Wide Area Amateur Radio Network Repeaters
WAARN and it's members operate several repeaters for the benefit of the Amateur community.
All repeaters are OPEN.
PLEASE NOTE: These repeater sites are on private property. The property owners are very concerned about unauthorized access to the tower sites due to attempts to use them for BASE jumping, party locations, or other unintended uses. PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO VISIT A SITE WHEN NOT ACCOMPANIED BY A TRUSTEE OR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE.
>>>>>>> --- Map of WAARN affiliated repeater locations. --- <<<<<<<<
FOR ACCESS TO THE 145.210 SIMULCAST SYSTEM USE CTCSS TONE 156.7 Hz. USE OF OTHER INDIVIDUAL SITE TONES IS DISCOURAGED.
>>> NOTE: There are presently two active sites - the one in Sanford, Maine, the other in Cornish, Maine. Various events have taken place which required taking the other sites offline. But, we have several new sites available and more in negotiation that will be coming on line as soon as the weather and time allow. <<<.
Repeater information:
Sanford, Maine - Mount Hope:
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Sponsored by N1KMA:
2m - Repeater Output: 145.210 MHz Input: 144.610 MHz Tone: 156.7 Hz (Networked Simulcast)
2m - Repeater Output: 146.805 MHz Input: 146.205 Mhz Tone: 156.7 Hz (Linked to KQ1L system)
2m - Repeater Output: 147.180 MHz Input: 147.780 MHz Tone: 100.0 Hz (Local Only Repeater + Temporary Links - 131.8 link to 444.000 in Cornish)
70cm - Repeater Output: 441.500 MHz Input: 446.500 MHz Tone: 156.7 Hz, 103.5 link to 145.210 system
D-STAR Repeater:
2m - Repeater Output: 146.480 MHz Input: 145.880 Mode: Digital Voice Call: WA1ARN C
Cornish, Maine - Hessian Hill:
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Sponsored by N1KMA:
2m - Repeater Output: 145.210 MHz Input: 144.610 MHz Tone: USE 156.7 (Networked Simulcast)
Sponsored by N1VAR:
70cm - Repeater Output: 444.000 MHz Input: 449.000 MHz Tone: 167.9 Hz local, 156.7 link to 145.210 - & 100.0 Link to KQ1L system, 131.8 link to 147.180 repeater in Sanford.
New Hampshire (Presently Offline Pending Move)
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Sponsored by N1KMA:
2m - Repeater Output: 145.210 MHz Input: 144.610 MHz Tone: USE 156.7 (Networked Simulcast)
See post above.
Some of the below FAQs are very outdated and in the process of being updated:
Repeater FAQs
What is the height of the hills and towers used for the repeaters?
At the base of the tower, Mt Hope is about 598 feet and the 2m antenna is at 250 feet on the tower. The 440 antenna is slightly lower. The Cornish site info is pending updates.
Why isn't there any courtesy beep on some of the repeaters?
The system controller is designed for commercial and public safety systems, which typically do not use courtesy beeps, therefore this capability is not included in the controller. However, beeps, tones and voice prompts will be features added in the future, and we'll decide then how to best implement them.
How much power is being transmitted by the repeaters
Both 2m machines are transmitting about 34 watts into the feedline. The 70cm machine in Sanford is transmitting about 50 watts into the feedline, and the 70cm machine in Cornish is about 16 watts into the feedline.
What do you use for duplexers?
We are currently using a combination of TX/RX and Celwave older model duplexers on 70cm and our own custom built duplexers on 2m. Eventually all sites will be operating on our custom built combiners.
What repeater RF equipment do you plan to use in the future?
We are not sure of the exact final configuration, but it will likely be a combination of older GE equipment, middle-aged Tait repeaters, and others.
What is a simulcast system?
A simulcast system in this scenario is where all of the transmitters transmit at the same time on the same frequency and carry the same payload. Simulcast systems present technical challenges because the carrier frequency, phase and payload (modulation) must be synchronized.
What is a voter system?
Voters are receivers listening to a common frequency and are usually geographically spaced. Usually the receivers are placed at the same locations as the transmitters, but not always. The voters combine all of their received signals back to a common point where an intelligent processor selects the best quality signal based upon certain criteria. The voters which will be used in our system consider signal and audio quality based upon Digital Signal Processing (DSP) algorithms. The DSP can interpret and change receiver selection many times per second in order to obtain the best signal quality. In addition to geographically spaced receivers, certain locations also incorporate diversity receive. This technique automatically selects the best of two different antennas at a single location. The antennas usually are placed at different locations on the tower and usually have different technical specifications. Through these two methods, receiver coverage is maximized and "picket fencing" is minimized. The received signal is then passed to the simulcast transmitter system for broadcast.
How are the radio sites linked?
The sites are linked by a private microwave system. This system carries the needs of a commercial R&D network. There is enough extra bandwidth on the microwave to support the amateur system.
How many repeaters will be installed in the system?
Current plans are for 4 simulcast repeaters on the 2 meter system. There is the potential for more in the future. Some of the 70 centimeter system will be networked in some fashion as well at some point in the future.