Branch 68

The Mount Noble Repeater 146.975 MHz

 

Commemorating the date the Repeater was established on Mt Noble

The club's repeater is on Mt Noble way out the back of Hurunui and to get to the site you need to travel some pretty rugged roads (four wheel driving is recommended).  Then there is the climb on foot (yes on foot) to the top of the mountain itself, but for hardy souls the views at the top are spectacular. Then after you have viewed the site there is the scenery to admire. This site is on private land and access is restricted.

The repeater site itself is an austere isolated place subject to extreme weather conditions and these are often reflected in the regular weather reports broadcast on the repeater frequency (146.975) at 7am, 8am, 12noon and 5pm.

The map below gives you an indication of where Mt Noble (top centre) is in relation to Christchurch (bottom right) on the South Island of New Zealand.

There are two main sources of power on the site, solar panels and a wind generator. 

Tony Buckland ZL3HAM

 

Jim Nelson ZL3ND and Tony Buckland ZL3HAM

There is a 70cm yagi pointed at the West Coast which links to the 438.575 repeater in Greymouth.  The 146.975 repeater has a number of yagis pointed at various strategic points including Christchurch City.

The site is often visited by curious Keas with unusual appetites.

While you may think that they are beautiful birds the damage they inflict is not, as indicated in the following pictures.

Hence the need for visits by enthusiastic work parties to fix this damage and for some running repairs and improvements.

Jim Nelson ZL3ND and Tony Buckland ZL3HAM

Jim Nelson ZL3ND and Tony Buckland ZL3HAM