If it ever comes to the point the repeater goes out, I or and net controller, should switch to layered net. The net controller should break down current net into sections. There will be a person appointed as section control. They then will switch to simplex and relay info. The simplex frequency should be announced and everyone wishing to continue will go to it.
An example for me would be that if a operator was in Dickenson, they would relay via the section lead in SW Houston to reach me in Richmond. And vise versa. Richard Bonica C: 281.935.7222 Email: [email protected] Freq: 147.000 - DMR - Digital Mobile Territory: NE Fort Bend CERT, CST, EST, WEB EOC, HSEEP, FEMA PD, Wilderness First Aid, CPR, Extra Ameture Radio On Wed, Jan 21, 2026, 9:30 PM Lloyd Coker <[email protected]> wrote: > I was curious, and wanted to know how many days we have to communicate via > the repeater. > > > > Typical question. > > > > *Lloyd F. Coker* > > *Email: [email protected] <[email protected]>* > > *Email2: [email protected] <[email protected]> * > > *Cypress, Texas 77429* > > *KI5OYC* > > > > *From:* Glenn <[email protected]> > *Sent:* Wednesday, January 21, 2026 21:21 > *To:* BRAZOS VALLEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB <[email protected]>; > [email protected] > *Cc:* Richard Bonica <[email protected]> > *Subject:* Re: [BVARC] Why We’re Using the 146.88 Repeater (Frequencies & > PL Tone) > > > > Lloyd, > > > > Why do you need all of this information? > > > > Glenn wb5tuf > > > > -------- Original message -------- > > From: Richard Bonica via BVARC <[email protected]> > > Date: 1/21/26 21:18 (GMT-06:00) > > To: [email protected] > > Cc: Richard Bonica <[email protected]>, BRAZOS VALLEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB < > [email protected]> > > Subject: Re: [BVARC] Why We’re Using the 146.88 Repeater (Frequencies & PL > Tone) > > > > Ok - it is a natural gas from what I remember and should run until the > dinosaurs stop producing. > > > > Other than that, does anyone else have feed back on this. > > > > Sorry I don't have more info, I trust the geniuses that run it know more. > I just beat it with Radio waves and it yells back. But I am sure others > have better info on that than I do. > > > > Richard Bonica > C: 281.935.7222 > Email: [email protected] > Freq: 147.000 - DMR - Digital Mobile > Territory: NE Fort Bend > CERT, CST, EST, WEB EOC, HSEEP, FEMA PD, Wilderness First Aid, CPR, Extra > Ameture Radio > > > > On Wed, Jan 21, 2026, 8:05 PM Lloyd Coker <[email protected]> wrote: > > Is it generator backed up? > > If so, diesel, gasoline, or natural gas (or propane tank)? > > What is the estimated run time while experiencing a full/continuous power > outage? > > > > Just curious. 😎 > > > > Thanks, LFC > > > > *Lloyd F. Coker* > > *Email: [email protected] <[email protected]>* > > *Email2: [email protected] <[email protected]> * > > *Cypress, Texas 77429* > > *KI5OYC* > > > > *From:* BVARC <[email protected]> *On Behalf Of *Richard Bonica via > BVARC > *Sent:* Wednesday, January 21, 2026 19:55 > *To:* BRAZOS VALLEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB <[email protected]> > *Cc:* Richard Bonica <[email protected]> > *Subject:* [BVARC] Why We’re Using the 146.88 Repeater (Frequencies & PL > Tone) > > > > Hello everyone, > > I’ve received a few questions asking what the *146.88 repeater* is and > why I’ve been asking members to use it. Since good questions deserve good > answers (and bad rumors deserve none), here’s the scoop — plus the > technical details so nobody has to guess or squint at a repeater directory. > What is the 146.88 Repeater? > > The *146.88 repeater* is a high-level, wide-area coverage repeater that > reaches a large portion of the Houston–Galveston area. Because of its > height and location, it performs exceptionally well during poor weather and > other situations where lower-level or simplex communications may struggle. > > In plain language: *it hears really well, it talks really far, and it > does not need to be yelled at.* > Repeater Technical Details (a.k.a. “How to Make Your Radio Happy”) > > - *Receive (Downlink):* 146.880 MHz > - *Transmit (Uplink):* 146.280 MHz > - *Offset:* –0.600 MHz > - *PL / CTCSS Tone:* 167.9 Hz (uplink and downlink) > - *Power / Height:* 75 watts at ~1400 ft > > > > (If your radio still won’t key it up after this… we may need to talk. > Kindly. 😄) > Coverage Area > > This repeater provides *wide-area coverage*, including: > > - North to *Wallis* > - South to *Dickinson* > - West to *Sealy* > - East to *Daisetta* > > In other words, if you’re in the Houston metro area and your antenna isn’t > zip-tied to the fridge, there’s a good chance you can hit it. > Why We Are Using 146.88 > > I use and recommend *146.88* because it allows members across a wide > geographic area to *communicate clearly and reliably*. It’s well suited > for general coordination, information sharing, and keeping everyone > connected when conditions aren’t ideal. > > You may notice that we are *not* using *146.94*, and that is intentional. > That repeater is actively used by other agencies and groups, and I prefer > not to be *that guy* who accidentally interrupts someone else’s > operations. Sharing spectrum politely is part of being good amateur radio > operators — and good neighbors on the air. > Important Notes (Read This Before Getting Any Big Ideas) > > - Members *may use the repeater normally* in accordance with amateur > radio rules and good operating practices. Other agencies will be using this > repeater and if an emergency net starts, please give them way. > - Please *do not self-deploy* or take independent action unless > specifically directed > - This is about *communication and coordination*, not spontaneous hero > missions > > As amateur radio operators, we all know the phrase: *when all else fails, > radio works*. Choosing the right repeater just increases the odds that it > works the *first* time — without drama. > > Thank you for the questions, the curiosity, and for keeping things > professional (and occasionally entertaining) on the air. > > 73, > Richard Bonica > KG5YCU > BVARC President > >
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