Repeaters/Technology

CLARC currently operates two linked Kenwood TKR series UHF/VHF repeaters 442.750+ (103.5 Tone) and 146.860- (100.0 Tone) covering the SE Houston/Harris county and north eastern Galveston county area.  Repeater Callsign: K5HOU/R

The CLARC repeater is an open repeater with autopatch capability.

The repeaters are fed by dual redundant AC/DC supplies and tied to emergency AC power.

The controller is a CAT-1000 controller with NWS receiver and link capability.  The repeater will decode the NWS SAME alerts for Harris and surrounding counties and broadcast the emergency announcements, and includes Amber Alerts.

Plans are underway to add Echolink/IRLP node, APRS Digipeater with IGATE, 9600 Packet, and Winlink node on VHF.

Using the repeater:

• Always listen before you transmit to ensure no one else is on the repeater.
• Always ID.
• You do NOT need to say "OVER" after each transmission. The courtesy beep will signal that you have released the mike button!

Autopatch Instructions:

• ALWAYS ID FIRST! 
• Key a "*" (star or asterisk) to bring up the patch
• Key the 10 digit number. It should start to ring in a few seconds. If you get some Morse code (err) that means that it didn't get all of your digits properly.
• To end of your call, bring the patch down, enter a "#" (pound or number sign).
• You can only dial the following Area Codes: 281, 713, 832
• 911 calls are not allowed!
• The auto patch will time out in 3 minutes.  You will receive a warning at 2.5 minutes.
• Be sure to dial the number with the rubber ducky of your HT pointing up at the sky!
• Resist the temptation to tilt your HT to dial the phone number, that really makes your signal weak into the repeater.
• Remember to follow FCC rules regarding language, business rules, music, etc.