This afternoon, the SARA Tech Committee replaced the temporary repeater radio powering 442.275. As you may recall, the radio on 442.275 failed in late July. A temporary radio was installed but not realigned for the correct frequency so some digital clients did not work properly.
The new radio system is a Kenwood TKR-850V2 that was donated by Pam Firis, widow of Dave Firis AL7OP/SK. In fact, Pam donated two TKRs, so SARA now has a backup. The TKR-850V2 has been realigned for the correct frequencies and tested. Service on W8WKY 442.275 should return to normal.
Looking ahead… In the near future, the Pi-Star controller will be replaced with a new system designed by W0CHP. This system was forked from Pi-Star a few years ago and continues to innovate while Pi-Star has stalled. The big new feature for W8WKY’s system will be support of the M17 digital mode. SARA will also be replacing the coax jumper cables in the 275 system similar to the replacement of 39’s cabling that was done previously.
So break out your YSF, D-STAR, or DMR radios and give the new system a good workout!