EagleHead Mtn APRS Spirit of Co-operation

[K7MT]

Howdy gang,

Here is an article I submitted to ARRL for publication but it was no selected. i contacted George, AA7GS Section Manager, and he looked it over before submission. No biggie that it was not published as it was fun setting up the equipment, learning how to used all 5 A/D convertors in the KPC-3, great hike to 9,900 feet to the site, and writing the article.

Enjoy.

Bill K7MT Helena, Mt.

Spirit of Co-operation

Over the past 20 years, the solar powered repeater site on Eagle Head Mountain (9.932 Ft) in the Gallatin National Forest in South Western Montana has gone down during the winter on several occasions...

Prior to the recent upgrade the only indication of the panels being covered was a system failure thereby tossing users in a panic mode to access the site. Historically the site requires as many as three helicopter visits each winter to clear the panels typically via Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) through Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) flights. The challenge of weather windows for access being the largest obstacle was demonstrated in the last go around where the system was down for three weeks due to inaccessibility.

John Powell from the MDT reported that site monitoring had been tossed around for years but never pursued on any front. I believe that in recent years roadway and enforcement has upgraded the importance of the 24/7/365 service hence the reconsideration.

Kevin Ames, AA7YQ, the Forest Service Tech on the Gallatin National Forest contacted me in 2013 about setting up an Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) at the Eagle Head Mountain Site with the possibility of monitoring solar panel and battery voltages. I knew the Kantronics KPC-3 plus had two A/D convertors but five were required. After some research, I discovered the KPC-3 plus actually had 5 A/D convertors and found the plans on how to have all five activated. I forwarded the information to Kevin and he modified the KPC-3 plus so all 5 channels were available. Thanks N3EG and the Oregon Coast Repeater Group (OCRG) for showing us how it is done.

Kevin and I drove to the Gallatin National Forest trail head and each carried 30 lb packs of equipment, antennas, and coax through 4 miles of pristine forest. We then climbed to the site at 9,932 feet and completed the installation. The hike back to the trail head was a little easier.

The APRS equipment is powered by the Forest Service solar panels and batteries. Channel 1 of the telemetry beacon is available for temperature monitoring in the near future. Channel 2 is the Eagle Head’s battery bank and channel 3 – 5 are the three independent controllers solar panel voltages. This will allow the U.S. Forest Service, Gallatin County Law Enforcement, and Montana Department of Transportation to monitor the health of the system and take preventative measures when required.

So in the spirit of co-operation, the users of the Forest Service Eagle Head Mountain site have provided Amateur Radio with power and a great location for an APRS Digipeater. In turn, Amateur Radio is providing vital information to ensure continued communications for three agencies in Montana.

(http://home.teleport.com/~n3eg/kpc3telem.html) Using all 5 A/D Inputs on a KPC-3 Plus

http://www.ocrg.org/documents/newport/K ... emetry.pdf

John D. Powell
Communications Technologist
Montana Department of Transportation
History of Eagle Head

http://aprs.fi/telemetry/a/EAGLHD

Submitted by
William Erhardt K7MT
2851 Festival Rd.
Helena, Mt. 59602
K7MT@mt.net
http://www.k7mt.com

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[n7ptm]

I bet we'll see it in a future edition of QST.