The KD4WIW repeater in Zebulon, NC

BULLETIN! Much new work being done at the Zebulon site. Click =>HERE<= to see it as it materializes!

The voice of Debbie AC4QD is heard on the ID of this powerful repeater during periods of inactivity. The voice ID says: "Wellcome to the KD4WIW repeater with a PL of 88.5 and located in Zebulon, North Carolina. Part of the Five County Repeater Group". 'de KD4WID/r 5CRG' is the CW ID used during periods of operation. It is sponsored by the Five County Repeater Group and carries the callsign of KD4WIW, one of it's primary owners. This repeater is located in Zebulon NC, on the old water tower beside of the police department.

The first picture on the upper right is the Icom IC-RP2210 220 mhz repeater, complete with a repeater controller in the silver enclosure on top of the repeater. An ARR GaAsFet receive preamplifier is located directly behind the repeater, taking it's feed from the cavities on the shelf below.

The next picture, on the left, shows the Wacom 4 cavity duplexer on the shelf immediately below the repeater.

The controller is a MCC RC-1000 with many auxillary functions added outboard. The repeater features a voice ID, time of day information in voice, phone patch, direct 911 and 800 access, speed dialing of memorized phone numbers, reverse phone patch, touch tone pad tester, "instant drop" mode for crossband repeating, and an "on-demand" NOAA weather receiver. A link to the UHF backbone of the TEARA linking system is being installed. A pl of 88.5 is required for access, but the repeater is an open machine and the PL frequency is advertised on the voice ID'r.

The repeater/antenna occupy a private enclosure, operated by 5CRG. The large enclosure houses only amateur repeaters and digipeaters. The 224.800 repeater operates on AC mains, but is battery-backed by a pair of 100ah. batteries (seen in the photo to the left). It is kept fully charged by an automatic charging network within the repeater enclosure. Note the manual switches with green knobs mounted on each battery terminal. The battery backup system kept us all in contact during a 9 day power outtage courtesy of hurricane Fran.

The repeater's primary antenna is a Hustler G-6 200 vertical top mounted on the tower and fed through about 200' of 1 5/8" Andrews heliax. Zebulon is about 300 feet above sea level, and has a pretty good radio path to southeast. Note the custom "top-hat", designed by Steve KD4WIW, on the tower to support up to 4 antennas.

This repeater's primary coverage area is Eastern Wake, Southern Franklin, Western Wilson, Nash, and most of Johnston county. It provides a coverage radius of about 30 miles in all directions with considerably more range to the S.E. through the S.W.