The WA7DRE 2 Meter Repeater system is a combination D-STAR and DMR repeater serving the Spokane area. It features D-STAR connectivity normally on REF029A (our home reflector) but is also capable of connecting to any REF, XRF, XLX, DCS, or any other D-STAR reflector. In addition, it can also be a DMR Repeater able to connect to Brandmeister talkgroups.
This is a Pi-Star based repeater, using a Raspberry Pi computer and an MMDVM interface board to a Yaesu DR1X repeater. Keep in mind that to be heard over an REF reflector, your callsign must be registered with the US Trust. Other types of reflectors do not require callsign registration.
Normally, the repeater is connected to D-STAR reflector REF029A, and DMR is not connected to any talkgroup. For DMR, we use the United States 3102 talkgroup server (DMR Master).
| WA7DRE C 2M Repeater Information |
|||
| Frequency |
Callsign (RPT1) |
Gateway (RPT2) |
Location |
| 145.150 Mhz (Minus Offset) |
WA7DRE C |
WA7DRE G |
West Spokane |
Operating Guidelines:
- This is a sophisticated repeater with many capabilities. Please be sure you understand how to connect and disconnect to various reflectors and talkgroups before you depend on it for communications. This web site does not attempt to instruct you how to do these things. You must learn those skills on your own.
- After you have changed reflectors or talk groups, and completed your QSO, please return the repeater to the condition you found it. Usually with DMR NOT connected to any talkgroup, and D-STAR connected to REF029A.
- Since this is a combination D-STAR and DMR repeater, please be aware that the mode other than the one you are listening to may interupt your QSO. For example, you may connect to a DMR talkgroup, and be standing by listening, but another station may key up on D-STAR and your DMR QSO will be interupted for up to 20 minutes. You should use your knowledge about connecting and disconnecting reflectors and talkgroups to prevent interuptions. That is, disconnect the mode other than the one you want to use, before connecting to the one you want.
- If you see the receive light illuminated on your transceiver, but you don't hear anything, most likely, someone else is using the other mode (the one you are NOT using).
- If the repeater is quiet and you want to use it, before you key up and start talking, make sure your receive light has been off for a while.
- At the current time, there is no public access to the Pi-Star dashboard. Once a permanent location is found, and a static IP address is utilized, it may be possible to access the Pi-Star dashboard.
FAQ's:
Q: Is this repeater open for all to use?
A: Yes! Just like all other WA7DRE repeaters.
Q: Is this a cross mode repeater? Can I use a DMR radio to hear D-STAR transmissions? And vise versa?
A: No! Some Reflectors have that capability. Not this repeater. You must have a D-STAR radio to hear D-STAR transmissions, and a DMR radio to hear DMR transmissions.
Q: Does this DMR repeater allow connection to the PNW DMR talkgroups?
A: No. The PNW DMR talkgroups are not open for all to use. You must have their permission to use their talkgroups. There are other PNW DMR repeaters in the Spokane area where you can use the PNW DMR talkgroups. We connect to Brandmeister Master Servers (3102) so Brandmeister talkgroups can be connected. Brandmeister talkgroups are open for all to use, world-wide.
Q: How do I disconnect from a DMR talkgroup after I am done using DMR?
A: Make a group call to talkgroup 4000. Please be sure you know how to do this before you command the repeater to connect to any DMR talkgroup.
Q: A true DMR Repeater usually has two timeslots? What about this one?
A: This is NOT a true DMR repeater. It can only put a DMR transmission on timeslot 2. Listen and transmit on TS2. (need to confirm)
Q: If my QSO gets interupted by someone using the other voice mode, how long do I have to wait before the mode I want to use comes back?
A: All hang times are set to 20 minutes. You'll most likely have to wait for 20 minutes until the mode you were using is available again. That is why it is important to make sure the repeater is not in use BEFORE you key up. And make sure the other voice mode is disconnected if you can, before you start a QSO.
Q: Can we send D-STAR pictures over this repeater?
A: Yes! It works as you would expect. The latest Pi-Star and MMDVM is used to support fast data mode.
Q: Does this repeater support other digital voice modes such as Fusion, P25, NXDN, etc.?
A: No. Although the repeater and Pi-Star are capable of supporting other modes, we are not interested in them. They are disabled for this repeater. Only D-STAR and DMR are supported.
Q: This stuff is all new to me. Can you help me figure it out?
A: Usually NO. We know how to use this stuff, we put it up so you can use it too, if you know how. We wouldn't get much done if we had to teach everyone how to use it. If you need help, you should seek knowledge on the Internet or other local hams that can help. Ask over the air!