Hopkinton site-2

Ch5 Hopkinton RADAR tower used as a fill-in transmitter site
updated 4-4-2008
Hopkinton-2 51.74 is now permanently on the air.
100W out

This is linked to NH's W1DC wide-coverage system operating
as a hub from the WMUR-TV ch-9 tower on Mt. Uncanoonuc. (53.07)

This is strictly a MetroWest fill-in transmitter on 51.74 that mimics
whatever is transmitted on 53.07. No receive sites have been changed.

This picture was taken at the TX antenna elevation with a telephoto lens looking east
but the view from the 125ft level of the tower is genuine.

The permanent GE MASTR-II repeater was commissioned on 10-9-2007. MMRA repeater guru, Bryan Cerqua, W1BRI did the honours. On a second visit on October 28th, Lee Lemoine, N3LEE helped Bryan to track down a pesky "audio crunchies" issue with the help of Lee's fancy toy from work.

The severe "audio crunchies" issue was traced to an unapproved, rusty STEEL electrical conduit clamp not physically close or even related to the W1DC system. It was replaced. Amazing!

MetroWest repeater TX: 51.74 MHz PL 100.0 repeater RX: 52.07 PL 71.9

This is a non-standard but coordinated split. All RX sites for the
Mt. Uncanoonuc system input on 52.07 but users select RX sites by changing the PL tones.

This is the MetroWest area fill-in TX site on 51.74 for the wide-area system otherwise on 53.07.
If your radio is not yet programmed, you may want to try listening to 51.74 with a scanner.

North side looking south

This is the southern fill-in TX site only.
The main wide-area RX site is at nearby Honey Hill.

Low-altitude system installation crew.
(L-R) George Cleveland, WA1QGU
Lee Lemoine, N3LEE, Randy Krenz, N3HFK,
Warren Legee, KD1BC, George Maier, W1LSB.
Not in picture, Bryan Cerqua, W1BRI.

Mounting ground planes to the LB antenna.

Professional labor costs provided by NSTAR.
High-altitude installation by Dudley Tower.
(now called DTS Communications)

Lowband and UHF antennas

Next in line:
NH's Lakes Region on 53.77 sponsored by the Central NH Amateur Radio Club.
(info here)

Mike Keller, W1BNC (center).

Without Mike's behind-the-scenes help, none of this
multi-site, multi-state project could have come together!

W1LSB and W1BRI replacing the TX antenna
on October 28th.

George Maier, W1LSB (L) finally solved a TX antenna SWR issue with some non-standard element cutting.
In fact, George replaced the entire antenna!

The MetroWest area now has solid coverage
from the W1DC Mt. Uncanoonuc system.

Using a network analyzer, Tom Cefalo,
W1EX retuned the commercial PA low-pass
filter to pass six-meters. The PA is now running
at a cool 100 Watts.

Polyphaser lightning protection.
The entire facility including the exterior fences
are grounded by a common grounding halo

The room is heated and cooled by an added
air filtration system. Three days of backup
generator AC power is also on-site.

Prepping the low-level 6M RX antenna.

Iwo Jima... GEMOTO-style.

Rick Zach, K1RJZ at the 125ft level

due north

Mt. Wachusett is far off-screen to the left.

Looking down from the 125 foot level.
With hardhats, Warren KD1BC and Lee N3LEE can be seen near the gate.

MetroWest repeater TX: 51.74 MHz PL 100.0 repeater RX: 52.07 PL 71.9

This is a non-standard but coordinated split. All RX sites for the
Mt. Uncanoonuc system input on 52.07 but users select RX sites by changing the PL tones.

This is strictly a MetroWest-area fill-in transmitter on 51.74 that mimics
whatever is transmitted on NH's 53.07. No receive sites have been changed.

Updated 11-2-2007:
51.74 TX is permanently on the air at 100W, new TX antenna, no audio crunchies.

info on companion MetroWest RX site