Couple of GMRS repeaters... (Southern Nevada)

[titanNV]

... atop of Mt Potosi
462.625 MHz + | 141.3 PL
462.675 MHz + | 162.2 PL

And Low Potosi
462.700 MHz + | 100.0 PL


Had a nice clear conversation from a Boafeng HT on the 625 machine yesterday evening from out here in Mesquite. Was told it was the more active of the two repeaters. Tried to use the 675 machine using two different HTs with the proper programming above. I could receive but while my transmit signal was clear, it had no modulation. (Will investigate further; possibly using one cheap Radioddity mobile or a Kenwood mobile.)

This should reach Pahrump and much of the valley.

WROR771

 

[tremors834]

Lot of interesting people on the .625 machine.
Usually very active as well.

 

[titanNV]

Lot of interesting people on the .625 machine.
Usually very active as well.

I believe they have a less formal net on it tonight. Don't know what time.

 

[tremors834]

Edited to provide more info.
Nets on Las Vegas GMRS repeater 462.625, + offset, PL 141.3
1915 hrs - Mondays
1900 hrs - Thursdays.

 

[Px4Shooter]

Anyone have a solid source of repeaters in the state?

Found a few for S NV but only 4 channels. Would like to see what is around and pre-program the radios for them too.

 

[NYECOGunsmith]

Try Repeaterbook.com.
Lists all repeaters nationwide, by state, and by type, as in 23 cm, 70 cm, 2 meter, 6 meter and 10 meter, and GMRS.

 

[Px4Shooter]

GMRS doesn't show as listed on the site. Even tried the proximity search and got a bunch of nothing! Did find some odd repeater bands that I didn't realize people were even running though.

 

[titanNV]

Here is a more inclusive listing, including the 700 machine on Low Potosi (pl 100)

https://lasvegashamradio.com/gmrs-repeaters/

 

[NYECOGunsmith]

GMRS doesn't show as listed on the site. Even tried the proximity search and got a bunch of nothing! Did find some odd repeater bands that I didn't realize people were even running though.

Don't know exactly where you were looking on the Repeaterbook.com site, but GMRS repeaters are listed for the entire US, state by state.
RepeaterBook.com: Quick Search for GMRS Repeaters

here is what it shows
462.550Henderson, Nevada,
DowntownClarkWREI383OPEN

462.575Las Vegas, Lake SaharaClarkWRCW714CLOSED

462.675Las Vegas, Mt PotosiClarkWRAT935OPEN

462.675

MindenDouglasWRFZ275OPEN

It isn't a complete list of GMRS repeaters for the state, there is also one in Pahrump, but GMRS repeaters are not required to be listed via repeater coordinators as Amateur Band repeaters are by "gentleman's agreement" not by law in either case.

The site TitanNV post https://lasvegashamradio.com/gmrs-repeaters/ is more comprehensive, thanks Boss!

 

[Px4Shooter]

Thanks. The repeater book link shows "none" as the state. Switched it to NV and it shows none listed. Weird.

And I glossed over the map. I saw the 3 listed below it and didn't realize the map had active points with repeaters listed. Now time to do some more programming.

 

[Mohavenagant]

How are the Repeaters powered? Solar?......are these repeaters likely to survive a nuke event? just curious...I let my Ham licence lapse ,wondering if GMRS is a decent alternative?,,,,what would be the best way to prepare,radio-wise, to establish comms in the event of a Nuke scenario?

 

[NYECOGunsmith]

How long has your Amateur License been expired? If less than 2 years, you can renew it without having to take any tests.
If more than 2 years, you will need to take the Technician test again, and if you held a higher class of license (General, Advanced or Extra) can then apply to have it reinstated at that level after taking the current Tech exam and passing it.

Most of the repeaters that can be worked from the Las Vegas area are on commercial AC mains power, with solar, battery, wind generator or propane generator backups (one or more of those, a few have all of them!) so a power outage won't affect them.

None will survive a EM Pulse from a Nuke however, as the antennas will funnel that current right into the repeater, just like a lightning strike.

The best way to prepare for comms outage would be to have Amateur radio (HF/VHF/UHF) capabilities, along with CB, GMRS, DMR and FRS.

 

[NYECOGunsmith]

And learn Morse Code, it often gets through the static when voice comms won't.

 

[Mohavenagant]

How long has your Amateur License been expired? If less than 2 years, you can renew it without having to take any tests.
If more than 2 years, you will need to take the Technician test again, and if you held a higher class of license (General, Advanced or Extra) can then apply to have it reinstated at that level after taking the current Tech exam and passing it.

Most of the repeaters that can be worked from the Las Vegas area are on commercial AC mains power, with solar, battery, wind generator or propane generator backups (one or more of those, a few have all of them!) so a power outage won't affect them.

None will survive a EM Pulse from a Nuke however, as the antennas will funnel that current right into the repeater, just like a lightning strike.

The best way to prepare for comms outage would be to have Amateur radio (HF/VHF/UHF) capabilities, along with CB, GMRS, DMR and FRS.

all good comments,thank you.

 

[Mohavenagant]

ham license long expired, not sure Im interested in going thru all that again......might be an interesting design exercise for someone to design a "survivable" repeater?......(do repeaters currently survive lightening strikes?) ..specifically to be useable post -nuke, assuming anyone left to access it!....
Realistically 2m vhf might be the best option,,,,not sure GMRS would have the "reach' simplex UHF....

 

[NYECOGunsmith]

Repeaters will survive lightning strikes on the antenna if they have a good lightning arrestor like a PolyPhaser installed in the coax and it is outside the radio shack and very well grounded.

But EMP will penetrate repeater shack walls (unless it is inside a Faraday Cage) and all the wiring in the repeater will act like an antenna at that point, as well the coax on the inbound side of the lightning arrestor, and the repeater will be toast in most cases.

A repeater built into a Faraday cage and left unconnected to power or an antenna until AFTER an EMP will work just fine.
2M will have a greater range than GMRS , and of course, with a license, one can legally use up to 1,500 watts on the 2 meter band.
If the world has come to an end, then the laws don't matter much, put as big a linear amp on any frequency as you can find and as the antenna and feed lines can handle.

Retaking your Tech license is not difficult, only requires a 74% passing grade, no Morse Code, and is only a 35-question exam.

I can provide you with the current Tech question pool, redacted to just the questions and the correct answer, makes it easier to study.
30 to 60 minutes of reading and studying it for 2-4 weeks sees most folks pass with grades in the 90's, and since you previously held a license, most of it will be just a review for you.

 

[Mohavenagant]

very interesting....thank you for that outline....pretty grim situation if it ever comes to pass....most the average person can do is put a couple of radios in a Faraday cage and hope for the best!
I might try the license again at some point.....
wondering if EMP might take out solar panels?.....im sure the Military has done a lot of work to harden Comms-wonder if any of that is in the public domain?...just random thoughts here.

 

[NYECOGunsmith]

EMP can take out solar panels, and definitely can take out the charge controller between the solar panel and the battery bank.
Any electronic component is susceptible to EMP if it can not handle an over current/over voltage situation.
Faraday cages are easy to construct. A metal garbage can with a tight fitting lid, GI ammo can, metal screen, lots of ways to go.

 

[NYECOGunsmith]

 

[titanNV]

View attachment 157320

I know where you got this !!