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British Columbia Frequency Modulation Communications Association
Events & News
Better D-STAR/VE7LAN Performance
On January 9, 2010, we did some upgrades and site maintenance.
The existing duplexers for VE7RAG-VHF (D-STAR) and VE7LAN were replaced with Sinclair Q2330E's. These duplexers offer more isolation for our tightly spaced repeaters.
We also added preselectors and preamp's to both repeaters.
As a result, the performance of both machines should see a notable improvement. In fact, VA7DX reports that coverage and performance of VE7RAG-VHF has definitely improved.
We'll be making some more tweaks to other repeaters in due time.
"New" 220 Repeater
Our "new" 220 repeater (VE7RPT) is on the air!
Dave Cameron, VE7LTD, was kind enough to put in a whole bunch of hours to convert a VHF GE MASTR-II into a 220MHz repeater.
This repeater replaces the trusty Clegg FM-76 based repeater that served us well for so many years. The Clegg is showing its age with the capacitors drying out and the audio circuits becoming noisy. Its served for at least 15 years continuous duty that we know of... pretty impressive!
The new repeater is a drop-in replacement, with the only change being that it sports a big power module on the TX, and should be putting at least 20W up the pipe (compared to the Clegg's 10W).
Thanks Dave!
Do I Need a Jacket?
Curious what the temperature is like up at the repeater site?
Well, now you can see in real time what the current outside temperature is... well, updated every 5 minutes.
We are sending our outdoor temperature to APRS under the call VE7LAN. You can check it out on APRS.FI by clicking here!
We are also logging the temperature inside the radio room, and will soon add temperature sensors on the repeaters. We hope to be able to get that data live to the web after some server re-arrangements.
Alternate APRS Digipeaters/I-Gates Online
The BCFMCA is pleased to announce that a number of wide-area APRS digipeaters and I-Gates are now in service for testing on 144.990MHz.
Through the support of the BCFMCA, BCWARN, NWARC, BARC, TPARC, and other clubs around the Lower Mainland, we are rolling out a network of APRS digi's on the alternate frequency of 144.990MHz.
The primary use of these digis is for LOW POWER TRACKERS ONLY. These are trackers that use radios with 5W or less. Please DO NOT use this alternate frequency if you are running a high power tracker, you will get through just fine on the standard 144.390 frequency.
Current sites deployed and on the air are:
| Tactical Call | Site Location | Service |
| MSPK99 | Mt. Seymour (BCFMCA) | Digi/Igate |
| SRRY99 | VE7FET's QTH | Digi/Igate |
| UBC99 | UBC | Digi/Igate |
| BNBY99 | TELUS "Boot"/VE7TEL Site(TPARC) | Digi/Igate |
| VANC99 | VGH | Digi |
These digi's may also be used for special events, such as parade trackers, race trackers, etc.
For more information, please email VE7FET (see the contact page).
Building Beautification
On September 13, 2009, VE7HHS and VE7FET undertook painting our building to match the paint scheme used by Mt. Seymour.
We gave FET's little compressor a 4hr workout, running almost constantly, but it made it!
Looks much better now that it is a closer match to the other buildings.
We tried to get the roof built again this year to shed the winter snow, but schedules and equipment didn't line up in time, and the snow started to fall.
Good news is that we have some of the heavy materials ready to go now, so it will be full steam ahead next spring!
BCWARN Network Expansion
The BCFMCA continues to be a strong supporter in the expansion of the BC Wireless Amateur Radio Network, linking key sites together with high-speed ethernet, independent of "traditional" ethernet services (ADSL/Cable).
So far this year, we have seen our link between SFU and Mt. Seymour upgraded, and have installed links between SFU and the TPARC VE7TEL site at TELUS, VE7TEL and Bowen Island, and Mt. Seymour over to NARA's VE7DJA site in Nanaimo.
Equipment is also installed at Bowen facing towards Squamish, and at VE7TEL facing UBC, pending installation of the other ends of the links.
BCWARN is also in the process of bringing online their new hub site out at UBC that has a 1GB/s connection directly to the internet.
This will serve as the primary hub site (replacing SFU), with SFU becoming a backup/redundancy site. The goal is to have these two sites linked together via high speed RF very soon.
D-STAR and IRLP Reflectors
As noted above, the new BCWARN hub site offers lots of bandwidth for us to leverage off of.
In order to put some of this bandwidth to good use, we have assisted in getting a new IRLP reflector and a new D-STAR reflector online.
The new IRLP reflector is number 9020, and will be primarily utilized for 2010 Olympics related amateur radio IRLP events.
D-STAR reflector REF026 is also being hosted there, and will be used for similar purposes.
The advantage to having our own reflectors hosted on BCWARN hardware is that they should still be available to us, should a major network interruption occur.
Donations
Do you have some extra money burning a hole in your pocket? Well, we can now accept donations via VISA and MASTERCARD. Just click the button on the menu on the left.
The BCFMCA is a registered charity! All donations in excess of $20 will have a tax receipt issued. Please ensure we have your correct information so we can get your tax receipt to you!.
Coverage Maps
Curious as to the coverage of our repeaters? Check out the Equipment page for further details.