Beacon boosts connection

AMATEUR radio operators have turned on the switch at a repeater station that will boost communication connectivity in the Loddon.

Central Victorian Radio Operators’ member Nick Angelo and other club volunteers have erected the repeater on land near Dunolly.

The Woodstock West Fire Brigade volunteer said the repeater had boosted the signal for UHF, amateur and CB radio operators between Bendigo and Ballarat and north to Wedderburn.

And he says the repeater will benefit CFA volunteers responding to fire calls in areas renowned for poor telephone and other communication signals.

“Just about everyone around here has a UHF radio in their vehicle. The repeater station will be a great back-up for communications in the fire season,” said the Laanecoorie resident.

Nick said the idea to build a repeater station had come from a conversation with fellow southern Loddon radio operators, including one friend who had been a member of the now-defunct Dunolly SES unit.

Two years in the planning, Nick said group members purchased and sourced equipment needed for the repeater station.

“This repeater was setup for the community to use and it will help with communications during the fire season as most people have a UHF radio in their car and some of us have them in our homes,” he said.

“We went through the process of getting a licence from Australian Communications and Media Authority earlier this year.

““We had a few working bees installing equipment, battery banks and solar panels and then did the first test run from my driveway. It’s working well and we’ll keep tweaking to make sure people can be connected.

“I have gone driving around the area and the signal could still be picked up 5km from Wedderburn.

“The repeater station helps remove some blackspots and will