W1BUR repeater range tests
This is for a record of which repeaters could be reached using the omnidirectional J-pole antenna ~ 40 meters elevation. Distances are estimated using the RepeaterBook app. Test done with Yaesu FT-5100, which is an ailing old radio subject to intermod due to receiver overload. It’s an old design that needs to be replaced.
Although range is strongly a function of terrain and repeater elevation, using numerous repeaters to verify “not working” gives an idea of system performance.
Currently (Nov 2017), the maximum range to repeaters from W1BUR omni J-pole VHF/UHF antenna is approximately:
70cm: 10 miles 2m: 5 miles
This seems to be very limited range. I tried to segment receiver issues from transmit issues. I think the Yaesu receiver is not bad (though it’s not too good either). This points to a coax or antenna problem.
Further diagnosis would require wattmeter & dummy load at antenna to test.
Working
| freq (MHz) | callsign | distance (mi) | notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 145.23 | W1BOS | 2.7 | very strong, Boston, MA |
| 145.43 | W1MRA | 4.9 | very strong, Belmont, MA |
| 147.03 | W1TKZ | 5.3 | strong, Newton, MA 50 watt kerchunk |
| 146.64 | W1MHL | 6.9 | moderate, Waltham, MA |
| 146.67 | W1BRI | 8.5 | moderate, Quincy, MA 50 Watt kerchunk |
| freq (MHz) | callsign | distance (mi) | notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 449.725 | W1XM | 1.2 | very strong |
| 446.325 | W1CLA | 1.4 | very strong |
| 444.7 | W1KRU | 2.4 | strong |
| 444.6 | W1TKZ | 5.3 | weak, fluttery, kerchunk @ 35 watts |
| 449.075 | W1MHL | 6.9 | moderate signal, 5 watts |
| 442.7 | W1MRA | 10.1 | very weak, kerchunk @ 5 watts |
| 442.5 | AE1TH | 11.1 | very weak, kerchunk @ 35 watts |
GMRS repeaters were also tested.
| freq (MHz) | location | distance (mi) | notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 462.625 | Fenway | 1 | |
| 462.625 | Cambridge | 3 |
Not working
These repeaters were not reachable even at full power. When I get time I’ll try to verify with HT at top floor (in case repeater was just off-air or not reachable due to terrain or interference.).
| freq (MHz) | callsign | distance (mi) | notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 147.36 | W1LJO | 5.3 | Newton, MA |
| 146.91 | K1SVP | 9.4 | Saugus, MA |
| 146.79 | N1BE | 10.1 | Weston, MA |
| 147.015 | W1DVG | 11.4 | Lynn, MA |
| 146.715 | KC1US | 11.7 | N. Reading, MA |
| 147.12 | W1DC | 16.7 | Billerica, MA |
| freq (MHz) | callsign | distance (mi) | notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 442.75 | WA1GPO | 5.3 | Newton, MA |
| 443.05 | KC2LT | 6.9 | Waltham, MA |
| 449.825 | N1OMJ | 9.3 | Woburn, MA |
| 447.025 | W1CLA | 11.7 | Burlington, MA |
| 446.775 | W1DYJ | 11.7 | Burlington, MA |
| 446.525 | WA1RHN | 12.2 | Reading, MA |
| 449.125 | W1CLA | 13.3 | Natick, MA |
| 449.425 | K1BFD | 13.3 | Canton, MA |
| 441.9 | K1KZP | 14.2 | Wilmington, MA |
| 443.975 | W1ZSA | 16.1 | Walpole, MA |
| freq (MHz) | location | distance (mi) | notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 462.55 | Quincy | 8 |