[W5SFA] Club Repeaters, Downtown Houston and Future Direction

Mon Mar 8 21:16:11 CST 2021

First-Thanks to all that have taken time to respond to the inquiry 
presented by Roger N5RWK.

We are fortunate to have someone of Roger's talent and ability to manage 
you repeater systems and the linking system to provide the coverage area 
we have available. The different modes (FM, C4FM and Wires-X) provide 
users with options for participating with our system.

Roger is correct in we have not heard from a significant number of 
members.  The questions presented by Kat are well founded and deserve 
investigation and information presented prior to decisions being made.

Again, Thanks to all for their input and looking forward to more input.

73

Gary - KF5ZRT

On 3/8/21 8:10 PM, Roger W Klein wrote:
>
> Folks,
>
> Following up on Kat's questions:
>
> There is  a nice 6 foot lockable rack, as well as a set of high 
> quality VHF cans, and of course an antenna left on site.  If we vacate 
> downtown Houston, we would likely leave the antenna behind since 
> someone would need to go up on the roof and remove it.  Perhaps that 
> would qualify as the required piece of equipment (it certainly won't 
> be operational!). I can't comment competently on the legal aspects of 
> retaining the location, though - way out of my pay grade!  The rack 
> and cans could be used in Wallis.
>
> Regarding the frequencies:  I don't know the answer yet, but I agree 
> it would be desirable to keep them for the new Wallis site.  We will 
> have to work with our Texas VHF/FM society coordinator to see if this 
> will work.  Wallis is about 30 miles west of the downtown Houston 
> location, so it is possible the new location could interfere with a 
> existing repeater further west.
>
> Please keep the comments and questions coming - there are lots of 
> members we have not heard from yet!
>
> 73
>
> Roger N5RWK
>
>
>
> On March 8, 2021, at 6:33 PM, Kat Croker <katcroker at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> I am in agreement with needing to find a solution. I do have a couple 
> questions:
> 1. When relocated, will the new location retain the current frequency 
> pair? And,
> 2. The location downtown was granted perpetually, originally, as long 
> as equipment is onsite. I don’t know that the requirement is a working 
> piece, but that may be splitting hairs. Do we have an older piece of 
> equipment that can be left onsite to retain our right to the space in 
> the event we want to expand again in the future?
> Thanks!
> Kat
> KB5ITB
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Mar 6, 2021, at 9:14 PM, John Gervais <jsbgervais at sbcglobal.net 
>> <mailto:jsbgervais at sbcglobal.net>> wrote:
>>
>>  I mirror everyone’s comments. Set it Free!! Thanks for all you do 
>> Roger!!
>>
>>> Thanks!**
>>> *John*
>>
>>> On Mar 6, 2021, at 12:48 PM, Joe Cucuzza <cucuzza18 at gmail.com 
>>> <mailto:cucuzza18 at gmail.com>> wrote:
>>>
>>> 
>>> Hi all
>>> I agree with Jim KE5FN
>>> Same reasons, which I copied below:
>>>
>>> I agree with your assessment.  The fact that there are no means to 
>>> effectively perform the required control operation function pretty 
>>> much seals the deal for me.  Your other points just add 
>>> reinforcement to the decision.
>>>
>>> Roger, thanks for all the work you do on the repeaters.
>>> 73
>>> Joe KA8WEP
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On 3/6/2021 9:33 AM, Roger Klein wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Club Members,
>>>>
>>>> As you probably know, our club maintains three repeater locations:  
>>>> Bellville, Columbus and downtown Houston.  We have had problems 
>>>> over the past few months with the downtown Houston location, 
>>>> requiring "house calls" to replace and reset the equipment.  We 
>>>> also have a new repeater location that will be available to us near 
>>>> Wallis.  Therefore, I suggest that the club needs to consider the 
>>>> future of the downtown Houston location.  The following pros and 
>>>> cons concerning downtown Houston come to mind:
>>>>
>>>> Pros:
>>>>
>>>> ·The downtown Houston location is an established site with a long 
>>>> (30 year?) history
>>>>
>>>> ·We have an excellent repeater location on top of a skyscraper with 
>>>> a wide coverage area
>>>>
>>>> ·If we vacate the downtown repeater site at 1221 McKinney, it is 
>>>> not clear if we will be able to return in the future
>>>>
>>>> Cons:
>>>>
>>>> ·I can't respond quickly to repeater issues (at least 24 hours or 
>>>> more is needed to arrange for building access plus planning to 
>>>> travel down there)
>>>>
>>>> ·As the responsible control operator, my home is out of range of 
>>>> the Houston repeater so I can't verify its proper operation without 
>>>> involving others
>>>>
>>>> ·We have no internet service available to us at the site, so remote 
>>>> maintenance like we have at Columbus and Bellville is not possible
>>>>
>>>> ·I perceive a low activity level with the downtown Houston repeater 
>>>> - not many club members utilise it
>>>>
>>>> ·Downtown Houston is a long way away. From my home in New Ulm, it 
>>>> is a 180 mile round trip.  The club approved reimbursement of 
>>>> travel expenses to downtown Houston at the January meeting.  That 
>>>> is appreciated, but at the current $.56/mile rate plus parking, 
>>>> _one visit to downtown Houston costs the club more than $100_.  
>>>> Also, it takes 4 or more hours to make the round trip, including 
>>>> time spent onsite.  That time and expense could be put to better use.
>>>>
>>>> The new Wallis location can take the place of downtown Houston and 
>>>> resolve these issues.  This location with its 400’ tower will be 
>>>> able to cover much of west and southwest Houston, it will have 
>>>> internet access, it is much closer and will therefore be less 
>>>> costly and easier to maintain.
>>>>
>>>> To summarize, I’d like the club discuss the above issues and decide 
>>>> on a future direction.  In my opinion, the cons far outweigh the 
>>>> pros for continuing to maintain the downtown Houston location.  
>>>> Instead, we should take advantage of the benefits and flexibility 
>>>> the new Wallis location will give us.   I don’t expect everyone to 
>>>> agree with my opinion, so *please let your thoughts be known and 
>>>> respond to the reflector so everyone can participate and comment*. 
>>>> Specifically, have I missed any pros or cons, or are there other 
>>>> options we should look at?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks,
>>>>
>>>> Roger N5RWK
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>
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