After several months of battling significant heart problems, I’m saddened to report the passing of Mike Knight, K4IJ last evening.  Mike was very instrumental in the design & implementation of the Virginia Three Dog Repeater System.  Mike worked closely with several of us to link the Three Dog Repeater system to NC HEARS.  Mike was only 45 years old.

Mike’s passionate involvement in Amateur radio in the New River Valley of VA was obvious to all that knew him, either in person or on the air.  He worked with hospitals & emergency preparedness organizations to promote amateur radio as back-up communications and also taught ham radio license classes for technician, general and Morse code.  He was a ham’s ham, passing his knowledge to others and truly promoting the hobby.

Mike was also a well known voice in broadcast radio, an industry he truly loved.

Mike is survived by his wife of 25 years, Sharon; his mother Margaret & many other friends & family.

Please join me in keeping his friends & family in your thoughts & prayers in the coming days.

73s one last time Mike, K4IJ, from all your friends at NC HEARS.

N4HRS

http://www.mccoyfuneralhome.com/McCoy_Funeral_Home/Obituaries/Entries/2013/10/16_Entry_1.html

We are very happy to announce that the Concord 444.775 and 147.210 Repeaters have been brought back on the air and into the link system.

Many thanks to Derek KD4ADL and Chris K4AES for their help in getting things back on the air.

The 147.210 will be automatically linked every evening prior to the nightly net, but will remain in standalone mode for the remainder of the time (with link on demand if needed)

73’s

WG8E

The VA link is down temporarily.  We hope to have it operational again soon.

The 147.270 Charlotte 2-meter repeater now requires a 91.5 PL tone.  The repeater transmits 110.9, but 91.5 is required to activate the receiver.  There’s a slight intermod issue that requires the use of split tones.

73’s

Derek
KD4ADL

The Jonas Ridge repeater (444.625 MHz) was placed in-service Sunday April 14th.  It is now linked full-time with the other repeaters in the system.  From 4300′ ASL, the Jonas Ridge site boasts mobile coverage from Blowing Rock, NC to Spartanburg, SC.  If you’re on Facebook, check out some photos of the install at https://www.facebook.com/groups/292527826285

Work to update and improve the nchears.org website continues.  The template has been changed and the “About Us” section has been updated.

I will post info here as parts of the website are added/updated.  Please check back often.

73s

Derek
KD4ADL

The nightly 9:30 net will resume Monday April 8th.

If you’re in range of the NC HEARS or VA 3Dog System, feel free to check-in.  EchoLink node 8092 will also be available for net check-ins.

73’s

KD4ADL

The PL tone for the Richburg, SC site is now 110.9.

73’s

KD4ADL

The NC HEARS website will soon be updated with a new layout, to include additional information about:

• History and system overview page, including info about each site & photos
• Use guidelines of NC HEARS
• EchoLink info page (how-to guide, etc)
•  Our on-demand connection with SC HEART
• A printable “pocket-guide” (.pdf) of system sites / frequencies / PLs

These additions / improvements will take some time, so please be patient.

Please also check out our linking partner to the north, the 3 Dog Repeater Group at http://discoverfinearts.com/3drg/

Also find our southern linking partner, SC HEART at http://scheart.us

Meanwhile if you have a specific question about NC HEARS, please send a message to:   info@nchears.org

73’s
Derek
KD4ADL

Tonight the York, SC site was brought online and added to the NCHEARS Linked system. Currently at this time the antenna height is at 340′ HAGL and will be moved to 480′ HAGL soon.

73’s
K4KGB

This map shows all the HEARS amateur radio repeaters.

Green w/ dot – Analog repeater, ON AIR & LINKED
Green w/out dot – Analog repeater, ON AIR, not linked

Blue tower – DMR repeater, ON AIR & LINKED

Purple – Future repeater

Red – Temporarily OFF AIR

All,

The link radios at Fisher Peak have been replaced and for the time being, we will be linking full-time to the 3 Dog Repeater group repeaters in Virginia.

We have some positive news, and a few new sites that we can’t wait to share with everyone, and will be doing just that once everything is solidified!

73’s Every one and Happy Holidays

WG8E