The 146.880 is on a commercial tower. There are two generators in the building. I believe one generator can support the building and tower power requirements by itself. Both ( I am told ) are run weekly. I do not remember what the fuel source is.
Dwayne KB5YTA On Wed, Jan 21, 2026 at 9:53 PM Jay Davidson via BVARC <[email protected]> wrote: > Can’t fault HAMS for being curious—it's in our nature! 😄 > > > > Gotta say, from where I’m sitting, the Field Day call was a good one. > Safety first, always the right move. Looking forward to the fun and > shenanigans when we reschedule. > > > > Side note: I’m all set here with backup power and whatever else the > weather throws at us. Looking forward to hearing how the bands are treating > y’all—hopefully from the cozy comfort of your shacks, HF/VHF reports in one > hand, warm coffee (or hot cocoa?) in the other ☕📡 > > > > Stay safe and have fun out there! > > > > 73, > > KJ5HMX > > > > *From:* BVARC <[email protected]> *On Behalf Of *Richard Bonica via > BVARC > *Sent:* Wednesday, January 21, 2026 9:38 PM > *To:* [email protected] > *Cc:* Richard Bonica <[email protected]>; BRAZOS VALLEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB > <[email protected]>; Glenn <[email protected]> > *Subject:* Re: [BVARC] Why We’re Using the 146.88 Repeater (Frequencies & > PL Tone) > > > > Dont worry about it. There are contracts and agreements set for that. > > > > And there is no issue asking. We are here for info and prepping for an > incident. Let's stay focused and keep clear heads . > > > > > > > > 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, 9:31 PM Lloyd Coker <[email protected]> wrote: > > Why… is there a problem with asking? > > > > So, lets say we have a major outage and we need to help fill or provide > more fuel… Then knowing what kind of generator it has is nice to know. > > > > Hmmm… not sure why it was an issue asking. > > > > *Lloyd F. Coker* > > *Email: [email protected] <[email protected]>* > > *Email2: [email protected] <[email protected]> * > > *Cypress, Texas 77429* > > *KI5OYC* > > > > *From:* BVARC <[email protected]> *On Behalf Of *Glenn via BVARC > *Sent:* Wednesday, January 21, 2026 21:21 > *To:* BRAZOS VALLEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB <[email protected]>; > [email protected] > *Cc:* Glenn <[email protected]>; 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 > > ________________________________________________ > Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club > > BVARC mailing list > [email protected] > http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org > Publicly available archives are available here: > https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >
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