater upgrade has been completed! As of March 19th, 2020, the 82 repeater is up and running as a single site system at the Simms location. The new ARCOM RC-210 controller has been installed, the programming has been loaded, and the system is ready for traffic!
The new controller has three functions available to all users. The DVR Record and Playback command allows a user to four seconds of their transmission. The controller will then playback that recording so users can hear how their signal sounds into the repeater. The user keys up and enters the ‘8201’ code and unkeys. The controller responds with “Ready”. The user keys up and speaks for up to four seconds and unkeys. The controller plays back that recording. The other two user functions are self-explanatory.
| USER COMMANDS | CODE |
| USER DVR RECORD/PLAYBACK | 8201 |
| PLAY TIME / DATE | 8202 |
| DTMF PAD TEST | 8203 |
Currently, the system is running without the 100 RF amplifier, as the high current 12-volt power supply has failed. John KB0QKH is looking into that issue.
The next phase covers the removal of the temporary system and the removal of the IWCC remote receiver and 220 MHz link in order to prepare it to be integrated with the UHF link system. The scheduled start time for this has not yet been set.
The end goal is to have the new controller installed, the remote receiver system upgraded to a UHF link and both receivers online through the voter. Please note that there no long-term plans to change anything that will affect the coverage of the repeater. However, we are currently running at reduced power output until we can effect repairs on the high current power supply and return to the full 100 watts of power output.
Special thanks to John KB0QKH, Greg N0GR, Craig KD0YTI, and Derek W0TYG for all of their assistance in making this happen, and to all of the repeater users for being patient during this process.
Respectfully Submitted
Rea N0REA SWIARC Station Trustee
Paul WB0GXD SWIARC Assistant station Trustee
Photos of the back of the rack. Sorry, we didn’t get any of the fronts. Next time we’ll get those.
The top is the RC210 controller. The middle is the interconnections panels. The bottom is the voter. The very bottom of the last photo is the Vertex radio RF deck
