Amateur Radio Victoria is the licensee for the majority of VK3 repeaters. Our regular spend on Victorian Repeater maintenance is in excess of $20,000 each year. This includes equipment maintenance, insurance, site fees and licences.
Repeaters and beacons listed may/may not be operational
Report any issues with our repeaters to arv[at]amateurradio.com.au
Callsigns
VK3RAN
VK3BWI HF/VHF/UHF (News relay at 1030Hrs and 2000Hrs local time Sunday)
VK3ZWI
VK3WI
VK3PC
Portable repeaters
VK3RWE
VK3RWI
VK3RWP
VK3RCW Morse code beacon
Using DTMF codes via the control input of 433.05 MHz you press 1 to select the menu, 2 to change speed, 3 for the tone of emission (400 - 600 - 800 Hz), 4 to change content and 5 to read back the text.
DTMF tones can be generated using a DTMF microphone, mobile phone.
APRS - 145.175 MHz
Links
https://vkdmr.com/ VK DMR
http://www.irlp.net/ IRLP
http://www.echolink.org/ EchoLink
http://www.dstar.org.au DSTAR
VK3RBO
Located at Bendigo Input Frequency 1250Mhz FM.
Output
446.5Mhz DVB-T
For latest info on VK3RBO ATV go to http://vk3ce.homeip.net/
VK3RTV
VK3RTV is Melbourne’s digital television repeater. It is sited in the eastern metropolitan area at Mount View, Mount Waverley.
The output frequency is a multi-plexed two channel arrangement in a 7 Mhz bandwidth on 445.5 Mhz DVB-T and a Set Top Box capable of manual tuning is required to receive signals from it. The channels are VK3RTV1 and VK3RTV2.
The output power is about 200 watts EIRP from a vertically polarised omni directional dipole array. The three inputs currently are all DVB-S, the satellite digital standard which is designed for point to point communications. Input frequencies are 1255 Mhz for the north east beam, 1246 Mhz for the south easterly beam and 1278 Mhz for the westerly beam. The three receive antennas are dual quad arrays horizontally polarised.
The receivers are currently Humax IRCI-5400Z with outboard Minikits RF pre-amplifiers. The DVB-T exciter has two MPEG2 Encoders, a Multiplexer and a Modulator, all based on boards from SR Systems in Germany. The final PA is a MRFE6VP5600H dual 600 watt FET.
An on board mini-media box provides callsign and other graphics and when active, VK3RTV streams both channels on the British Amateur Television Club’s Website.
The liaison frequency is 147.4 Mhz FM and amateurs are invited to check in.
Peter Cossins VK3BFG
History
The digitisation of VK3RTV on Mt Dandenong east of Melbourne followed a remarkable progression which began with black and white in 1977, then full colour television serving both Melbourne and Geelong.
Television was demonstrated by radio amateurs long before its introduction to Australia 1956. A notable display featured at the 1952 demonstration at the Royal Exhibition Buildings.
After 30 + years VK3RTV Analogue has closed. It now uses the DVB-T standard, the 'terrestrial' version of the digital broadcasting standard and can be received on commonly used household Set Top Boxes and digital television sets.
The transformation to DATV followed substantial funding by Amateur Radio Victoria and a grant from the WIA club scheme. Other amounts, equipment and voluntary time went into the project. The sector has now undergone growth and change.
At the heart of the project are German made boards with the system to be configured to have three inputs and two channel output, making it the first of its kind in Australia.
A highlight was the world's first DATV QSO Party to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Amateur Radio Victoria in August, 2011. It was an overwhelming success with 13 local stations taking part and the importing of stations via Skype.
There were stations from around Australia and the world. Special emphasis was placed on the US where to event was televised and written about. It was streamed live via the British Amateur Television Club facility.
Local stations transmitted on VK3RTV1 while SKYPE used VK3RTV2. The accomplishment of digitisation and the QSO Party have been published in the WIA journal Amateur Radio magazine.