From our Dural site, the repeaters reach a large part of the greater Sydney area.
The 6m, 2m and 70cm Repeaters transmit a 91.5Hz CTCSS tone, for users that wish to use tone muting on their receivers. We have found this is effective in reducing the 'birdies' many mobile users hear on VHF around the Sydney area.
The 70cm VK2RWI FM repeater currently requires 91.5Hz tone for access, due to increased interference from 'LIPD' transmissions. The other VK2RWI repeaters do not require CTCSS for access.
| Band | Output Frequency | Input Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Metres | 53.850 MHz | 52.850 MHz | |
| 2 Metres | 147.000 MHz | 146.400 MHz | |
| 70 Centimetres | 438.525 MHz | 433.525 MHz | 91.5Hz CTCSS required for access |
| 70cm DMR | 438.600 MHz | 433.600 MHz | Part of ARNSW RadNET |
| 23 Centimetres | 1273.5 MHz | 1293.5 MHz | Standby antenna - reduced coverage |
The beacons identify in Morse with VK2RSY QF56MH (the Maidenhead locator for the site) at approximately 40 second intervals.
Beacons serve a couple of major functions. One is as an indicator of propagation, to see if there is a path between an observer and the location or region of the transmitter. The other major function is in the local service area, where the constant signal of a beacon can be used as a reference for antenna or equipment performance and comparison.
| Band | Frequency | Mode | Power | Antenna | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10m | 28.262 MHz | CW | 25W | Halfwave Dipole | (1) |
| 6 m | 50.289 MHz | CW | 20W | Halfwave Dipole | (1) |
| 2 m | 144.420 MHz | CW | 20W | 2 bay Horizontally Polarized Crossed Dipoles | (1) |
| 70 cm | 432.420 MHz | CW | 20W | 2 bay Horizontally Polarised omni directional Crossed Dipole array | (2) |
| 23 cm | 1296.420 MHz | CW | 20W | Alford Slot, Horizontally Polarized currently off air - antenna relocation | (2) |
There are no beacons at Dural currently operating on frequencies higher than 23 cm. We do have the licenses and would be interested in hearing from anybody who would like to work on a project for one or more of these microwave bands. If there is an interest please contact us.
The automated Morse practice transmission operates using the call sign VK2WI in the 80 metre band on 3699kHz (note 1). This also serves as a band condition indicator. Transmit power is 35 watts into a half wave dipole, 10 metres high.
The content of the transmissions is generated by a programmable controller. Originally this unit had storage of 1100 words which lasted a bit over 2 hours. This has now been extended to over 3700 words which will take almost 8 hours to cycle through allowing more variation in the transmissions. Transmission speeds also are cycled through to give listeners a variety of different combinations of speed and text.
A PDF file containing some of the current text, VK2WI_Morsetext3.pdf is available for downloading. The content of this file is actually very interesting as it details the development of the Dural facility itself.
Thanks to Les VK2KYJ for development of the Morse Generator.
If you would like to send us a reception report (on your QSL Card or in writing) to our postal
address at:
ARNSW
PO Box 6044
Dural Delivery Centre NSW 2158
Please endorse the envelope
with "BEACON REPORT".
Email reports can be submitted via callbacks@arnsw.org.au
with "Beacon Report" in the subject header.
A QSL card is available to exchange for written reports [cards] received for VK2RSY/VK2WI beacons. Mail to our Dural PO Box address.