[TMRA] Repeater question.

[Brian Knoblauch]

    Today, things are once again working well.  I checked all my connections 
again, didn't find any issues this time around.  I'll keep an eye on it and 
start logging conditions, etc.

Thanks,
Brian

----- Original Message ----- 
> Propagation changes all the time and does effect how you hear stations and 
> repeaters. There have been many band openings lately meaning that signals 
> are long and short distance communications become weak. This all has to do 
> with weather and how far your station is from a given repeater. As for the 
> change in signal strength, your setup could have grounding problems ie. 
> loose or dirty connections. Your antenna could even have a loose mount. If 
> that is so, as conditions change from dry to wet this will change signal 
> strength and SWR readings.
> You can check for band openings by opening your squelch and tunning around 
> some and see if you hear other weak stations on local frequencies. When 
> you hear distant stations and your local communications are decreased, the 
> space in between is commonly known as the skip zone. Depending on your 
> distance from a given repeater you may or may not be able to get in to it. 
> One other circumstance that you may find is seasonal propagation. This 
> being the foliage growth or lack of between you and the repeater and more 
> rare is a new building going up near a repeater that blocks the repeater 
> signals in your direction.
> Anyway, I hope this helps you trouble shoot your situation.