TO: ALL WOOD COUNTY ARES MEMBERS (OFFICIAL)
ALL ARES AND NON-ARES AMATEURS ANYWHERE (INFORMATION)
FROM: KEN HARRIS WA8LLM ARRL DISTRICT 3
EMERGENCY COORDINATOR WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INC.
WOOD COUNTY ARES BULLETIN NR 18.30 DATE: July 29, 2018
SUBJECT: WHAT REPEATERS CAN YOU HIT?
Have you ever checked to see what VHF or UHF voice repeaters that you are able to use reliably? This is important, if the time would come that you may need to pass traffic from one area to another, and don't have any other means to do so. Since there are a lot of radio operators that only have a Technician License, and are not able to use the High Frequency bands such as 75 and 40 Meters, they have to rely on VHF or UHF repeaters and simplex.
The best way to check out what repeaters you can communicate through is to check into voice nets that are being held, and find out how well you are being heard. If you don't know when the repeater nets are being held, just ask someone on the repeater. Try to find out how often the repeater is monitored, and if those who use on the repeater are willing to handle written messages such as the ARRL RADIOGRAM.
Keep a list of all the operators and repeaters that you're able to communicate through available, then if you need to get a message into their area, you can do so.
Ken Harris WA8LLM
WCEC
Wood County WV