Report to
TIMBERON COMMUNITY CONNECTION BOARD
May-September 2021
__________________________________________________________
The Following constitutes the report of the Timberon Radio Relay League Program to the board of the Timberon Community Connection for the period of May through September 2021.
REPEATER STATUS
The League is currently operating three GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) repeaters in the community under the rules and regulation of the Federal Comminutions Commission (FCC) in
support of interpersonal and emergency radio communications in and immediately around the community of Timberon, New Mexico.
Primary Repeater: The League’s primary repeater on GMRS Channel 30 is housed in a radio shack adjacent to its antenna on a 35 foot mast located at an altitude of 7,200 on a lot in
the north/central area of Timberon. The radio shack is wired for power and has a solar backup. The radio shack is also air conditioned to help keep the equipment cool in hot weather. The
primary repeater is owned and operated by Dr. William “Doc” Getter and operates under his call sign. The Primary Repeater is currently fully Operational.
Mobile Backup Repeater: The League also maintains and operates a mobile “hot” backup repeater. This repeater is tuned to GMRS Channel 23 unless pressed into service to replace the primary repeater. It is located on a lot on the southwest side of Timberon. It is housed in a converted construction light cart. The repeater is powered by a series of solar panels but also has an onboard generator if needed. The antenna is mounted on a 20 foot retractable mast. The entire assembly can be stowed and towed for over-the-road transport. The Backup repeater and enclosure is owned and operated by Larry Cochran. The Backup Repeater is currently fully operational.
Cold Backup Repeater: In addition to the Primary and Mobile Backup Repeaters, the League maintains a “Cold Backup” Repeater and a backup mast and antenna in a metal building in the northcentral area of Timberon not far from the Primary Repeater. The Cold Backup Repeater is left disconnected from both power and its antenna feed line in case of power surges or lightning strikes effecting either the Primary or Mobile Repeaters.
TIMBERON COMMUNITY/EMERGENCY HANDHELD RADIOS
The League continues to purchase, program and then make available to the public (at cost) handheld walkie talkie radios for use with the repeaters and to monitor emergency scanner channels serving the Timberon area. This provides a personal and emergency communications alternative to residents and visitors since there is no cellular service in the community. During the period of this report, the League placed an additional 113 radios with the public — bringing the total number of radios placed since the beginning of the project to 363.
OUTREACH
In addition to maintaining the Timberon Radio Relay League Facebook Group, the League held an On-Air question and answer meeting on August 14th. The session was also simulcast as a live stream on the League’s Facebook page. Participants could ask questions over the air through the League’s primary repeater or post questions/comments on the Facebook page.
The topics covered included:
- Welcome
- What is the Timberon Radio Relay League & how do I join?
- What is the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)?
- What is the Family Radio Service (FRS)?
- How does a GMRS Repeater Work?
- Does Timberon have a GMRS Repeater(s)?
- Primary (Channel 30 or 31)
- Backup (Channel 23)
- Radios that are “Repeater Capable”
- Do I need an FCC License to use my GMRS radio?
- In emergencies
- For routine use
- What is a Timberon Emergecy/Community Walkie Talkie?
- How do I get a Timberon Emergecy/Community Walkie Talkie?
- What are the features of the Timberon Emergecy/Community Walkie Talkies?
- Lock / Unlock
- Talking directly between radios in and outside Timberon
- Channels 1 to 22
- On the Timberon Repeaters
- Primary (Channel 30 or 31)
- Backup (Channel 23)
- Avoid Channels 24-29 – No Repeater
- Scanner Channels (Receive only)
- Timberon Fire – Channel 45
- Others – Channels 36 – 44
- FM Broadcast Radio (Orange “Call” Button)
- Dual Channel (Two Line) Monitoring
- Menu Options – See Manual
- Final Questions
FINANCIAL REPORT
Besides at-cost purchase and sales of community/emergency radios, the League received no external funds during this period and incurred no expenses. The League has a financial balance of $80 from prior donations held in trust by Timberon Community Connection.
Report Submitted by
Dr. William “Doc” Getter
TRRL Program Manager
Comments are closed