Roleystone has had a UHF repeater since the
1970s. The first repeater was built from a Pye R460 - T460 by Adrian
VK6CU. The all transistor repeater ran just 5 watts and by the time
this reached the antenna, some 250' (80M) away, was just 1.8 watts. VK6's first UHF amateur repeater a Pye R460 - T460 The
repeater was replaced by an Icom IC-RP 3010 running 25 Watts.
 VK6RUF
ICOM IC-RP3010
 Unilab
Stanilite KL series UHF repeater
VK6RUF was changed to a Unilab Stanilite UHF repeater by Rob VK6LD. At about this time LIPD interference to VK6RUF's input on 433.525 became an issue, with noise and audio modulation being heard. VK6RUF had to have CTCSS decode installed on its receiver to limit the LIPD interference, but the LIPD was still a problem on weaker signals. After much debate it was decided to change VK6RUF's frequency from 433.525 - 438.525 to 434.800 - 439.800. Also a callsign change from VK6RUF to VK6RAP, as this saves the cost of one callsign licence fee. Tony VK6YAG built a replacement repeater using the Stanilite with the new frequency of 434.8 - 439.8 as the new VK6RAP 70cm and VK6RUF (also a Stanilite) is still in transmit service as the VK6 WIA news link to Mt.Saddleback (VK6RMS). The receive input has been disabled. Eventually VK6RUF will be discontinued once the UHF link to Mt.Saddleback is replaced with the new frequency of VK6RAP 70cm on 434.8 - 439.8 |
