====== VE7SCK Update 8 ======

There's a lot going on with VE7SCK at the moment and we'll use this post to keep you up-to-date.  First of all, recall that:
  * Over a year ago, we installed the VE7SCK at the [[/blog/2019-08-16/rc_fire_hall |Fire Hall in Roberts Creek]].  The antenna was very low so the coverage was very minimal.  But it helped us get a foot in the door for when the new tower is installed.
  * A few weeks later, we [[blog/2019-08-01/ve7sck_update |changed to tone]] to match VE7RXZ and updated the coordination information.
  * Here are [[/photos/2010-2019#ve7sck_442650_install_photos_-_sept_6_2019 |some pictures]] of the current install.

<fc #ff0000>Update from June 24, 2021:</fc>
  * Today Don from [[http://www.island-communications.com/#intro |Island Communications]] was over to switch the firehall equipment over to the new tower and he terminated our coax and added a polyphaser.
  * I also brought LMR-400 cable and N-connectors and Don made patchcords for us to replace the old repeater patch cords.
  * The repeater is now fully operational and we encourage people to try it so we can get a sense of its coverage (specially if you're mobile on the highway).
  * The next step is to link it to the VE7RXZ in Nanaimo.

<fc #ff0000>Update from April 18, 2021:</fc>
  * Our antennas are up and the coax is run to the radio room, but not terminated.  Don from Island Communications will come over in a month or so to do the connection.  We can't do it ourselves because it's LMR600.
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<fc #ff0000>Update from Mar 25, 2021:</fc>
  * Looks like they started installing Firehall antennas.  There's two VHF antennas and one 800MHz :?: Yagi.
  * Ours are not up yet.
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<fc #ff0000>Update from Mar 05, 2021:</fc>
  * Tower is up!
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<fc #ff0000>Update from Feb 09, 2021:</fc>
  * Looks like the Telus radio room is on the foundation.
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<fc #ff0000>Update from Jan 31, 2021:</fc>
  * Looks like they've poured the concrete foundation for the new tower.
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<fc #ff0000>Update from Jan 3, 2021:</fc>
  * I haven't heard any official news but it looks like they're starting to clear up the area around the existing tower.
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<fc #ff0000>Update from Nov 27, 2020:</fc>
  * Good news!  <ff sans-serif>TELUS</ff> has approved the antennas on the tower.  The plan changed a little bit (for the better) and it's to have the UHF repeater antenna at 35m (115ft) and VHF yagi at 25m (82ft).
  * No news yet on when this will all happen.
  * In the meantime, Robert and Patrick will start working on linking VE7SCK to VE7RXZ (which we can do with the existing setup).

<fc #ff0000>Update from Nov 21, 2020:</fc>
  * Recently, the new <ff sans-serif>TELUS</ff> [[https://www.coastreporter.net/news/local-news/scrd-directors-support-telus-tower-in-roberts-creek-1.24168527|tower was approved]], and
  * We started working with the engineer to submit a proposal to <ff sans-serif>TELUS</ff> to have our antenna moved to the up-coming tower.
  * Today, our club approved the purchase of a [[https://comprodcom.com/shop/antennas-clamps/exposed-dipole-antennas/uhf-exposed-dipole-774-70/ |Comprod 4-bay colinear folded dipole]] antenna (contingent on <ff sans-serif>TELUS</ff> approval), and the immediate purchase of equipment to link VE7SCK to VE7RXZ.
  * Members can look at the full details in the [[/memberscorner/minutes/2020-2021#nov_21_2020 |minutes]].