The Repeater Committee of the Central Vermont Amateur Radio Club held an emergency meeting at 17:30 hrs. on April 17, 2008. Those present were: N1IOE, Chair; KB1EPT, President; WA1YNU, Treasurer; WA1LIE, Director and custodian of the W1BD call sign; and Repeater Committee members KB1MFQ and W1WRW.
The committee received a technical report and advisory notification from N1IOE that the W1BD repeater operating on the frequency or 146.625 was in a state of progressive deterioration that has begun to accelerate as indicated by recent changes in signal strength. Repeated visits to the trail head on Tower Road confirm that the mountain is still not going to let repair personnel get up there yet, even though the weather has turned warmer and things are starting to melt.
The following actions were taken:
- It was affirmed that it is the Repeater Committee’s desire to keep the 146.625 available for the emergency use of the CVARC membership and others as appropriately needed, for as long as possible.
- It was advised that an immediate reduction in use of the repeater would provide the best chance of keeping it on the air until repair personnel can get up to the repeater site and fix it.
- It was moved, seconded, and passed unanimously, with the concurrence of the CVARC president, treasurer, and director, that the Repeater Committee request the following changes in the use of the W1BD 146.625 repeater be communicated to the membership immediately, requesting their good faith compliance:
- That all NETS held on this repeater be temporarily suspended until repairs can be completed.
- That the repeater be used ONLY for emergency or necessary message traffic.
- That all contacts be limited to 5 minutes air-time maximum.
- That the Bolton, Cabot, and Mt. Ellen repeaters be used instead, when possible.
- That the membership make maximum use of Simplex frequencies, when possible.
- That the membership help spread the word and “protect” the repeater to keep it available.
- That Net Control personnel make this announcement at their scheduled net times in lieu of holding their nets as normally expected, and that necessary traffic be exchanged as needed.
- It was agreed that the repeater maintenance personnel would make every effort possible to return the 146.625 machine back to good health as soon as possible. They were thanked for their vigilance and dedication to the welfare of the CVARC membership.
- Since W1WRW had been asked by W1AAT, just minutes before this meeting, to serve as the evening’s “Good Night Irene” net control, he was asked to make an appropriate notification of the above to all members on the 146.625 machine, in lieu of the normal net.
The meeting was adjourned at 18:08 by the chair.
Respectfully submitted:
Wayne Whitelock, W1WRW, secretary pro tem.
