The Utah VHF Society - Misc. Repeater signal readings

The Utah VHF Society
Repeater signal strength/sensitivity analysis page
Updated on 26 March, 2019

The scope of this document:

This page exists as a convenient place to post various signal strength readings and apparent sensitivities of various repeaters. The major purpose of this page is to keep track of the sensitivity of key repeater systems over time. These readings may be used to provide a comparison over time of transmitter and receiver effectiveness as well as a bellwether of potential site noise issues.

These readings are updated upon request and/or on a semi-regular basis pending the availability of equipment.

The following are the parameters of the measurements and the equipment used to make these measurements:

The readings are taken at U.S. Satellite Corp. in Murray, Utah ("USSC") located at approximately 900 W. and 5600 S.
The antenna used to send test signals and receive off-air signals is a Radio Shack Discone antenna fed with about 60 feet of RG-224 (RG-58 like) coax.
The signal generator used for analog testing is a Motorola R-1200 service monitor. It's output signal level is known to be accurate to within +- 1.5 dB.
For D-Star or System Fusion test signals, either the Motorola R-1200 or a Schlumberger 4031 is used, with pre-recorded D-Star/System Fusion signals being fed to the generator as baseband. For more information about this method of testing D-Star or system fusions repeaters, see the web page: Using conventional test gear to evaluate and test D-Star and System Fusion systems.
The monitor device for off-air signals is an HP-8562A or Agilent E4440A spectrum analyzer. (RBW = 10 kHz, VBW = 3 kHz, readings taken when there is no modulation.) Accuracy is +-1.0 dB nominal
All signal readings are in dBm at the terminals of the generator/analyzer.
Because the same equipment is used each time, readings are expected to be consistent: Evidence seems to indicate that this is generally the case.

Comments on the above equipment:

There are no claims on how the above readings reflect actual EIRP of the repeater's transmitter, or how sensitive the receiver is in terms of field strength.
The above configuration of equipment, generator and antenna have remained unchanged since installation in 1999. Consistency in various measurements imply that no significant degradation or changes in the equipment have occurred over that time.
The antenna location at USSC provides line-of-site and unobstructed views of various sites on the Oquirrh range.
Readings taken for sites that are not line-of-site are not expected to be consistent over long periods of time and are for reference/curiosity only.

Repeaters that are included in this list:

As mentioned above, this list is primarily for those sites in the Oquirrh range in line-of-sight to the measuring antenna. If a system that fills this criterion is not listed and you wish measurements to be included, send an email to the address at the bottom of the page.

Those systems not fulfilling the criterion may be requested to be measured with the understanding that these readings may be wildly skewed by various factors, including:

Foliage absorption. When direct, unobstructed line-of-sight paths are not available, the presence of foliage can greatly affect signal strength. This can result in wild seasonal variations.
Weather effects. The presence of moisture (rain, snow, etc.) can affect indirect paths. Wet leaves can dramatically affect foliage absorption, for example. Signals affected by multipath effects can also be greatly affected - with the signal strength going up or down wildly - by even very mild effects.
Many other factors can affect signals - some of which may never be determined.

Because of these effects, measurement of indirect signals may be used only as a very rough indication of overall trends.

Receive-Only monitoring data:

These readings are of the signals as received and, in the case of those receive via line-of-sight and unobstructed path, may be used to indicate transmitter system performance over time. Those marked with asterisk (*) are believed to be non line-of-sight readings maym be inconsistent due to path variations.

Signal level is measured in dBm at the spectrum analyzer's 50 ohm input.

Output
Frequency
(MHz) 7/2
2000 1/22
2001 4/2
2001 3/7
2002 5/12
2002 10/17
2002 8/28
2003 11/05
2003 12/30
2003 1/20
2004 3/15
2004 5/19
2004 7/15
2004 11/5
2004 3/16
2005 9/2
2005 12/27
2005
3/24
2006
7/28
2006
11/15
2006
5/4
2007
10/02
2007
4/4
2008
10/23
2008
3/27
2009
9/21
2009
1/20
2010
5/12
2010
9/17
2010
1/28
2011
12/13
2011
9/28
2012
12/21
2012
8/23
2013
2/4
2015
11/19
2015 9/13
2017 3/26
2019

53.150 - - -58 -62 -54 -55 -57 -56 -57 -58 -59 -58 -60 -58 -57 -57 -61
-63
-63
-61
-61
n/r
-59
-59
-57
-57
-58
-63
-63
-64
-65
-64
-68
-64
-59
-64 -64 -67

145.125 *
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-70
-70
-67
-67
-67
-68
-65
-66
-65
n/r
-96 - -

145.190
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-56
-57
-56
-57
-58
-57
-57
-57
-56
-56
-55
-55
-54
-57
-63
-63
-64
-60
-56 -65 -64

145.450 -61 -64 -64 -69 -65 -65 -68 -68 -70 -69 -72 -70 -69 -69 -66 -68 -65
-68
-68
-68
-65
-70
-65
-68
-67
-67
-67
-63
-66
-66
-63
-64
-63
-63
-58
-64 -64 -66

146.620
Farnsworth
-67 -63 -62 -81 -61 -64 -60 -59 -68 -75 -59 -59 -60 -58 -59 -58 -58
-60
-59
-57
-58
-58
-59
-59
-59
-61
-61
-69
-68
(-61)
-64
-63
-63
-62
-63
-59
-62 -62 -61

146.620
UHF TX
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-80
-81
-82
-84
-83
-88
-89
-76
-82 -82 -81

146.700 #
- - - - - - - -86 -86 -98 -78 -77 -77 -78 -75 -77 -77
-74
-77
-75
-70
-72
-68
-68
-68
-66
-66
-64
-65
-62
-66
-67
-65
-65
-61
-65 -73 -68

147.760 #
-87 - - - - - -90 -89 -89 -89 -92 -92 -91 -90 -89 -89 -88
-88
-91
-90
-90
-92
-90
-90
-90
-90
-92
-88
-87
-92
-91
-91
-89
-89
-75
-87 -85 -84

146.880 -76 7/2/00 rdg is from Bacchus site -57 -55 -55 -57 -57 -58 -62 -62 -59 -59
-59
-59
-58
-58
-58
-58
-59
-59
-58
-61
-57
-58
-57
-76
-82
-85
-76
-56
-55 -71 -72

146.940 -54 -56 -55 -60 -57 -57 -57 -57 -56 -57 -58 -56 -57 -55 -56 -56 -56
-58
-54
-57
-57
-58
-58
-58
-58
-52
-54
-57
-57
-57
-66
-67
-58
-67
-65
-56 -60 -59

147.040 #
- - - - - - - -80 -82 -81 -81 -84 -84 -83 -87 -85 -82
-83
-83
-86
-84
-84
-83
-84
-85
-85
-85
-91
n/r
-85
-83
-90
-86
-93
-90
-85 -99 -88

147.080 #
- - - - - -79 -80 -78 -78 -81 -78 -79 -79 n/r -77 -78 -76
-76
-79
-76
-76
-71
-71
-70
-70
-74
-77
-72
-74
-77
-78
-78
-76
-78
-77
-77 -76 -76

147.120 -67 -67 -66 -55 -52 -53 -53 -53 -54 -53 -52 -53 -54 -54 -54 -54 -54
-54
-54
-54
-56
-42
-42
-43
-42
-41
-44
-47
-49
-48
-49
-49
-47
-57
-63
-59 -55 -54

147.140 - - - - -58 -58 -58 -58 -60 -60 -59 -59 -59 -58 n/r -58 -58
-58
-58
-58
-57
-58
-58
-59
-59
-59
-58
-61
-59
-61
-66
-67
-65
-67
-67
-66 -67 -66

147.160 #
- - - - -65 -65 -66 -68 -69 -70 -69 -70 -77 -70 -70 -72 -70
-72
-73
-71
-75
-62
-61
-60
-59
-59
-65
-62
-60
-60
-61
-60
-61
-61
-63
-63 -68 -69

147.180 #
-88 -91 -91 -104 - -90 -95 -92 -91 -93 -93 -94 -95 -92 -91 -90 -92
-93
-92
-91
-94
n/r
n/r
-91
-90
-90
-92
-90
-90
-95
-91
-94
-95
-95
-95
-93 -99 -102

147.380 *
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-77
-77
n/r
-77
-74
-77
-75
-76
n/r
n/r
-79
-
- -

447.950
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-78
-75
-82 -

448.075 *
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-76
-92
-95
-81
-80
-81
-87
-82
-82
-78
-82

448.150
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-77
-78
-81
-77
-78
-85
-80
-79
-82
-81
-81
-81
-78
-77 -81 -80

448.400
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-73
-75
-72
-73
-72
-71
-75
-73
-73 -76 -75

448.725 *
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-75
n/r
-77
-74
-76
-76
-75
-75
-74
-75
-
-

449.000 #
- - - - -73 - -76 -74 -83 -77 -74 -73 -74 -74 -74 -74 -73
-73
-81
<-107
-72
-89
-85
-87
n/r
-71
-72
-69
-70
-75
-69
-68
-68
-69
-68
-69 -69 -69

449.100 -79 -76 - -75 -76 -76 -74 -75
(-109) -75
(-109) -75
(-107) -76 -74 -81 -82 -79 -80 -107
-107
-84
n/r
n/r
n/r
n/r
n/r
n/r
n/r
n/r
n/r
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
n/r n/r n/r

449.150

-70
-70 -84 -86

449.425 - - - - - - - - -86 -87 -83 -96 -95 -82 -79 -90 -88
-90
-91
-83
-91
-83
-81
-87
-69
-68
-99
-68
-70
-76
-70
-69
-69
-69
-69
-69 -72 -72

449.475 #
- - - - - - - - -86 -83 -83 -89 -92 -87 -85 -85 -82
-82
-87
-81
-83
-88
-81
-88
-83
-104
-84
-85
-88
-87
-110
-84
-84
-110
-109
n/r n/r n/5

449.500 -77 -70 -71 -74 -71 -71 -74 -72 -73 n/r -73 -73 -92 -74 -73 -74 -75
-75
-93
-63
-64
-67
-67
-67
-68
-67
-68
-69
-67
-67
-66
-67
-68
n/r
-72
-73 -73 -73

449.900
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-82
-84
-81
-81
n/r
n/r
n/r
-
n/r n/r n/r

Intertie 1.25m
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-59
-60
-60
-61
-60 -61 -59

Intertie 70cm
North Link
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-93
-81
-87
-96
-95 -93 -92

1287.000 *
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-100
-100
-106
-100

System receiver sensitivity measurements:

These readings are of the amount required to be detected by the repeater's receive system. For those repeaters with an unobstructed line-of-sight path, these readings may be used to indicate general receive system performance over time.

Signal level is in dBm at the generator's output.

The first number is the signal level required to "hold the squelch" whereas the second number (if present) is the approximate signal level for 12dB SINAD, or, in the case of digital audio modes such as D-Star, to obtain "mostly error free" copy (e.g. only one obvious decoding error every 5-10 seconds.)

Only direct line-of-sight systems are measured for receive sensitivity except as noted.

Output Frequency (MHz)	7/2 2000	1/22 2001	4/2 2001	3/7 2002	3/12 2002	5/12 2002	10/17 2002	8/28 2003	11/05 2003	12/30 2003	1/20 2004	3/15 2004	5/19 2004	7/15 2004	11/5 2004	3/16 2005	9/2 2005	12/27 2005	3/24 2006	7/28 2006	11/15 2006	5/4 2007	10/02 2007	4/7 2008	10/23 2008	3/27 2009	10/21 2009	1/20 2010	5/12 2010	9/17 2010	1/28 2011	12/13 2011	9/28 2012	12/21 2012	8/23 2013	2/4 2015	11/19 2015	9/13 2017	3/26 2019
53.150	-	-	+5 +13	+5 +13	+9 +15	+7 i/s	+2 +10	-1 +5	+6 +13	+4 +13	+5 +13	+7 +13	+6 +13	+8 >+13	+8 >+13	+5 +13	+3 +13	i/s	+13 i/s	+13 i/s	+13 i/s	+13 i/s	n/r	i/s	+13 i/s	+13 i/s	+9 +15	+10 i/s	+10 i/s	+15 i/s	+15 i/s	+13 i/s	+7 i/s	+7 i/s	+16 i/s	+12 i/s	12 i/s	+10 i/s	+10 i/s
145.125 *	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	i/s	i/s	+6 +15	+4 +13	i/s	-	i/s	i/s	i/s	-	-
145.190	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	New	entry	as	of	3/24	2006	-	0 +8	0 +3	0 +9	-5 +3	+7 +12	0 +8	-1 +4	-3 +4	-2 +4	0 +8	-10 -6	0 +7	-15 +15	-15 +9	i/s	+12 i/s	+13 i/s	+13 i/s	+12 i/s	+2 +10	+5 +12
145.450	-3 i/s	-4 n/d	-4 n/d	i/s i/s	-6 -6	-6 -2	-7 -3	+2 +7	-7 -5	-7 -1	-6 -2	-4 0	-2 +2	0 +9	+1 +3	-5 +3	-2 +3	-3 +3	-4 +5	+3 +7	-2 +7	-7 -2	-2 +9	-5 +2	-2 +5	-5 -2	-2 +8	-4 +3	-10 -6	-1 +7	-5 +3	-10 0	-5 0	0 +3	-6 -1	-6 -2	-10 -3	-1 +3	+2 +9
146.620 Farnsworth	-1 +5	-1 n/d	-4 n/d	-3 +1	-6 -3	-8 -5	-3 -7	-7 -2	-12 -7	-7 -4	-7 -2	-6 -1	-7 -4	-5 -2	-6 +2	-3 +3	-5 -1	-3 +2	-3 +3	-5 +2	-5 +2	-5 +3	-4 +1	-5 0	-3 +3	0 +5	-8 -5	-10 -2	-6 0	-5 +4	-2 +4	-8 -2	-10 -5	-5 +3	-5 -2	-7 0	-6 0	-3 +1	-1 +3
146.940	-4 +2	-1 n/d	0 n/d	i/s	-4 0	-7 +1	-7 -3	-4 +1	-7 -3	-13 -6	-8 -2	-4 +4	-8 -3	-12 -2	-10 -3	-2 +5	-7 -4	-10 -3	-11 -2	-10 -3	-5 +4	-4 +3	-2 +9	-10 0	-11 -2	-1 +10	-5 +9	0 +8	+9 +13	-4 +3	-10 +2	+9 i/s	-5 i/s	+10 i/s	+1 +1	-3 -3	-6 +5	0 +15	+1 +13
147.120	0 +1	-5 n/d	0 i/s	i/s	-14 -10	-17 +8	-7 -3	+4 +11	-10 -5	-15 -6	-15 -7	i/s	-15 -7	-18 -5	-14 -6	-2 +4	-13 -4	-14 -8	-13 -4	-10 -3	-7 0	-6 -1	+2 +8	+10 i/s	-5 +2	-7 -3	-6 +3	+7 +13	-7 -6	0 +9	-13 -5	+5 i/s	-8 +7	-1 +5	-6 0	-5 +13	-5 +1	-3 -1	-2 0
147.140	-	-	-	-	-	-13 -1	-7 -2	-2 +4	-11 -6	-8 -6	-7 -1	-4 0	0 +5	-13 -5	-4 +2	n/r	-5 -3	-10 -7	-10 -4	-2 +3	-5 +1	-7 -4	-4 +5	+3 +10	-1 +5	-5 -3	+3 +8	-4 +3	-5 +1	0 +7	-10 -3	-10 0	-10 -4	-4 +1	-5 +2	-5 +1	-5 +1	-3 +1	0 +7
147.160 #	-	-	-	-	-	0 +8	+2 +8	+7 >=+13	+4 +9	+4 +10	+5 +10	+6 +13	0 +4	+2 +7	0 +5	-2 +4	-2 +3	-1 +5	-4 +2	0 +5	-3 +2	-1 +5	+4 +13	+3 +5	+1 +6	-5 +4	+3 +8	-4 +3	+8 +13	+8 i/s	-3 +8	+8 i/s	-2 +10	+8 +14	+6 +14	+8 +13	+8 +13	+9 i/s	+10 i/s
147.380 *	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	12/ 15	-8 +13	i/s	n/r	i/s	i/s	i/s	i/s	-	i/s	i/s	i/s	-	-
448.075 *	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	+13 i/s	i/s	i/s	i/s	+13 i/s	-	i/s	i/s	i/s	-	-
447.950 *	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	i/s
448.150	-	-	-	-	-4 +1	-4 +2	-5 +1	-1 +5	-6 -2	-6 -3	-8 -2	-4 +2	0 +6	-4 +2	0 +6	+5 +2	-2 +2	+5 +10	0 +5	+5 +10	-5 0	-5 +1	n/r	+3 +8	+5 +9	+1 +5	-2 +5	-2 +3	+2 +7	+7 +12	+3 +8	+2 +8	+2 +10	+3 +5	+2 +9	0 +1	-1 +14	0 i/s	+2 +15
448.400	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	+2 +7	+2 +7	+1 +6	0 +4	+4 +10	+6 +9	+7 +10	+6 +9	+7 +11	+7 +12	i/s
448.725 *	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-5 +5	n/r	i/s	i/s	-4 +4	-7 -3	-	i/s	i/s	i/s		-
449.000	-	-	-	-	-	-6 +2	-	>=+13 i/s	+1 >=+13	>=+13 i/s	0 +7	+2 +7	+13 i/s	+5 +12	+5 +11	+5 +12	+8 +14	0 +4	0 +5	+4 +10	0 +5	0 +7	0 +8	0 +8	+4 +10	n/r	-5/ +5	-7 0	-6 +1	-2 +4	-5 -3	-4 -4	-6 0	-1 +3	-2 +3	-4 -3	0 +3	2 2	+2 +5
449.100	+9 +11	+10 i/s	+5 i/s	i/s	-	-6 +2	+2 +9	>=+13 i/s	+7 +12	+9 +13	+7 +13	+13 i/s	i/s	+13 i/s	+13 +13	+9 +13	+11 +14	+10 +13	+9 +12	+12 +15	n/r	n/r	n/r	n/r	n/r	n/r	n/r	n/r	n/r	off air	off air	off air	off air	off air	off air	off air	off air	off air	off air
449.100 UHF Ctl RX	-	-	+5 n/d	i/s	+13 +13	+10 +13	+10 i/s	+10 >=+13	+7 +11	+10 +13	+7 +13	+13 i/s	+10 i/s	i/s	+13 +13	i/s i/s	+14 +14	+13 i/s	+13 +13	+12 +12	n/r	n/r	n/r	n/r	n/r	n/r	n/r	n/r	n/r	n/r	off air	off air	off air	off air	off air	off air	off air	off air	off air
449.150																																				0 +4	-3 -3	n/r	+5 +5
449.425	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	i/s	i/s	i/s	i/s	i/s	+12 i/s	+5 +8	i/s i/s	+8 +10	+13 i/s	+12 i/s	+8 +10	+9 +13	+8 +12	i/s	+13 i/s	-10 -4	-9 -2	-10 -4	-7 -1	i/s	-10 0	-6 0	-6 0	-5 -3	-6 0	-5 -3	+1 +6	-1 -1	+7 +15
449.475	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	>=+13 i/s	+12 +12	+13 +13	i/s	+13 i/s	i/s	i/s	i/s	i/s	i/s	i/s	i/s	i/s	i/s	i/s	+13 i/s	i/s	i/s	i/s	i/s	i/s	i/s	i/s	i/s	i/s	i/s	i/s	-	-	-
449.500	+8 +11	i/s	i/s	i/s	+12 +15	+9 +9	0 0	-5 0	+1 +3	+1 +1	OFF AIR	+5 +5	+6 +6	+4 +4	+2 +2	+5 +5	+11 +11	+6 +6	+4 +4	+6 +6	+1 +4	+6 +10	-1 0	+1 +7	+6 +8	-2 +1	-2 +2	+4 +7	-3 -3	-4 -4	-5 -4	-7 -5	-6 0	-6 -6	off air	+6 +6	+6 +7	+6 i/s	+4 +13
449.900	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	+12 i/s	+14 i/s	+3 +15	+3 +15	n/r	n/r	off air	off air	off air	off air	off air

Key to abbreviations:

An asterisk * (star) next to the frequency indicates a D-Star repeater.
An octothorpe # or pound sign next to the frequency indicates that these readings are likely affected by terrain and are not necessarily indicative of free-space path losses.
- = No Data available. For whatever reason, no data readings were taken for this particular data point.
i/s = Insufficient Signal. The output of the signal generator is a maximum of +13 to +15 dBm and more signal power than was available would have been required to obtain a reading.
n/r = No Response. This particular system could not be keyed up at the time of measurement. See "comments" below for notes about what might have been known about the status of that repeater at the time of testing.
off air = It was known for certain that this repeater was off the air at the time of the test.

General comments on all data:

All times/dates in in local time MST/MDT.
For the most part, all 2 meter repeaters on the Oquirrh mountains have similar numbers the received signal strength. This is believable because all of these repeaters have roughly similar output power, similar antennas, and are at similar distances from the test site. This is also true of 70cm systems, where the numbers would be at about 9 dB lower due to increased path losses - a number partially offset by higher antenna gain and average lower TX output power.
During "quiet" conditions, the sensitivity of all repeaters along the Oquirrh range should be similar. Large variations are likely due to varying noise conditions at the individual sites.

Comments on the 3/26/19 readings:

All readings taken on 3/26 at approx. 0930 MT.
No D-Star repeater readings were taken on this date
This may be the last set of readings taken from this location. Another set of readings from another location may be taken soon to help provide a degree of continuity.

Comments on the 9/13/17 readings:

All readings taken on 9/13 at approx. 1400 MT.
No D-Star repeater readings were taken on this date
The 449.150 repeater was running at very low power due to PA issues (e.g. 2-3 watts versus 30 watts)

Comments on the 11/19/15 readings:

All readings taken on 11/19 at approx. 1700 MT.
448.875: It should be noted that a continuous carrier on this frequency has been present for several months as of this date. Attempts to contact the trustee have been unsuccessful.
145.125: There appear to be transmitter problems with this repeater.
There was no response from the repeaters marked with "-" at the time of test indicating: It is unknown if they are off-air or simply "deaf".

Comments on the 2/4/15 and 2/6/15 readings:

Analog readings taken on 2/4 at approx. 1700 MT. Digital readings taken on 2/6 at approx. 1700 MT.
146.880 - The location of this repeater has changed since the 8/23/13 readings.
The signal level readings of the "Intertie 70cm North Link" have changed due to the antenna pointing changing since the 8/23/13 readings.

Comments on the 8/23/13 readings:

Most analog readings taken on 8/19 at approx. 1750 MT while digital readings and a small number of the analog readings were taken on 8/23 at approx. 1530 MT.
146.940 - This repeater is on a different (higher) antenna and using a different repeater as of approx. 8/10/2013. Due to site noise/re-radiation problems due to metal-metal connections on the tower it is desensed slightly when 147.120 keys up. Work on the tower to remedy this is planned.
147.120 - As of 8/10/2013 this repeater's transmit power has been reduced from approximately 125 watts to approx. 15 watts due to desense issues caused by meta-metal contact and its negative impact on both this repeater and 146.94 which is on an antenna very nearby on the same tower. Work on the tower to remedy this is planned.
449.475 - This shows severe degradation in the amount of transmitted signal being received. This could be due to either a problem at the repeater and/or radical changes in propagation at the time of the test.
449.500 - This repeater went off air on 8/10/2013 after a site visit for unknown reasons.
The 1287.000 D-Star port was keyed up via the 70cm port (447.075) of the KF6RAL D-Star stack, routing to port "A".

Comments on the 12/21/12 readings:

These readings taken at approx. 1600.
The 145.190 repeater was relocated to a different (lower) site sometime between the early spring and 9/28/2012. Since that time the readings (on received signal level and apparent sensitivity) have worsened. At this time it is not known whether this is due to slight terrain blockage, different antenna configuration, higher site noise, greater distance between the repeater and the test site or a combination of all of these. Reports indicate that the new site - possibly on Kessler Peak or Mahogany Mtn. in the Oquirrh range -
The 145.450 repeater was experiencing significant "crackle" at the time of test on weak signal. At the value shown, quieting was good between bursts of noise but more power than available (>+16dBm) would have been required to overcome this noise source.
The 146.940 repeater is currently experiencing 10-15 dB desense when the 147.120, with which it is co-located, is keyed up. The sensitivity value shown for 12/21/2012 was that measured while 147.120 was keyed up. The data for 9/28/2012 was close to what was observed when 147.120 was not keyed up.
The 1287.000 D-Star port is new to these measurements. It was keyed up via the 70cm port (447.075) of the KF6RAL D-Star stack, routing to port "A".

Addendum - 10/11/12:

Readings taken at approximately 1700.
The antenna on the 147.120 repeater (Farnsworth) was replaced: Identical readings before and after.
The antenna on the 146.940 repeater (Farnsworth) was replaced, the "temporary" J-Pole installed in 2011 being removed and a collinear (fiberglass) vertical installed instead. The Receive sensitivity measurements went from -5/is to -5/+13 and the Transmit measurements (signal level) went from -67 to -58. Only very slight (0.5dB or so) desense was noted from 147.120 and none from 53.150/448.150 and 449.500.
Additional tests were done on checking the status of the various DStar repeaters:

145.125 - Bottom of desense (chattering) range measured as being +2 dBm, "top" of desense range (no chattering, no intelligible speech) at +16 dBm, "barely" intelligible speech at +22 dBm, and "clean" speech at +27 dBm.
The 146.940 repeater is currently experiencing 10-15 dB desense from 147.120. The number shown is with 147.120 not keyed up.
147.380 - Appeared to be off the air.
448.075 - Bottom of desense (chattering) range: +7 dBm, "barely usable" (semi-reliable keying-up and holding the repeater: +22 dBm, "clean" speech at +26 dBm
448.725 - Digital "cliff" at +7 dBm: "Clean" audio above this, no response at all below this. This threshold seemed to vary +/- 1-2 dB over time.
No extensive measurements were done pertaining to the IMC DStar repeaters aside from the fact that it was noted that the 2 meter DStar repeater (145.150) could not be brought up while the UHF repeater (448.950) was present.

Comments on the 9/28/12 readings:

These readings taken at approx. 1200.
None of the D-Star repeaters could be triggered with the available power leve (+13dB) or the repeater was off the air, as noted.
The 146.880 and 449.900 repeaters have been moved from their former location in the period prior to 12/13/11.
The 449.900 repeater did not appear to be on the air at the time of this test.
449.000 - This repeater appears to have lost significant sensitivity since the last test.
New to this reading: Signal levels of the 1.25m link to Snowbird and the 70cm link to Frisco peak from Farnsworth. 70cm link signal level is low because it is from an antenna directed toward the south.

Comments on the 12/23/11 readings:

These readings taken at approx. 1800.
No D-Star sensitivity measurements were taken at this time - only TX signal level as received as the test location.
147.120 - The receive sensitivity on this system appears to be badly degraded as compared to the 1/28/11 readings.
146.940 - This repeater is suffering severe (>20dB) desense when the co-located 147.120 repeater is keyed up. The readings shown were taken when the 147.120 repeater was not keyed. This repeater may be on an antenna configuration different from what was being used at the time of the 1/28/11 readings.
449.475 - This repeater appears to be on the air, but the signal is extremely weak - possibly indicative of a transmitter problem.
449.900 - This repeater shows severe receive sensitivity degradation in comparison to the 1/28/11 readings - cause unknown.
146.880 - This repeater shows severe system degradation in comparison to the 1/28/11 readings. This is likely due to the change of location of this repeater to a site that has a poorer path to the site from which we are taking our measurements.

Comments on the 1/28/11 readings:

These readings taken at approx. 1600.
145.125 - DStar: At +13dBm, the repeater occasionally keyed up with random noises indicating that it was sometimes getting a lock on the test signal.
145.190 - At the time of testing, this repeater's carrer squelch was be running wide open, but the subaudible tone decoder was keeping it from blasting noise - either that, or it is suffering from about 20dB of desense.
448.075 - DStar: At +13dBm, the repeater would key up with barely-copiable speech.
448.725 - DStar: This repeater could not be consistently keyed up. Sometimes it would readily lock onto the test signal while at other times it would not at all. The same results were noted with the HT used to verify the test signal and to key the repeater for signal level measurements.

Comments on the 9/17/10 readings:

These readings were taken at approx. 1600.
145.190 - Severe noise bursts noted that may occasionally degrade received signals.
146.620 - On 10/19 the transmit antenna at this repeater was replaced, improving the the signal from -68 to -61dBm.
147.040 - This repeater did not respond to key-ups at the time it was tested.
448.400 - This repeater may spontaneously key up on intermod from a telemetry/paging system at times for periods of several minutes.
No D-Star readings taken on 9/17, but sensitivity tests were done on 11/3/2010 with the following results:

145.125 - At times, the repeater could be brought up with a signal level of +4dBm with "error free" audio at +13dBm, but then the signals would suddenly disappear. This is due to either on-site RF desense or a problem with the controller, but since the Icom gear has little-to-no diagnostic capbility, this cannot be determined remotely.
147.380 - Unable to bring it up with +13dBm with the test setup. Even line-of-sight via HT/rubber duck was inconsistent indicating likely on-site desense.
448.075 - Generally "error free" at +4dBm with intelligibility being lost by -4dBm. There may be a problem with this repeater in that if the start-of-transmission preamble was not received, it will never lock onto the signal later, during mid-transmission: More testing is required.
448.725 - Unable to bring it up with +13dBm but was usable with HT/Rubber duck.

Comments on the 5/12/10 readings:

These readings were taken at approx. 1415.
145.125 - It was not possible to consistently bring up the D-Star repeater at the signal levels noted.
It was not possible to bring up the other 3 D-Star repeaters (147.380, 448.075, 448.725) with the power available from the signal generator (+13dBm)
145.190 - Severe noise bursts noted that may occasionally degrade received signals.
147.120 - Transmit power was lowered from 250 to about 100 watts in mid-March, 2010
448.075 - This D-Star repeater (Farnsworth) seems to be suffering from some sort of antenna or PA problem, reducing its ERP and possibly its sensitivity.

Comments on the 1/20/10 readings:

These readings were taken at approx. 1130.
It was not possible to bring up any of the local D-Star repeaters (145.125, 147.380, 448.075, 448.725) with the power available from the signal generator (+13dBm)
146.620 - The new receive antenna installed on 10/16/09 still seems to be working properly and the improvement in receive performance has been maintained.
146.940 and 147.120 - There is interaction between these repeaters. Each repeater, by itself, causes about 10dB of desense to itself. The transmitter of 147.120, when keyed, results in 30-40dB of desense to the receiver of the 146.940 repeater, making it unusable at those times. The exact reason for this desense is unknown.

Comments on the 10/21/09 readings:

These readings were taken at approx. 1630.
53.150 - Sensitivity on this 6-meter repeater has improved somewhat since the de-activation of the analog Channel 2 transmitter on an adjacent site.
145.125 - This is a newly-installed D-Star repeater on Farnsworth Peak. It is suffering considerable desense owing to the poor filtering built into the repeater itself: Additional outboard filtering has yet to be installed.
146.620 - A new receive antenna was installed on the 146.620 repeater on 10/16/09.
146.940 - This repeater suffers considerable desense when the co-located 147.120 repeater keys up. The value shown that obtained when the 147.120 repeater is not transmitting.
147.080 - This repeater was moved from a site on the traverse range between Draper and Alpine to Lake Mountain in early August, 2009.
147.380 - This repeater was off-air at the time of testing due to equipment re-install at the site.
448.075 - This is a newly-installed D-Star repeater on Farnsworth Peak. It is suffering significant desense owing to the poor filtering built into the repeater itself: Additional outboard filtering has yet to be installed. The +13 reading given was the maximum output of the generator and resulted only in occasional garbled transmissions being repeated.
448.725 - This repeater was off-air at the time of testing due to equipment re-install at the site.

Comments on the 3/27/09 data:

These readings were taken at approx. 1500.
53.150 - Some desense noted, probably due to VHF TV Channel 2 on an adjacent site
146.940 - This repeater suffers 15-20dB of desense when 147.120 keys up: This problem will be addressed as soon as possible.
449.100 - Off air for retooling/frequency change.
449.000 - Seemed to be off-air at the time.
448.725 - D-Star repeater at Nelson Peak added.

Amendment, 12/15/08:

147.380 - Readings were taken for the D-Star repeater on 147.380. Several layers of desense were noted: The repeater could be activated with -8dBm of signal, but it took +8dBm for copyable speech and "nearly perfect" copy was attained at +13dBm. Much of the time, however, a signal source - presumed to be at the repeater site - would degrade the receive sensitivity such that even the maximum level of +16dBm was insufficient to activate the repeater.

Comments on the 10/23/08 data:

These readings were taken at approx. 1700.
53.150 - Some desense noted, probably due to VHF Channel 2 on an adjacent site.
146.940 - This repeater suffers 15-20dB of desense when 147.120 keys up: This problem will be addressed as soon as possible.
449.100 - Off air for retooling/frequency change.

Comments on the 4/7/08 data:

53.150 - Some desense noted, probably due to VHF Channel 2 on an adjacent site
146.940 - This repeater suffers 15-20dB of desense when 147.120 keys up: This problem will be addressed as soon as possible.
147.120 - Occasionally suffers RX sensitivity degradation from an unknown source not desense.
147.180 - Off air for repair.
448.150 - New to this list. It replaces the listing for the "53.150 UHF Control RX."
449.100 - Off air for retooling/frequency change.
449.425 - Significant desense was noted on this repeater.

Comments on the 10/2/07 data:

These readings were taken at approx. 1345-1415
53.150, 147.180, and 449.100 were off-air for repair/retooling.

Comments on the 5/4/07 data:

These readings were taken at approx. 1800-1830
449.100: Off air as of 10/06 for rebuilding. Expected to return to the air on its new frequency in late 2007

Comments on the 11/15/06 data:

These readings were taken at approx. 1745-1800
145.190: At least 4 dB of desense was noted - sometimes much higher. Receiver occasionally blowing what sounded like a paging system - despite the use of a subaudible tone on RX.
449.000: Final amplifier has failed - running very low power.
449.100: Off air as of 10/06 for rebuilding. When it is back on the air later this year or early next year, it will be on a different frequency to avoid paging system intermod.
449.500: The original repeater with the tube final has been replaced as of 9/2006.

Comments on the 7/28/06 data:

These readings were taken from approx. 1755-1810.
53.150: With the relocation of the KUTV VHF channel 2 transmitter from Mt. Vision to Farnsworth Peak, this repeater has been experiencing occasionally sensitivity loss and "blowing of squelch" requiring the activation of the 146.2 Hz subaudible tone decoder.
449.500: Due to transmitter problems, the output power is down by approx. 18dB estimated 300 mW output power
449.425: >=3dB of desense noted

Comments on the 3/24/06 data:

These readings were taken from approx. 1745-1800.
145.190: Added to the list. Approx. 6 dB of TX/RX desense noted
449.650: Removed, as this system has been off-air for several years
449.100: Transmitted signal still weak due to power amplifier problems: Will have to wait for better site access.

Comments on the 12/27/05 data:

These readings were taken from approx. 1445-1500.
53.150: With the relocation of the KUTV VHF channel 2 transmitter from Mt. Vision to Farnsworth Peak, this repeater has been experiencing occasionally sensitivity loss and "blowing of squelch" requiring the activation of the 146.2 Hz subaudible tone decoder.
449.100: Despite past repair attempts, TX power has again dropped from about 15 watts to approx. 30 milliwatts when the unit is cold: It was noted again during this test.
449.425: Transmitted signal about the same as before, but significant improvement in receiver sensitivity

Comments on the 9/2/05 data:

These readings were taken from approx. 1200-1230.
146.620: No "crackle" present at the time that the readings were taken.
449.425: Significant reduction on the received signal: Unable to key repeater with signal generator.

Comments on the 3/16/05 data:

These readings were taken from approx. 2030-2045.
146.620: The "crackle" is still present - no doubt site noise. This crackle reappeared en-force about two weeks prior to the measurement.
147.140: Repeater was unresponsive at the moment of this test.

Comments on the 11/5/04 data:

These readings were taken from approx. 1215-1245
146.620: The "crackle" is still present, but is noted mainly on weaker signals: If this were absent, the 12dB SINAD would be approx. 0 dBm.
147.080: Repeater was unresponsive at the moment of this test.

Comments on the 7/15/04 data:

These readings were taken from approx. 1815 to 1830
53.150: A 2-3 dB AM component of about 77 ms period was noted on the modulated carrier. This did not seem to be present in the demodulated FM signal.
146.620: A "crackle" heard in the past is back, but is noted only on weaker signals.
146.940: Very loose squelch. This receiver does use tone squelch, however.
449.100: Sensitivity is still degraded due to site noise. The control RX could not brought up with the signal generator. Source of some of the noise is known: Steps to remedy the situation are being considered.

Comments on the 5/19/04 data:

These readings were taken from approx. 1300 to 1315
147.140: Approx. 7 dB of site noise was noted. The level indicated is that required to overcome the site noise and hold open the squelch.
449.000: This receiver shows approx. 11 dB of transmitter-related desense.
449.100: Sensitivity appears to be degraded due to site noise.
449.425 and 449.475: Degradation of both of these systems appears to be occurring as evidenced by lower TX signal level and poorer sensitivity.

Comments on the 3/15/04 data:

These readings were taken from approx. 1245 to 1300
146.620: On 3/26/04 the final amplifier was returned to service.
146.940: There was evidence of IMD-related site noise during the signal level test.
449.100: Receive system appears to be somewhat degraded due to site noise.
449.425 and 449.475: Both of these systems appear to be suffering from diminished receive system sensitivity.

Comments on the 1/20/04 data:

These readings were taken from approx. 1730 to 1800.
146.620: On 1/17/04 the final amplifier failed and the -75 dBm reading is with the exciter alone. When the amplifier failed - but prior to bypassing - the signal strength was an estimated -125 dBm at this location, or just over 0.1 microvolts. This implies a power of about 10-20 microwatts or 1-2/100,000ths of a watt to the antenna. Yes, it was still audible - but barely...
146.700: The measured signal strength from this repeater was 12 dB lower than normal while nearby repeaters show normal, indicating a possible transmitter or antenna problem. On 1/21/04, the signal level was measured at -106 dBm, 20 dB below normal. These anomalous readings are due to terrain effects and do not in this case indicate a repeater problem.
449.000: Apparent antenna system problems on this repeater have been repaired.
449.100: This repeater continues to have intermittent final amplifier problems.
449.500: This repeater is down for reasons unknown

Comments on the 12/30/03 data:

These readings were taken from approx. 1800 to 1830 MST.

449.100: This repeater's TX still has an intermittent problem. The signal level in parentheses is that when the TX is malfunctioning.

449.000: This repeater continues to degrade in both TX and RX performance.

449.425 and 449.475: Data was obtained at 1200 MST on 12/31/03.

146.620: As of 12/30/03, the radiated power of this repeater is nearly 10 dB below normal. As of 1/7/04, the readings had not changed.

The noise floor at VHF on Farnsworth Peak continues to be at a low level.

Comments on the 11/05/03 data:

These readings were taken from approx. 1830 to 1900 MST.
147.120: The sensitivity of this repeater has returned to normal. See 8/28/03 notes.
449.000: This repeater's performance both RX and TX appears to be degrading over time.
449.100: As noted above, this repeater's TX appears to have an intermittent problem. The signal level in parentheses is that when the TX is malfunctioning.
The Farnsworth Peak 2 meter repeaters and most of the 70cm repeaters as well appear to be benefiting from a reduced noise floor. This is likely due to the completion of construction projects for the season and the users utilizing their normal rather than standby antenna systems for high-power FM and TV transmission.

Comments on the 8/28/03 data:

146.620: This repeater's receiver is being occasionally "hit" with a noise burst. Testing indicates that this noise is modulated with program material, implying that the source is likely related to an FM or TV broadcast audio carrier. Further investigation is warranted.
147.120: Some unknown problem is affecting the sensitivity of the 147.120 repeater.
449.100: A known interference problem is reducing the overall sensitivity of this repeater. The interference has evidence of wideband audio modulation speech and music indicating a possible source of an FM broadcast or TV transmitter. It is likely that ongoing construction on Farnsworth Peak has necessitated some configuration changes in FM and TV broadcast transmitter/antenna configurations, resulting in the potentiality of such problems.
449.100: Shortly after 10/17/02 a ring combiner was removed from the TX path on the 449.100 repeater, approximately doubling its TX output power.
The sensitivity of the 53.150, 146.620 and 147.120 repeaters have been observed to change significantly in the weeks prior to the 8/28/03 readings - probably a result of configuration changes due to construction.

Comments on the 10/17/02 data:

Signal readings taken between approximately 1200 and 1300 local time.
145.450: This repeater is approximately 400 Hz low in frequency.
146.620: This transmitter settles out to being about 1.5 KHz low in frequency during a transmission.
146.940: This repeater is are approximately 500 Hz high in frequency.
147.120: This repeater is are approximately 500 Hz high in frequency.
449.100: This repeater is approximately 300 Hz low in frequency.
449.500: This repeater is approximately 500 Hz low in frequency.
449.500: Squelch on this repeater is still very tight.
The 53.150, 147.140, and 147.160 repeaters are within 100 Hz of their nominal frequencies.
No frequency measurements were done on any other systems.

Comments on the 5/12/02 data:

146.620: Soon after 3/13/02 the Transmitter was returned to full power approx. 130 watts.
449.000: Sometime before 5/12/02, this system was moved to Nelson Pk.
449.500: The squelch on 449.500 is extremely tight!

Comments on the 3/7/02 and 3/12/02 data:

There were NO signal level readings of repeater TX taken on 3/12/02.
The readings on 3/7/02 were taken because of reports of a noise source affecting Farnsworth Peak sites. As of 3/12/02 this noise source had significantly decreased: Extensive readings were not done on 3/12/02.
145.450: Sometime prior to 3/7/02, significant work was done on this repeater system. These changes dramatically improved its receive performance, making it generally usable once again.
145.450: Squelch happened to be set at the 12dB SINAD point.
146.620: During the period of the 3/7/02 and 3/12/02 readings the TX power on this repeater was approximately 1.5 watts due to the loss of the main power supply. '62 was operated at low power using the power supply in the 449.100 repeater.
146.940: Desense was noted on this repeater's receiver. The apparent cause was re-radiation from another system but not itself and occurred independently of the jumper problem.
146.940: On the 3/7/02 trip, a problem with a coax jumper was noted on this repeater. By 3/12/02 this problem had been repaired, restoring RX sensitivity.
147.120: Sometime prior to the 3/7/02 readings, the transmit power of the 147.12 repeater was increased from approximately 1 watt to about 40 watts.
Sometime before 3/12/02 it was discovered that the UHF translator for KBYU-TV located at the channel 13 site had been replaced and that the new translator had no output bandpass cavity. After installation of such a cavity, sensitivity of the various UHF receivers including 449.500 on-site improved greatly.
449.100: The receiver sensitivity was being reduced by a known re-radiation from another system.
449.100: Under these conditions, this repeater's control RX squelch happened to also be at the 12dB SINAD point
449.500: RX was apparently being affected by an off-frequency signal of unknown origin.
Comment: At about the time of the 3/7/02 reading the KULC-TV Channel 9 transmitter was known to be malfunctioning, producing significant spurious radiation in the High VHF TV band ch's 7-13. It is not known for certain if this had anything to do with degradation of other RX systems on the Oquirrh range, although significant degradation to the 145.450 repeater's receive sensitivity is strongly suspected.

Comments on the 7/2/00 data:

145.450: Due to lack of sensitivity and extraneous noise, this repeater is nearly unusable to all except those running higher power.
146.620: For the 146.620 repeater, this data was taken just prior to the replacement of the damaged MaxRad transmit-only antenna and replacement of the output transistors in the Vocom power amplifier.
146.880: This reading only is from the "Bacchus" site.