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Bill (KB0NWM), Dave (N0PEO) and John (W0IG)  

COLORADO CONNECTION NEWS

By: Paul Shackelford WBØQMR

COLORADO CONNECTION NEWS

>

> 10/31/11

> By: Paul Shackelford WBØQMR

>

> Well there was some activity last month that did not make it into the news

> letter because we had finished it before I got this info. So here is the

> account of the trip to The Colorado Springs Repeater as submitted by Jim

> Patton (NØWGQ).

> Thanks very much to all of you who helped with this project and especially

> to Jim.

>

> On Wednesday morning, Sept. 14, 2011, Ted N0NKG and Jim N0WGQ went

> to the site. When we arrived we confirmed the radios were indeed

> off-line. The main power switch on the bottom (VHF) power supply

> was on and the cooling fan plugged into it was functioning confirming

> the presence of main power. The main power switch was cycled with

> no discernable effect.

>

> There are three fuses next to this power switch. Each fuse was tested

> and the top one (10A, ceramic) was open. The other two fuses were good.

>

> All we could find in Ted's toolkit was an 8 amp fuse so we installed

> it and the system came alive. Several radio contacts verified proper

> operation. Because we didn't have the specified 10A fuse, we decided

> to measure the current to see if the 8A fuse would be adequate for

> extended operation. The current varied between 0.2A (idle) to about

> 1.0A (repeater active) so we decided the 8A fuse would be fine to

> leave in.

>

> We did our best to create an inventory of fuses in the system so a

> back-up kit could could be created. We found the following fuses:

>

> VHF Power Supply:

> - AC side, top fuse. labeled "10A Fast", was: AGC 10A Ceramic

> - AC side, middle fuse. labeled "8A Fast", was: AGC 8A Ceramic

> - AC side, bottom fuse. labeled "5A Fast", was: AGC 5A glass

> - DC side (back). 50A cartridge type (about 3" long x 3/4" diameter)

>

> Note, It appears the top fuse on the AC side supplies the input

> to the power supply. The middle fuse appears to supply

> the external AC mains outlets on the power supply.

> Did not determine what the bottom fuse is for.

>

> Small modular Power Supply (UHF?)

> - 30A automotive blade type, ATO size

> (the older standard full size blade type).

>

> RLC Controller

> - In-line holder on DC input line: 1A AGC glass

> - Fuse holder on PCB: 1/2 A, 5mm x 20mm glass

>

> Normal repeater operation was verified during the drive down

> and other users were heard on the system later in the day.

>

> MANY, MANY THANKS to Ted N0NKG for all his work!!

>

> FYI: CMRG has made SIGNIFICANT progress on the power distribution

> generator system for main power - a very professional job.

>

>

>

> The 2011 Colorado Connection's Annual

> Christmas Dinner is on the books...

>

> MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!

>

> >> Thursday night, December 8, 2011 <<

>

> Country Buffet

> 7475 Park Meadows Dr.

> 303-799-0471

> EVERYONE IS INVITED!!!

>

>

> We hope to see many new and old faces at the Country Buffet

> near C-470 and Quebec. Take C-470 to Quebec and go South

> one traffic light to Park Meadows Dr. Pep Boys will be on

> your left. Turn left (east) on Park Meadows and turn left

> again (north) at the first driveway. The Country Buffet

> will be on your right.

>

> This year the dinner is on Thursday night, December 8.

>

> Eyeballing begins between 5:00 and 5:30 PM (or any time

> after that if you're running later).

>

> After dinner, we will also do our traditional gift exchange

> if you wish to participate. The exchange is more fun than

> what you get; the first person selects a gift and opens it,

> the second person can either take the first gift or get

> another gift and it goes on until all gifts are taken.

>

> Remember to keep the gifts UNDER $5.00 and maximum of $10.00.

>

> HAPPY HOLIDAYS from the Colorado Connection

>

>

> Thank you Jim

>

> As things are going to be much slower for the next few months, look for

> these news letters every couple of months and not monthly until next

> spring.

>

> We will be sending out BULLETINS whenever there is new news.

>

> 73

>

> The Colorado Connection Repeaters, Inc.

>

>

Repeater Coverage Maps

Thanks to Chuck Kimball (NØNHJ) for generating some repeater coverage maps of the various Connection repeaters. These maps are reasonably accurate, but are somewhat conservative when you consider using a high powered mobile radio. Statewide coverage is shown here. As you can see, the Connection has a long way to go before reaching our goal of 90-100% coverage for Colorado. Keep your donations coming and we'll get there!

We've begun offering other amateur organizations the use of our voice controller. If you have a message you'd like to announce statewide, contact one of our board members. Operating on our low budget, we'd be more than happy to put a voice announcement on the controller about your upcoming hamfest in exchange for a couple of tables and admission for our volunteers. There is a limitation of ten seconds, but it's remarkable how much you can say in ten seconds.

We Need Your Help!

The Connection needs your help! Please send your contributions to help defray the cost of keeping the Colorado Connection operational.

For those of you unfamiliar with the Connection, explore our website. Remember, the Connection is strictly a volunteer organization. We aren't a club and don't have dues. We survive only through the donations of the system users.

Send your contributions to Colorado Connection Repeaters, Inc. at P.O. Box 22134, Denver, CO 80222. Thanks!

Updating This Page

We'll try to update these pages frequently. If you'd like to make an announcement, send E-Mail to the Colorado Connection Webmaster. Your request will be passed along to the Board of Directors.

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P.O. Box 22134, Denver, Colorado 80222