[NCARC] New Northern Colorado repeater operational! 448.025 100 hz -ve offset

[Steve's email]

To all NCARC hams-- at long last we have a new repeater and antenna
operational at the Budweiser event center near I25 and Crossroads Blvd!  We
completed installation of the antenna and feedline today.

Operating frequency:  448.025 100 hz -ve offset.

Initial tests show that it is working well. Many hams can work the repeater
with an HT in Fort Collins, Loveland, and Greeley.  Test it out and let's
figure out the range and capability.  Please send reports to this
distribution list and let's see how far distant we can have successful
communications.

Please note-- although this repeater is maintained by NCARC, our
organization has made this repeater available to D10 ARES (Amateur Radio
Emergency Service) as first priority, so if there are ARES events,
exercises, meetings, etc. do make sure to yield use of the repeater to them.

Many thanks go to a number of hams who helped in this project-- it has taken
quite some time and many hours of volunteer labor to get it in place since
we first came up with this idea and approved it almost 5 years ago on
January 17, 2004.  Just for fun I've pasted the NCARC meeting minutes below.
The discussion on this repeater is listed under new business.

Those involved in the repeater effort to date that I'm aware of-- in
approximate historical order:

Bob Schmidt, WA9FBO
Richard Walters, W0RAW
NCARC members who approved the funding proposal
Mike Robinson, N7MR
Steve Henry, N7GN
Randy Long, W0AVV
Chester Norris, KC0DSJ
Virgil Leenarts, W0INK
Bill Beach, K0UT
Eric Slutz, N0EAS
Mike Bates, N7DQ
Dan Magro, W7RF
Rob Strieby,  W0FT
Willie Williams, W5WIW


Others?

'73

-Steve Henry, N7GN




Meeting Notes
Jan 17, 2004
NCARC monthly meeting

The Northern Colorado Amateur Radio Club meets monthly at the Golden Corral
restaurant in Fort Collins on Harmony Road.  All hams and those interested
in ham radio are invited to attend.  We meet on the 3rd Saturday of each
month.  People gather for breakfast at around 8-8:30 am, and the meeting
starts promptly at 9:00 am.  We usually finish around 10:00 am.

Introductions

Roger, N0MCR club vice-president convened the meeting at 9:00 am.  Rick,
W0RCY (NCARC president) was out of town.  We had about 23 members attending.
All of the other officers were present except for Ken, K0CPA

Secretary’s report

Steve, N7GN read the December meeting minutes and also summarized the Old
Town Fort Collins presentation.  The minutes were approved as read.

Treasurer’s report

Ken, K0CPA wasn’t able to attend the meeting and wasn’t able to provide a
financial report.  However, the club continues to be in excellent financial
health due in part to Ken’s helpful guidance.

Tech committee report:

Michael, N7MR indicated that there was nothing to report.

Membership committee report:

Michael, N7MR indicated that a few new members have joined.  Michael
reminded everyone that emails will be sent out to remind people when their
membership is about to expire.

Control op report

Steve, N7GN reported that a new ARES announcement has been added to alert
people about the regular ARES net meetings held each Wednesday evening at 9
pm on the 145.115 repeater.  The current macro plays this announcement
continuously whenever there is a long period of silence after periods where
the repeater has been actively used.  However, it will be cut back to play
the announcement on Tuesday and Wednesday only.  It will also be extended to
be on the 447.275 and the 147.850 repeaters.

Old business

Summer NCARC Superfest (July 17, 2004)

Willis, WA5VRL, updated us on the Superfest planning.  Assignments will be
finalized at the next club meeting.  We will need a document from the
fairgrounds soon with all of the particulars for the fest arrangements.  Bob
(WA9FBO) will take care of getting the official commitment from the
fairgrounds.  Please mark your calendars for July 17 and also for setup on
July 16.

Motion:  Mike, N7MR motioned to empower Willis to make the decision on what
to charge vendors and what to charge for admission proportionately based on
any increases in fest expenses.  This motion was seconded and approved
unanimously.

We want to capitalize on the new location and curiosity about the
fairgrounds.  Might be able to do a tour.  Willis would like to enlist a
volunteer from the club to do PR work.  Please think about volunteering for
this position. Please contact Willis at 970-407-6599.

New business

Renewed 70 cm repeater:

The club still has access to a repeater pair on 70 cm.  This is the
443.025/448.025 frequency combination.  The Uniden repeater died that made
use of this frequency pair.  The club would like to get a new or updated
repeater and get this frequency pair back on the air in the next couple of
months.

We had quite a lot of discussion about where to locate the new repeater.
One need that was expressed was to make sure that hams in Northern Colorado
and Southern Wyoming could have a wide coverage repeater to the North, as
well as along 287 up into Virginia Dale.  Another need was to continue to
support ARES in their emergency communications.

Bob, WA9FBO reminded the club that ARES (sponsored by NCARC) has been given
permission to put up antennas and a repeater at the event center of the new
Larimer County Fairgrounds.  ARES wants to put up a 70 cm repeater and would
like to collaborate with NCARC.  Richard Walters, K0RAW who is the emergency
coordinator for district 10 also indicated his willingness to collaborate on
this repeater project.  ARES may even be able to provide some funding.

Motion:  After some additional discussion, Steve, N7GN motioned that we
allocate up to $750 from NCARC general funds to purchase a 70 cm repeater
and install it the site at the fairgrounds with the intent that primary
usage of the repeater be given to ARES for emergency communications
purposes.  The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Ham technician classes:

Rob Strieby, W0HDD, informed the club that the Loveland repeater association
would be sponsoring classes to teach the technician license material to
prospective hams.  It is also possible that the General and Extra class
material may be presented also.  Dates will be set sometime in the next few
weeks, probably for a 10-12 week session.  Rob is looking for instructor
volunteers.  Please contact him directly at rstrieby at colomail.com or at
970-532-1361 if you are interested.

Special equipment donation:

John Schmidt, NK0R, has been a member of the NCARC for a long time and was
also a former NCARC president.  At the meeting he donated a fully functional
440 MHz duplexer to the club to use with any of the 70 cm repeaters.  Many
thanks to John for his generous contribution!  The club will be providing
John a receipt for his donation.

Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 am.