Search for:

PSA: Hotspot Configuration

Hotspots are all the rage these days, and they are becoming extremely inexpensive. If you have multiple hotspots in your shack, please be sure to use a different frequency for each one. Especially if more than one is used on the same mode. We have noticed quite a bit of looping happening on some of the national TAC channels, in addition to VA Statewide (3151.) This is almost always being caused by multiple simplex hotspots in the same vicinity utilizing the same frequency.

This is of course a major annoyance, wastes system resources, and ties up an entire regional/national talkgroup unnecessarily. Please be mindful of this.

Please also be sure to pick frequencies for your hotspot(s) in the proper part of the band according to your local amateur coordination association. Virginia is covered by either T-MARC, or SERA, depending on which part of the state you live in. For example, SERA guidelines have set aside 440.9125-441.1750 for digital simplex. Any frequency in this sub-band should be acceptable for a low-powered simplex hotspot. Listen to the frequency you pick for awhile to make sure it is not currently utilized on a regular basis. Doubly so if you connect your hotspot to an external antenna. If you want to run a high-powered simplex “megaspot” on an external antenna, you should check with your coordinating body for their recommendations.

Please do not under any circumstances park your hotspot(s) on the weak signal or satellite allocations, or repeater input/output sub-bands.

Thank you for your cooperation.

James
K4JK

New talkgroups are active on DMRVA repeaters

We are please to announce some additional TG’s on the system.  These TG’s are linked to Brandmeister and will allow additional connectivity to other repeaters and hotspots.  All of these TG’s are active on TS1 (PTT activated, 15 minute timer).

SWVA Regional – 31513
Shenandoah Valley Regional – 31514
Tidewater Regional – 31515
Tac 318 
Tac 319

We also plan to add the Peninsula and OBX TG’s as soon as Brandmeister turns on the feeds (we asked for feeds over a month ago and haven’t heard back).  Eventually we will publish new codeplugs that include these TG’s.

Please see the talkgroup page for a full and complete listing.

If you experience any issues with these TG’s, please contact us and let us know.  Enjoy!

DMRVA network is fully operational

Many folks are aware of a large scale outage and attack on the Brandmeister network that has been occurring for greater than 24 hours. Because DMRVA operates with a different architecture and more secure method of linking, all of our systems are fully operational. Links to and from BM on some talkgroups may be intermittent while they try to stabilize things. In the interim enjoy the repeater system.

Richmond Local talkgroup has a new name

Over the last couple of years the Richmond Local talkgroup has slowly been expanded and linked to other repeater sites, including Petersburg, the portable repeater, Powhatan, and soon Beaverdam.  Since it has become more of a regional TG instead of a true local we made the decision to change the name to Richmond Metro.  It is still on TG 27500 TS1 on DMRVA repeaters.  It can also be accessed on BM repeaters on TG 31511.  Please update your codeplugs as you desire.

Powhatan repeater is on the air

The N4POW repeater on 443.350 MHz in Powhatan county was officially connected to the repeater network today. It currently carries the standard DMRVA talkgroup lineup. Please listen for stations who may be testing coverage over the next few days. We will update the repeater page and map as we have time.

Alexandria repeater receives upgrade

N8IK and KV3W spent some time over the weekend installing a new duplexer on the Alexandria system. Previously, with a mobile style duplexer they had -80 db of isolation (1.5db insertion loss). The new TX/RX duplexer provides -111 db of isolation (0.59 db insertion loss).

These figures speaks to the importance of engineering high performing antenna and isolation systems in repeater stations. This will improve system performance especially for stations that may be on the fringe or on handhelds.