Filip AB3HK, the PARA Repeater Trustee, has received official
paperwork from the Western Pennsylvania Repeater Council. The transfer of
the 146.640 repeater frequency coordination from Ed K3EDD to the Philipsburg
Amateur Radio Association is now official.
As you may recall, we have made arrangements to borrow a complete repeater to
use on the 146.640 frequency as a temporary measure. As soon as the equipment
is tuned up and ready to go, we will transport it to the repeater site and
install it.
Posted 19-June-2008
On June 7, 2008 Ed K3EDD, the owner of the 146.640 repeater in Philipsburg, and
PARA officials agreed on a plan which will transfer the Philipsburg 146.640
frequency coordination and any remaining usable equipment over to the Philipsburg
Amateur Radio Association.
The 146.640 repeater was originally constructed and placed into service by PARA
on August 25, 1996. The repeater trustee was Dave Posmoga K3MGC, and the
repeater carried the club's previous call sign KB3CLZ. In 2005 a club financial
crisis, and lack of interest from club members at the time, forced PARA officials
to consider alternatives for the continued maintenance and operation of the
repeater. Ultimately it was decided to sell the repeater to Ed K3EDD.
As most area hams are aware, the .64 machine has had its share of problems over
the years. The most prominent problem has been an ongoing noise problem. At times
this rendered the machine virtually useless. For this reason, Ed K3EDD turned
the machine off back in March and it has remained silent.
With the .64 repeater returning to PARA control, the club is now in a position
incorporate the .64 repeater into the PARA network of repeaters. The other PARA
repeaters include the 146.430 (Philipsburg) repeater which will soon be relocated
to a mountain-top tower site and the 444.750 (Philipsburg) repeater which is
expected to be operational by July 30, 2008.
PARA officials have made arrangements to borrow a complete repeater system through
the end of 2008. Our only obligation was to purchase crystals for use in the
borrowed repeater. This arrangement allows PARA to return the .64 machine to
regular amateur use as well as provide the club with some time to consider equipment
options. As soon as the crystals arrive and the borrowed repeater is tuned up,
the .64 will be back on the air. This is expected to occour before July 30, 2008.
Check the www.philipsburg-ara.org web site for updates on this project.
Click here to view a photo of the 146.640 Repeater
shortly after being installed by PARA in 1996.
Click here to view the 146.640 repeater coverage map.
