EGARA Adds UHF Repeater

EGARA has now added a UHF repeater on 444.850 mHz to its site on the old analog tower of WTEN in the Helderberg Mountains.

The repeater is powered by a Yaesu DR-2X it joins the existing 147.270 VHF repeater that was previously installed at the site.  In addition, EGARA also has a repeater on 224.800 (PL 94.8) which is installed at the HVCC campus in Troy.

EGARA owes a huge thank you to Bob Isby of Algonquin Communications, who installed the antenna and the repeater equipment, as well as to Barry Leet who assisted with the install!  

The new UHF machine feeds a 100 watt linear amplifier which doubles the repeater's output beyond its 50 watt limit.  This provides an estimated Effective Radiated Power (ERP) of around 525 watts from an elevation of approximately 1,660 feet, providing excellent coverage.

The UHF machine receives on 444.850 mHz.  The offset is +5 mHz and radios should be set to transmit on 449.850 mHz.  The PL tone is 94.8 and radios must be set with that tone to access the repeater.

EGARA also plans to install a fail safe battery backup system to the UHF repeater that will allow it to continue to operate in the event of a power failure.

We hope club members and area hams will take advantage of this addition to EGARA's repeater system and the excellent coverage it offers.