BEECN SW Portland Repeater - Revision history

Net@portlandoregon.gov: /* Safety considerations */

2025-07-09T20:07:26Z

Safety considerations

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:07, 9 July 2025
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	# '''Do you have enough volunteers?''' It takes a minimum of three volunteers to stand up and take down the repeater kit (although, it takes only two to operate it). Two volunteers will set up the mast, and the third acts as a safety officer.		# '''Do you have enough volunteers?''' It takes a minimum of three volunteers to stand up and take down the repeater kit (although, it takes only two to operate it). Two volunteers will set up the mast, and the third acts as a safety officer.
	# '''Assess the deployment site.''' Is it safe to operate in the area? Are there any hazards present that could prevent volunteers from operating safely?		# '''Assess the deployment site.''' Is it safe to operate in the area? Are there any hazards present that could prevent volunteers from operating safely?
	# '''Personal protective equipment (PPE).''' Volunteers operating the repeater should wear weather appropriate clothing and watertight footwear. Having a hardhat is VERY important, particularly as the mast is assembled and raised. Gloves are important for avoiding pinch points on the mast segments. PBEM recommends wearing a reflective vest.		# '''Personal protective equipment (PPE).''' Volunteers operating the repeater should wear weather appropriate clothing and watertight footwear. Having a hardhat is VERY important, particularly as the mast is assembled and raised. Gloves are important for avoiding pinch points on the mast segments. PBEM recommends wearing a reflective vest.[[File:Clatoon Anemomenter.png\|alt=This model of anemomenter is included in the mast bag to help measure wind speed.\|thumb\|400x400px\|This model of anemomenter is included in the mast bag to help measure wind speed.]]
	# '''What is the wind doing?''' See table to the right. If winds are steadily blowing over 16 mph, volunteers must not attempt to assemble the mast. If the mast is up and winds pick up, the repeater crew should carefully disassemble the mast and demobilize until winds die down.		# '''What is the wind doing?''' See table to the right. If winds are steadily blowing over 16 mph, volunteers must not attempt to assemble the mast. If the mast is up and winds pick up, the repeater crew should carefully disassemble the mast and demobilize until winds die down. There is also a [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B7NB6RFH?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title handheld anemometer] to measure wind speed included in the mast bag; see image to the right.
	# '''What's over our heads?''' The mast should be deployed in an open field, away from trees, and completely clear of power lines.<mark> '''CAUTION:''' '''assume all powerlines are energized, even after an earthquake. If the mast touches a power line, repeater operators will be severely injured or killed! Never push the mast upwards if you cannot see where it is going!'''</mark>		# '''What's over our heads?''' The mast should be deployed in an open field, away from trees, and completely clear of power lines.<mark> '''CAUTION:''' '''assume all powerlines are energized, even after an earthquake. If the mast touches a power line, repeater operators will be severely injured or killed! Never push the mast upwards if you cannot see where it is going!'''</mark>
	# '''Is the mast appropriately secured?''' The mast kit comes with stakes for the feet and [[wikipedia:Guy-wire\|guy wires]]. Use them 100% of the time. This equipment helps keep the mast secure and steady.		# '''Is the mast appropriately secured?''' The mast kit comes with stakes for the feet and [[wikipedia:Guy-wire\|guy wires]]. Use them 100% of the time. This equipment helps keep the mast secure and steady.

Net@portlandoregon.gov: /* Power: ZAMP Solar Generator */

2025-04-17T22:29:19Z

Power: ZAMP Solar Generator

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:29, 17 April 2025
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	# The 120V AC is provided by an inverter mounted in the upper front of the subsystem behind the door. The 120V AC capability can be used by connecting an AC cord into the front of the inverter and ensuring that the inverter is turned on.		# The 120V AC is provided by an inverter mounted in the upper front of the subsystem behind the door. The 120V AC capability can be used by connecting an AC cord into the front of the inverter and ensuring that the inverter is turned on.
	# The DC and AC power can be used without the solar panels but will run down the battery at a rate that will depend on the DC and AC loads. During sunny conditions the solar panels could be used to provide power to equipment as well as charge the batteries. If enough charge is provided to the battery during the day and the night-time loads are small, the battery might last until the solar panels can be used again the next day.		# The DC and AC power can be used without the solar panels but will run down the battery at a rate that will depend on the DC and AC loads. During sunny conditions the solar panels could be used to provide power to equipment as well as charge the batteries. If enough charge is provided to the battery during the day and the night-time loads are small, the battery might last until the solar panels can be used again the next day.

			== Repeater Kit Wish List ==
			A couple items PBEM would like to add to the kit if resources become available:

			* Handheld BEECN radio, so the repeater crew can monitor radio traffic.
			* Generator/battery combo, to be used to power the repeater if needs to be deployed when the sun is low in the sky on short winter days or obscured by clouds during other seasons.
			* Replace the large AGM battery inside the heavy black.
			* Replace the coax for the UHF antenna with low-loss LMR 400 or equivalent.
			* Upgrade the VHF radio so that it could also operate on both the 2-meter amateur band and the nearby VHF band used by Multnomah County for its quarterly VHF check-ins (MCEM 1 and MCEM 2). Each MCARES team has at least one go-kit that has this capability. Team leads participate in the quarterly check-ins along with various bureaus and at least one bridge. There is a chance that this would be mostly a matter of installing a UASI frequency template on one of the orange-box transceivers instead of the standard BEECN template.

	== Program/Policy Background ==		== Program/Policy Background ==

BruceSchafer: /* Power: ZAMP Solar Generator */ Fixed typo

2025-04-14T05:00:58Z

Power: ZAMP Solar Generator: Fixed typo

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:00, 13 April 2025
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	=== Power: ZAMP Solar Generator ===		=== Power: ZAMP Solar Generator ===
	Output of 200 watts for charging the AGM Group 27 battery inside the DC Power subsystem. This system is two subsystems		Output of 200 watts for charging the AGM Group 27 battery inside the DC Power subsystem. This system has two subsystems

	# A pair of solar panels in a canvas case.		# A pair of solar panels in a canvas case.

BruceSchafer: /* Power: ZAMP Solar Generator */ Clarified some language

2025-04-14T05:00:05Z

Power: ZAMP Solar Generator: Clarified some language

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:00, 13 April 2025
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	# To use the solar panels, take them out of the canvas carry case, Align them so they point at the sun and connect the cable panels' cable to the back of the DC Power subsystem. One method for aligning a solar panel is to hold a pencil or pen perpendicular to a panel and adjust the panel until the pencil has nearly no shadow. To optimize the charging ability of the panels, they should be adjusted every hour or so.		# To use the solar panels, take them out of the canvas carry case, Align them so they point at the sun and connect the cable panels' cable to the back of the DC Power subsystem. One method for aligning a solar panel is to hold a pencil or pen perpendicular to a panel and adjust the panel until the pencil has nearly no shadow. To optimize the charging ability of the panels, they should be adjusted every hour or so.
	# The 12V DC can be used to power the repeater and/or charge the repeater's internal batteries. This can be accomplished by using the cable that has ~~what looks like a cigarette-lighter~~ plug ~~and~~ each end by plugging one end into the subsystem and the other into the ~~DC socket~~ on the side of the repeater.		# The 12V DC can be used to power the repeater and/or charge the repeater's internal batteries. This can be accomplished by using the cable that has an ''automobile auxiliary power plug'' on each end by plugging one end into the ''automobile auxiliary power outlet'' of the subsystem and the other into the ''automobile auxiliary power outlet'' on the left side of the repeater case.
	# The 120V AC is provided by an inverter mounted in the upper front of the subsystem behind the door. The 120V AC capability be used by connecting an AC cord into the front of the inverter.		# The 120V AC is provided by an inverter mounted in the upper front of the subsystem behind the door. The 120V AC capability can be used by connecting an AC cord into the front of the inverter and ensuring that the inverter is turned on.
	# The DC and AC power can be used without the solar panels but will run down the battery at a rate that will depend on the DC and AC loads. During sunny conditions the solar panels could be used to provide power to equipment as well as charge the batteries. If enough charge is provided to the battery during the day and the night-time loads are small, the battery might last until the solar panels can be used again the next day.		# The DC and AC power can be used without the solar panels but will run down the battery at a rate that will depend on the DC and AC loads. During sunny conditions the solar panels could be used to provide power to equipment as well as charge the batteries. If enough charge is provided to the battery during the day and the night-time loads are small, the battery might last until the solar panels can be used again the next day.

BruceSchafer: /* Power: ZAMP Solar Generator */ Added comment about using the solar panels during the day and using the battery a night.

2025-04-13T06:40:32Z

Power: ZAMP Solar Generator: Added comment about using the solar panels during the day and using the battery a night.

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:40, 12 April 2025
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	# A pair of solar panels in a canvas case.		# A pair of solar panels in a canvas case.
	# A DC/AC Power Subsystem. in a large black heavy ~~meta~~ case.		# A DC/AC Power Subsystem in a large black heavy metal case.

	Partial instructions:		Partial instructions:
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	# The 12V DC can be used to power the repeater and/or charge the repeater's internal batteries. This can be accomplished by using the cable that has what looks like a cigarette-lighter plug and each end by plugging one end into the subsystem and the other into the DC socket on the side of the repeater.		# The 12V DC can be used to power the repeater and/or charge the repeater's internal batteries. This can be accomplished by using the cable that has what looks like a cigarette-lighter plug and each end by plugging one end into the subsystem and the other into the DC socket on the side of the repeater.
	# The 120V AC is provided by an inverter mounted in the upper front of the subsystem behind the door. The 120V AC capability be used by connecting an AC cord into the front of the inverter.		# The 120V AC is provided by an inverter mounted in the upper front of the subsystem behind the door. The 120V AC capability be used by connecting an AC cord into the front of the inverter.
			# The DC and AC power can be used without the solar panels but will run down the battery at a rate that will depend on the DC and AC loads. During sunny conditions the solar panels could be used to provide power to equipment as well as charge the batteries. If enough charge is provided to the battery during the day and the night-time loads are small, the battery might last until the solar panels can be used again the next day.

	== Program/Policy Background ==		== Program/Policy Background ==

BruceSchafer: /* Repeater: Model IR3UG UHF Portable Repeater */Corrected location of certain information.

2025-04-12T22:33:03Z

Repeater: Model IR3UG UHF Portable Repeater: Corrected location of certain information.

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:33, 12 April 2025
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	* Repeater/base station Icom R6000TEC. Programmed on 469.5250		* Repeater/base station Icom R6000TEC. Programmed on 469.5250
	* 469.525 MHz TX & 464.525 MHz RX. Compliant with FCC and NTIS technical standards.		* 469.525 MHz TX & 464.525 MHz RX. Compliant with FCC and NTIS technical standards.
	* DC power subsystem. Provides operating voltage from 120V AC, 12V DC, or solar source. Front panel metering of DC volts level.		* DC power subsystem. Provides operating voltage from 120V AC, 12V DC, or solar source. Front panel metering of DC volts level.
	** The 12V DC can be used to power the repeater and/or charge the repeater's internal batteries. This can be accomplished by using the cable that has what looks like a cigarette-lighter plug and each end by plugging one end into the subsystem and the other into the DC socket on the side of the repeater.
	** The 120V AC is provided by an inverter mounted in the upper front of the subsystem behind the door. The 120V AC capability be used by connecting an AC cord into the front of the inverter.
	* RF monitor subsystem. Front panel metering of RF output power. (On 4/6/2025 the meter did not appear to be working. It could have become disconnected behind the panel in which it was mounted. There is also a chance the repeater was not producing much output power although the simple communication tests done on that date seem to indicate that it was working reasonably well.)		* RF monitor subsystem. Front panel metering of RF output power. (On 4/6/2025 the meter did not appear to be working. It could have become disconnected behind the panel in which it was mounted. There is also a chance the repeater was not producing much output power although the simple communication tests done on that date seem to indicate that it was working reasonably well.)
	* [[wikipedia:Duplexer\|Duplexer]]. Allows the repeater to work with a single antenna. Tuned as per above frequency pair.		* [[wikipedia:Duplexer\|Duplexer]]. Allows the repeater to work with a single antenna. Tuned as per above frequency pair.
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	=== Power: ZAMP Solar Generator ===		=== Power: ZAMP Solar Generator ===
	Output of 200 watts for charging the AGM Group 27 battery inside the DC Power subsystem. To use the solar panels, take them out of the canvas carry case, Align them so they point at the sun and connect the cable panels' cable to the back of the DC Power subsystem. One method for aligning a solar panel is to hold a pencil or pen perpendicular to a panel and adjust the panel until the pencil has nearly no shadow. To optimize the charging ability of the panels, they should be adjusted every hour or so.		Output of 200 watts for charging the AGM Group 27 battery inside the DC Power subsystem. This system is two subsystems

			# A pair of solar panels in a canvas case.
			# A DC/AC Power Subsystem. in a large black heavy meta case.

			Partial instructions:

			# To use the solar panels, take them out of the canvas carry case, Align them so they point at the sun and connect the cable panels' cable to the back of the DC Power subsystem. One method for aligning a solar panel is to hold a pencil or pen perpendicular to a panel and adjust the panel until the pencil has nearly no shadow. To optimize the charging ability of the panels, they should be adjusted every hour or so.
			# The 12V DC can be used to power the repeater and/or charge the repeater's internal batteries. This can be accomplished by using the cable that has what looks like a cigarette-lighter plug and each end by plugging one end into the subsystem and the other into the DC socket on the side of the repeater.
			# The 120V AC is provided by an inverter mounted in the upper front of the subsystem behind the door. The 120V AC capability be used by connecting an AC cord into the front of the inverter.

	== Program/Policy Background ==		== Program/Policy Background ==

BruceSchafer: /* Power: ZAMP Solar Generator */ Added detail about the DC and AC output of the power subsystem and some hints on setting up the solar panels.

2025-04-12T22:24:00Z

Power: ZAMP Solar Generator: Added detail about the DC and AC output of the power subsystem and some hints on setting up the solar panels.

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:24, 12 April 2025
Line 133:		Line 133:
	* Repeater/base station Icom R6000TEC. Programmed on 469.5250		* Repeater/base station Icom R6000TEC. Programmed on 469.5250
	* 469.525 MHz TX & 464.525 MHz RX. Compliant with FCC and NTIS technical standards.		* 469.525 MHz TX & 464.525 MHz RX. Compliant with FCC and NTIS technical standards.
	* DC power subsystem. Provides operating voltage from ~~100-250V~~ AC, 12V DC, or solar source. Front panel metering of DC volts level.		* DC power subsystem. Provides operating voltage from 120V AC, 12V DC, or solar source. Front panel metering of DC volts level.
	* RF monitor subsystem. Front panel metering of RF output power.		** The 12V DC can be used to power the repeater and/or charge the repeater's internal batteries. This can be accomplished by using the cable that has what looks like a cigarette-lighter plug and each end by plugging one end into the subsystem and the other into the DC socket on the side of the repeater.
			** The 120V AC is provided by an inverter mounted in the upper front of the subsystem behind the door. The 120V AC capability be used by connecting an AC cord into the front of the inverter.
			* RF monitor subsystem. Front panel metering of RF output power. (On 4/6/2025 the meter did not appear to be working. It could have become disconnected behind the panel in which it was mounted. There is also a chance the repeater was not producing much output power although the simple communication tests done on that date seem to indicate that it was working reasonably well.)
	* [[wikipedia:Duplexer\|Duplexer]]. Allows the repeater to work with a single antenna. Tuned as per above frequency pair.		* [[wikipedia:Duplexer\|Duplexer]]. Allows the repeater to work with a single antenna. Tuned as per above frequency pair.

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	=== Power: ZAMP Solar Generator ===		=== Power: ZAMP Solar Generator ===
	Output of 200 watts for charging AGM Group 27 battery, and ~~directly powering PC, tools~~, ~~etc~~.		Output of 200 watts for charging the AGM Group 27 battery inside the DC Power subsystem. To use the solar panels, take them out of the canvas carry case, Align them so they point at the sun and connect the cable panels' cable to the back of the DC Power subsystem. One method for aligning a solar panel is to hold a pencil or pen perpendicular to a panel and adjust the panel until the pencil has nearly no shadow. To optimize the charging ability of the panels, they should be adjusted every hour or so.

	== Program/Policy Background ==		== Program/Policy Background ==

BruceSchafer: /* Repeater: Model IR3UG UHF Portable Repeater */ Corrected frequency pair to match BEECN Channel 7.

2025-04-10T05:48:53Z

Repeater: Model IR3UG UHF Portable Repeater: Corrected frequency pair to match BEECN Channel 7.

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:48, 9 April 2025
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	Comprises the following integrated as a system mounted in a Pelican enclosure:		Comprises the following integrated as a system mounted in a Pelican enclosure:

	* Repeater/base station Icom R6000TEC. Programmed on ~~452~~.~~2375~~ MHz TX & ~~461~~.~~4750~~ MHz RX. Compliant with FCC and NTIS technical standards.		* Repeater/base station Icom R6000TEC. Programmed on 469.5250
			* 469.525 MHz TX & 464.525 MHz RX. Compliant with FCC and NTIS technical standards.
	* DC power subsystem. Provides operating voltage from 100-250V AC, 12V DC, or solar source. Front panel metering of DC volts level.		* DC power subsystem. Provides operating voltage from 100-250V AC, 12V DC, or solar source. Front panel metering of DC volts level.
	* RF monitor subsystem. Front panel metering of RF output power.		* RF monitor subsystem. Front panel metering of RF output power.

Net@portlandoregon.gov: /* Program/Policy Background */

2025-04-10T01:17:11Z

Program/Policy Background

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:17, 9 April 2025
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	PBEM Operations purchased the repeater kit in the Spring of 2014 and it arrived at PBEM in July that year. It was tested twice, and then stored at the Jerome Sears Center. Institutional knowledge on how to use the repeater was forgotten at PBEM. A family of squirrels also took up living in the mast bag and they ate one of the instruction manuals. The repeater was moved to volunteer care in 2024 after PBEM was booted from Sears. The repeater was successfully tested again in April 2025.		PBEM Operations purchased the repeater kit in the Spring of 2014 and it arrived at PBEM in July that year. It was tested twice, and then stored at the Jerome Sears Center. Institutional knowledge on how to use the repeater was forgotten at PBEM. A family of squirrels also took up living in the mast bag and they ate one of the instruction manuals. The repeater was moved to volunteer care in 2024 after PBEM was booted from Sears. The repeater was successfully tested again in April 2025.

	Note about the mast kit: the BlueSky mast was cannibalized out of PBEM's Go-Kit program because it is superior to the mast kit spec'd with the repeater kit. The original mast was a 32 ft. tubular antenna mast in four foot sections. However, ~~the mounting tripod to~~ that mast is ~~missing~~.		Note about the mast kit: the BlueSky mast was cannibalized out of PBEM's Go-Kit program because it is superior to the mast kit spec'd with the repeater kit. The original mast was a 32 ft. tubular antenna mast in four foot sections. However, that mast included no tripod and is not as safe as the BlueSky mast.

Net@portlandoregon.gov: /* Program/Policy Background */

2025-04-10T01:12:02Z

Program/Policy Background

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:12, 9 April 2025
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	== Program/Policy Background ==		== Program/Policy Background ==
	[[File:2025.04.06.BR .Erdmann (4).jpg\|thumb\|''Jeremy ~~tried~~ to read squirrel-eaten repeater instructions. In the background is the mast kit bag, filled with ~~chewed up~~ pinecones, that evidently served as a squirrel nest. Photo by Candice Erdmann, 2025.04.06.'']]		[[File:2025.04.06.BR .Erdmann (4).jpg\|thumb\|''Jeremy trying to read squirrel-eaten repeater instructions. In the background is the mast kit bag, filled with half-eaten pinecones, that evidently served as a squirrel nest. Photo by Candice Erdmann, 2025.04.06.'']]
	PBEM Operations purchased the repeater kit in the Spring of 2014 and it arrived at PBEM in July that year. It was tested twice, and then stored at the Jerome Sears Center. Institutional knowledge on how to use the repeater was forgotten at PBEM. A family of squirrels also took up living in the mast bag and they ate one of the instruction manuals. The repeater was moved to volunteer care in 2024 after PBEM was booted from Sears. The repeater was successfully tested again in April 2025.		PBEM Operations purchased the repeater kit in the Spring of 2014 and it arrived at PBEM in July that year. It was tested twice, and then stored at the Jerome Sears Center. Institutional knowledge on how to use the repeater was forgotten at PBEM. A family of squirrels also took up living in the mast bag and they ate one of the instruction manuals. The repeater was moved to volunteer care in 2024 after PBEM was booted from Sears. The repeater was successfully tested again in April 2025.

	Note about the mast kit: the BlueSky mast was cannibalized out of PBEM's Go-Kit program because it is superior to the mast kit spec'd with the repeater kit. The original mast was a 32 ft. tubular antenna mast in four foot sections. However, the mounting tripod to that mast is missing.		Note about the mast kit: the BlueSky mast was cannibalized out of PBEM's Go-Kit program because it is superior to the mast kit spec'd with the repeater kit. The original mast was a 32 ft. tubular antenna mast in four foot sections. However, the mounting tripod to that mast is missing.