On Oct 13, 2024, at 3:46?PM, Bruce ke7sjz via groups.io <ke7sjz@...> wrote:

?I don't know how you're doing it but legally crossband repeaters cannot be any kind of permanent setup, only temporary short-term, and they cannot cause interference in any way.

On Sun, Oct 13, 2024 at 13:42, Frank kd4oty

<fdelangis@...> wrote:

How do I use it??? KD4OTY

On Sun, Oct 13, 2024, 1:08 PM Stacy KK7CJV via <stroscoe2001=[email protected]> wrote:

We began our ham journey in the mountains outside of Townsend where we had no cell coverage.? Eric who was licensed, setup a radio and antenna and found the Belmont repeater.? On Sundays, while we were finishing our work for the day and cooking dinner, we would listen to AJ7MT's Trivia, Trivia, Trivia!? Eric, having the only callsign in the household at that time, called into the Trivia with our answer.? We enjoyed playing trivia on Sunday nights with the other hams in the Helena and surrounding area during the months we put the Townsend house back together.? Our Townsend house project finished and we moved back into the Bozeman property but missed playing trivia.? Then came Eric's mastermind.? He put up a beam pointed at the Belmont Repeater that is located West, Northwest of Helena.? Great signal reports into Helena!? Next he built and installed a crossband repeater so he could be anywhere on the Bozeman property and communicate with our friends in Helena with just a handheld in his pocket.? Others in the Bozeman/Belgrade area began playing trivia with us as we mentioned the crossband repeater and the great time we were having with John's (AJ7MT) trivia.? John does a phenomenal job with the trivia game!? So much fun!??

?

While a ham in Belgrade and another in Gallatin Heights were playing trivia, we noticed the ham located 'in front' of the beam was able to be heard very well, while the ham located behind the beam (or on the backside of the beam) had less of a signal and wasn't as clear.? Hmm, So off to the drawing board.? Eric built and installed a Colinear antenna for the receive signals.? After the Colinear antenna install, the next trivia both stations were able to be heard clear and much better!? We have tested the reception all around Bozeman and Gallatin valley.? We are inviting you all to use the Crossband and give us any and all feedback.? John (AJ7MT) does a really great job providing an hour of fun family entertainment!? Join us playing trivia Sunday nights from 7:30-8:30. The frequency for the Crossband Repeater is 446.75 with a PL Tone 100 (no offset).?

?

And again, let us know your experiences and feedback.? Thank you!

?

73, KK7CJV

On Oct 13, 2024, at 3:46?PM, Bruce ke7sjz via groups.io <ke7sjz@...> wrote:

?I don't know how you're doing it but legally crossband repeaters cannot be any kind of permanent setup, only temporary short-term, and they cannot cause interference in any way.

On Sun, Oct 13, 2024 at 13:42, Frank kd4oty

<fdelangis@...> wrote:

How do I use it??? KD4OTY

On Sun, Oct 13, 2024, 1:08 PM Stacy KK7CJV via <stroscoe2001=[email protected]> wrote:

We began our ham journey in the mountains outside of Townsend where we had no cell coverage.? Eric who was licensed, setup a radio and antenna and found the Belmont repeater.? On Sundays, while we were finishing our work for the day and cooking dinner, we would listen to AJ7MT's Trivia, Trivia, Trivia!? Eric, having the only callsign in the household at that time, called into the Trivia with our answer.? We enjoyed playing trivia on Sunday nights with the other hams in the Helena and surrounding area during the months we put the Townsend house back together.? Our Townsend house project finished and we moved back into the Bozeman property but missed playing trivia.? Then came Eric's mastermind.? He put up a beam pointed at the Belmont Repeater that is located West, Northwest of Helena.? Great signal reports into Helena!? Next he built and installed a crossband repeater so he could be anywhere on the Bozeman property and communicate with our friends in Helena with just a handheld in his pocket.? Others in the Bozeman/Belgrade area began playing trivia with us as we mentioned the crossband repeater and the great time we were having with John's (AJ7MT) trivia.? John does a phenomenal job with the trivia game!? So much fun!??

?

While a ham in Belgrade and another in Gallatin Heights were playing trivia, we noticed the ham located 'in front' of the beam was able to be heard very well, while the ham located behind the beam (or on the backside of the beam) had less of a signal and wasn't as clear.? Hmm, So off to the drawing board.? Eric built and installed a Colinear antenna for the receive signals.? After the Colinear antenna install, the next trivia both stations were able to be heard clear and much better!? We have tested the reception all around Bozeman and Gallatin valley.? We are inviting you all to use the Crossband and give us any and all feedback.? John (AJ7MT) does a really great job providing an hour of fun family entertainment!? Join us playing trivia Sunday nights from 7:30-8:30. The frequency for the Crossband Repeater is 446.75 with a PL Tone 100 (no offset).?

?

And again, let us know your experiences and feedback.? Thank you!

?

73, KK7CJV

On Sun, Oct 13, 2024 at 13:42, Frank kd4oty

<fdelangis@...> wrote:

How do I use it??? KD4OTY

On Sun, Oct 13, 2024, 1:08 PM Stacy KK7CJV via <stroscoe2001=[email protected]> wrote:

We began our ham journey in the mountains outside of Townsend where we had no cell coverage.? Eric who was licensed, setup a radio and antenna and found the Belmont repeater.? On Sundays, while we were finishing our work for the day and cooking dinner, we would listen to AJ7MT's Trivia, Trivia, Trivia!? Eric, having the only callsign in the household at that time, called into the Trivia with our answer.? We enjoyed playing trivia on Sunday nights with the other hams in the Helena and surrounding area during the months we put the Townsend house back together.? Our Townsend house project finished and we moved back into the Bozeman property but missed playing trivia.? Then came Eric's mastermind.? He put up a beam pointed at the Belmont Repeater that is located West, Northwest of Helena.? Great signal reports into Helena!? Next he built and installed a crossband repeater so he could be anywhere on the Bozeman property and communicate with our friends in Helena with just a handheld in his pocket.? Others in the Bozeman/Belgrade area began playing trivia with us as we mentioned the crossband repeater and the great time we were having with John's (AJ7MT) trivia.? John does a phenomenal job with the trivia game!? So much fun!??

?

While a ham in Belgrade and another in Gallatin Heights were playing trivia, we noticed the ham located 'in front' of the beam was able to be heard very well, while the ham located behind the beam (or on the backside of the beam) had less of a signal and wasn't as clear.? Hmm, So off to the drawing board.? Eric built and installed a Colinear antenna for the receive signals.? After the Colinear antenna install, the next trivia both stations were able to be heard clear and much better!? We have tested the reception all around Bozeman and Gallatin valley.? We are inviting you all to use the Crossband and give us any and all feedback.? John (AJ7MT) does a really great job providing an hour of fun family entertainment!? Join us playing trivia Sunday nights from 7:30-8:30. The frequency for the Crossband Repeater is 446.75 with a PL Tone 100 (no offset).?

?

And again, let us know your experiences and feedback.? Thank you!

?

73, KK7CJV

On Oct 13, 2024, at 11:18?AM, Stacy KK7CJV via groups.io <stroscoe2001@...> wrote:

?

What a great coffee!? Thank you to Lee Barrett (K7NM) for coming and sharing stories of how our local repeaters got their start.? Lee along with Bob Leo (SK) were the pioneers in designing and placing the repeaters on the mountain tops.? Great stories!? The topics ranged from the beginnings of radio in our valley to multiple vertical antenna phasing.? Great topics and information!? Thank you to everyone who participated!

?

73, KK7CJV

On Oct 12, 2024, at 7:17?PM, Trevor kg7kcv via groups.io <trevlanes@...> wrote:

?

82 is back on air and linked to 88!!

Big big thanks to Harley, Dan and Gus!!

We only have 200 amp hours of battery, but we will see how it holds up. Hopefully, with a more efficient solar controller and new AGM batteries, we will make it through the winter. In addition, power wiring has been simplified and upgraded.?

Several dollars, and at minimum, a combined 100 amateur time units have been put towards getting this machine up just before access to the site becomes very difficult until this coming June.?

Currently audio is going from 72 to 82, but not the other direction.

I apologize for not providing any pictures, but I forgot my phone in the truck today. :(

-KG7KCV

On Tue, Oct 8, 2024 at 8:37?PM Trevor kg7kcv via <trevlanes=[email protected]> wrote:

Good News! Harley has had a chance to go over the repeater components and give the system a tune up in addition? to needed repairs. Thanks Harley!!!

We will be bringing the machine back up on Saturday.

-KG7KCV

On Mon, Sep 16, 2024 at 6:41?PM Dan kk7fdp via <mr.danrpoole=[email protected]> wrote:

Oh, yeah

Trevor had us drive a few miles further for better views of all the great mountains

Almost 30 miles round trip ..?Really great weather. Big Fun

BR Trail Road makes it easy to navigate to the site.
After trailhead and up is 50" limit
but 4x4 truck is fine up to T/H

Lots of great parks and terrain
up there for snowmobiles
TNX

On Mon, Sep 16, 2024, 18:04 Larry kf7l via <kf7l=[email protected]> wrote:

Dan, I was trying to find the repeater site on Google Earth but have only been by there a few dozen times on snowmobile many years ago. Zooming in and following the trail, as I remember it, did not work. I did see the trail head which did not exist then and your aprs beacon. You were way over west by that time and coming back.
Cheers

Dan KK7FDP via wrote on 9/16/2024 5:30 PM:

Thanks, Larry.
That is good to know
I will go look at the track
It was not our usual trail
Cheers

On Mon, Sep 16, 2024, 13:25 Larry kf7l via <kf7l=[email protected]> wrote:

Dan your? 878 aprs was working fine on Buck Ridge.
Larry KF7L

Trevor kg7kcv via wrote on 9/15/2024 6:07 PM:

Thanks Stacy! Hopefully our roofing subject matter expert can weigh in on needed materials. Not sure who that is yet :)

We took a trip up to the 82 site with new AGM batteries and a programmable MPPT controller. Existing batteries were all at 0.0 volts.?

With new batteries installed and controller installed, I missed a crucial change in the wiring color standard on the load side of the solar controller. Long story short, I let the magic smoke out of several?components of the repeater. I did everything I could to follow the wiring and check polarity at each junction but missed at one spot. We have hauled all the equipment back down to be looked over.?

I will work on cleaning up and standardizing the wiring, making it very easy for anyone to decipher and diagnose with fuse blocks, connectorized disconnects and coherent colors.

Hopefully our electronics guru Harley can find something easy to repair and we can get the system back to the top of the mountain before the road is impassable?on wheels.

Thanks to Dan for transportation services and to Norm for his company and extra set of hands.

I am very sorry to have created additional issues at this site, but I do believe that when we are finished, the 82 will be better and more?reliable than ever.

-Trevor KG7KCV

On Sun, Sep 15, 2024 at 12:30?PM Stacy KK7CJV via <stroscoe2001=[email protected]> wrote:

Trevor,?

I have a roll of tar paper I would like to donate to the roof project. Still cleaning shop so I may find a couple bundles of shingles-I would like to donate them as well. Please let us know after the site survey what would be needed for repairs.

Thanks?

Stacy KK7CJV?

On Sep 14, 2024, at 11:26?AM, Trevor kg7kcv <trevlanes@...> wrote:

?

I am working on getting batteries and MPPT controller today. Dan and Trevor will be meeting at 4corners 9am tomorrow (sunday) to head up to the site to get things started. Harley is not available?this weekend, but if anyone would like to tag along and has means to get to the top of the ridge, all are welcome. Again, the road is restricted?50" vehicles. Its a great ride on a motorcylce too! If you want to continue to the top, there is a great view at the end of the road another 8 or ten miles up.

I can be reached at 570-5672

On Fri, Sep 13, 2024 at 6:48?PM Trevor kg7kcv via <trevlanes=[email protected]> wrote:

I think we had a meaningful and constructive conversation regarding repeater work and maintenance last night. Harley is burdened by the number of repeaters under him, needs help,?and will be letting?the?club/community know how we can all be involved and of use. We have plenty of folks that want to volunteer and have offered help in the past. We would all like to be in the loop regarding what needs to be done, where it needs to be done, and what's currently being worked on so?we can be of service and learn the systems.??

Hopefully Harley can help put together a list of other repeaters in despair and work that needs to take place. He mentioned there are 13 repeaters he takes responsibility for. I'm not sure how we organize and prioritize these.?

Any documentation?on site access and repeater configuration?would?be greatly appreciated and very useful to organize help.

Long Term Plan for the .82 / Buck Ridge Repeater:

-Building needs a roof. We had volunteers?ready to do the work, but never got the work scheduled. I will bump that?email chain. This will need to happen in June when the road opens back up to wheeled traffic. Road is restricted to 50" vehicles.

-Separate?non-profit and for-profit power systems, while maintaining good relations with commercial site users. We will still provide our services and collaborate.

-New batteries. Not recycled batteries. ERA has room in the budget for this. I recommend?AGM. QTY to be determined. I would like to start with around 200ah.

-Determine power requirements for both systems by measuring idle and transmit current.

-Reconfigure existing solar panels in series to minimize current loss on the lengthy?12 gauge?wiring.

-Add MPPT Solar controller?to utilize high voltage from new panel arrangement?and provide low volt disconnect to protect battery investment.?

? ? ?I had previously offered a modern controller, but the PWM got used instead. I have already ordered another. Hopefully 20a will carry our system. New controller can provide historical data for solar and load.

-Determine if higher gauge?wire can be pulled through existing underground conduit.

-Consider Bi-facial solar panels to make better use of vertically oriented panels at this site if funds become available.

Weather and time depending, this weekend I may try to make a quick motorcycle or ATV trip up to get some preliminary notes and data.

There will be more to this thread as information becomes available. This could also be a useful thread to organize and track progress and volunteers for the 82.

Here is the controller I will provide:

I can get these batteries for 50$ off retail:

These can get for 98$:

?

My corporate rate unfortunately cuts the warranty in half, so that will need to be considered.

Thanks for everyone's time and input.

-Trevor KG7KCV

On Thu, Sep 12, 2024 at 9:50?AM Ronnie ai7dk via <rlw.flyfish=[email protected]> wrote:

73 to everyone

Please find the zoom meeting invitation for this evening at 1830 MDT to discuss a plan to go forward on the 82 repeater work.? If you have any questions on the invitation please feel free to give me a call at (704) 806 - 8609.? Look forward to seeing you later.

Ronnie AI7DK

Topic: 82 Repeater Work
Time: Sep 12, 2024 06:30 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting


Meeting ID: 821 4205 4573
Passcode: 309890

---

One tap mobile
+13462487799,,82142054573#,,,,*309890# US (Houston)
+14086380968,,82142054573#,,,,*309890# US (San Jose)

---

Dial by your location
? +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
? +1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)
? +1 669 444 9171 US
? +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
? +1 719 359 4580 US
? +1 253 205 0468 US
? +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
? +1 360 209 5623 US
? +1 386 347 5053 US
? +1 507 473 4847 US
? +1 564 217 2000 US
? +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
? +1 646 931 3860 US
? +1 689 278 1000 US
? +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
? +1 305 224 1968 US
? +1 309 205 3325 US
? +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

Meeting ID: 821 4205 4573
Passcode: 309890

Find your local number:

--

Sent from

--

Sent from

On Sat, Oct 12, 2024 at 8:49 PM, Ronnie ai7dk

<rlw.flyfish@...> wrote:

A huge thank you to everyone involved in getting 82 back up and running.

73

Ronnie AI7DK

On Sat, Oct 12, 2024 at 7:17?PM Trevor kg7kcv via <trevlanes=[email protected]> wrote:

82 is back on air and linked to 88!!

Big big thanks to Harley, Dan and Gus!!

We only have 200 amp hours of battery, but we will see how it holds up. Hopefully, with a more efficient solar controller and new AGM batteries, we will make it through the winter. In addition, power wiring has been simplified and upgraded.?

Several dollars, and at minimum, a combined 100 amateur time units have been put towards getting this machine up just before access to the site becomes very difficult until this coming June.?

Currently audio is going from 72 to 82, but not the other direction.

I apologize for not providing any pictures, but I forgot my phone in the truck today. :(

-KG7KCV

On Tue, Oct 8, 2024 at 8:37?PM Trevor kg7kcv via <trevlanes=[email protected]> wrote:

Good News! Harley has had a chance to go over the repeater components and give the system a tune up in addition? to needed repairs. Thanks Harley!!!

We will be bringing the machine back up on Saturday.

-KG7KCV

On Mon, Sep 16, 2024 at 6:41?PM Dan kk7fdp via <mr.danrpoole=[email protected]> wrote:

Oh, yeah

Trevor had us drive a few miles further for better views of all the great mountains

Almost 30 miles round trip ..?Really great weather. Big Fun

BR Trail Road makes it easy to navigate to the site.
After trailhead and up is 50" limit
but 4x4 truck is fine up to T/H

Lots of great parks and terrain
up there for snowmobiles
TNX

On Mon, Sep 16, 2024, 18:04 Larry kf7l via <kf7l=[email protected]> wrote:

Dan, I was trying to find the repeater site on Google Earth but have only been by there a few dozen times on snowmobile many years ago. Zooming in and following the trail, as I remember it, did not work. I did see the trail head which did not exist then and your aprs beacon. You were way over west by that time and coming back.
Cheers

Dan KK7FDP via wrote on 9/16/2024 5:30 PM:

Thanks, Larry.
That is good to know
I will go look at the track
It was not our usual trail
Cheers

On Mon, Sep 16, 2024, 13:25 Larry kf7l via <kf7l=[email protected]> wrote:

Dan your? 878 aprs was working fine on Buck Ridge.
Larry KF7L

Trevor kg7kcv via wrote on 9/15/2024 6:07 PM:

Thanks Stacy! Hopefully our roofing subject matter expert can weigh in on needed materials. Not sure who that is yet :)

We took a trip up to the 82 site with new AGM batteries and a programmable MPPT controller. Existing batteries were all at 0.0 volts.?

With new batteries installed and controller installed, I missed a crucial change in the wiring color standard on the load side of the solar controller. Long story short, I let the magic smoke out of several?components of the repeater. I did everything I could to follow the wiring and check polarity at each junction but missed at one spot. We have hauled all the equipment back down to be looked over.?

I will work on cleaning up and standardizing the wiring, making it very easy for anyone to decipher and diagnose with fuse blocks, connectorized disconnects and coherent colors.

Hopefully our electronics guru Harley can find something easy to repair and we can get the system back to the top of the mountain before the road is impassable?on wheels.

Thanks to Dan for transportation services and to Norm for his company and extra set of hands.

I am very sorry to have created additional issues at this site, but I do believe that when we are finished, the 82 will be better and more?reliable than ever.

-Trevor KG7KCV

On Sun, Sep 15, 2024 at 12:30?PM Stacy KK7CJV via <stroscoe2001=[email protected]> wrote:

Trevor,?

I have a roll of tar paper I would like to donate to the roof project. Still cleaning shop so I may find a couple bundles of shingles-I would like to donate them as well. Please let us know after the site survey what would be needed for repairs.

Thanks?

Stacy KK7CJV?

On Sep 14, 2024, at 11:26?AM, Trevor kg7kcv <trevlanes@...> wrote:

?

I am working on getting batteries and MPPT controller today. Dan and Trevor will be meeting at 4corners 9am tomorrow (sunday) to head up to the site to get things started. Harley is not available?this weekend, but if anyone would like to tag along and has means to get to the top of the ridge, all are welcome. Again, the road is restricted?50" vehicles. Its a great ride on a motorcylce too! If you want to continue to the top, there is a great view at the end of the road another 8 or ten miles up.

I can be reached at 570-5672

On Fri, Sep 13, 2024 at 6:48?PM Trevor kg7kcv via <trevlanes=[email protected]> wrote:

I think we had a meaningful and constructive conversation regarding repeater work and maintenance last night. Harley is burdened by the number of repeaters under him, needs help,?and will be letting?the?club/community know how we can all be involved and of use. We have plenty of folks that want to volunteer and have offered help in the past. We would all like to be in the loop regarding what needs to be done, where it needs to be done, and what's currently being worked on so?we can be of service and learn the systems.??

Hopefully Harley can help put together a list of other repeaters in despair and work that needs to take place. He mentioned there are 13 repeaters he takes responsibility for. I'm not sure how we organize and prioritize these.?

Any documentation?on site access and repeater configuration?would?be greatly appreciated and very useful to organize help.

Long Term Plan for the .82 / Buck Ridge Repeater:

-Building needs a roof. We had volunteers?ready to do the work, but never got the work scheduled. I will bump that?email chain. This will need to happen in June when the road opens back up to wheeled traffic. Road is restricted to 50" vehicles.

-Separate?non-profit and for-profit power systems, while maintaining good relations with commercial site users. We will still provide our services and collaborate.

-New batteries. Not recycled batteries. ERA has room in the budget for this. I recommend?AGM. QTY to be determined. I would like to start with around 200ah.

-Determine power requirements for both systems by measuring idle and transmit current.

-Reconfigure existing solar panels in series to minimize current loss on the lengthy?12 gauge?wiring.

-Add MPPT Solar controller?to utilize high voltage from new panel arrangement?and provide low volt disconnect to protect battery investment.?

? ? ?I had previously offered a modern controller, but the PWM got used instead. I have already ordered another. Hopefully 20a will carry our system. New controller can provide historical data for solar and load.

-Determine if higher gauge?wire can be pulled through existing underground conduit.

-Consider Bi-facial solar panels to make better use of vertically oriented panels at this site if funds become available.

Weather and time depending, this weekend I may try to make a quick motorcycle or ATV trip up to get some preliminary notes and data.

There will be more to this thread as information becomes available. This could also be a useful thread to organize and track progress and volunteers for the 82.

Here is the controller I will provide:

I can get these batteries for 50$ off retail:

These can get for 98$:

?

My corporate rate unfortunately cuts the warranty in half, so that will need to be considered.

Thanks for everyone's time and input.

-Trevor KG7KCV

On Thu, Sep 12, 2024 at 9:50?AM Ronnie ai7dk via <rlw.flyfish=[email protected]> wrote:

73 to everyone

Please find the zoom meeting invitation for this evening at 1830 MDT to discuss a plan to go forward on the 82 repeater work.? If you have any questions on the invitation please feel free to give me a call at (704) 806 - 8609.? Look forward to seeing you later.

Ronnie AI7DK

Topic: 82 Repeater Work
Time: Sep 12, 2024 06:30 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting


Meeting ID: 821 4205 4573
Passcode: 309890

---

One tap mobile
+13462487799,,82142054573#,,,,*309890# US (Houston)
+14086380968,,82142054573#,,,,*309890# US (San Jose)

---

Dial by your location
? +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
? +1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)
? +1 669 444 9171 US
? +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
? +1 719 359 4580 US
? +1 253 205 0468 US
? +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
? +1 360 209 5623 US
? +1 386 347 5053 US
? +1 507 473 4847 US
? +1 564 217 2000 US
? +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
? +1 646 931 3860 US
? +1 689 278 1000 US
? +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
? +1 305 224 1968 US
? +1 309 205 3325 US
? +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

Meeting ID: 821 4205 4573
Passcode: 309890

Find your local number:

--

Sent from

--

Sent from

On Oct 11, 2024, at 8:54?PM, Carolyn kf7yus <cjoanchips@...> wrote:

?

See you there!!!

73 Carolyn KF7YUS

On Fri, Oct 11, 2024 at 8:09?PM Stacy KK7CJV via <stroscoe2001=[email protected]> wrote:

Hams N Coffee @ Cafe M in Belgrade? ?Saturdays from 9-12.

Great time to find answers to questions, exchange information and ideas, or to just meet the other hams in our area!??

Hope to see you all there!