N5MS/R Returns To Air

Thanks to its owner, Micheal, N5MS, the 146.880 MHz repeater known as "the OU repeater" is back on the air.  Several components were replaced, some proactively, and the transmitter re-tuned.  One of the reasons it was off the air was that it had been generating spurious signals on other frequencies that were interfering with other systems.  Preliminary testing didn't find any of that, but it may take some time, perhaps while several different transmitters are operating at the same time, for those problems to show. In the meantime, go over, ID, and say hello.  If there are any issues noted, please contact N5MS (or N5UWY).

D-STAR Calculator

When you first start working with D-STAR, getting the callsigns and gateways and whatnot all in the correct spaces can be daunting.  Fortunately, the folks behind one of the D-STAR websites have built a calculator that will tell you exactly which items to put in which fields.  And once you set it the way you want, it gives a nice graphic of what those settings allow you to do.  Try it!

D-STAR Info Calculator

Sample output from http://www.dstarinfo.com/dstar-web-calculator.aspx

Timers

Timers on the VHF system are set as follows:

• Hang time: 3 s  
• time repeater carrier stays up after a user unkeys

• Courtesy tone delay:  250 ms
• time between when user unkeys and courtesy tone sounds

• Repeater time out:  180 s (3 min)

• Kerchunk timer: 150 ms 
• filters out many kerchunkers and lots of key-ups from interference


• ID timer: 540 s (9 min) 

(Updated) Note:  When a signal is sent to the repeater via the Stadium link, there is an extra delay.  Ordinarily there is:

• a delay from the time the operator pushes the PTT until the time the transmitter in the radio starts transmitting;
  
  
• a 150-ms delay to eliminate kerchunkers and stray keyups;
  
  
• a delay from the time that the receiver "sees" the CTCSS tone and activates the repeater transmitter;
  
  
• a delay while the repeater transmitter begins transmitting. 

When transmitting via the Stadium link, there is an additional (unquantified) delay while the receiver there sees the CTCSS tone and activates its transmitter.