Fox River Radio League

FRRL Repeaters
The club operates two FM Repeaters and two D-Star Repeaters. The callsign for the machines is W9CEQ. FM Repeaters: VHF is 147.210 +600, 103.5 tone and the UHF is 444.300 +5, 114.8 tone. D-Star Repeaters: VHF is 147.225 (W9CEQ__C) and UHF is 442.10625 (W9CEQ__B)
IRLP Info: Node 4850
The UHF machine is also an IRLP linked repeater allowing world-wide contacts utilizing the internet. Click here to view guidelines for operating IRLP on the FRRL repeater. How do you have an IRLP QSO on the Fox Repeater? • Responding to inbound call from distant node Tune to IRLP node, just respond to inbound call (FRRL node 4850 444.3 MHz ctcss 114.8) Notice that the Fox courtesy tone is Dah-Dit-Dah when IRLP connection is active • Initiating a call to a node or reflector Tune to IRLP node Listen for activity (Notice the Fox courtesy tone is Dit-Dit with IRLP connection is inactive) Ask if the repeater is in use Avoid Reflector calls if there is local RF or man-made interference Identify and announce node number you are trying to connect to Dial IRLP node number, just the 4 digit DTMF code • During IRLP QSO Pause 2 seconds between transmissions especially if on reflector, for simplex nodes to allow them to disconnect if they wish Pause 1 second after PTT before speaking (Allows the system to switch voice directions without truncation) Don’t have local QSOs, especially when you are connected to a reflector • Terminating an IRLP call Dial 73 DTMF code (can be done by either end of node-node QSO) Must be terminated from individual node of a node-reflector call There are activity timers that will automatically terminate call, just in case you run out of coverage or battery
Echolink Info: Node 230933
The UHF machine is also an Echolink linked repeater allowing world-wide contacts utilizing the internet.
How do you have an Echolink QSO on the Fox Repeater? • Responding to inbound call from distant node Tune to IRLP node, just respond to inbound call (FRRL node 230933 444.3 MHz ctcss 114.8) Notice that the Fox courtesy tone is Dah-Dit-Dah when Echolink connection is active • Initiating a call to an Echolink node: Tune to FRRL Echolink UHF repeater and listen for activity (Notice the Fox courtesy tone is Dit-Dit with Echolink connection is inactive) Ask if the repeater is in use. Identify and announce node number you are trying to connect to. To dial an Echolink node number, precede the node number with the # key. (#NNNNNN) • During Echolink QSO Pause 2 seconds between transmissions. Pause 1 second after PTT before speaking (Allows the system to switch voice directions without truncation) Don’t have local QSOs while an Echolink connection has been estabilished. • Terminating an Echolink call Dial 73 DTMF code (can be done by either end of node-node QSO) There are activity timers that will automatically terminate call, just in case you run out of coverage or battery.
Repeater Guidelines
The FRRL Board of Directors and the Repeater Board have approved formal guidelines covering operation of the Fox River Radio League's repeaters. These guidelines condense and formalize what has been standard amateur practice over the years into a brief digest of good operating practices. By following them you will help to continue the FRRL's long tradition of friendly, courteous and professional repeater operation. Questions on the guidelines can be emailed to the Repeater Board Chairman, Dick Illman, AH6EZ.
Repeater Work
Photo: Greg N9CHA
December 12, 2009 - The W9CEQ UHF Repeater (444.300+ pl 114.8) is now located at the club's East Batavia repeater site. Kermit W9XA (left) and Dick AH6EZ (right) are shown above locking the cabinet door after the relocation project was completed. The UHF repeater has both an IRLP (4850) Node as well as an Echolink (230933) Node to allow world-wide contacts using VOiP.
2nd Repeater Controller Installed
October 28, 2007 - The second repeater controller has now been installed! Thanks to Repeater Chairman, Dick AH6EZ and Repeater Committee member Steve KA9ZRU, the second Arcom RC210 is on the air. The FRRL purchased 3 Arcom RC210 controllers earlier this year to replace the outdated units on our UHF and VHF repeaters. On the 7th of October, one of the controllers was installed and served to control both of our repeaters and the IRLP node. These new controllers are extremely versatile, allowing for redundant control if necessary. Now that the second controller has been installed, the VHF repeater and UHF repeater once again are being controlled by separate units. The third controller is being used by the Repeater Committee to create and test enhancements before being sent to the two active controllers. Great job!
Arcom RC210 Controller Installed
October 7, 2007 - Repeater committee chairman Dick Illman AH6EZ installed one of our club's new Arcom RC210 controllers. After weeks of testing and configuration, the VHF, UHF and IRLP systems have been interconnected with the new controller. Features such as a digital voice recorder, customizable voice ID's, and event timers are now available. Special courtesy tones for VHF, UHF and IRLP were designed, along with additional courtesy tones for our weekly VHF nets and weather events.
W9CEQ Repeaters Find New Home

June 7, 2007 - In a world record time of about 4 hours, both of our repeaters were dismantled, moved between buildings, and reassembled. We had dry weather although it was a little bit warm and humid. We have now completely vacated our previous "home-sweet-home" of many years. The "new" building should be much better sealed against varmints and has a huge air conditioner, that Jim Nevitt, N9XP fixed on June 8.

June 7, 2007 - The work crew included: Dick AH6EZ dismantling, documenting, reassembling, coax boot assembly, team leader Tom AB9IN doing weed whacking Tom Churchill helping with cabinet moves Joe AB9OU also doing cabinet moved and mounting of cables to the wall of the new building John AG9D being helpful in many areas Harry K9DXA bringing the appliance dolly Lloyd KC9DMS dismantling the stairway railing for ease of entry Paul W9DWP supplying RF jumper cables and connector attachment Kermit W9XA helping with Internet cable rerouting Eric AB9OS brought plywood for the dolly that was used for sealing the air conditioner wall opening Earl N9FNX helpful in many ways Jim N9XP air conditioner repair Most of us dirty and tired people had a nice lunch, paid for by the Repeater Committee and all agreed that things had gone pretty smooth. 73, Dick AH6EZ