The year-long project to
complete the Southwest Missouri Linked Repeater System (SMLRS) discussed a year ago last
January was completed yesterday when the 145.390 repeater went live in Granby,
just SE of Joplin.
All 3 of the repeaters on the
system are linked together 100% of the time via RF, so when you key up to talk
on one repeater, you are talking on all 3. If you don't have the
repeaters programmed yet, here are their frequencies if you want to try them
out:
Springfield - 147.015+ PL 162.2 Hz
Granby - 145.390- PL 91.5 Hz
Crane - 442.150+ PL 162.2 Hz
The system has an IRLP node #7191, that links the system to the Central Region Intertie System (CRIS) for the net on Thursday nights from 7:00 p.m.
to 9:00 p.m. The IRLP node also has the capability to link directly to the
146.700 SkyWarn repeater in Lees Summit should the need ever arise.
System documentation for end
users, net control operators and for training purposes will be forthcoming in
the near future for those wanting to use the open system for public service
events, such as the MS150, or any other weather or disaster related activities.
The system is a combined effort
between the Southwest Amateur Radio Group in Neosho, the MSHP amateur radio
club, and the Nixa ARC and partnerships with the City of Crane, and the Greene
County EMA were formed in the process.
Last night, we had a station in
Nevada check into the system, and we talked to Ray, KB0STN, in Joplin. He
was at the Joplin ARC club meeting inside the EOC at the Red Cross building on
his HT and was full quieting. There have been several stations this
morning roaming around Joplin checking coverage. On my travels north, I
was able to work the repeater on I-49 to about 8 miles south of Nevada, and
then again in Nevada and for a ways north of town.
Thanks to everyone that helped
with the system, whether you were on the ground doing the work, or one of those
many local hams that donated cash to help complete the system, or one of those
that obtained grants to purchase parts for the system. It was a team
effort and could not have been done in such a short time without everyone
pitching in and helping.
73 & enjoy,
James Adkins, KB0NHX
President & Repeater Trustee -- Nixa Amateur Radio Club, Inc. (K0NXA)