Melbourne's D-Star repeater goes live

The new Melbourne D-Star repeater VK3RWN located at Olinda in the Dandenong ranges was installed on Friday evening.

VK3RWN is now running in a testing / commissioning mode on 2mtrs & 70cm.

The system is running on temporary antennas so coverage may be reduced, especially on 70cm. Antennas and coax for the 23cm DD & DV will be installed in the next few weeks and at the same time the 2mtr and 70cm antennas will be upgraded.

Once the coax and antennas are installed we will begin testing 23cm DD, however we are waiting on cavities for 23cm DV, so it may be a while before the 23cm DV is operational.

The D-Star Gateway Server & Network connection to the International D-Star network have been installed but are yet to be activated for testing / commissioning. You are welcome to use the repeater, however keep in mind that the system will be unavailable for periods of time while we work through
the commissioning phase.

I would like to thank all those in the D-Star installation team, Steve VK3JSR, Allan VK3FALL, Peter VK3TQ, Matt VK3FGIB, Robert VK3KRB, Richard VK3JFK and Cameron VK3MIR for their help in organising and installing the new D-Star repeater VK3RWN. Some members of the team worked well into the night and did not get home until 2:30AM Saturday.

Thank you also to the D-Star Team sponsors, Icom, aaRadio, JRD Communications, RFI Industries, Strictly Ham, G&C Communications and the WIA for their support with this project.

Regards,
Richard VK3JFK
Australian National D-Star Coordinator

Source: Wireless Institute of Australia