Updated
- , 2003
GB3LG - Lochgilphead.
(VHF Repeater Channel RV
54)
|
| Location: |
Blarbuie,
Lochgilphead, Argyll. |
| Output Frequency: |
145.675
MHz |
| Output Power: |
12
dBW erp |
| CTCSS
tone allocation: |
"G"
(103.5 Hz) |
| Grid Reference: |
NR
894 884 |
| IARU Locator: |
IO76HB |
| Height: |
195m
ASL |
| Repeater Keeper: |
Peter
Gaskin, MM1FEO |
The RMG's GB3LG web page has some more
info and also includes a coverage map.
Hardware System Specifications
Subject to minor changes, the new GB3LG
repeater will take the following form.
Transmitter
|
|
| Output
Frequency: |
145.675 MHz |
| Output
Power: |
15.6 Watts (12 dBW) |
| |
|
Receiver
|
|
| Input
Frequency: |
145.075 MHz |
| Input
Sensitivity: |
0.35 uV for 10dB SINAD |
| Squelch
Threshold: |
-118 dBM (0.28uV PD) |
| Access
Requirements: |
CTCSS Tone G
(103.5Hz) of 100Hz minimum deviation or 1750Hz
Tone Burst of 300Hz minimum deviation |
| Rx Antenna: |
mounted
at TBDm AGL (TBDm ASL). |
| Tx Antenna: |
mounted
at TBDm AGL (TBDm ASL). |
| Co-axial Type: |
Westflex
103 50R |
| Tx length: |
TBD
m |
| Rx length: |
TBD
m |
| Overall Height: |
230m |
| Compostion: |
3
section wind up mast with 3m stub section |
Cavity
Filters
2 in TX feeder and 2 in RX feeder,
each with 0.46dB insertion loss and
providing TBD dB of isolation between TX and Rx
frequencies.
Timeshare Unit
Experimental interface to allow
the voice and data facilities to happily
co-exist. More info...
 Future Plans
We are already looking at future
improvements to our system and these include:
 Current
Status (2 November 2003)
The site at Blarbuie has now been acquired on a 5 year
lease from SSE Telecom. The site change documents have
been submitted to the RSGB RMC and are at the
verification stage. The cavity filters are currently
being refurbished by Liam (GM4VYQ). The Timeshare
Unit has been completed and has been connected
to both the proposed repeater and APRS node. The logic is
nearly finished and we expect to be testing all the
hardware in December, with on site installation in
January/February. Commissioning, depending on
authorisation from the RA should be late Feb/early March.
Watch
this space for the latest updates.
 History
GB3LG was first commissioned on the 1st of
February 1992 at the Hydro Electric Board's transmitter
site at Blarbuie near Lochgilphead. LG has since
undergone a site change on the 24th of April 1995 and was
last located approximately 7 miles north of Lochgilphead
on Creag
Buireinich by Loch Leathan.
This
remote site posed a number of technical & logistical
challenges and was the first wind powered repeater
commissioned by the CSFMG. The extreme
weather conditions meant that we had problems finding a
wind generator that could survive the high winds; even
though some manufacturers claimed that their products
would withstand Arctic conditions and even had the cheek
to use a picture of our installation (which had since
blown to bits) in their publicity material! - Allegedly!
So,
after much searching, we have moved back to the original
site under much more favourable terms and look forward to
using our new (and hopefully reliable) voice repeater and
data node.
Thanks
We would like to acknowledge the following
people and organisations for their help in the new GB3LG
Project:
- Stuart
GM4WMM for donating some of the hardware
- Jack
GM4COX and the CSFMG for
providing the cavity filters and technical help
- David
GD4HOZ for providing the Logic design and PIC
programming
- Donald
GM7WJI for liasing with SSE Telecoms and helping
us to secure the site
- SSE
Telecommunications Ltd for proving us with a site
lease
- Colin
GM8LBC of the RSGB Repeater Management Committee
- John
MM0BPO for a generous donation to the funds
- Pete
MM1FEO for just about everything else!
|