Wildrose Network News Archives from 2010

Dec.24.10 It's been another year and the Wildrose Network Group has had a pretty good one. Over all we managed to upgrade and improve the Calgary DStar repeater VE6WRN which is working much better. The main upgrade was a new antenna and the -1.2Meg offset which really improved the overall performance (see Nov 13th below). In Banff we added the second DStar repeater VE6WRO. Currently running VHF, UHF and 1.2Meg Data. We hope to have Voice on 1.2 later this year.

Our National Park FM repeaters are all doing well, VE7KNP having been down for a few years is back up and running in Kootenay NP. Contacts have occurred from the Calgary area and Columbia Lake south of Fairmont Hot Springs. It mainly covers highway 93 from TC1 to Radium and beyond. Were not sure of the coverage overall but with what we have seen give it a try, you may be surprised. The repeater in Lake Louise has also been upgraded and is now linked to the rest of the NP network of repeaters. The Banff VHF/VHF (2 meters and 220) repeaters are also working well and linked. Our UHF repeater which links all four repeaters in the parks is also working very well. Note that we had to change frequency on this repeater (444.7875-) last summer to avoid some interference from a repeater up North. Much of the Banff, Kootenay and East Yoho NP's now has repeater coverage along the highways. Of course much of the back country will have coverage as well. If you have any questions about any Park repeaters you may want to contact Mike VE6AMC. Much of the work on these repeaters has been done by Mike and without his efforts none of this would exist.

Unfortunately our Hailstone site along the SW foothills did not get attended to this summer but the 220 repeater and UHF link are working and we are planning a much different looking site hopefully next summer. Watch for details on this as there will be a couple of surprises. VE6RPT near Cochrane is also working well on both VHF and UHF. This repeater was upgraded a couple years back and now requires PL for access. Aarne VE6CKV was the custonian of this repeater until he passed away and at that time the repeater was past over to Dale VE6CPK with the callsign VE6RPT under the Wildrose Network. Please note that the call VE6CKV is now used by his brother Larry Luoma who recently received his Amateur Radio ticket.

So much has happen this year that I may have forgotton to say something but read below as much of what we have done is pretty much there. However I would like to thank Pat VE6CPT for much of the tower work and making up those special items we need from time to time, Mike VE6AMC for his expertise in making all the equipment work and of course all of our supporters, without you we certainly would not be where we are today. I also would like to give myself some credit (Dale VE6CPK) as I help where I can but most of all I run and maintain this web site to help keep you all informed as to what we do through out the year.

With that said...On behalf of the Wildrose Network Group I like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas (Happy Holidays) and the best to you all in the new year. And above all stay safe and stay radio active. 73...
Nov.13.10 Please note that VE6WRN - C module now has a -1.2 Meg offset (input frequency 145.605). Due to many high RF levels at the repeater site and many attempts to improve the repeater performance/coverage, the last resort was to try a much wider offset to the repeater. This appears to have made the receiver at the site work much better. So for now will will stay with this offset. Please re-program your radio to accomodate this new frequency. Everything else will remain the same. I would like to thank Mike VE6AMC for his expertise in tuning up the multi-coupler on site along with many other adjustments to help improve the repeater performance. This frequency has been verified for use in the Calgary area. Also thanks goes to Pat VE6CPT for his help with installing a new Sinclair antenna.
Nov.12.10 Possible frequency change on VE6WRN - C module coming this weekend. The output frequency will remain the same but the input may change. We are trying to improve the performance of the repeater which may require that the input frequency may have to move. We would rather not do this but will see how things go. Watch here for further development on this. Dale / VE6CPK
Oct.23.10 The Wildrose Network Group has put up another FM repeater on 146.700- (VE7KNP) in Kootenay National Park. Further updates to follow but for now this repeater is up and running and is linked to VE6MPR group of repeaters in Banff. Thanks to Mike VE6AMC for his work on this package. This repeater used to be located near the Sunshine Village area many years ago until a major lightning strike took it down.
Oct.16.10 Mike VE6AMC and Dale VE6CPK have been working on getting the Dstar Digital Data working in Banff on VE6WRO. It is now up and running however on a limited bases, the coverage is currently limited to the Banff area until we get a new antenna which is on order and should arrive around the end of November. Watch here for updates. The Dstar Digital Data in Calgary on VE6WRN is working very well. Dan VE6IBM has been supplying WIFI to our coffee gathering Wednesday nights using his ID-1 via VE6WRN DA module. Were all having a lot of fun especially those with IPADS!!!
Sep.23.10 Some recent info I found on the new Kenwood handheld hopefully coming soon. 144/430MHz Dual Band FM Portable - TH-D72 (tentative naming)
The APRS® capability found on Kenwood’s TH-D7* and TM-D710 has been upgraded for the TH-D72. Thanks also to the internal GPS unit, APRS operations will be more enjoyable than ever. The TH-D72 also offers EchoLink® memory compatibility and a mini-USB connector for enhanced computer connectivity. This transceiver is sure to make ham radio operations easier and more fun for all.
Sep.07.10 Lately I have noticed some APRS beacons occuring on VE6WRN DStar repeater. Please refrain from doing this as it can cause problems with users on the repeater. Also those that like monitoring the repeater keep hearing beeps from there radio everytime a beacon goes through. If you want to beacon please set your radio to beacon only when you transmitt. This way you don't have beacons going off for extented times when your either at home or your car being parked. I know other groups like to follow this guideline. When on nets it is a must that you turn off all beacons as these beacons can create all knids of problems for net controllers. Again, it is ok to send your data while transmitting. Over all this is the preferred way of sending beacons so as not to disrupt other users. It is a good idea to check with repeater owners/clubs as to what there policies are before sending beacons on repeaters and reflectors.
Aug.02.10 Recently Jim VE6JKV has some equipmemt stolen from his vehicle. A Icom-7000 and a Icom-2820. If anyone knows anything please contact Jim VE6JKV or myself Dale VE6CPK and I will forward the info.

Aug.01.10 Note that VE6MPR UHF repeater near Banff has changed frequencies. New frequency is 444.7875. This was done to avoid some interference. This repeater is linked to the 220 and VHF repeater in Banff and future link to the VE6BNP repeater in lake louise.

June.21.10 A new version of firmware V105 is now available on the DVAP Dongle download page. So far from my experimenting it looks to be good. You can also download it from the Wildrose Network support page.

June.17.10 If anyone has any question with reference to VE6WRO DStar repeater in Banff you can contact Mike VE6AMC. Question about VE6WRN DStar in Calgary please contact Dale VE6CPK.

June.06.10 Kenwood has a new radio coming later this year, TH-D72 (2). It was shown at Dayton, looks to be a winner. I'll be trading my D7 for one of these.

May.25.10 Recently I noticed call signs registering with us on VE6WRN when they have registered elsewhere. FYI --> Do I have to register with every single repeater I am going to be using on D-Star? One registration is all you need, in fact more than one could cause problems. By convention, you should register with the gateway nearest to you. Once you're registered, and the registration has propagated through the network, you're good to go anywhere D-STAR goes.

May.21.10 The VE6WRO Dstar repeater in Banff now has the "B" module up and running. Coverage to date appears to be similiar to the "C" module. In Banff on a portable works very well, even on low power. The findU page has been updated. Enjoy!!! The Wildrose Network Group.

May.11.10 Recently we changed out the router at VE6WRN and updated the firmware to the "dd-wrt" which was highly recommended by the Trust Server Team. I am really impressed by this firmware that I recently updated my own router. All seems to be working very well. This firmware was also added to the VE6WRO Dstar repeater in Banff (see below Apr 14) which solved a lot of problems we were encountering there.

Apr.15.10 Dan VE6IBM is working on some interesting projects. To take a look at some images he has uploaded about his projects click here to have a look.

Apr.14.10 We did some interesting upgrades to the router that were using in Banff on the VE6WRO DStar Repeater today. With the help of Dan VE6IBM and Mike VE6AMC we were able to replace the firmware in the router to make it more compatible with recommendations by the Trust Server Team for use on the DStar Gateway system. It was pretty evident right from the get go that this new firmware made a big difference, so much so that we are looking at upgrading the VE6WRN in Calgary in the near future.

Mar.12.10 It's official the VE6WRO repeater is now located in Banff as a DStar system and is curently on the gateway on 147.030+ (C module only.) The other modules are there and will be added soon. Further information will be added shortly. Thanks to Mike VE6AMC for making this happen. The callsign VE6WRO was located on Hailstone, that will change to a different call which will be announced at a later time. Also the site configuration will change this summer. DSTAR anyone???

Mar.06.10 Dennis VE6BGZ has started a DVAP frequency list for users in the Calgary area. So far there are 3 users with DVAP's and all are working very well. If you know of any other DVAP users you can contact Dennis VE6BGZ to have the DVAP list updated. This list is to help prevent possible interference.

Mar.01.10 A new version of DVAP Tool 1.02 is now available. You can download it on the Wildrose FTP site in the DVAP section under DStar programs.

Mar.01.10 If you would like to have access to the Wildrose Network FTP site please send Dale VE6CPK a message with your call and a password to gain access to the site. I will then set you up. To gain access just click on the ServU button.

Feb.22.10 The long awaited DVAP has arrived. I will have mine with me at coffee Wednesday (Feb 24) evening and will being doing a demo. If interested come on down and join us and bring your handheld.

Feb.09.10 I have added a current SUPPORT file where if your a supporter of the Wildrose Network you can check your status. I do not normally send out renewals so please check your status. We certainly do appreciate any support as on the on going cost of DStar is costly not to mention all the equipment and maintenance. If your not a supporter please check out our application form.

Feb.01.10 The Wildrose Network has just recently added another DStar repeater VE6WRO to the gateway. This repeater currently covers west of Calgary very well including handheld coverage to Bragg Creek, Elbow Falls and Cochrane. We have future plans for this repeater to be relocated so stay tune for updates in the near future. The VHF frequency is 147.030+.
Jan.07.10 The VE6RPT callsign is now under the Wildrose Network. Aarne passed away June/08 and it was his wish to have the call move over to the Wildrose Network. The repeater equipment is owned by Dale VE6CPK and is operated under the Wildrose Network.