The 443.500 repeater on Tobacco Row Mtn near Lynchburg is temporarily off the air for maintenance for at least 2-4 weeks.  We’ll have it back online ASAP.
Derek
KD4ADL

EchoLink node 8092 is back online again. Sorry for the extended down time.

The EchoLink system is now pointed to the VA hub repeater and is using a different internet provider.  There may be some adjustments necessary in the coming weeks, so please be patient.

73s

Derek
KD4ADL

With mixed emotions I announce that the Dallas 444.225 repeater is permanently off the air.  It has been in stand-alone mode for over 18 months due to some technical issues. Due to the site location (on a platform 850’ up a 1300’ tower), access has been an issue since we installed it, and we haven’t been able to perform preventative maintenance to the repeater.

Dallas 444.225 was one of the original HEARS repeaters for NC.  It is unfortunate to loose a site, but after much deliberation it was decided that it wasn’t serving a useful purpose in it’s current state and site access for continued upkeep would always be an issue.

Right now there are no plans to put the 444.225 repeater back on the air in the Dallas area.  We’re diligently working on getting the 444.175 Charlotte repeater back on the air.

Thanks everyone.

Derek
KD4ADL

The headline says it all.  The issue discovered last evening has been resolved.  Thanks for your patience.

Pictured here is a resident we encountered as we left the mountain Sunday evening.  Also pictured is the sign at the very path he crossed on the road.  According to the sign, he had the right-of-way.  🙂

Derek
KD4ADL

Here are some updates to the VA HEARS repeaters:

The 444.475 Tinker Mtn repeater has been aligned and PM’ed.  If you talk on the Tinker repeater you may hear both courtesy tones.  I’m working to resolve this issue.

The 444.275 CHRV repeater is in stand-alone mode due to a link radio issue.  No ETA on adding 444.275 back to the link.

The 444.175 Poor Mtn repeater is back online after a much needed tune-up.  I think you’ll notice improved coverage from this repeater.  Feel free to post any coverage reports as replies to this post.

There is an audio issue on the VA hub repeater that is causing some system audio to sound low and muffled.  We know what the issue is and hope to have it resolved this coming week.

Next up is an alignment and update to the Warm Springs Mtn repeater near Clifton Forge, hopefully in the next month or two.

This is a long, time-consuming process – thanks for your patience as we try to improve the VA side of the link system.  Thanks also to Tucker Sizemore, WG8E for spending the holiday weekend helping to align the VA sites.  His expertise has been instrumental since the first HEARS repeater was installed in NC.  We wouldn’t have a sustained, well-maintained and awesome sounding repeater system without his help.

Derek
KD4ADL

The Roanoke Poor Mtn 444.175 repeater is temporarily off-line for repair.  There is no ETA for restoration as there is a lot of work to be done to get the repeater operational again.

When the Poor Mtn repeater is back on-line, we’ll update the website.

Derek
KD4ADL

The Charlotte 444.175 MHz repeater is temporarily off-line.  There is no ETA on restoration, but indications are it will be at least 30 days.

If you normally use the Charlotte repeater, you might try the Mint Hill or York, SC repeater.

As soon as the Charlotte repeater is back on-line, we’ll update the website.

Derek
KD4ADL

The 8092 EchoLink node is temporarily offline.  I hope to have it back online soon.

Derek
KD4ADL

Early this morning Chris Linker N4YMO passed away at the age of 53. Chris was not only a great friend & mentor, but was instrumental in the initial HEARS project & the Concord HEARS repeaters. Chris recently retired from the City of Concord as the Emergency Communications Director. He was very active in many aspects of communications and public safety throughout his life.

Many of us had the opportunity to work with Chris Linker on various projects & communications drills over the years.  Chris had a very calm demeanor and a wealth of communications knowledge that will be missed.

Please keep the family and his many friends in your thoughts and prayers this weekend.

Derek
KD4ADL

http://obituaries.expressionstributes.com/?of=d201330779

The Mint Hill NC 444.825 repeater is back online and linked as of 09:45 today.

Derek
KD4ADL