ITS ON THE AIR!

IT’S ON THE AIR!!

 

This afternoon, shortly after 12 noon, the new 146.94 repeater antenna was installed! Initial reports show a MAJOR improvement in .94’s signal strength and receiving capability!  From a mobile in Cleveland to a mobile in Church Hill, all reports indicate that 146.94 is back at full strength. It’s about time, huh? J

 

THANK YOU to all who helped…especially to those who contributed to the WB4GBI repeater fund. Thanks also to those who helped check the coverage this afternoon, and to Kevin, W4KEV, who helped me with checking and retuning the duplexer earlier this summer and helping me find the problem with the antenna.

 

If you get a chance, check the website (www.wb4gbi.com) and look at the pictures of the antenna installation. It’s not easy getting a 20 foot antenna up to its 250 foot above-ground home on the tower! Kerry Klimecki of Tower Services did his usual great job. I have used Kerry’s company for over 15 years for my tower needs.

 

So, for all of the nets… SKYWARN, METERS, SCRES, Blount County ARES, the Breakfast club, the Sunday Evening APRS net, and for the hams who just enjoy using the 146.94 repeater…it’s back!!

 

73 de Tim WB4GBI

 

 

 

 

Tim Berry WB4GBI  (check out my website at www.wb4gbi.com)

Chief Engineer

Citadel Broadcasting of Knoxville, TN

WIVK-FM  WNOX-FM   WNML AM/FM  WNRX-FM  WOKI-FM

 

Vol Radio Network

IMG College Sports

University of Tennessee

 

"Do you really want to know what's wrong...or do you just want me to fix it?

 

 

IT'S HERE!!!

IT’S HERE!!!

 

After almost eight weeks of waiting, the NEW 146.94 antenna is finally here!  It arrived at my place of work yesterday.  Today, Kevin (W4KEV), Todd (KA4OAK), and I unpacked and inspected it.  There are a couple of things that I will do to it to help weatherproof it, but I will be contacting the tower climber that I use for my employer’s work, post haste, and arranging its installation!  Hang on…the long wait is almost over!

 

A couple of other things:  You may have noticed the 146.73 repeater has been off the air more than it has been on. Unfortunately, it has been plagued with some kind of interference that is causing it to lock up and pass noise. My immediate plan is to install a tone board on the receiver. The tone will be 118.8 Hz, the same as used on my other repeaters when needed. I will then be attempting to locate the cause of the “mix” that is plaguing the repeater.  I have some great plans for .73, but I can’t discuss them just yet. Stay tuned, as I try to get .73 back to its high standard of performance that was enjoyed by all when Sam (WB4HAP, now SK) had this heritage repeater on the air in recent years.  

 

Also,  I am THRILLED to announce that 145.47 has been selected to be the primary SKYWARN repeater for the district 6 area as defined by the National Weather Service.  If you are using .47 and someone breaks in and advises you that the repeater is needed for SKYWARN, please allow them to start their nets as it means sever weather is eminent.  SKYWARN is a prime example of how we as amateurs can use our hobby to provide vital communications to agencies that need our services. If you are not trained to be a SKYWARN weather observer, check out the upcoming training classes so you can help out with this important service.

 

THANK YOU all for reading my blog, and I look forward to hearing each of you on the air on one of my repeaters soon!

 

73 de Tim WB4GBI

 

 

 

Tim Berry WB4GBI  (check out my website at www.wb4gbi.com)

Chief Engineer

Citadel Broadcasting of Knoxville, TN

WIVK-FM  WNOX-FM   WNML AM/FM  WNRX-FM  WOKI-FM

 

Chief Engineer

Vol Radio Network

IMG College Sports

University of Tennessee

 

"Do you really want to know what's wrong...or do you just want me to fix it?