Wildrose Network News Archives from 2012

• Dec.29.12  There has been an announcement in the Canada Gazette as to changes in the Contraventions regulations concerning the enforcement of the Radiocommunication Regulations.  These changes will allow peace officers including Municipal, Provincial and RCMP police officers to issue tickets for certain offences under the Radio Communication Regulations.   The changes may be seen at:
  
  http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2012/2012-11-21/html/sor-dors236-eng.html
  
  Thanks to Dennis VE6BGZ for bringing this to our attention.
  
  
• Dec.24.12  Not to much to report this year.  It was mostly a year of maintenance and some fine tuning.  We did take a couple of lightning strikes but with all the protection we implemented at the sites these strike produced minimal damage and repair was quick.  I can't say the same for some of the commercial equipment at these sites.  Maybe they will take a few lessons from us.  All repeaters and links are functioning well.  VE6AMP repeater (west of Sundre) seems to be our pride and joy with having tremendous coverage although VE7PNR (near Radium) probably is a close second as this one covers from north of Golden to south of Cranbrook and many points along the Kootenay valley and with these two repeaters being linked (along with others) there is a lot of territory being covered.  Next year will probably be similar but we may have plans to bring another repeater on line, again with great coverage.  Stay tune for possible updates on this.  We are also supporting 3 different locations of DStar repeaters (Calgary, Banff, Hailstone Mtn) and all are working well and gatwayed (is that a word?).  If you have any comments, ideas or just want to let us know something you can email Dale VE6CPK.
  
  I liked to thanks all those that have helped and supported us along the way and we look forward to another year of  great fun and communications.  A special thanks goes to Mike VE6AMC for making this all happen.
  
  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...from VE6CPK
  
  
• Dec.21.12  Yaesu has announced a new radio called the FTM-400DR.  Apparently this radio has video in which can be used to display a mobile cam unit or any video source on its display.  For more info you can check it out at Universal Radio.
  
  
• Dec.17.12   Please note that VE6WRT DStar repeater on Hailstone has been turned off due to voltage issues.  However for now the 220 repeater and the link to the park repeater system will remain on.  With the lack of sunshine this year and demand at the site has considered us to turn off the DStar repeater for now.  A few sunny days may bring back the voltage to a point where we can turn it back on.  If you have a need to make use of VE6WRT DStar repeater please let me know as I can turn it back on for a period of time. There is still a lot of reserve at the site but we would rather not drain the batteries to a critical level.  Watch here for further updates.   An update on the voltages at the park repeaters, all are doing well.
  
  
• Nov.24.12  Recently I heard about a new APRS software called APRSISCE/32 and looked like a good replacement for the well know UIView32 that I and others have used for many years, unfortunately the author died and the program never developed any further.  I have not tried this program yet but you can check out the link to it and decide for yourself.  Andrew VE6EN pointed me in this direction about this software so he may be a person to query on its use.
  
  
• Nov.01.12  A new version of DvWin is now available (version 1.5.5) in the support page of the Wildrose Network.  This software is provided free from the Dutch*Star group.
  
  
• Sep.02.12  Now this is exciting!!!  A new DStar handheld from Icom ID-51A/E (Pre-release Brochure) (Tokyo Announcement).  Also check here at Universal Radio.  This radio is the same as the well know Icom ID-31 but now includes VHF.   Where is the 1200 version?  There is also a new Icom IC-7100 (Pre-release Brochure) (Tokyo Announcement) with DStar built in.  It also has a touch screen.  You can also check Universal Radio.   (Sep12)  This radio is now showing up on the Icom US web site.
  
  
• Aug.24.12  Mike VE6AMC and myself (Dale VE6CPK) took a drive to Edmonton yesterday to check out coverage on VE6AMP.  We were very much surprise as to how solid the repeater was.  From just north of Cochrane once up on the hill it is 90% of full scale all the way to Sundre then to Olds and up to about 40 km north of Red Deer.  There it starts to drop off but still quit workable.  Our last point of contact was on the ridge just before the Hobema overpass some 205 km away.  WOW!!!  I have a hard time trying to figure out all the possible coverage areas of this one repeater.  Please let us know how this repeater may be working for you.  We would like to know some of the locations you may have worked VE6AMP repeater.  Let us know at Dale VE6CPK.
  
  
• Aug.23.12  The gateway on VE6WRN is now open to all amateurs on all bands.  We were trying new software for awhile now and believe it is ready for all to use.  If you have any issues please let me know.   Dale VE6CPK    Note that some commands are different than before however for the most part they are the same.   Thanks to Pierre (VE6PTE) for supplying the remote link to the FreeStar connection.
  
  
• Aug.18.12  Mike VE6AMC and myself (Dale VE6CPK) managed to get to Barrier Mtn yesterday and did the upgrade to VE6AMP.  A PM check was done on the repeater then on to the upgrades.  Not sure if many hams noticed but we did have a audio loop-back occurring when working VE6AMP, the audio would go to the hub site then return and blend in with the local repeater audio.  In any case this has been resolved improving audio quality.  Second features was to install a newer duplexer that would handle the extra power that we wanted to implement.  All checked out OK now on to the RF Amp.  Once this was installed we have now gone from 3. watts to 15 watts out of the power amp.  Power going to the antenna is about 12 watts.  Calculated to be about 5db over what we had.  Third upgrade was to add a controller to give this repeater an ID voice and cw.  The hub repeater and VE6AMP voice ID's at times can occur at the same time, however we will look into separating them so they do not ID at the same time.  Everything went very well.  No measurable desense on the receiver could be detected even with the higher power.  All satisfied we packed up and waited for our ride.  Back on the ground we did some test between Canmore and Banff.  A noticeable improvement however VE6BNF is the preferred repeater to work when in the Bow Valley.  When leaving the mountains heading for Calgary the repeater was noticeable quieter and was solid from Morley overpass back to Calgary.   Some testing I have done in SW Calgary has made the repeater very workable where before was very margin-able.  I would imagine this repeater has much improve coverage in all areas like Rocky Mtn House, Red Deer and many others places.  Mike VE6AMC has put in a great deal of time and effort implementing the park system along with the front range coverage from Lethbridge on 220 (Hailstone Butte) to Red Deer and beyond on VHF.  We have yet to learn how far east this repeater may go.  Someday I'm sure someone will let us know.  Don't forget that using VE6AMP will give you access to Cranbrook, Radium and Golden via the VE7PNR repeater.  Also Lake Louise/Field BC via VE6BNP repeater located near Lake Louise.  This system is massive, the coverage is huge including a lot of back country areas in the National Parks.  If your a hiker be sure to take your handheld along,  I know I will.  Enjoy!!!  The Wildrose Network Team...
  
  
• Aug.04.12  It was a quick turn-a-round!!!  We managed to get the hub repeater VE6MPR back up and running in only 1 week after taking a lightning strike.  All park repeaters and the 220 repeater on Hailstone Butte are now all connected.  Thanks to Mike VE6AMC for his quick repair and Pat VE6CPT for his help on replacing the antennas at the repeater site.  Enjoy, this repeater system has tremendous coverage.
  
  
• July.30.12  Our main hub repeater VE6MPR near Spray Lakes took a lightning strike about a week ago.  This repeater links all our other repeaters throughout the park and to our Hailstone repeater on 220.  We were able to get to the site late last week however we were unable to do repairs due to a lot of damage.  The package was returned to Calgary where Mike VE6AMC managed to do the repairs.  A replacement radio was required along with some minor components.  Also the antenna at the site will have to be replaced.  As soon as all parts are in we will try to get back to the site and re-establish the repeater and links.  In the meantime the UHF repeater is running here in Calgary and is linking VE6AMP on VHF to VE6WRT on 220.  The park repeaters in Banff, Lake Louise, Kootenay Park, and Radium are stand-alone at this time.  Watch here for updates.
  
  
• July.23.12  Please note that we are running new gateway software on VE6WRN and there are some glitches that we are working on.  So for right now only sysop's can connect repeaters and reflectors to VE6WRN.  Call-sign routing is available to all along with INFO/ECHO commands.  Also for the moment the registration page is offline (Only on VE6WRN).  Please be patient as this is a hobby and we have personal things that we have to attend to as well.  Please check back here as I will update this page as we learn more.  In the meantime VE6WRO / VE6WRT continue to operate as before.   We are the first in the Calgary area to try this new software,  In the long run this softawre should be much easier for end users to use along with more features.  Stay Tune!!!
  
  
• July.17.12  VE6WRN Dstar repeater here in Calgary is running under new G2 software published by the Free Star group.  Since this seems to be the future of DStar with all its features we thought we would have a look.  Thanks to Dave VA7DN and Remesh VA3UV for getting us up and running.  Everything should operate as before along with some new features which I will supply here later.  This is a learning curve for me as well.  In the meantime you can check out the new Free Star Dashboard.  Once we have a good feel for this software we will update the VE6WRO DStar repeater in Banff.  As always your input is much appreciated whether good or bad.  Please email Dale VE6CPK.    Have fun!!!
  
  
• July.10.12   The 220 repeater at Hailstone Butte (VE6WRT) is now operational on a full time bases.  The battery voltage at the site has recovered to a point where we can leave all equipment on full time.  Remember that the 220 repeater is linked into the park system and the DStar repeater is linked to the worldwide gateway.   Please use call-sign routing when using the gateway.   Enjoy!!!
  
  
• June.15.12  Please note that there have been a few changes in Banff, first the VHF repeater on 146.670- (PL 131.8) now using call sign VE6BNF has been re-located to Tunnel Mountain.  This has improved the overall coverage drastically.   I was able to work this repeater from Banff to Morely Flats.  The only place where the repeater did drop out was from the "rock cut" to the crossing on the Kananaskis River.  This extended coverage fills in the gap nicely when using VE6AMP/VE6BNF.  Also the UHF Hub repeater VE6MPR can be used in this area as well.  Thanks goes to Mike VE6AMC for acquiring this new site.
  
  The 220 repeater (Banff) has changed frequencies due to some interference on 224.920-.  It has moved to 224.960- up 40khz.  Note that this repeater now has a new call sign, VA6TRE (remember VE6TRE?). There is no PL required at this time.  We know that there are a lot of older 220 handhelds out there that do not have PL capability so we are trying to keep these repeaters PL free.
  
  On another note the VE6WRT repeater site on Hailstone Butte is slowly recovering from the low voltage despite all the cloud cover we have had.  Daytime voltage has increased to 12.3 and we expect this to continue.  So please make use of the DStar repeater/gateway and 220 repeater which is linked into the parks repeater system.  Enjoy!!!
  
  
• June.09.12  A couple of new radios from Yaesu.  FTDX-3000 (other images) HF/VHF and the FT-1DR (brochure) digital handheld.
  
  
• June.07.12  Mike VE6AMC and myself VE6CPK did the strenuous hike up to Hailstone today to see if we could fix the voltage situation.  Cornices near the top almost prevented us from reaching the site.  Once there the problem was quickly resolved, as expected the regulator had failed.   Replaced it, made sure everything was operating correctly.  At the time of test, voltage was definitely climbing and charging at 9 amps.  The 220 repeater and the DStar repeater are now back up and running.  The DStar repeater VE6WRT is also back on the gateway.  Enjoy!!!
  
  
• June.06.12  There now is a manual for those of you who have been playing with the new Tracker OTM3 by Argent.  See below for the link along with others or click here for the OTM3 manual.
  
  
• May.19.12  This sounds interesting!!!  Introduced at the Dayton Ham Convention.  Check it out here.  Also check the NW Digital Radio site.
  
  
• May.15.12  Check out the new Icom ID-31A DStar Radio (Brochure) at RadioWorld.  Need help using this radio?  Click here.
  
  
• May.01.12  VE6WRT Dstar repeater on Hailstone Mtn has been turned off due to voltage issues at the site.  We believe at this time that we may have a regulator failure.  We will try to correct the problem when weather and time permit.  The 220 repeater at this time is still operational and linked to the Parks repeaters however this to may be turned off if the voltage continues to drop.   Watch here for updates.
  
  
• Apr.19.12   Our DStar repeater on Hailstone Mtn VE6WRT 147.390+ mode C is now part of the DStar / FreeStar network.  Thanks goes to Pierre (VE6PTE) and Remesh (VA3UV) for there work with hardware and software to make this happen.  This is the first remote DStar Gateway in Canada and possibly the US as well.  Regular call sign routing works very well and would recommend this action rather than linking repeaters for now as some work is still in progress.  Programming your radio for VE6WRT is the same as any other DStar repeater / call sign.  You can check the status of VE6WRT here.  Watch here for further details and updates.
  
  
• Mar.10.12   Recently Pierre and Kate (VE6PTE / VE6KTE) were in Lethbridge working the DStar repeater VE6WRT on Hailstone Mtn.  Mike and myself (VE6AMC / VE6CPK) were communicating with them from Calgary while they were mobiling around Lethbridge.  You could not really tell that they were even out of town as the audio quality was excellent.  Nice to know that DStar is workable in and around Lethbridge