Region Ten Repeaters and VHF Ops

repeater info updated 08 AUG 2011

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the "A" Line and MARS VHF
Region 10 Repeaters & Coverage areas
VHF Simplex and Digital Ops


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Map of Region Ten sites
    Cultus MT, near Mt Vernon, WA formerly at Tiger Mt,
    Capitol Peak NEW, (West of Olympia, same offset and tone as Salem)
    Beverly Repeater Site South Central Washington
     Portland Repeater Site
    Laurel Mt Repeater Site Salem area
    Mt Ashland & Elk Mt Repeater Sites, Southern Oregon



General Operating procedures

While VHF ops in Region Ten are somewhat more relaxed they are still MARS frequencies and MARS protocols do apply.  Station to station FM mode voice communications is authorized on repeaters and simplex frequencies in the region.  Digital ops are authorized on simplex frequencies only. All VHF ops are to be on a non-interference basis with the primary function of the frequency.


The primary functions, in order of priority, for VHF frequencies are:
•   support to MARS ECOM ops;
•   tactical nets;
•   digital comms for traffic forwarding;
•   local traffic, training, and admin nets;
•   inter-station comms.  

Nets are established or disestablished by the region and state directors.  

Record traffic may not be passed on VHF voice except:
•   as authorized by an HF net control station using a VHF freq as an alternate freq;
•   a net is established on the VHF frequency; or,
•   under emergency conditions where you have Priority or higher precedence traffic and VHF is the most viable means available, based on the goals for delivery of the message's precedence.  

See also "VHF Simplex and Digital" below.

When a net exists on a VHF frequency all the same rules for net ops on HF nets will apply.
When no net is in operation on a VHF voice frequency Navy MARS stations may use abbreviated call signs once initial contact is made between two stations.  To establish comms with another station initially use full call signs.  e.g.

NNN0AAA THIS IS NNN0BBB OVER.

Station replying will transmit
NNN0BBB THIS IS NNN0AAA OVER

Stations may then exchange with each other using abbreviated call signs such as
THIS IS BBB (statements) OVER

THIS IS AAA (statements) OVER

The station ending the QSO should use full call sign on their final transmission e.g.
THIS IS NNN0AAA (closing statement) OUT

Army and Air Force MARS stations operating on Navy VHF frequencies must use full call signs at all times.

  The "A" line
It's not just an FCC rule for Hams.  It applies to all U.S. VHF radio ops by international agreement.  It must be observed.  Portions of northern Washington and Idaho are affected by the international "A" line.  If in doubt what freqs can be used in a particular area contact your state director or state SEVEN. Before attempting to use a VHF frequency above the "A" line.

The 148.375/975 frequency pair is affected by "A" line rules.  See FCC Part 97 for an exact description of where the "A" line runs.


  Repeaters

List of Region Ten Repeaters and Frequencies (requires login)

  Coverage

Cultus Mt repeater, formerly at Tiger MT, serves the greater Puget Sound area.

Capitol Peak repeater West of Olympia serves primarily the I-5 corridor.
NOTE: some stations may be in such a location that they actually bring up both Capitol Peak and Salem repeaters.

 Beverly Repeater South Central WA.
Sentinel Peak, just north of Mattawa, WA
Elevation: 2,382 ft

The Portland Repeater is located in the vicinity of Council Crest.  Ground level at the tower is approximately 1,000 ft elevation.  Approximate range of the repeater from Portland is:
  • North to Longview;
  • Salem with gray area as far as Eugene;
  • East to Hood River with shadow areas between Bonneville Dam and Hood River;
  • West to summit of the coastal mountains.
Laurel Mt., also known as the Salem Repeater, can be worked from Portland to Eugene depending on station's location, elevation, and equipment.  Mobile coverage varies due to terrain, and of course the equipment used.

Mt Ashland repeater is at the 7,000+ ft level.  It serves Medford, Grants Pass and surrounding area and as far South as Shasta City.  Due to the mountainous nature of this region exact coverage area will depend a great deal on the exact location and type of equipment the member is using.

Elk Mt. repeater is Located NE of Grants Pass and NW of Rogue River at the 4,270 ft level.  This repeater provides additional coverage into Josephine and Jackson Counties that Mt Ashland can not.


  VHF Simplex and Digital

Portland Area Digital VHF freq is 149.225 MHz This is keyboard to keyboard but also includes some WinLink ops (see PAOG page 4-1 for details).  Keyboard to Keyboard needs to be on a non-interference basis.

For simplex voice ops use the the local digital freq or local repeater's output freq, both are to be on a non-interference basis with the primary function of the freq.  Do not use repeater input freqs.
Digital shall not be transmitted on a repeater output freq.

Important:  See The "A" Line, above

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