(gripe on)
We officially entered "disaster mode" around 10am here, I know that because our "emergency radio repeater" is down and we're asked not to use the alternate repeater because it's on very limited backup battery power. ☠️
(Note: I am a huge advocate of ham radio in emergencies, and I've seen it work many times, but if you're going to advertise your repeater as the one to use during emergencies, it needs to work during the emergencies. Yes, I know, "money" "we're working on it" etc. etc. etc.)
(gripe off)
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Malachi17
In response to this post@ai6yr Ham is awesome, but I think low powered short range is the rule in a disaster for the reasons you are finding.
@malachi17RV Mostly, however, you can do better. The repeater in North Carolina stayed up after Helene and was a lifeline.
by AI6YR Ben ;
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Robert A. Hill
In response to this post@ai6yr Sounds like the operator and maintaining club needs to talk to N2GE in Asheville. It is bizarre to me that there isn’t a solar array on that battery backup system by the way. Two 220W panels is way more than enough to maintain full cycle repeater operations, and that costs less than a group breakfast.
@robert EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!
by AI6YR Ben ;
@robert @ai6yr cranky old guys just being cranky old guys
YOU CANT TELL ME WHAT TO DO!!!!
by MsMerope ;
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W6KME
In response to this post@ai6yr Exactly why I'm pretty vocally in favor of relying on simplex frequencies as primaries. Repeaters will always be subject to forces outside control of any comms team.
Ham radio's addiction to repeaters is unhealthy.
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W6KME
In response to this post@ai6yr I'm not here to defend the decisions to use these repeaters (because I agree with Ben 100%), but there is more info to add.
Our county is mountainous, so in addition to the primary COUNTY repeater (which has batteries and solar panels), they've chosen 8 regional repeaters for local comms, plus a designated simplex frequency for each of those 8 areas. We're discussing the repeaters in one of those areas. It's a flawed setup, but it's not our vital backbone either.
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