- Details
- Hits: 3671
Cross Roads Ham Radio Club has created a “Linked Repeater System” to create a “wide area” repeater system.to provide continuous coverage along Interstate 69 corridor from Corpus Christi through Beaumont. The system is open to all licensed amateurs and is accessible on several VHF and UHF FM frequencies, DMR, C4FM, Echolink, and Allstar. Please visit their club website for more information.
- Details
- Hits: 3918
The contest was Saturday and Sunday, September 19 & 20, 2026.
There were 2 stations, one on CW, the other on SSB. The bands weren't very open but with approximately 670 contacts and over 235,000 points, we are hoping for the top spot in the Multi-Operator, Low Power category just like last year, but we will have to wait for the final results.
Operators were W5MF - Marty, K5GQ - Mark, N5EKO - Jerry, KJ5LLT - Rick, K5GRR - Catrina, W5PL - James
Appearances from WA8EXE - Larry, K5KNV - Kyle and KA2EEU - Scott.
In 2025, W5NC was honored with the award for the most points in the Multi-Operator Low Power category, reflecting the dedication and teamwork of the club's operators. The recognition underscores the club's continued commitment to contesting, public service, and advancing amateur radio throughout Southeast Texas. Awards such as these are earned through preparation, operating skill, and the enthusiasm of members who volunteer their time to represent the club on the air.
Congratulations to AA5L - Luke, N5EKO - Jerry, WA2TOP - Mike, and K5GQ - Mark who contributed to W5NC's success and to W5MF - Marty for coordinating the event and making us proud. Their efforts not only brought recognition to the club but also helped promote amateur radio and strengthen the tradition of friendly competition that makes the Texas QSO Party such a highly anticipated annual event.
The Texas QSO Party (TXQP) is one of the premier annual operating events in amateur radio, bringing together operators from across Texas, the United States, and around the world. Sponsored by the Texas DX Society, the event encourages participants to make contacts with as many Texas counties as possible while showcasing operating skills across phone, CW, and digital modes. With all 254 Texas counties counting as multipliers, the Texas QSO Party provides a unique opportunity for contesters, county hunters, and casual operators alike to get on the air and enjoy a weekend of friendly competition.
Operating each September, the event highlights the diversity and strength of amateur radio throughout the Lone Star State. Participants compete in a variety of categories, including single-operator, multi-operator, fixed station, and mobile divisions. Awards are presented to top-scoring stations and clubs, recognizing outstanding operating achievement and dedication to the hobby.
The Northwest Amateur Radio Society (NARS), W5NC, has long supported the Texas QSO Party as part of its commitment to contesting, operating excellence, and amateur radio education. Club members participate each year to represent the Houston area, promote amateur radio activity, and contribute to the overall success of the event. The Texas QSO Party is also featured among the club's operating activities, encouraging members to get on the air and experience one of Texas' most popular radio competitions.
- Details
- Hits: 9740
This page describes the NARS Tuesday Evening DMR Net, a weekly on-air gathering for amateur radio operators. A net is a great place to get some on-air operating experience, ask questions, and learn. Discussion topics or question(s) are announced on the air at the start of the net and may also be announced on W5NC.groups.io prior to the net.
Key Points
- When: Every Tuesday at 7:00 PM.
- Who can participate: Any licensed amateur radio operator, regardless of NARS membership.
- Updates: Participants should check the W5NC groups.io group for schedule changes, announcements, or special instructions.
Net Control
- David Holden (WJ9O) coordinates net control operations.
- Additional volunteers are welcome to serve as Net Control Stations (NCS).
- A script is available to help new net controllers get started.
How the Net Is Connected
Although it's primarily a DMR net, several linked systems allow participation through other modes:
- BrandMeister Talkgroup 3146211
- K5MAP DMR repeater (440.300 MHz)
- W5VOM DMR repeater (443.750)
- NARS AllStar Hub #59847
- EchoLink
This means operators can often join through DMR, AllStar, or EchoLink, depending on how the systems are currently interconnected.
NetLogger
Participants are encouraged to use NetLogger, which provides:
- A live roster of check-ins
- Better tracking of stations as they join
- Assistance for net control operators
DMR Hotspot Configuration
For a personal hotspot:
- Talkgroup: 3146211
- Color Code: Your choice
- Time Slot: Your choice
Local Repeater Information
Klein DMR Repeater
- RX: 440.30000 MHz
- TX: 445.30000 MHz
- Color Code: 3
- Network: TxMARC
- Time Slot: 1 (full-time)
Richmond DMR Repeater
- RX: 443.75000 MHz
- TX: 448.75000 MHz
- Color Code: 9
- Network: TxMARC
- Time Slot: 2
- Must key your radio (PTT) at least every 15 minutes to keep the talkgroup active.
If you're a licensed ham operator and want to join the NARS Tuesday evening net, the easiest method is usually to connect to BrandMeister Talkgroup 3146211 via a hotspot or one of the listed DMR repeaters. If DMR access isn't working, you may still be able to participate through the linked AllStar or EchoLink systems.
Net Control Operators needed
We are always looking for new Net Control Operators to be Net Control Stations on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.
Our Net Control Supervisor is WJ9O - David. Our Net Control Stations are WJ9O - David, KJ5WGR - Glenn, KI5YPD - John, K3MBC - Mark, KN5DS - Dale. KA2EEU assists with net logging for several net control stations.
- Details
- Hits: 6280
We sponsor the Wednesday evening Net beginning at 8:00 pm. It originally started as the Wednesday evening VHF net but since the introduction of Allstar and DMR has become an all-modes net. This net is open to ALL licensed radio amateurs, whether you are a NARS member or not.
IMPORTANT: Visit the W5NC groups.io page to check for any updates. You may need to log on or join to see the messages. Please follow the registration guidelines if you are not already a member.
A net is a great place to get some on-air operating experience, ask questions, and learn. Discussion topics or question(s) are announced on the air at the start of the net and may also be announced on
Options to connect to the net include the following:
- Klein, TX - 444.375 mhz, +5 mhz offset, PL100 (W5NC)
- Tomball, TX - 146.660 mhz, +5 mhz offset, PL100 (W5NC)
- W5NC Allstar node # 59847
- W5NC-R Echolink node #380664
Other available connections
- Tomball, TX - 145.230 mhz, -600 khz offset, PL 82.5 (N5BDJ)
- Tomball, TX - 145.230 mhz, DMR Color Code 1, Slot 2 (N5BDJ)
- Klein, TX - 440.300 mhz, +5 mhz offset, DMR Color Code 3, Slot 1 (K5MAP)
- Richmond, TX - 443.750 mhz, +5 mhz offset, DMR Color Code 9, Slot 2) (K5VOM)
- DMR Hotspot NARS Brandmeister Talkgroup #3146211
- Zello Channel: N5BDJ-Barao-RPT-Tower-VHF
We encourage net control stations as well as net participants to consider using NetLogger to allow you to see who is checking in as the net progresses. Visit NetLogger on this website for more information.
Net Control Operators needed
We are always looking for new Net Control Operators to be Net Control Stations on Tuesday and Wednesday evening Nets.
Our Net Control Supervisor is WJ9O - David. Our Net Control Stations are WJ9O - David, KJ5WGR - Glenn, KI5YPD - John, K3MBC - Mark, KN5DS - Dale. KA2EEU assists with net logging for several net control stations.