Dec 29

HUGE ESTATE SALE

The Cleveland Amateur Radio Club estate sale held a huge estate sale on January 12th.  The sale was a huge success.

We appreciate the participation of all area hams for attending and supporting the club.

Sep 15

Enhanced Voter System and Phone Patch

The 147.375 repeater has been enhanced to work as a dual output system with an expanded receive area.

The input frequency is 147.975 with an analog PL tone of 123Hz. The outputs are on 145.450 and 147.375. A receive PL tone of 123Hz is strongly recommended as these repeaters also use P25 digital mode.

Phone patch operation is also supported both from and to the repeater.

To use the phone patch from a radio, use the following procedure:

  1. Key up and identify normally
  2. Send the DTMF Tone *6, followed by the 10-digit number you wish to call.
  3. Wait for the called party to answer.
  4. Explain that you are on an amateur radio phone patch and are unable to hear them when you are speaking.
  5. When your phone conversation is completed, key up and send the DTMF Tone #.

To use the phone patch from a land line telephone (note: Cellular phones may not work):

  1. Call 423-375-0375. You will immediately hear the receive audio from the repeater.
  2. To key up, press *99, and begin speaking.
  3. To unkey after speaking, press #.
  4. Once the QSO is completed, press # to make sure the repeater is unkeyed, then hang up.

Sep 14

147.180 Repeater Status

As some people may have noticed, the WD4DES 147.180 repeater has been having issues over the past few months. Repairs are continuing, and we hope to have this critical site back at full operating capability soon. The transmit exciter is running barefoot at 13 watts with separate receive and transmit antennas at the moment.

At this point, the main antenna has been replaced, duplexers have been fully tested and realigned. The PA deck is still undergoing repairs and there is currently no ETA on when it will be back in service.

Steve and Steuart have narrowed down the high SWR issue that damaged the PA deck to either a faulty hardline terminator or a bad jumper cable, and will continue testing during the next few weeks. Any tower climbers who are willing to donate their time should contact Steve for scheduling.

May 20

CARC Announces Field Day 2018 Plans

May 20

Bradley County ARES Assists in Chattanooga Ironman 70.3

Bradley County ARES members provided vital communication support for the Chattanooga Ironman 70.3 on Sunday May 20, 2018.  Derek Wooley KD5UBL and Jolinda Wooley KN4CQE arrived at the Chattanooga Market Street Bridge at 5:00 AM in preparation for the event.  It was necessary to paddle upstream to Girls Preparatory School (GPS) to get to the SWIM Start.  The PRO athletes started first around 6:55 AM.  There were over 2,500 athletes that started the race.

Both KD5UBL and KN4CQE were equipped with APRS radios so that net control could track the position of the last swimmer in the water.

Several athletes had to be pulled from the water for health reasons and some had to be pulled for not meeting the time requirement.  In the end all swimmers that entered the water were accounted for.

Chad Regester KM4ALU also assisted with communication support on the bike course of the race.