Repeater Placement Collaboration

Note that this page is historical only at this time.

historical intro

Please use this page for uploading documents and images relating to repeater placement as well as planning and collaboration. Maybe we could use the wiki itself for some of the writing, but at some point we will have to move things over to format that is more presentable.

Requirements for most proposals include:

• description (height, visibility)
• saftey concerns
• lightning considerations
• hurricane saftey
• maintaince
• public benefit

see also

• Repeater Placement Collaboration/Draft 1
• Proposals

Proposals

Draft/Outline for Repeater Proposal. This is very rough, needs input and direction for tone and level of detail. Comment here or email inputs to me. I'll incorporate changes and re-post new version. -

Repeater Location Proposal

This proposal is requesting approval for locating an amateur radio repeater operated by the UCF Amateur Radio Club (UCFARC). A repeater is an important capability owned and operated by the UCFARC. (Introduction as appropriate: UCF Amateur Radio Club, official UCF club, in existence since 1969, provides students introduction to amateur radio, applied communication technology and skills, campus out-reach to local, national and global communities, emergency and disaster services. Need inputs on what's needed here for audience and for this proposal). -KA0KQC, 14:10, 3 Feb 2005

I have added section headings for wiki formatting and ease of reading here, and some minor proof reading corrections and a few technical additions --ssd 16:24, 3 Feb 2005 (EST)

Definitions and purpose

A repeater is an automated communications system that provides enhanced local radio capabilities to; extend the range of local communications, link to other repeater in other regions and locations, provide backup communications, provide radio network operations and practices training, etc. (In plain english what a repeater is and what it does. Relay local messages and traffic, extends range of local communications, gateway to other national and world wide repeaters, back up and emergency communications during disasters, training ground for radio operations etiquette and protocols, 2 bands supported, higher antenna is better, one rack of equipment, typical electrical power, protection from weather, temperature and humidity control requirements, etc. Need inputs here for topics and what level this needs to be for proposal audience.)

Location options

There are three (3) viable options for the location of the UCFARC repeater.

1. Locate antennas on the Alafaya tower and the equipment in the provided shed.
2. Locate the antennas on the roof of the new 8 story (name of dorm?) dormitory and the equipment in a utility room.
3. Locate the antennas on the roof of Engineering Building I and the equipment in a utility room.

1) Alafaya tower option

The Alafaya tower would be the best solution for a permanent location of the repeater. The antenna and repeater system would be housed in a location designed for radio operation. Radio coverage would be increased as well as reliability.

2) Convocation center roof option

If the Alafaya tower is unavailable then the newly built Convocation center would be an optimal location for antenna placement on campus. The Convocation center is the highest location on campus where it would be feasible to mount an antenna. A location on campus would also make it easier to upgrade and service the repeater. In order to place the antenna at this location we would have to secure an area for the repeater to be installed and feedline would have to be ran to the repeater's location.

3) Engineering building option

Option 3 provides adequate antenna height and mounting, permanent equipment location with in the building must be resolved. On campus antenna issues need attention.

Requirements

Shack space

The repeater is housed in a standard full height 19" enclosed rack, on wheels. Most of the rack is full, leaving little additional space in the rack. The rack is not weather proof, and would need to be protected.

Power

The repeater's power distribution unit (PDU) requires a 15 AMP circuit with a standard 110V connector.

Surge protection

The club owns several Polyphaser brand antenna lightning arrestors. These would need to be wired into the facility's lightning protection system both at the antenna and where the feedline leaves the tower.

Additional communications

To comply with FCC regulations, a primary control is required. This control preferably would be via phone line. Alternatives include ethernet (additional hardware would have to be designed and built) or HF above 220mhz (the club would need to buy a control radio and a link radio, and a small antenna to match which could be in the shack rather than on the tower).

Antenna space

Two antennas (3m and 4m long), to be side mounted near the 100ft height. Higher mounting would be preferable, but would require re-coordination and approval from the Florida Repeater Council. (Antenna separation needed?? Preference of tower side?)

Antenna feed line

The club owns a spool of LMR400 that should be suitable.

Shack space

Poly phaser mounting, hole drilling and sealing

Engineering proposal requirements

It was suggested the Engineering proposal include these items:

• antenna description
  • including height, visibility, mounting details
  • compare antenna to existing antennas
• safety
  • lightning considerations
  • hurricane survivability
• future maintenance
• public benefit
• impact on other close antenna systems
• A&I will probably be required to install mounting bracket
• roof penetration is not an option
• back elevator shaft is possibly usable if we can get the feedline from the utility room to the fourth floor ceiling
• we have good pictures (ask kg4ydw), could use ground level pictures (multiple angles)
• maybe make a photoshopped version showing visibility impact

Conclusions

The effective operation of a repeater is a major benefit to the school, community and students. The benefits are numerous and repeater services are an integral part of the community services, learning environment and skills development provided by amateur radio. A properly located repeater will enhance UCFs standing in the community and provide a unique opportunity for students, facility and others.

Side notes

(This section should not be included in the proposal, and is here only for internal reference. Some of this material should be incorporated above.)

• Options 1 & 2 above would both require special remote access, as we will probably not be able to get direct access to either the shed or a communications closet. The easiest way to do this would be to re-establish the phone line the repeater use to have. The fanciest way would be to build an ethernet accessible remote controller, which could possibly also include a digital voice recorder. (But this is a project that would have to be completed first.)
• Options 2 & 3 would require mounting the repeater antenna(s) on a building. The antennas are 4m and 3m long white fiberglass poles (with a copper core).
• If the antenna height is raised above our current coordinated height, we will have to re-coordinate. This might be trivial or it might be a problem. (What is the current coordination height for the 2m repeater? 50-80ft maybe?)
• The coordination on the 70cm repeater has expired, so it needs to be re-coordinated anyway. Re-coordination will require us to add tone squelch to the repeater. (The 2m repeater already uses tone squelch.)

Potential Issues

• The repeater has not been calibrated in years. It may be a good idea to look into verifying that the filters, etc., are still on frequency.
• Moving the repeater to the Alafaya tower will put it in a high RF environment. This may reduce the sensitivity of the repeater and/or cause intermod, and may require squelch adjustments.
• After moving to the tower physical access will be difficult. Before installing the repeater all upgrades and calibrations should be completed. Any form of maintenance should be scheduled and submitted as part of the proposal.

Fundraising

Companies & Organizations to Solicit for Money
Company or Organization	Reason to solicit for money
Siemens	Lots of leftover money, HAMs in the ranks, UCF affiliation
Lockheed Martin	Big corporation with lots of money, UCF Affiliation
More will be added in the near future

Shaft proposal

• Antenna specs (see also Hustler
  • Hustler HD6-14448 24lbs, 19.5' long x ??" dia, 92lbs @ 100mph wind load, 140 max wind loading, 3.25 max pipe outer dia for mounting pipe
  • Hustler HD9-43050: 14.5' long, ?? max wind loading
• commercial bracket for mounting to wall
• weather proof lightning arrestors
• weather proofing of feed line