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Plans: Almonte Amateur Radio Club (AARC) D-STAR Project

AARC comprises 31 members with over 20 years' existence, operating three repeaters in the Almonte area. Explore the D-STAR project aims to support ARES operations. Priorities include funding pursuit and repeater installations.

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Plans: Almonte Amateur Radio Club (AARC) D-STAR Project

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  1. Plans: Almonte Amateur Radio Club (AARC) D-STAR Project Rob Webb (VE3UIX) President AARC and Tom Bartello (VE3ELM) D-STAR Project Coordinator

  2. About the Club • The Almonte Amateur Radio Club now comprises 31 members • The club has been in existence for over 20 years • The club currently operates three repeaters in the Almonte area. • VA3AAR (147.270) is located at the intersection of Rae Road and HW29. • VA3AAR-U (444.300) is located at the Almonte Fire Hall and is primarily intended for Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) use. It is linked to repeater VE3KJG at Lavant (146.640). • VA3ARE (147.240) is located at Union Hall, [Junction of Wolf Grove Road and Clayton Road]. This provides coverage of most of Lanark County and is the proposed location of a D-STAR repeater.

  3. AARC Repeaters

  4. Club Objectives “Bus Fusion” in Almonte 2010 • The exchange of information and cooperation between members • To promote radio knowledge • To conduct club programs and activities so as to advance the general interest and welfare of Amateur Radio in the community • To support the Municipality in the event of an emergency

  5. Our D-STAR Project • The primary aim of the project is to support Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) operations in Lanark County. • D-STAR is becoming the system of choice in the US for ARES communications • The ARES group of the Almonte Club is part of the Lanark North Leeds group based in Perth and we operate as an integrated body • A number of club members have already obtained D-STAR radios but cannot communicate through a local repeater as there is not one close to Almonte. • Interest in D-STAR technology is growing in the club

  6. Our D-STAR Project (2) • The proposed repeater(s), if installed on the Lanark County owned tower at Union Hall will provide overlapping coverage to the ODG system • Based on reports for the current Analog VHF repeater (15W into the antenna) mobile coverage (on VHF) is expected well to the south of Union Hall down as far as the 401 • The coordinator for the project is Tom Bartello (VE3ELM) supported by Dale Henniger (VE3XZT) for matters relating to system configuration and Terry Ainsworth (VE3TLC) for software (Linux) development • Unfortunately the recent AARC application for Federal funding for the D-STAR project was not successful. Notwithstanding, fund raising and funding sources for a D-STAR system will continue to be vigorously pursued.

  7. Our Proposed Configuration Diagram courtesy of Ottawa Amateur Radio Digital Group The AARC initial configuration may exclude the 23cm voice repeater and separate antennas will be used for each band

  8. Dales (VE3XZT) Hot Spot • Dale now has a “hot spot” in operation (445.850 simplex) from his home QTH that provides coverage for most of Almonte using a hand held radio. • Hand held radio owners can now access ODG (or the D-STAR system) via Dales hotspot • Using a mobile rig coverage extends nearly to the junction of HW29 and 417.

  9. Dales D-STAR repeater • Dale is in the process of building a D-STAR UHF repeater arrangement using hot spot boards and analog radios. If all goes to plan this will be installed at the Union Hall site. • Full operation is dependant on getting access to an Internet feed • Union Hall accommodates a Storm Internet Services wireless node and a connection to this will be negotiated • Ultimately Dales repeater will be replaced by the full ICOM system once funding is available

  10. The AARC D-STAR Priorities • Continue with the pursuit of funding • Few clubs are able to fund a full D-STAR (all modules) repeater just from membership fees alone • Keep alive the JEPP funding application initiated by the club and agreed to by the Town of Mississippi Mills council. • This was on condition of a successful funding application to New Horizons. • Install Dales UHF repeater at Union Hall. This will provide valuable coverage data for the ICOM system once installed • Find ways to make back-up power available at Union Hall • To work closely with OADRG to ensure seamless operation of the two repeater networks • To support D-STAR related symposiums and seminars

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