[Dstar] D-Star: VK3RWN News Update:

[David Tilson]

G'day Richard / all,

Well done and thanks to you and the team for your recent and ongoing
efforts.

As requested here are some subjective observations from Ballarat on the
recent changes to the RWN antenna system.  I think most of my access to
RWN is when there is a bit of ducting due to the distance (approx
140km).  

Since the changes to the RWN antennas I appear to be triggering the
system on 2m a bit more frequently (based on looking at the RWN C heard
list on the internet), but I'm not hearing the 2m Tx as often.  I'm not
sure at this stage if that is due to ducting or the 2m antenna / harness
problem at RWN.  

Access to RWN C tends to be on par (from here) with 3REC (co-sited 2m
analogue) which is good to see.

I've also tried leaving the wireless on 70cm for a few days, but haven't
heard a peep nor appeared in the RWN B heard list.  I'll try listening
to RWN B and RHF 70tx (cosited) over the next few days and see if there
is any correlation here.

General comment:  Interest in D-Star appears to be growing in this part
of the world. I expect interest will increase when Amateur Radio
Victoria installs the system at Macedon, as that should provide much
better / more reliable coverage into Ballarat and parts of Western
Victoria.

Cheers,

Davidt, VK3UR