A ham radio operator’s guide to the 2014 SouthEast LinuxFest

Simplex

Talk-In Frequency (Simplex): 147.555

Local Repeaters:

145.23- | May require Tone 118.8 MHz – Operated by Mecklenburg ARS

Located on Spencer Mountain, its antenna is at 1574 feet above sea level, which is almost 900 feet above average terrain. The Johnson CR1100 puts out about 100 watts ERP into a four bay commercial dipole, and is controlled by a Link Communications RLC-Club controller. This repeater covers North to West to South of its location particularly well. It’s the MARS “handheld rubber duck coverage” from many hiking trails in the mountains.

145.29- | May require Tone 118.8 MHz – Operated by Mecklenburg ARS

Located on top of 50 stories in uptown Charlotte, its antenna is at 1333 feet above sea level, which is about 583 feet above average terrain. The Johnson CR1100 puts out about 100 watts ERP into a Diamond tri-band vertical, which is painted Carolina blue to blend with the uptown sky. This repeater is often linked with 444.600 for use in many Charlotte public service events. It’s also the MARS emergency powered backup repeater for ARES events and nets.

224.400- | May require Tone 118.8 MHz – Operated by Mecklenburg ARS

It is located in the same cabinet along with 145.29 and 444.600, and uses the same controller and antenna. The repeater itself is a Kendecom KRP5000 and puts out about 20 watts ERP on a nice quiet band.

444.600- | Requires Tone 118.8 MHz – Operated by Mecklenburg ARS

Originally located on Independence Blvd, it was moved to the commn cabinet, controller, and antenna, along with 145.29 and 224.400 at the top of Charlotte. The repeater is a Johnson CR1010 running at about 100 watts ERP. The subaudible tone access of 118.8 Mhz is needed to keep the uptown RF out of this repeater. 444.600 has interesting surprisingly good coverage in Mecklenburg and surrounding counties. When it’s linked with 145.29 it provides handheld rubber duck coverage for many Charlotte public service events, particularly those in the big building uptown RF shadows.

146.94- | May require Tone 118.8 MHz – Operated by Mecklenburg ARS – Net 9PM every night

Located on Orr Rd in northeast Charlotte, its antenna is at 908 feet above sea level, which is almost 200 feet above average terrain. The General Electric Master II puts out about 100 watts ERP into a four bay commercial dipole, and is controlled by a Link Communications RLC-Club controller. This repeater reaches out to many surrounding counties in all directions, and is our primary repeater for most of our 2 meter activities including ARES events.

Repeaters a bit further away:

146.610- | Operated by Blue Ridge ARS – Net every night at 9:00 PM

Located atop Ceasar’s Head Mountain in extreme northern Greenville County, SC. Linked to EchoLink below.

Echolink Node 551672 (W4NYK-R)

Operated by BRARS and linked to 146.610- repeater.

145.190- | Operated by Western Carolina ARS – Net every Saturday at 9 PM

Superb signal and incredible reach across several states – Located on Mount Mitchell, Highest 2 meter repeater in Eastern America. The net is called the 6600 net, referring to the elevation of Mt. Mitchell.