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Richmond area DMR coverage is back!

Well, it has been quiet over here for a while, so here is some real good news. 

Over the weekend the Richmond area DMR repeater was moved back to Midlothian alongside the other W4RAT repeaters.  The repeater is in the same configuration as it was in 2022 and the antenna is at around 580 feet.  Coverage should look roughly like the previous coverage maps.

We’d like to say thanks to a few RATS club members (and leaders) for their support including KN4SYE, KG4PEQ, and W4MAF.  We’ve joked before that one of the key elements to strong repeater performance and excellent coverage is relationships with key people.  In reality, this couldn’t be more true.  Also, because the old logo from the club doesn’t get much use anymore, we chose it for this post (and it’s pretty damn cool too).

As a reminder, the Richmond Metro TG is linked full time to many other sites in the region, including Petersburg, Powhatan, New Kent, and Beaverdam.  We believe this brings some of the best coverage to RVA.  Please enjoy.

New Kent Repeater is on the air!

There is a new repeater on the air just east of Richmond along I-64 between the RIC airport and Williamsburg areas.  The K2VIZ system is located in central New Kent County at approximately 250 feet AGL and is adding coverage to areas that were previously challenging for users. Please click here for a predicted coverage map.

The frequency is 442.050 + with CC1 and the standard TG line up is activated.  Richmond Metro (27500 on TS1) is linked to the other metro area repeaters (P etersburg, Richmond, etc).  If you are in the area and make use of the system, please send along a report .

VHF Fredericksburg Repeater is online!

We are pleased to welcome our first VHF repeater to DMRVA.  The 145.300 MHz WX4EMC system will be located in Fredericksburg (Cosner’s Corner area of Spotsy) and is predicted to provide excellent coverage to the region.  Thanks to KD4QNA and AE4ML for their dedication to getting this system on air.

A UHF system will also be brought on line soon that will provide coverage in the city of Fredericksburg and the surrounding area.  Please drop us a note and let us know what your experience is while using this new way into the repeater network.

 

Richmond Repeater Status Update

The 443.5875 MHz repeater is now back on the air in the West end of Richmond and should provide excellent coverage to Short Pump, Laurel, Willow Lawn, Glen Allen, Tuckahoe, across the river to Bon Air as well as other areas.  Reports on performance would be appreciated (please state mobile or portable).  A second repeater will be added this fall in the downtown area to offset the loss of coverage.

We wish to thank the RATS club and the numerous club leaders for assisting with hosting this repeater and creating a wide coverage area from 2014 until 2022.  Please stay tuned as we explore permanent opportunities for the best coverage possible in the Richmond area.

Virginia Statewide Update

We’ve been unable to get a response from BrandMeister regarding their apparent decision to stop receiving our feed of Virginia Statewide. We were not notified of this decision, so we have no information about it.

According to BrandMeister, 3151 is officially hosted by DMRVA.

Therefore we’ve made the decision to feed 3151 to the K4USD cBridge system, which is in turn feeding 3151 to BrandMeister.

This should resolve connectivity issues with the BM network for the time being.

73,

James
K4JK

Brandmeister & Virginia Statewide

We are aware of the loss of link to Brandmeister for traffic on 3151. The problem appears to be on their side.

We have reached out to Brandmeister regrading this issue, but have not received a response.

We will post a new update when we have more information to share.

WX4EMC repeater is now on the network

We welcome the WX4EMC/R system to the DMRVA network.  This new system is located in Northumberland County, Virginia (Heathsville area).  The frequency is 442.700 MHz + and the CC is 1.

The system is a Motorola SLR5700 repeater that feeds 7/8 inch hardline at 265 feet up the tower.  Coverage and connectivity testing is in progress.  Please welcome any users from that area of the state and encourage use.  A special thanks to Pete KD4QNA and Mike AE4ML for their hard work in migrating this system. 

The available talkgroup lineup is slightly different than the current posted standard so click the link to review. Approximate coverage can be seen on the repeater page.

South Hill repeater operating with degraded performance

The South Hill area (Mecklenburg, VA) repeater is operated on a backup directional antenna and as such users should expect mobile coverage in the town of South Hill as well as I-85 and route 1 north of South Hill.  The typical omni pattern should return in a few weeks after work concludes at the site and a team can access the site and make necessary repairs on the antenna system.  Stay tuned!