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New VHF repeater in Roanoke area joins DMRVA Network

 

A second VHF repeater is now connected to the DMRVA network.  The WB4EOT 147.165+ MHz system (CC1) is operating from Fort Lewis Mountain overlooking Salem.  This system should provide superior coverage to the Roanoke valley and beyond.   Pictured are WB8BON and W4KDN working on securing the DB-224 antenna at an elevation of approximately 3222 feet.  It is attached to a Motorola SLR5700 repeater. The local talkgroup will be linked full time to Mountain Lake, Poor Mountain, Tinker Mountain (HEARS) and Long Ride (Brandmeister)  sites to provide comprehensive connectivity in the region.  Make sure to take a look at the coverage map to see what you can expect!  Thanks to W4KZK, KD4EG, W4KDN, WB8BON, and N4MGQ for contributing to significant coverage in this part of Virginia.

 

South Boston repeater is moving to a new site

Spring has sprung across most of Virginia and just like you are at home, we are busy making spring improvements on the largest linked repeater network in Virginia.  The South Boston area repeater is moving to a new repeater site that is significantly higher than the previous site (now at 300 ft level).  This new site near the town of Halifax will offer significant coverage to most of Halifax county, south into area of North Carolina and also to areas along route 360 and 29 that previously had no coverage at all.  Take a look at the proposed (mobile) coverage map and see what you can expect in this area.  This move also includes a frequency change to 443.575 MHz and the color code will also be CC 9.  A repeater is active from the site now and we request any coverage reports or observations. The old frequency of 443.1125 MHz will be retired soon so you have a little time to handle reprogramming of your gear for this change (and we can update all of the documents on the website as well).  The talkgroup lineup will remain the same.  Please join us in celebrating this improvement to the system!

 

South Hill Repeater Antenna Change

The K4MJO repeater located in South Hill had been operating on a backup (and directional) antenna for an extended period of time due to damaged feedline that occurred during maintenance at the site.  Over the weekend, a team was able to restore the repeater to normal operation on a Telewave ANT-450 antenna at the site.  The antenna and repeater system were tested and noted to have improved performance.  Thanks to WB4EOT and KO4YXG for supporting these repairs.  This system operates on 444.7875 MHz on CC1 with the standard talkgroup line up.  As always please reach out if you have coverage reports or other observations about repeaters on the network.

2024 Talkgroup Matrix released and other system news

 

2024 will mark the eighth year of the DMRVA system which has grown each year to provide coverage to users in Virginia.  Our linked repeater system is 100% digital and is uniquely operated by a mix of individuals, clubs, staff from DMRVA and now with collaboration from N4HRS as we bring two networks closer together to create the best experience for DMR users.

 

So, it was time to publish a new talkgroup list and system info.  The 2024 Virginia Talkgroup Matrix lists the combined 28 repeaters between DMRVA and N4HRS systems and all available talkgroups.  On all repeaters you will find the local, echotest and VA Statewide talkgroups active at all times along with several PTT talkgroups.  The list of available talkgroups has been revised to emphasize Virginia centric capabilities, including access to regional TG’s in various parts of the state. You’ll have access to several nets throughout the week including the new Virginia Statewide net, SWVA net and the Tidewater net.

 

Several legacy TG’s have been retired and removed from the system as they were no longer active or the feeds from outside networks had been deprecated.  If they were previously programmed into your radios, you can remove them as they will no longer pass traffic.  These TG’s are PRN, Tac 1, 310, 318, 319, DCI Bridge, MidAtlantic, and Southeast.

 

If you have questions, please click to contact us  or join the Virginia Statewide Net each Sunday starting January 2024.  Happy Holidays!

 

New Mountain Lake repeater system joins DMRVA system

The second jointly managed repeater between N4HRS and DMRVA teams came on the air recently in Mountain Lake, VA.  Located in Giles County at over 4300 feet in the Alleghany mountains, this is currently the highest and the farthest west site on the air for users.  It will provide coverage to new areas including Pulaski, Dublin, Radford, Blacksburg and Christiansburg that are not well covered by the Roanoke area systems.  This repeater frequency is 444.250 and the CC is 9.  The talkgroup line up is the typical DMRVA TG lineup for the moment.  As always we are looking for reports from stations who are able to use the system.  Please drop us a line and let us know about your experience.

New Farmville/Leigh Mountain repeater joins DMRVA system

DMRVA/N4HRS repeater in Farmville, VA

The first jointly managed repeater between the N4HRS and DMRVA teams came on the air a few days ago in the Farmville/Prince Edward County area.  A Motorola XPR8400 was installed to replace older hardware that had intermittent issues.  The system remains on 444.325 MHz (CC 9) and is connected to a DB-408 antenna (top left).  This system will provide coverage to stations along route 360 between Appomattox and Amelia counties as well as along portions of route 460, 60, 15 and others.  Stations in Buckingham, Cumberland, Charlotte and Lunenburg will also be able to access the repeater.  Initial testing has been very positive.  We are looking for reports from stations who are able to use the system.  Please drop us a line and let us know about your experience.

 

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 .