As of approximately 0900 hours the morning 4/14/2026 the 147.195 repeater will be off the air for a few days while the “new” rack is populated with the new Kenwood repeater hardware and the current power supply and duplexers are moved to the new setup. The plan is to bring it back on the air from the clubhouse using the small comet antenna that we have for the VHF UHF rig. This will give us time to test and troubleshoot it. Remember the main 147.195 will have PL tones of 88.5 for both the encode and decode. You must have the encode tone program into your rigs to access the repeater. It is up to you if you want to use the decode tone or not.

Jack KM8N

Looking at the weather for Thursday April 9, 2026, it appears to be an excellent evening for the requested shack access & closure training along with the instruction on using the antenna connection panel.  This is open to all paid , for 2026, MARA members. Arrive between 1830 and 1900 hours at the shack WITH YOUR 2026 PRINTED MEMBERSHIP CARD IN HAND. No Card No Training.

Depending on turnout I may try to do another section the following week.

Jack KM8N

Another reminder if you are a current MOCOARES member go to www.mocoares.org  click on the about button and scroll down to Join Montgomery County ARES hit “Click here” and fill out the questioner. Yes, is the same as if you are joining for the first time. This needs to be completed at the beginning of each year.  MOCOARES supposedly has 91 members, only 4 have registered for the 2026 year. There are a number of “members” that have not renewed their membership in several years. Rob is having to prune out the non- participants, so if you want to stay active get busy. It only takes a few minutes and if you input a working email address, you will receive an acknowledgement.

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