Unfortunately as of today our Fremont Peak VHF repeater is OFF AIR on147.735due to reports from the users of our co channel. They have reported over the last few months that they can hear us full quieting in their respective coverage area. This comes to my surprise as our initial coverage maps showed signal strengths in that area at less than -110 dBm. It appears the repeater system was preforming better than expected..
Nevertheless I have decided to cease operations on that frequency until I am able to find a ham group that is willing to share a frequency pair with us. As of right now it does not look like that is going to be an easy task as there are no frequency pairs that I can use from Fremont Peak that don’t have the potential be heard by another repeater system’s users some where. So if any one knows of a cool ham group that wouldn’t mind listening to us please put me in contact.
Over the last weekend SVRG turned up the latest addition to the repeater system, a VHF repeater on Fremont Peak! The Frequency is 147.735 – 94.8.
So far the system has been exceeding coverage expectations. Originally starting out on Sunday with different frequency pair that was shared with W6BXN in the central valley. It was quickly realized that we would not be able to co channel on that pair as stations in the central valley reportedly could hear the repeater system very strong and even get into it with low power in some locations! So another trip to the site was required. As of now we are operating on the frequency listed above, pending reports from our co channel.
The latest addition to SVRG is Williams Hill !! The Frequency is 147.210 MHz – PL 94.8. Thanks to the WB6ECE Repeater group and all that have been involved in the build out of this site, There is still much work to be done to complete the build out of the site and many volunteer opportunities to follow!
Event: Big Sur International Marathon Area of operation: Big Sur, Ca to Carmel, Ca Event Date: 4-28-2024 Race Start Time: 0645hrs (Approximate) Race End Time: 1230hrs (Approximate) Volunteer Start Time at Position: 0500hrs (Approximate)
Positions Volunteers Staff: Mile/Aid Stations , SAG & Other positions as requested by the BSIM. (Positions Assigned by Event Coordinator)
What do the positions’ duties encompass:
SAG: Five Sag operators will ride co-pilot with a driver and vehicle provided by the Marathon that travels the course picking up runners that can not finish the race for various reasons. Runners picked up by a SAG are dropped off at various drop points along the course. SAG operators and SAG drivers will work together to navigate the course to pick up runners, pickup assignments are dispatched out by Net Control. Sag operators do not drive the vehicle, the SAG will come with a driver.
Mile / Aid Station: Operators are placed at one of 13 or 14 different Mile / Aid Stations where they will be responsible for reporting any kind of race traffic that needs to make its way back to Net Control. Such information could be major medicals, minor injuries, runner pickups, rogue vehicles on the course or any other vital info that may need to get passed back to Net Control or another Mile / Aid position or SAG vehicle.
Equipment Requirements:
SAG: Operators should bring a mobile radio (dual band) with an accompanying magnetic-mount antenna and cigarette lighter plug. Operators should also bring a portable radio with good batteries to use as a backup radio or when you’re out of the SAG vehicle. In the event you should have to operate off of a portable radio in vehicle please bring an adapter cable to connect the mobile radio magnetic-mount antenna to your portable.
Mile / Aid Stations: Operators can operate mostly off portable radios (there are a few spots that portable do not work or have bad coverage, but a mobile/base radio is also encouraged if available. Mile/Aid station operators will be able to drive to their location on course and park their vehicle at the location. Portable radios should have good batteries that can last long enough for the duration of the event, bringing a spare charged battery is always encouraged.
Volunteer Goodies: Every year the BSIM provides each volunteer with a commemorative t-shirt in your size of choice. The shirt is distributed upon your check in either the day before or the morning of the race. In addition to the t-shirt the Marathon also provides a free volunteer BBQ lunch after the event! In years past there’s always plenty of BBQ Tri Tip and chicken and with all the fixins!
We look forward to having you volunteer with the Salinas Valley Repeater Group in this years support of the Big Sur International Marathon! If you have any questions feel free to reach out to Jeff KG6UYZ, at the email posted above with your questions or requests for signup forms.
After 10 hours of work yesterday with KG6UYZ, AI6MS, and W6KWF, I am pleased to announce the Salinas Valley Repeater Group now has a repeater system in South Monterey County! In addition to installing a UHF repeater, an APRS digi / iGate was build by W6KWF and installed by the team. The full duplex link is up, the repeater is on the air and the digi/ iGate is reporting to the Internet! Next time your in King City check the system out!
Today, I am pleased to announce the W6WLS 147.180 Repeater is back on the air with temporary setup in the Santa Cruz mountains! Please keep in mind that this is a temporary setup that runs on battery/generator power. This site is also analog only and will remain that way until the new site is built. The coverage seems to be good, while not comparable to 170ft tower it should fill in the lost coverage in the San Lorenzo Valley and Summit Road and Aptos areas.
I would like to thank everyone for the support we have received and remind everyone that the GoFundMe is still active to raise the funds needed to rebuild the Empire Grade Tower. As of this post the 67% of the funds needed have been raised!
On August 19 the CZU Lightning Complex Fire distroyed the tower site that hosts SVRG’s repeaters. We are asking for your help in rebuilding the site infrastructure. Please visit the Gofundme page for more information. >>>>Click Here<<<<
The KE6STH 443.575 South Bay area system is OFF AIR for site and antenna system maintenance. We are expecting it to be off air for at least 5 days until we can get a temporary antenna up in the interim. We found the repeater antenna had some problems as expected given the issues we were having at that site. Upon initial inspection we found at least 1 bad/broken snewer joint and a damaged capacitor. The antenna will be replaced with a new one in the coming weeks.
Earlier this week we lost our Empire Grade tower site to the CZU Augest complex fire in burning in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The W6WLS 147.180, W6DXW 442.750 and WB6ECE 441.300 simulcast repeater burned down in the fire. These means that those repeaters are OFF AIR until further notice. Over the last week I have received and overwhelming amount of people asking to donate or volunteer their time to help us rebuild the site. It will be some time before we can, in good faith take donations from you (our users). There are many logistical issues that need to be accounted for first.
While today only a inspection has been completed at this time, a game plan for the site and how we will address things and move forward to the planning phase of this project will take time as the fire still rages on in the Santa Cruz Mountains. In the coming months we will need volunteers to assist in clean up of the property, funding the replacement of equipment and building a new start for us on Empire Grade.
I ask all of you who are interested in donating to and or volunteering for our respective repeater groups to fill our a form I have setup that will allow us to contact you when we will be able to take your donations and assistance. Thank again for all your support.
