Utah VHF Society    

 
More information

Repeaters in and near Utah:

 
VHF/UHF Frequency usage in Utah:


Utah VHF Society:


Technical information:


Other things:



UVHFS Site moved - but you shouldn't have noticed!

The Utah VHFS Society web site has been moved from its previous hosting location to Xmission - a move necessitated by the previous host shutting down operations.

If all has gone well, you shouldn't notice any difference in the Utah VHF Society web site and the way that it works - except for one thing:  The "Detail" link in the repeater database (the § symbol) is not yet working:  We made an attempt to make it work, but have not had the time to delve into it too deeply.

At this time we would like to thank Xmission, a Salt Lake based Internet Service Provider, for providing a home for the UVHFS web site and we encourage you to consider using their services should the need arise.  For more information on Xmission's services, click on the banner at the bottom of this page.

Thank you for your support at the 2019 Utah VHF Society Swap Meet

The 2019 Utah VHF Society Swap Meet was held on Saturday, February 23, 2019 at the Davis County Fairgrounds and the turnout seemed to be better than in recent-past years.

At the meeting accompanying the swap meet, the previous years' officers were re-elected by acclaimation.

If you were not able to attend the swap meet and have not gotten your copy of the 2019 UVHFS booklet, please contact Mel Parkes, the Utah VHF Society president.

See you next year!

Considering buying a SocoTran ST-7900D multi-band mobile transceiver?  DON'T!

Yet another inexpensive Chinese radio has made its way to our shores that, at first, seems like a good deal.  Known as the "SocoTran" ST-7900D (Also known as the QYT KT-7900D and possibly under a few other names) it is advertised as a "Four Band" radio - which seems cool, but there are only three bands that offer coverage of U.S. Amateur frequencies - But wait - there's more!

In terms of spectral cleanliness, the ST-7900D is the worst commercially-available radio that we have ever seen!  Out of the box, it cannot legally be used on any band except 70cm in good faith!

The problem is harmonics:  This radio appears to have a single PA (power amplifier) with a single low-pass filter designed to cut off in the 550 MHz range.  This filter is probably "OK" for 70cm, but it is completely inadequate for 2 meters or 222 MHz.

For more in-depth, technical information about this radio and its problems read this blog entry - A hilariously-bad multi-band radio.

Are you operating DMR/DSTAR/Wires on 70cm and breaking the law?

AMSAT, a large international organization that coordinates the operation and support of amateur radio satellites has reported that there appear to be people or groups that are operating digital modes within the 70cm satellite sub-band.

It should be noted that it is illegal to operate a repeater of any type (unless it's actually in space!) in the frequency range from  435.000 to 438.000 MHz, inclusive.  While it may not be illegal, it's certainly frowned-upon to do ANY  sort of operation in the 435-438 MHz frequency range that is not directly related to Earth-Space operations.

In other words: You should never operate on any frequency that begins with a 435, 436 or 437 unless you are trying to talk to someone via a spacecraft!

It is possible that several people are using the so-called dongles or "hot spots" in this frequency range (bad idea!) and while these devices operate at very low power - a few 10s of milliwatts, it is likely that the radio being used with one of these hot-spots is not running such low power.  It's worth remembering that in space, even a fraction of a watt of transmitted power can be easily detected even on a rubber duck type of antenna.

AMSAT has determined that these operations are occurring in the general area of Colorado or western Midwest - but this doesn't necessarily exclude Utah.  Over time they should be able to narrow down the location of these transmissions and possibly decode callsigns.

If you are operating your digital radio in the 435-437 MHz area, PLEASE STOP NOW.  If you are in Utah, please contact Utah VHF Society Simplex manager for advice on a frequency on which you may "safely" operate and/or refer to the page Wasatch Front Simplex frequency usage.

For more information about AMSAT and other amateur satellite operations, please visit the AMSAT web page.

Supporting the Idaho portion of the Intermountain Intertie

The Officers of the Utah VHF Society were approached by Vance Hawley, WA7FDR, to determine if it would be possible to obtain funds from Idaho hams the same way we do in Utah to help support the Idaho portion of the Intertie repeaters.  After much discussion The Utah VHF Society Officers have agreed to begin an initial effort to ask the Idaho hams who would like to support the Idaho portion of the Intertie System to join the Utah VHF Society. 

Any funds obtained through this effort or any donations we obtain  from Idaho hams will be dedicated to Idaho Intertie System repeaters.  We would like to thank all those who attended the Hamfest in Boise who made the initial effort to kick off this project by joining the Society and making generous contributions.  Enough funds were raised via recent efforts to address some crucial needs, such as the purchase of new batteries for the Sawtell (West Yellowstone) repeater site and upgrade and maintenance for other projects.  As more funds become available additional improvements will be made to the Idaho system.

Some time down the road it may be possible for our Idaho friends to create a self supporting entity similar to the Utah VHF Society, but for now we desire to do our best to help make good things happen in Idaho!

If you want to help with this effort you may do so through the Utah VHF Society (contact information is here).  Any funds obtained through this effort or any donations we obtain from Idaho hams will be dedicated to Idaho Intertie System repeaters.  Please mark your membership and or donations for Idaho.

If anyone has any questions or suggestions please feel free to contact or email one of the Utah VHF Society Officers.  http://utahvhfs.org

For more details about each of the Idaho Repeater Linked System repeaters please click here http://utahvhfs.org/other_rpt.html#jumpoff
UVHFS President Mel Parkes, NM7P
From the
Utah VHF Society president

Mel Parkes
NM7P
Thanks to all Utah VHF Society members!
As we approach a new year I would like to let you know that we have had a very busy year and have completed many projects and helped support many groups with their repeater projects.  As your President I would like to announce that we are growing and The Society really appreciates all your support as members, we have grown to the point now where we have become the largest Amateur Radio Organization in the State of Utah, our membership is now almost at 600 members. 

I would like to take a moment to express my appreciation to all those who are members of the Society.  Thanks again and please continue to invite and encourage your fellow hams to become part of the Utah VHF Society.

If you every have any questions or concerns please let me know.  nm7p@msn.com 


Thanks to all Utah VHF Society members!
Dues increase passed for the Utah VHF Society

The officers of the Utah VHF Society voted to an increase in Dues to $15.00 per year, up from the previous $12.00.  Additional rates are $25.00 per family, and $360.00 life time.  The reasons for this are due to increases in the cost of maintaining and supporting repeaters throughout Utah.

During the last three years we have made major updates to many of the key sites in Utah and have added a few new ones this has depleted most of our reserves.  To be able to continue our repeater support and work we have determined that a modest dues increase is necessary.  Many of you may remember that many years ago we lowered our dues by $3.00 (from $15.00!) because we felt our funds were sufficient to continue our efforts at a lower dues rate.

This change was voted on and approved at the business meeting held during the 2016 Swap Meet.


Questions, updates, or comments pertaining to this web page may be directed to: uvhfs@utahvhfs.org

DO NOT SEND MEMBERSHIP QUERIES TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS!  Questions regarding your membership status may be directed to the Treasurer of the Utah VHF Society.  For the status of your UVHFS membership, check the "How to Join or Renew" page first!

Internet by XMission

This page last updated on 20190326

Views since 13 January, 2010: