The KB5KZS system is located in NW Bartlesville, OK. Two IRLP nodes are currently operational and provide local access to the IRLP on both the VHF and UHF bands. Node 8310 was operated on a simplex frequency since September 2002, and provided the widest area coverage for the IRLP. This link has been upgraded to a new VHF repeater.

Node 3050 is now permanently connected to a new UHF repeater, which was formally commissioned on November 12, 2004.

Node 8310 is also permanently connected to the new repeater and was formally commissioned on November 17, 2007..

Node 8310 with the new VHF repeater now has an extended range of about 25 miles to the North and East and South, and slightly less to the West due to line of sight issues.

Node 3050 and the UHF repeater now provide general coverage for the immediate Bartlesville metro area. Under enhanced conditions outlying areas may be able to access the repeater with additional power and the use of gain antennas.

Both repeaters have the RF output set to 60 watts.

PROGRESS REPORT

5/23/04 The PL tone for node 3050 has been changed to 88.5 to prepare for the new repeater interface. Originally the link radio was a Motorola Maxar, but it has now been replaced by an E.F. Johnson PPL 6060. For now this will give us an increased receiver sensitivity and an additional 10 watts of output power. The antenna has been moved and replaced by a vertical antenna with 3db gain and the feedline is now 1/2" heliax. Also the height has been raised an additional 20 feet, so we should see a noticable increase in the coverage area.

8/29/04 The Repeater is now in full operation for local access. I've set up the repeater, based on the GE Master Exec II mobile radiowith the same antenna configuration. As I am able, I will be adding the Echolink and IRLP system (Echo/IRLP) to the repeater for full time access. The node 3050 will no longer be a simplex node, however the PL tone and general operating proceedures will remain the same. This feature will be added in the very near future so check in often!

9/05/04 Echolink and IRLP system (Echo/IRLP) have now been placed into full operation on the repeater for full time access. The node 3050 is no longer a simplex node! As noted in my last posting, the PL tone and general operating proceedures will remain the same.

9/05/04 WHAT'S NEXT? Now that the node is in full operation, I will be changing my computer network to add a little more functionality for my private system. I will be adding a dLink router to the system within the next few days. If you try to connect, be patient! Hopefully it will be a smooth transition and I won't have any interruptions in service to either of the IRLP nodes or Echolink.

2/03/05Both Nodes are if full operation at the new permanent location. The geographical elevation is actually 17 feet higher and the antenna height is 50 feet above that. Node 3050 is now operating under the new Fedora Core 3 operating system and seems to be working flawlessly. 8310 will be upgraded as I am able to add additional memory and a few other hardware enhancements.

9/17/07 The UHF repeater was rebuilt with Motorola SyntorX radios serving as transmitter and receiver. These radios will not only provide increased reliability, but give a higher RF output, (currently 50 watts to the antenna) and better receiver sensitivity. Echolink and IRLP operation remains the same as before.

12/21/07 The VHF Simplex link radio for IRLP node 8310 has been replaced with a fully coordinated repeater. Simplex operation on 145.700 is no longer in service, but the node is now connected to a new repeater with the same type SyntorX repeater on 145.150 (- offset) and a PL of 88.5.

12/21/07 Both repeaters will utilize the 88.5 PL which is often the factory default PL tone in most commercial amateur radios. This should make it easier for area hams to program into memory for the repeater operation.