I have successfully placed a VARA FM gateway in operation in Interlachen, FL. Frequency is 144.990MHz. The digipeater is WB4UBK-7 and should be able to relay into the NF4RC-7 digipeater in Gainesville FL (a very high antenna location).
Next up is to setup an HF antenna in prepartation for an HF gateway. All equip0ment is 12 volt DC and will be powered with LiFePO4 battery and solar charging.
ZS1GRC-10 now running 24/7 365
The packet system is running and covers the larger metropolis of Cape Town, the system also has a digipeater on a mountain to give greater cover.
Backed up by solar and standby gen set it should always be running, tri mode will be added and HF cover on 40m band soon.