|
|
An Amateur Radio Repeater operational on 70cms channel; RB8 from Edge Hill in the South Midlands, UK.
BAND = 70 cms ; Channel = RB8 (RU256); Output = 433.200 MHz , Input = 434.800 MHz SITE = Edge Hill, Warwickshire, 10 km North of Banbury, UK NGR = SP 361 457; Locator = IO92FC ; Zone B ANTENNA = Co-Linear (TS B3301 (Repeater)) with a Diplexer (Procom) for single-aerial-working ; ERP = 9.93W (9.96 dBW) LOGIC = "Logic-8" Module Access = 0.5 Secs (approx) of 1750Hz Tone-Burst ; Timeout = 10 mins (approx) Beacon Callsign Period = 10 mins (approx); (CTCSS = A (67.0 Hz)) - not yet implemented
KEEPER : Paul G4OHB Engineering : Clive G0CHO (RF), Peter G8CQH (Logic, Treasurer & Web Site) Installation: Steve G6MMD (Antenna), Ian G0EDT (Closedown)
|
The Repeater is housed in a secure attachment to a grain-drying barn on the cusp of Sun-Rising Hill. The antenna pole is topped-off with its slender co-linear and rises a modest 50ft alongside the large motor-room holding the dryer - some 3-phase motor, that is! The site is totally rural, being only a few yards from the escarpment which falls away sharply to the North. This favours RF penetration into Stratford-upon-Avon (Shakespeare!), and thence to the M40 Motorway corridor and the southern outskirts of Birmingham including the M42 corridor. Tall and mature broad-leaf trees once surrounded the site, leading to some variations between summer and winter coverage. However, almost all such trees were felled (in Spring 2001, by the site owner for his own purposes) to leave the antenna with an almost totally uncluttered horizon.
And - yes! - this is indeed the Edge Hill which is famed for the Battle of 1642 when Charles-I had his well-documented 'set-to' with Oliver Cromwell, at the outset of the Civil War. [Web] To the East, the next land feature of equivalent height is in Russia; being The Urals. Perhaps this fact explains the bitterly cold winds which we often experience each Winter, especially when adjusting the antenna guys? But happily, The Castle Inn, is a most authentic English pub only a two-minutes' drive away, with its ample servings of traditional ales and meals available on an all-day basis. In the summer, it's a popular area for serious walkers to meander in the balmy afternoon heat, having paused, of course, for their well-deserved libations at The Castle Inn, after visiting the Battle Monument Stone on their rise up this dramatic and historically-significant escarpment. But it is equally popular with those who prefer an evening leisure drive for a breath-taking halt in the beer garden to watch the sun sink over Wales.
_ _ . _ . . . . . . _ _ . . . . .
GB3EH is controlled by a Logic module -
which is compatible with CAIRO-8.
For Engineering details please proceed to the Logic-8 sub-site.
Photo needs updating ! - PJB autumn 2008
(Once we had dual-antenna working; that is until the two aerials fell in love and got married.
The Ceremony on the roof wasn't much but the Reception afterwards was amazing! Ouch!)
