GB7SOL BBS
GB7SOL has finally closed down, this page remains purely for interest. |
(Click on the picture for a larger image, click "back" to return here)
Here's a picture of GB7SOL BBS, which runs from my garage (hence the garden rake on the right of the picture..!). On the top shelf at the extreme right is the BBS PC itself, with its' cover off (normal state..!). It's nothing special, just a 486DX33 with 8MB RAM and a 130MB drive. (Well, it is running under DOS..!!). On top of this you may just be able to make out the Ethernet hub which links the BBS with the remote control PC upstairs and also the Novell network that links all the other PC's. To the left of the BBS is the UPS which ensures power to the PC in the event of mains failure. This doesn't power the radios, but there is an additional battery to the left of this (20A dryfit) which is intended to take on this task in the near future. On the extreme left is one of the main 70cm link radios, a Maxon CGX4020, which is on the link to GB7COV. (Since the picture was taken, this radio has been replaced with an Icom IC-U101).
The next shelf down has a 32A 13.8V PSU for the radios, also the two user access radios are there, another Maxon CGX4020 for 70cm (432.675 MHz) and a Storno 5114 for 2m (144.9375 MHz). These run through a duplexer to a WX1 dual band colinear.
Next shelf down are the keyboard and screen, plus the other link radio to HGREEN node, this is an Icom IC-U101.
Here's a shot of the BBS screen, as usual, click on it for a full screen image:
The top three lines show status information, the next part is what the connected user sees. The lower section is an off-air monitor of all the packets seen on all the BBS operating frequencies. You can't really make out a lot from the picture, but it gives you an idea if you've never seen the software in use.
A couple of shots of the aerials:
At the top of the mast is the WX1 colinear for the 2m & 70cm user frequencies. Further down, pointing just to the left of camera, is the 7-element 70cm beam for the link to HGREEN node, finally just above the roof level is the 8-element beam for the Coventry link.
Below roof level is a TV aerial (I get very little TVI, fortunately..!) and an unused 70cm folded dipole that I can't be bothered to take down..! (I keep thinking I'll use it for something one day..!)
(Click on each picture for a full screen image, click "back" to return to this page)
More detailed info:
Assistant Sysops: Colin G3USA @ GB7SOL (Sysop HGREEN node)
Roger G3ZFR @ GB7COV (Sysop GB7COV & CORLEY)
User Access Frequencies: 144.9375 MHz
432.675 MHz
Note that the 2m port operates to 12.5 kHz channel spacing specification (MAX TX deviation +/- 2.5 kHz), so ensure your equipment operates to these specs or you will have access problems, also you may well cause interference to others).
Radio Equipment:
144.9375 MHz.......Storno 5114................10 Watts into WX1 dual band colinear
432.675 MHz.........Maxon CGX4020.......10 Watts into WX1 dual band colinear
GB7COV link.........Icom IC-U101............10 Watts into 8 ele. (horiz) beaming East
HGREEN link.........Icom IC-U101............10 Watts into 7 ele (horiz) beaming NW
Note: The BBS closes for about 10 minutes every morning at or just after 0400 GMT for housekeeping. All connections at this time will be terminated. Also, a full backup of the system is performed at midnight GMT every Saturday night, this takes around 1 to 1½ hours. Again, all connections will be terminated at this time, so to avoid losing data it is strongly recommended that you log off five minutes beforehand.
Please respect the system and conform to any request that may be made from time to time. I can be contacted at any reasonable time by the following means:
Phone: 07760 181050 BBS/packet related
queries only please.
SMS text messages may also be sent to this number.
Fax: 07967 719847 (Dedicated fax number, no voice facilities).
(For those to whom it's important, both the above numbers will be charged at Orange rates).
Email: Click here to send me a message.
Or, of course, you could try packet..! The address for that is g6urp@gb7sol.#29.gbr.eu (that's not a link..!)
73 de Ivor G6URP
Copyright © 2002 - 2003 Ivor David Jones. All rights
reserved.
Revised: 02/01/2008 17:55:18 GMT
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