Repeaters
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NARS has three repeater sites, one in Klein, one Downtown, and one in the Galleria. While we have had some challenges brought about by recent weather events, our repeater team is working diligently to ensure that this system provides the reliable and convenient coverage in the Houston area that we have come to expect.
The current repeater system status is as follows:
- VHF 146.660 Galleria Area PL 141.3 on the air (experiences high QRN after sunset)
VHF 146.660 Downtown PL100 OFF AIR- UHF 443.075 Galleria Area PL 103.5 on the air and linked to ALLSTAR and the W5NC hub
- UHF 444.375 Klein Area PL 100 on the air linked to ALLSTAR
- UHF/DMR 440.300 Klein Area ,Talk Group 3146211, time slot 1, Active
- Allstar Node 59847
General Comments:
The repeater team has linked the Galleria UHF repeater on 443.075 to the Klein UHF repeater on 444.375. The link from the Klein site to the Galleria site is provided by the club's Yaesu FT8800, a Yagi on the Klein tower, and an Allstar node.
| Klein Link Transceiver | Klein Link Antenna |
When the team accomplishes its goals, NARS will have two analog UHF repeaters, separated by 20 miles, connected to the W5NC HUB, one DMR repeater in Klein on the W5NC HUB, and one VHF repeater, with RF access only, in the center of downtown. The separation of the two UHF RF capable repeaters with W5NC HUB links should allow members without HUB access to communicate by RF into Club nets.
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The following procedure is recommended for the Wednesday night net. The net control operator is free to make revisions at their discretion as long as the basic format is followed.
Approximately five minutes before the net start time, the net control operator should announce that the net will begin.
"The Harris County NARS Amateur Radio Society DMR net will begin in approximately 5 minutes. This is <your call>, net control operator for the evening."
At the appointed time, the net control operator begins net operations
"This is <your call> opening the Harris County Area NARS Weekly VHF Net on the <repeater call> repeater sponsored by the Northwest Amateur Radio Society. This will be a directed net. Net control this evening is <your call>, and my name is <your name>."
<<Break>>
"This net is conducted weekly on Wednesdays at 8:00 pm and during significant events affecting Harris County. This net will accept reports from any amateur radio operator licensed to operate on this frequency. Tonight’s net is open to all amateurs, and discussion may include technical discussion or any subject of interest to amateur radio operators."
<<Break>>
"Any stations with emergency or other high-priority traffic please call net control now."
<<Log Emergency/High Priority Traffic>>
"We will now begin taking check-ins. When checking in, please state your callsign, your name, your location and any traffic. After stations have checked in, each station will be called in order of check-in for comments or announcements. Please call now – Alpha through Zulu."
<<Break>>
Any mobile stations or check-in-only stations, please call now.
<<Log and handle traffic for mobile or check-in stations.>>
We will now Call each operator in order of check in:
<<Log and handle traffic/discussion for all stations>>
<<Make any announcements or weather briefings you may have (i.e. Hazardous Weather Outlook)>>
<<Ask for any late check-ins or comments>>
<<Net Closing Comments, thanks for checking in, etc.>>
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The following procedure is recommended for the weekly DMR net. The net control operator is free to make revisions at their discretion as long as the basic format is followed.
Approximately five minutes before the net start time, the net control operator should announce that the net will begin.
"The Harris County NARS Amateur Radio Society DMR net will begin in approximately 5 minutes. This is <your call>, net control operator for the evening."
At the appointed time, the net control operator begins net operations
"This is <your call> opening the Harris County Area NARS Weekly DMR Net on the Brandmeister network TG3146211 sponsored by the Northwest Amateur Radio Society. This will be a directed net. Net control this evening is <your call>, and my name is <your name>."
<<Break>>
"This net is conducted weekly on Tuesdays at 7:00 pm and during significant events affecting Harris County. This net will accept reports from any amateur radio operator licensed to operate on this frequency. Tonight’s net is open to all amateurs, and discussion may include technical discussion or any subject of interest to amateur radio operators."
<<Break>>
"Any stations with emergency or other high-priority traffic please call net control now."
<<Log Emergency/High Priority Traffic>>
"We will now begin taking check-ins. When checking in, please state your callsign, your name, your location and any traffic. After stations have checked in, each station will be called in order of check-in for comments or announcements. Please call now – Alpha through Zulu."
<<Break>>
Any mobile stations or check-in-only stations, please call now.
<<Log and handle traffic for mobile or check-in stations.>>
We will now Call each operator in order of check in:
<<Log and handle traffic/discussion for all stations>>
<<Make any announcements or weather briefings you may have (i.e. Hazardous Weather Outlook)>>
<<Ask for any late check-ins or comments>>
<<Net Closing Comments, thanks for checking in, etc.>>
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This article helps the new Ham to be more at home on repeaters. It contains a basic description of a ham radio repeater and how to properly use one. Though the examples are written for 2-meter repeaters, the principles and operating information applies to all amateur radio repeaters.
It focuses on practical repeater information in very non-technical language. It is practical learning material for new hams as well as a refresher for those with more experience. Thanks to Tom King, WK5DX for taking the time to provide this valuable reference material for all of us.
How to Use Repeaters by Tom S. King, WK5DX
This document is in PDF format. It will open in a new window.
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Important
The Galleria VHF repeater is back in service. The Downtown VHF repeater is in standby to mitigate interference with the downtown repeater. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
Four active repeaters in the Houston area are affiliated with NARS. One VHF repeater and one UHF repeater are located in the Galleria area. One UHF repeater is located on the north side of town in the Spring-Klein area. The fourth repeater is online on Echolink.
- W5NC - 2M 146.660 -600 kHz PL 141.3 located in the Galleria (signs W5NC)
- W5NC - 70cm 444.375 +5 mHz PL 100.0 Located in the Klein-Spring area (signs W5NC/R KLN)
- W5NC - 70cm 443.075 +5 mHz PL 103.5 Located in the Galleria area (signs W5NC/R)
- W5NC-R – EchoLink/Allstar
- W5NC - 2M 146.660 -600 kHz PL 100.0 Located in downtown Houston
