<div dir="ltr"><div>I'm late to the party, as usual. Don't check this email often. <br></div><div><br></div><div>There are many great comments here. My initial thought is why does the club have a repeater in downtown Houston? I'm sure there was a great reason for it at the time. I think the Wallis location is a wonderful site. If we aren't paying anything for the Downtown space, find out what "minimum equipment on-site" requires. Certainly, anything that can be moved from the Houston site to the Wallis site that isn't provided by the county would be a cost savings.</div><div><br></div><div>In essence, we are abandoning the Houston site because it is no longer easy to maintain, and is little used. It would seem prudent to me to yank the plug and leave.<br></div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Tue, Mar 9, 2021 at 12:03 PM RAY MEECH <<a href="mailto:chezrez@yahoo.com">chezrez@yahoo.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div><div style="font-family:Helvetica Neue,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><div id="gmail-m_-3598924232984372500ydp932e8edayiv6766431096"><div><div style="font-family:Helvetica Neue,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px"><div></div>
<div dir="ltr">³Good day Group,</div><div dir="ltr"><br clear="none"></div><div dir="ltr">For sake of of discussion I will throw my two cents.</div><div dir="ltr"><br clear="none"></div><div dir="ltr">First of all I would like to validate everyone's opinion on the subject of the Houston repeater. I do believe that an open discussion is necessary.</div><div dir="ltr"><br clear="none"></div><div dir="ltr">It should be remembered that this started because of the distance and time that Roger had to dedicate to the support of a repeater that was seldom used by the members of the club. If I recall correctly the last several outages were reported by persons in the Houston area and not by club members.</div><div dir="ltr"><br clear="none"></div><div dir="ltr">As for keeping the site in Houston, if the club wants to maintain <span>a presence at </span>the site, then leave some equipment there and don't power it up.</div><div dir="ltr"><br clear="none"></div><div dir="ltr">Is the frequency pair really that important? I don't have the those frequencies in the memory of my equipment. Does anyone?</div><div dir="ltr"><br clear="none"></div><div dir="ltr">As I understand it, the county is going to supply new equipment for us at the new site. Is the equipment from the Houston site that important to us?</div><div dir="ltr"><br clear="none"></div><div dir="ltr">I'm not trying to change anyone's opinion concerning this discussion, just asking questions. I feel that this is an important subject and the whole of the club should be involved. The important issue here is Roger has worked hard for the benefit of the club and should not asked to maintain a remote repeater site that has limited benefits to the club.</div><div dir="ltr"><br clear="none"></div><div dir="ltr">Thanks to all for taking time to read this email.</div><div dir="ltr"><br clear="none"></div><div dir="ltr">Again this just my thoughts and should be taken with a grain of salt.</div><div dir="ltr"><br clear="none"></div><div dir="ltr">73</div><div dir="ltr">Ray</div><div dir="ltr">WA5IWB<br clear="none"></div><div dir="ltr"><br clear="none"></div><div dir="ltr"><br clear="none"></div><div dir="ltr"><br clear="none"></div><div dir="ltr"><br clear="none"></div><div><br clear="none"></div>
</div><div id="gmail-m_-3598924232984372500ydp932e8edayiv6766431096ydp51064d7fyahoo_quoted_6038757631">
<div style="font-family:"Helvetica Neue",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;color:rgb(38,40,42)">
<div id="gmail-m_-3598924232984372500ydp932e8edayiv6766431096yqt50747"><div>
On Tuesday, March 9, 2021, 2:33:11 AM UTC, Roger W Klein <<a href="mailto:rwklein@katyweb.net" target="_blank">rwklein@katyweb.net</a>> wrote:
</div>
<div><br clear="none"></div>
<div><br clear="none"></div>
<div><div id="gmail-m_-3598924232984372500ydp932e8edayiv6766431096ydp51064d7fyiv2057724665"><div><font face="Calibri"></font><p dir="ltr">Folks, </p>
<p dir="ltr">Following up on Kat's questions:</p>
<p dir="ltr">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.</p>
<p dir="ltr">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.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Please keep the comments and questions coming - there are lots of members we have not heard from yet!</p>
<p dir="ltr">73</p>
<p dir="ltr">Roger N5RWK</p>
<br clear="none"><br clear="none">On March 8, 2021, at 6:33 PM, Kat Croker <<a href="mailto:katcroker@yahoo.com" target="_blank">katcroker@yahoo.com</a>> wrote:<br clear="none"><br clear="none"><br clear="none"></div><div>I am in agreement with needing to find a solution. I do have a couple questions:<div>1. When relocated, will the new location retain the current frequency pair? And,</div><div>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?<br clear="none">Thanks!</div><div>Kat</div><div>KB5ITB</div><div><br clear="none"><div dir="ltr">Sent from my iPhone</div><div dir="ltr"><br clear="none"><blockquote type="cite">On Mar 6, 2021, at 9:14 PM, John Gervais <<a shape="rect" href="mailto:jsbgervais@sbcglobal.net" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">jsbgervais@sbcglobal.net</a>> wrote:<br clear="none"><br clear="none"></blockquote></div><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"></div></blockquote></div></div><div>I mirror everyone’s comments. Set it Free!! Thanks for all you do Roger!!<br clear="none"><br clear="none"><div dir="ltr"><blockquote type="cite"><div><div><div><div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span>Thanks!<b></b></span></div><div style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span><b><span>John</span></b><br clear="none"></span></div></div></div></div></blockquote></div><div dir="ltr"><br clear="none"><blockquote type="cite">On Mar 6, 2021, at 12:48 PM, Joe Cucuzza <<a shape="rect" href="mailto:cucuzza18@gmail.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">cucuzza18@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br clear="none"><br clear="none"></blockquote></div><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr">
</div></blockquote></div><div><div dir="ltr">Hi all <br clear="none">
I agree with Jim KE5FN</div>
<div dir="ltr">Same reasons, which I copied
below:<br clear="none">
<br clear="none">
</div>
<div dir="ltr">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.</div>
<br clear="none">
Roger, thanks for all the work you do on the repeaters.<br clear="none">
73<br clear="none">
Joe KA8WEP<br clear="none">
<div dir="ltr"><br clear="none">
</div>
<div dir="ltr"><br clear="none">
</div>
<br clear="none">
<br clear="none">
<div id="gmail-m_-3598924232984372500ydp932e8edayiv6766431096ydp51064d7fyiv2057724665yqt97290"><div>On 3/6/2021 9:33 AM, Roger Klein wrote:<br clear="none">
</div>
<blockquote type="cite">
</blockquote></div></div><div id="gmail-m_-3598924232984372500ydp932e8edayiv6766431096ydp51064d7fyiv2057724665yqt11218"><div><div>
<p>Club Members,</p>
<p> </p>
<p>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:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Pros:</p>
<p><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:New;font-size-adjust:none">
</span></span></span>The downtown Houston
location is an established site with a long (30 year?) history
</p>
<p><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:New;font-size-adjust:none">
</span></span></span>We have an excellent
repeater location on top of a skyscraper with a wide coverage
area</p>
<p><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:New;font-size-adjust:none">
</span></span></span>If we vacate the
downtown repeater site at 1221 McKinney, it is not clear if we
will be able to return in the future</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Cons: </p>
<p><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:New;font-size-adjust:none">
</span></span></span>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)</p>
<p><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:New;font-size-adjust:none">
</span></span></span>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</p>
<p><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:New;font-size-adjust:none">
</span></span></span>We have no internet
service available to us at the site, so remote maintenance
like we have at Columbus and Bellville is not possible</p>
<p><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:New;font-size-adjust:none">
</span></span></span>I perceive a low
activity level with the downtown Houston repeater - not many
club members utilise it</p>
<p><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:New;font-size-adjust:none">
</span></span></span>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, <u>one visit
to downtown Houston costs the club more than $100</u>.
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.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>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.<br clear="none">
<br clear="none">
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 <b>please
let your thoughts be known and respond to the reflector so
everyone can participate and comment</b>. Specifically, have
I missed any pros or cons, or are there other options we
should look at? <br clear="none">
<br clear="none">
Thanks,<br clear="none">
<br clear="none">
Roger N5RWK</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
</div>
<br clear="none">
<fieldset></fieldset>
<pre>_______________________________________________
w5sfa mailing list
<a shape="rect" href="mailto:w5sfa@w5sfa.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">w5sfa@w5sfa.org</a>
<a shape="rect" href="http://mail.w5sfa.org/mailman/listinfo/w5sfa_w5sfa.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://mail.w5sfa.org/mailman/listinfo/w5sfa_w5sfa.org</a>
</pre>
<br clear="none">
<span>_______________________________________________</span><br clear="none"><span>w5sfa mailing list</span><br clear="none"><span><a shape="rect" href="mailto:w5sfa@w5sfa.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">w5sfa@w5sfa.org</a></span><br clear="none"><span><a shape="rect" href="http://mail.w5sfa.org/mailman/listinfo/w5sfa_w5sfa.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://mail.w5sfa.org/mailman/listinfo/w5sfa_w5sfa.org</a></span><br clear="none"><span>_______________________________________________</span><br clear="none"><span>w5sfa mailing list</span><br clear="none"><span><a shape="rect" href="mailto:w5sfa@w5sfa.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">w5sfa@w5sfa.org</a></span><br clear="none"><span><a shape="rect" href="http://mail.w5sfa.org/mailman/listinfo/w5sfa_w5sfa.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://mail.w5sfa.org/mailman/listinfo/w5sfa_w5sfa.org</a></span><br clear="none"></div></div></div><div id="gmail-m_-3598924232984372500ydp932e8edayiv6766431096ydp51064d7fyqt05429">_______________________________________________<br clear="none">w5sfa mailing list<br clear="none"><a shape="rect" href="mailto:w5sfa@w5sfa.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">w5sfa@w5sfa.org</a><br clear="none"><a shape="rect" href="http://mail.w5sfa.org/mailman/listinfo/w5sfa_w5sfa.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://mail.w5sfa.org/mailman/listinfo/w5sfa_w5sfa.org</a><br clear="none"></div></div></div>
</div>
</div></div></div></div></div>_______________________________________________<br>
w5sfa mailing list<br>
<a href="mailto:w5sfa@w5sfa.org" target="_blank">w5sfa@w5sfa.org</a><br>
<a href="http://mail.w5sfa.org/mailman/listinfo/w5sfa_w5sfa.org" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">http://mail.w5sfa.org/mailman/listinfo/w5sfa_w5sfa.org</a><br>
</blockquote></div><br clear="all"><br>-- <br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature"><hr width="100%" size="2"><font style="font-size:10pt" size="2">Please, if you forward this, remove my email address before you do. I
delete all email addresses before forwarding, to keep spammers at bay
and I appreciate you doing the same for me. Also, when forwarding, list
all recipients as "BCC" so their email address is not being passed
along to others. Thanks!</font><font color="#000000"><font style="font-size:10pt" size="2"><font face="Times New Roman"><br></font></font></font></div>