Sometime around June the 30th the VARC repeater site suffered a catastrophic electrical event that has left all equipment off line.   One of the volunteer technicians reported that the large breaker panel feeding the site looked as if it had a welder cut a hole in the front of it. It appears that as the breaker panel caught fire it sprayed fire hot molten metal over all area in front to the panel its self.

So for the time being the repeaters will be offline until the repairs to the site electrical systems can be repaired.  VARC volunteer technicians are presently working with the site owners and making previsions to check VARC equipment for damage.  So far it has been confirmed that the W4VLD-1 digi-repeater was damaged by the event.

It is believed that either lightening or a electrical short caused the electrical damage.  Once new information is discovered it will be posted.

VARC members and area amateurs are encouraged to utilize other area repeaters in order to carry out their communications activities.  You are thanked for your continued support of the VARC.

CQ CQ CQ Field Day this is Whisky Four Victor Lima Delta… W4VLD….

These were calls given out over the amateur radio bands from VARC Field Day operators.  During the twenty-four hour event over 900 contacts where made with stations all over the country making this one of the most successful VARC Field Day events in recent history.  Several amateurs came to operate but others came to enjoy barbeque, fishing or to just enjoy each others company.  Still others who are not presently amateurs came to learn more about “Ham Radio.”  Field Day is a national event sponsored by the ARRL and is held during the last week end each June.

Several members of the VARC gathered Saturday June 11th in order to operate in the ARRL sponsored June VHF contest.  The contest was a real blast because 6 meters was open for most all of the the operating period!  Several contacts were also made on the 144, 222, 432, 1296 MHz bands. Everyone had a great time taking on the challenge of “pounding” on the higher bands. Look for the contest results which will be posted soon…  Contact us if you want to join us for field day!

On Thursday June 2 the technical team met with the EMA director during lunch to discuss various logistic issues related to the installation of the new D-Star repeater systems. Main topics covered were system housing and communications connectivity for the new system.  The technical team is continuing forward with the system installation.

The VARC technical team met on Saturday May 21st to brave the heat and to install the new antenna for the new D-Star repeater systems scheduled to come online later this year.  The view from the repeater site was fantastic!

The city of Valdosta and surrounding counties will soon have a DStar coverage. Through a grant made by the Tift regional hospital, a 1.2ghz & 440 repeater will be installed at the Valdosta city water tower for licensed amateurs to use.

On March 26, 2011, VARC technical team met together to assemble, configure, and test the new D-Star repeater system. Below you will find photos during the initial stages of configuration.
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[styled_image size=”medium” align=”left” link=”http://www.w4vld.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/IMG_0303-1-e1303487157490.jpg” lightbox=”yes” alt=”DStar Repeater”]http://www.w4vld.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/IMG_0303-1-e1303487157490.jpg[/styled_image]

[styled_image size=”medium” align=”right” link=”http://www.w4vld.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/IMG_0308.jp” lightbox=”yes” alt=”DStar Repeater”]http://www.w4vld.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/IMG_0308.jpg[/styled_image]