KG4MRA DIGIPEATER INFO

MRA "Digi-peaters" now online!

The Metropolitan Repeater Association operates two amateur radio FM voice repeaters for amateur and public service use in the Richmond Metropolitan area. In June 2025, the MRA added amateur radio digital services to our repeater station at the WTVR tower site. The equipment consists of a donated Diamond X510 VHF/UHF dual band antenna, Kenwood D700 VHF/UHF dual band transceiver with power supply and an HP laptop computer providing remote connectivity and digital software modems.

This adds a digital repeater (digipeater) and Winlink Remote Mail Server (RMS) on the UHF band (440.450 MHz) and an Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) receive only Internet Gateway (iGate) on the VHF band (144.390 MHz).

With the site’s elevation and central location, the technology adds the ability for local amateur radio operators to send Winlink digital amateur, public service and emergency email messages over the air and out through the internet. This enhances amateur radio operators’ ability to provide communications support as part of local Emergency Communications (EMCOMM) services. The local amateur community conducts weekly EMCOMM practice digital nets using the services provided by the gear. The RMS Gateway handles at least one inbound and outbound message over the air per day.

The local amateur radio community and MRA have supported communications for the Richmond Marathon and other public service events. The repeater location also provides an ideal location for a receive only APRS internet gateway. The gateway facilitates sending APRS digital position, telemetry and messages on to central servers for global access via the internet. It transmits approximately 450 of these data messages per month. The addition of this technology has enabled local amateur to provide near real time tracking of the start and end of the marathons as well as the individual support vehicles. This is a service which Sports Backers, the marathons’ sponsor, finds extremely helpful for the success of the events.

73,

W4IIA, Dave, Glen Allen, Henrico, VA   EMAIL:  w4iia@arrl.net