Please note major changes. The new callsign of the Grand Rapids based DStar system has changed to WM8TG. You will need to program your radios for this. The old callsign is no longer in use on any DStar system. Please note that if editing your old entries this call is shorter and you will need to leave that extra space at the end of the call anywhere that you put it in.

Also installed is the newer G3 gateway software. While this software operates a bit better than the G2 software, it is still pretty much the same. It really does not offer anything new in features. The good news is, I was able to import all of the users from the G2 system, so if you were already registered on the old system, you should also be registered on the G3 system. If you have problems with logging in or other issues, you may need to contact me to get it resolved.

When there are additional updates I will post them here. We have not been given a date for a return of the UHF module but I suspect it will be back back on the air by mid April.

Coming live to a DStar repeater near you. The time has come to make some adjustments to the DStar repeater. We are currently in the precess of setting the new gateway up. The biggest notation that needs to be made, is that the callsign is also changing

The new callsign will be WM8TG . Unfortunately this means that every radio and any gear that you have setup to use the DStar repeater will need to need to have some modified programming done to replace the old callsign. Remember. all places to hold the callsign are 8 characters long. The new callsign is shorter than the old call, so don't forget to leave that extra space between the callsig and any of the band module designators.

At this point I have not updated any of the pages with information on them about programming your radio. For the most part just replace the old callsign with the new, and don't forget that extra space behind the callsign.

All user registraions have been transfered to the new gateway, there is no need to register again. Once the gateway is up and running in production, I will modify the some of the links on the website. With a few minor modifications, I was able to leave the same webpage for linking and unlinking the repeater using the internet.

I will have more information as this project continues.

In excess of 20,000 people expected to attend!

This year marks the 8th year of the WMPORN convention to be heald in Dayton Ohio. WMPORN members have been planning this convention for nearly 330 days already and it is sure to be an excellent time. This year once again it is estimated that more than 20 thousand people will attend the convention.

The main convention booth will be located in booths FW2530 - FW2534 where we have located for the last 8 years.

We welcome everyone to stop by the booth. Many of the group will be in and out, but we always have plenty of chairs and something to drink. If you have something to sell, feel free to bring it along. The only thing we ask is that you donate a portion of the proceeds to help defray our costs. Oh, and of course, please bring your own supply of Asprin, Alleve, Tylenol, Motrin or whatever pain reliever you may need. Most of us need our own supply... .. I wonder when AARP is going to sponser us.. hmmm

We also plan to have a repeater available for use during the open hours of the convention. The repeater output is on 927.9875 with the input on 902.9875 using a CTCS of 131.8. We also sometimes use the output of the repeater on simplex for some local communication. We also sometimes use 442.175 (the output of the K8SN repeater in the Grand Rapids area) as simplex with a tone of 103.5 to accomodate communicaiton among ourselves while enganed in the Hamvention experience.

Please notice that if I am able I will be posting updates to the website with some pictures to the Dayton 2015 blog. Of course that is assuming that one or more of us takes pictures. We have gotten a little out of practice since inducting our own paparazzi Kara who supplied many of the photos over the last several years including those of the famous Applegate incident.

We also would like to remind everyone to pack the appropriate clothing for the event. From past experience one should pack Arctic wear, Rain Gear and Beachwear. In the event of rain, come on down under the tent(s) to stay somewhat dry. This helps when the wind gusts get out of control and we find that we need to hold the tent from achieving lift off.

As always we hope to see you there.

You can read a little bit about a WMPORN Dayton trip by clicking here.

This winter has been a little bit hard on everyone of the group. With much higher than normal snowfall over the 2013-2014 winter it became a little tough for some of us aging geeks to access some of the remote sites to perform maintenance and repairs on equipment.

The N8JPR repeater transmitting on 223.920 MHz found it's receiver off frequency, however it did get a new antenna that has increased the useability and range. The frequency issue has been corrected and the autopatch placed back into operation.

The DSTAR repeater suffers from some other issues that have not yet been uncovered as some remodeling is planned for this spring. Currently the UHF module does not seem to have the coverage that it once did. It hears quite well, however the transmit is down considerably. The amplifier remains operating at 60 Watts, however the antenna system is shared on a combiner with several other transmitters. The VHF module does not hear so well. The transmit runs at about 70 Watts and is easily heard in Kalamazoo and Holland, however it is difficult to get into it from there. This problem has not been tracked down yet. It is far more difficult to find problems of this nature on a DSTAR system. The 1.2GHz modules continue to be strong performers and are at their best until the leaves come out.

The mighty 442.175 K8SN repeater was taken off the air by a mouse. There are several repeaters and various equipment in that room, but for some reason the mice like THAT particular repeater. This year mice made a nest inside the controller. The repeater started acting very strange so it was disabled for a few hours until someone could look at it. Unfortunately there was plenty of damage to the FF-800 controller since apparently the mice have a nest inside their condo and every other place is a bathroom.

The other repeaters are working as expected. THere are still a few issues with the Morley repeater however it continues to improve and makes a nice extension to the North.