As many of you are likely aware, Paul Strauss and PVARC have been building a simulcast system in Ventura County. This is using several transmitters and receivers in key parts of the county, all on the same frequencies. The receivers compare their signals, and repeats the strongest input to the transmitters. IT works on UHF and VHF at all locations. What this means is that you can use one repeater program from anywhere within range of the system, which will eventually be all of the populated parts of the county. Unlike a traditional linked repeater, it will be seamless to the operator; as though there was a single repeater that just covers everywhere.
The system is using RF for all links, no internet, with 10GHz equipment. But again, we operators won’t see that. We can use a UHF or VHF channel, with UHF being primary.
This isn’t meant to replace the other repeaters in the county, especially their use in ARES/ACS or in having regional conversations. Instead, it gives us the opportunity to have County-wide conversations without having to link the local removing, removing them from local use. We’ve been very excited watching the system grow.
The UHF frequency is 449.660 with a negative offset and PL of 88.5. There is no tone on the output, so use your “tone” setting, not “tone squelch”.
The VHF frequency is 144.895 with a positive offset and a PL of 88.5, with the same tone-only setting.
You can use either frequency. I suggest programming both into your radios, so you can use the band that works best in your location.
The BORED Net will begin using this system as our backup to Bozo on May 25. Once all the mountaintops are brought online, we will move the main net to this system, making the net available to many more hams than it has been. We will start having “practice” nets on May 22 so people can test coverage.
Contact Keith at keith@w6kme.org if you have difficulty with settings.
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