How do I get off this email train? I wake up to 40+ emails every
morning.
*From:*BVARC <[email protected]> *On Behalf Of *Dwayne Jones via
BVARC
*Sent:* Thursday, January 22, 2026 8:09 AM
*To:* BRAZOS VALLEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB <[email protected]>
*Cc:* Dwayne Jones <[email protected]>
*Subject:* Re: [BVARC] Why We’re Using the 146.88 Repeater
(Frequencies & PL Tone)
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] <mailto:[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] <mailto:[email protected]>*
*Email2: [email protected] <mailto:[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] <mailto:[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]*
*Email2: [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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________________________________________________
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]/
