WFRG Latest News

Wyre Forest Repeater Group Latest News

August 2010

Wyre Forest Repeater Group MIDSTAR (UK) DStar Reflector

For some time now, the Wyre Forest Repeater Group have been trying to find a suitable location with a high speed internet connection so that we can install and run our own DStar Reflector for the Midstar network.

We have been looking to set-up our own DStar Reflector after our initial home on 13B was switched off without warning during 2009. Then we found a temporary home on Reflector 20 and not long afterwards we thought we had found a permanent home for MIDSTAR (UK) when 21 came along.

Well, a year later we suddenly found ourselves yet again in the wilderness after 21 suddenly disappeared during June 2010. It was recorded as a hardware failure and it was reported that it would be returning to service but no further information has been available as to when, or if, it will return to service so we were yet again without a permanent home for the MIDSTAR (UK) Network.

We are very grateful to the W8SHI Shiawassee County DStar Repeater Group who have come to our aid and offered us a home for MIDSTAR (UK) but we have will still decided to continue the installation of our own Reflector.

We are now pleased to report that we have the facility to host a DStar Reflector. Many thanks go to Phil G4SPZ who has arranged with his employer for us to install on their premises' a server that will have a 100Mb Internet connection. Brian G8VPR (keeper GB7ZI) has donated a server form which components were used to complete a more powerful server that Mike G1ZRN donated, Don M0FHM (keeper GB7SY) has also donated additional components for the server. The server will be installed during August 2010.

When reflector 21 was set-up by an associate of the admin team at GB7CD, they kindly offered us a home for MIDSTAR (UK) on Module B. So in return, as they also lost their home on 21, we have offered the groups that make up the Wales & West Country Network, including GB7CD, GB7WB GB3WE the use of Module B.

So the allocations of the Modules will be, MIDSTAR (UK) on A, Wales & West Country on B and C will be reserved for future MIDSTAR (UK) & Midland Raynet event & exercise nets.

The Reflector number has yet still to be determined, whether we carry on with 21 or are assigned another number will be confirmed at the time of installation.

Please visit our web site for updates.

July 2010

We now have a temporary home for MIDSTAR UK on Reflector 24 B

http://ref024.dstargateway.org/

The reflector is owned and maintained by the W8SHI Shiawassee County D-Star Repeater Group located in Owosso, Michigan USA.

http://www.w8shi.net/

So a big thanks to the team there for letting us use module B until we can find a secure permanent home for MIDSTAR UK.

Please update your radio link setting from Reflector 21B to Reflector 24B.

GB7WF is now automatically linking to 24B and GB7BM, GB7GL & GB7ZI are also now on but GB7SY is currently suffering computer problems and will join the network shortly.

GB7WF has moved to a new site as the property it was originally located at has now been sold. We have been searching for a suitable site since last December and a number of possible sites were sought, with one site offering exceptional coverage potential, but the fine print could not be agreed upon and in fact most of the possible new locations offered to us were made by parties that were not really serious. As time was running out we started to accept the possibly of losing WF or face hosting it at one of the group members properties which would keep it on air but with dramatically reduced coverage.

Fortunately a recent newcomer to DStar, Phil G4SPZ, came to our rescue. He offered to host GB7WF at his property and as an added bonus he lives within 2KM of the present site which means that the application for a new licence would not have to go through the whole licensing process and be submitted to the primary user, the MOD, for approval which under normal circumstances can take a few months but at present we understand that we would not have received a new licence during 2010 and so GB7WF would have gone off air until sometime next year. The new site is slightly higher and it is hoped that the same level of coverage will be maintained with a possibility of improvements in some areas.

Nigel G8OXG and Mike G1ZRN installed the power circuit for the repeater & computer equipment and the new antenna system using freshly purchased coax and a new antenna. Installation of the router and a new telephone point was done on the day of the repeater move.

Members of the group give their time freely and in many cases dip into their own pockets to maintain repeaters for all to use and enjoy and GB7WF's site change is no exception. As you can appreciate costs are always involved in installing, running and maintaining a repeater and in order to move WF the group has drained it's resources and we are appealing for donations to cover the immediate and future running costs.

If you would like to make a donation, cheques made payable to Wyre Forest Repeater Group are welcome and sent to Nigel G8OXG, details on QRZ.com or a donation made via credit/debit card can be made via the Donate button on the home page of our web site www.wfrg.net

June 2010

MIDSTAR Reflector 21.

Reflector 21 which hosts the MIDSTAR UK network linking GB7BM GB7GL GB7SY GB7WF & GB7ZI is currently off air. Apparently the server's Hard Drive has failed but no date has been set as to when it will be replaced. Our apologies but this situation is beyond the control of the Wyre Forest Repeater Group. Of course GB7WF is still fully functional and can be linked to other reflectors or direct to other repeaters.

January 2010

Uninterruptible powers supplies have now been installed on GB3KR & GB7WF. The decision to purchase a UPS for each Repeater was made to protect the equipment from short and sudden power failures which could result in damage to equipment, and to provide power back up during short power outages. GB3KR should run for approximately 20 minutes after mains power failure before closing down. GB7WF will have a shorter duration as the UPS also supplies power to the Gateway Computer.

If you would like to contribute to cover the cost of the UPS’s then please return to the Home page

and click on the donate button or alternatively send a cheque made payable to the

Wyre Forest Repeater Group

and send to Nigel G8OXG, details on QRZ.com.