I have talked on the 146.88 from all over Galveston island on 10 watts with a normal gain mobile antenna. Was in Navasota once with same radio and antenna set up but had to go to 50 watts to key up the repeater.
Maybe Bill Cordell will have another tour again this year of the location where the 146.880 is. ( Hint... Hint. Please Bill. ) Dwayne KB5YTA On Thu, Jan 22, 2026 at 8:03 AM Dwayne Jones <[email protected]> wrote: > 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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