The WaiPlenty Repeater Network
The Waikato VHF Group is pleased to announce the completion of our 4 year project to develop the ‘WaiPlenty’ repeater network. The new network includes a repeater at Te Uku which extends coverage to the west coast from Raglan to Kawhia. The repeater is located near the microwave tower in the middle of the Te Uku wind farm.
In 1973 we established a 2 metre repeater on Mount Te Aroha, which has a majestic view over the Waikato and Bay of Plenty. This repeater provided excellent service to the amateur community for many years, however over time the steady increase in broadcasting services from that site caused a rapidly increasing level of background noise, impacting on performance. In 2011 the indications of a likely rent hike caused consideration of a move, then the last straw of failure of the antenna array, (which would have required us to engage commercial riggers) resulted in the decision to develop a new repeater network.
The new network consists of 4 repeaters, all are continuously linked, so users switch repeaters as they travel and maintain continuous contact in an area much wider than the old 695 Te Aroha ever managed.
The coverage areas are as follows:
‘695 at Te Weraiti covers from Katikati to Tauranga and Papamoa, plus from Te Aroha and Morrinsville to Tokoroa. Hamilton is on its western fringe.
‘5675 at Te Uku covers Hamilton, Taupiri, Cambridge and Te Awamutu plus the west coast from Raglan to Kawhia.
‘5575 at Maungakawa, covers Matamata and Morrinsville and up the Thames Coast, as well as Huntly to the top of the Bombay Range. Hamilton is on its southern fringe.
‘5475 “Waihi North” covers Whangamata and Waihi across to Tauranga, plus into the eastern end of the Karangahake Gorge as far as Waikino.
Coverage of these repeaters is indicated on our web site at www.zl1is.info by clicking on the “IRLP” heading.
This entire network has IRLP access through node 6549
The Waikato VHF Group welcomes all users in the area, or passing through to use the network, and invites users to consider supporting the on-going costs by joining our branch in addition to their local group. Membership details can be obtained from our web site, or by writing to PO Box 606 Hamilton.
Alan Wallace ZL1AMW
President Branch 81
NZART Website:
www.nzart.org.nz