WB4GBI/R 53.150 is BACK ON THE AIR TO STAY!!!

The WB4GBI 53.150 (-) Repeater is BACK ON THE AIR TO STAY!! 

From Tim, WB4GBI:

After a call from the FAA in which they were concerned that the WB4GBI 53.15 repeater was interfering with some aircraft communications, one of my control operators turned the repeater off. I was out of town and unavailable last week when this happened, and could not make it to the repeater site to check the transmitter with a spectrum analyzer to confirm or deny the problem. While I believed that 53.150 was not at fault, this is a very serious matter. When the FAA requests that you shut a transmitter down, there is NO argument, hence the quick shutdown by my control operator. When I returned, I was going to check the repeater transmitter while in contact with the FAA communications technicians, and with my test equipment. While en route back to East Tennessee, I was contacted by the technician who informed me that they still had a problem, but since 53.150 was off it could not be coming from that transmitter. So, just in time for the Knoxville Hamfest, its back on the air! A HUGE "Thank You" to Tim, KE4OTZ, and Josh, KI4WWY, for taking care of this particular issue! 

Tim Berry
www.wb4gbi.com

ANYONE INTERESTED IN D-STAR?

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM Tim, WB4GBI: 

ANYONE INTERESTED IN D-STAR??

After meeting with several individuals at the Knoxville Hamfest, I have decided to investigate the possibility of placing a D-STAR repeater on the air. D-STAR is a digital mode of communications that connects via the internet to other, similar repeaters around the world. It takes very specific equipment in order to work. If you are unfamiliar with the D-STAR mode of repeater operation, you can read more about it at this site: www.dstarinfo.com. If you are interested, or know another amateur radio operator that might be interested in a D-STAR repeater, please contact me at the email link at the bottom of my webpage. This will NOT be an inexpensive process. Because of the high up-front investment to purchase the equipment, I want to gauge the interest of the East Tennessee repeater users before taking the next step.  I am also looking for some individuals who would be willing to help support the project. 

Thank you! 73 de Tim WB4GBI

Tim Berry
www.wb4gbi.com

53.150 is TEMPORARILY OFF THE AIR

BREAKING WB4GBI REPEATER NEWS! 

The WB4GBI 53.150 (-) Repeater is TEMPORARILY OFF THE AIR. 

From Tim, WB4GBI:

I have had to temporarily turn the 53.150 repeater off.  I have been unavailable this past week, and during that time, one of my control operators fielded a phone call from the communications specialist for the FAA in East Tennessee. There is an interference problem involving a mixing of two frequencies which is interfering with aircraft navigation. While I do not believe 53.150 is at fault, this is a very serious matter. When the FAA requests that you shut a transmitter down, there is NO argument, hence the quick shutdown by my control operator. As soon as I can, I will go the 146.625/53.150 site and work with the FAA to determine the exact cause of the problem. Thank you for your patience and understanding! And just when it was starting to get busy... :-( 

73 de Tim WB4GBI   

Tim Berry
www.wb4gbi.com