Welcome to the Home of The Tri-State D-Star Group!

Cincinnati's friendly D-Star repeaters

145.350

444.000

147.150 - In re-build as D-Star!

So Long KC8YJ
 

With a heavy heart we have to say goodbye to one of amateur radio's most beloved friends.

 

George Schneider, KC8YJ, passed away very peacefully on Friday, December 3rd 2010.

George was the mainstay of the Big 535 repeater. He was usually the 1st person new hams made contact with.  All who knew & loved him will miss him.
 
George, If you are looking down on us - We are sure you & K8RXM are smiling & laughing together.
 
We will miss you Purple Pizazz  - Now that you can look down on us and finally see us.
 
With Love,
The Big 535 Repeater Group

 

2010 Tri-State D-Star Group Christmas Party

The 2010 Tri-State D-Star Group Christmas Party will be:
 December 12, 2010 at Longhorn Steakhouse on Edwards Road in Norwood, Ohio.

Please RSVP to Tom Case, K8CLA at (513)-325-4499 or at his QRZ-listed e-mail address.

Come meet the people you talk with (and some who just listen), discuss D-Star and have a good time!
D-Star Demonstrations and Tutorials will be available.

Big 535 D-Star T-Shirts are now available from Tom, K8CLA. 

T-Shirts are $25 and all proceeds go to support the internet connection and maintenance required to keep these machines on the air and gateway connected.

Contact Tom at Debco Electronics or via his callbook address if you are interested.
You may also contact Tom at (513)-531-4499 or (513)-325-4499

K8BIG REPEATER OPERATING PRACTICES

 

  All repeater users are expected to operate in the manner described in the FCC rules and operating guidelines published in the ARRL Repeater Directory or similar publications. Following are specific operating practices expected of users of the CFMC repeaters.

1.      You must clearly identify your station in the manner specified by the FCC.  It is suggested that you identify in the following manner to avoid confusion on reflectors: (Callsign) (Status-Mobile, Portable, etc) on K8BIG port (B or C - B for 444, C for 145.350) (City) - Example: "K8CLA portable on K8BIG Port C, Cincinnati, Ohio"

2.      Please wait for the repeater and Gateway ID following each transmission and wait 1-2 Seconds before keying up again.  This allows others to join the conversation and will allow any station with an emergency to break in.  This is very important when talking on the gateway as there are some delays involved and quick-keying can keep other users from accessing the reflector or repeater.

3.      Do not monopolize the repeaters.  The repeaters are a place for round-table discussions where each party should have an equal chance to participate in the discussion.  The repeaters are not a place for you to broadcast.  Be courteous and leave breaks for others especially when connected to a reflector.

4.      Many people (including non-hams) listen to the repeaters. Use language you would use with someone whom you wished to favorably impress.  Rude, offensive or threatening language is inappropriate and violates repeater and/or FCC rules.  Personal attacks on other repeater users WILL NOT be tolerated.  Remember when you are on the repeaters you are connected to the world.  When connected to reflectors your conversations may be heard over 30 or more repeaters worldwide - please don't embarrass yourself, our city, or our country with childish or inappropriate behavior.

5.      Use proper amateur radio language and prosigns. Language that is generic to other services (e.g., CB, commercial, public service) is generally inappropriate for use on amateur radio. (IE: “10-4 Good Buddy” is not appropriate)

6.      Do not acknowledge the presence of jammers and malicious interference. Try to work around them. Do not talk about interference or inappropriate activities on the air!  If you suspect the repeater may be tied to a public safety frequency please cease operations and call a control operator.

7.      You are welcome to link or unlink the repeaters as you desire as long as you are courteous when doing so and follow these guidelines.  Please check the status of the repeater (Put K8BIG__I in your your call (URCALL) field and key up prior to linking or unlinking.  This will trigger an announcement with the current state of the link.  Make sure nobody else is using the link or the repeater before linking/unlinking.  When you are done using the link please return it to the default state (Port C - 145.350 - Linked to REF001C, Port B - 444.000 - Unlinked).  If the link is abused you may have your gateway access disabled.  If linking is abused it may result in closed control on the gateway where control ops would be the only users with access to gateway control.  We hope this will not become an issue and thus far all users have been extremely courteous in their gateway usage.

7.      The use of the repeaters is a privilege, not a right.  Any station not following these guidelines may be suspended from operation of the repeaters in accordance with the FCC Rules.
 

Tom Case, K8CLA
Owner/Trustee
K8BIG Repeaters

This site and D-Star Gateway Server furnished by:


www.debco.com

Debco Electronics now has programming cables, cloning cables, speaker microphones, surveillance kits, and external speakers for most amateur and commercial radios including Icom, Kenwood, Yaesu, Alinco, Motorola, and Vertex. 

Contact Tom Case at (513)-531-4499 for more information.

Debco Electronics also carries a wide variety of discrete electronic components and RF connectors and cables, perfect for any amateur project and at very reasonable prices.

Tom Case K8CLA , Debbi Case N8BVI , Jim Jaeger K8RQ , Dan Woodie KC8ZUM , Roy Foster NL7FK , The Big 535 145.350 444.000