Beltana Trip

On Saturday the 12th March, Mike ZL3MJS, Harvey ZL3CH, Paul ZL3TX and Mike ZL3TMB set off from Christchurch to do some site testing of Beltana an existing repeater site North of Cheviot near Parnassus. Ivan ZL3TIV went to Cass peak site in Christchurch to get some signal readings. Geoff ZL3QR acted as a HF relay and performed a number of tests to help us out.

There is currently 4 repeater sites there already all mains powered, BCL, Telecom, and two mystery sites I'm yet to find out who owns them.

  Here are some photos of the highest site, which I think would be the best for our project(s).

Looking down the hill you can see the Telecom site.

There is also this site near the telecom one

BCL Site

The View from the top was fantastic!!!

It was rather surprising just how many repeaters we could access from here, and the good coverage on Sate 1 from Cheviot to Kaikoura, due to time commitments we were unable to test the coverage from Cheviot to Christchurch by road which could be done at a later date.

Repeaters accessible from there.

National system, both Marleys and Blue Duck

Cass Peak 438.500

Marleys 438.400 and 147.050

Herbert 147.250

Eyrwell  147.200

Kaikoura 146.900

Ward 145.600

Lower signal strength but still workable

Belmont 147.100

Barton 147.325

Hawkins Hill Data 146.6625

Tekapo 146.800 (Uncertain could be another repeater some where) Strength 1

Geoff ZL3QR gave good reports simplex for his home in Tuahiwi.

John ZL3ADF and Bill ZL3NB gave good reports in Christchurch on both 2m and 70cm.

73 Mike ZL3TMB