Blue Knob Amateur Radio Repeater Association

09/02/2023

It is with a heavy heart we post the passing of a friend of Blue K**b and a WAN core Member, Mr Jim Knox, N5NWC (SK). Jim was a knowledgeable and generous Ham radio operator. Jim helped with the Blue K**b site revisions several years back, and was a trusted core member of the wide area repeater network. Jim was a kind soul and generous to many people Jim, we will miss you, but we know that you will be enjoying all the benefits that heaven offers.

View James Lee Knox's obituary, send flowers and sign the guestbook.

03/05/2023

Well after our announcement yesterday, the severe winds took their toll on the antenna structures at BK.

3/5/23> Both the UHF and VHF systems are now off the air temporarily until we effect some repairs.

Below is a drone photo of the damage taken by NU3T and NR3T

More to come!

03/04/2023

March seems to be coming ”IN LIKE A LION” around the central pa region. Here is an update on the status of the Blue K**b Repeater Systems and some recent upgrades and changes.

Many area hams have rallied over recent years to assure we keep “the old girl” on the air. Some of those call signs are NU3T, W3KKC, NR3T, N5NWC, N8PSU, WO3T, N3XCC, KE3UC, N3YFO, W3SF, K3WS & K3AFA (If I missed you, please let me (N8PSU) know via messenger). Each has provided some level of financial and/or equipment and technical support to assure the systems remained active.

VHF UPDATE: We have installed new equipment at the BK site as of 3/3/23. The VHF repeater on 147.15 MHz is now a hybrid, Analog/DMR repeater and connected to the Brandmeister DMR network via the internet at the site. (Static talk groups are PA STATEWIDE - 10 min limit; PEMA ACS. RACES; WESTERN PA)
GIVE US SIGNAL REPORTS TO THE EMAIL BELOW

When the VHF repeater is idle, it can be used in either in Analog or DMR mode. It will remain in that mode for 8 seconds after every un-key. Analog users should set both the transmit and. receive CTCSS tone to 167.9. The receive CTCSS will prevent analog listeners from hearing the digital ”noise” when DMR is active. Our SYSOP team can change modes as necessary for special events - the same as we do with our NU3T repeater on Brush Mountain in Central Blair county.

UHF UPDATE: The UHF Dstar machine, which was not working, has been replaced with a UHF hybrid Analog/DMR repeater on 442.225 and is connected to the Brandmeister network. This machine will be full time DMR, but can be changed by our SYSOP team to analog for special events upon request If needed.
GIVE US SIGNAL REPORTS TO THE EMAIL BELOW

FUTURE UPGRADE: We anticipate, with the help of N3YFO & KE3UC, to locate a 220 machine at the BK site in the coming months. More will follow as that progresses

BK ANTENNA/TOWER Maintenance: It seems the ice and wind and load created by our VHF antenna - coupled with the age of the tower section, created a “snap” at the top of the tower. We will be addressing that issue as soon as the weather permits and we develop a solution. Until then, you may notice some signal fluctuations

In addition to the above machines, the BKRA group operates the NU3T Brush Mountain repeater - Hybrid/Full Time DMR on 442.100, the WO3T Loop Mountain repeater - Hybrid/Full Time DMR on 442.600, and the Brush Mountain NU3T analog 6 Meter repeater on 53.95 PL 167.9

BKRA member repeaters cover many Pa counties including, Blair, Bedford, Cambria, Centre & Somerset counties to name a few.

Questions and comments can be submitted via FB messenger or feel free to email [email protected]

Jeff Blake, N8PSU
Trustee

Send a message to learn more

05/27/2021

11/30/2019

10/15/2019

As many of you know the 147.15 Blue K**b Repeater has been in lower power on a temporary repeater for some time following a lightening strike that rendered the Tait 8100 machine inoperable and deemed not worthy of the extensive repair.

Our friends and fellow BKRA amateurs NU3T and NR3T provided a Vertex repeater for conversion and permanent installation.

N3XCC and W3SF have worked to complete the conversion. We will be securing a 120 Watt PA at a cost of approximately $500.00 to be managed by N8PSU

This will allow us to reconnect to the WAN in analog mode as before. For now, that is the immediate plan to help restore the signal footprint.

We are also discussing making the UHF repeater at the same site multimode using Pi controller technology. No time frame yet available for that.

Stay tuned and share this message.

Over the years, many folks (Dave Love, Jerry Cox, Jeff Blake, Scott Zimmerman, Kevin Custer, Tom Cooney, Jim Knox, Carmen Peca, Dave Norman SK, Steve Diehl & and perhaps a few others I have missed) have been core members and supporters of the BKRA systems. They have provided in kind labor and equipment as well as direct financial support.

We welcome any amateur who would like to support our PA project to reach out to the trustee, Jeff Blake, N8PSU by FB messenger here or via email to [email protected]

Stay Radio Active!!!

Jeff Blake, N8PSU
Trustee

02/28/2019

The 2019 Hurricane Awareness Tour will be making a stop in our region this year. It will be held at the Harrisburg International Airport on May 7, 2019. You can tour the inside of the aircraft and talk to the crew members and pilots. You can also talk with the National Hurricane Center Director.

08/19/2018

Blue K**b Repeater update: it looks like perhaps a lightening strike may have taken out the power supply.

Repairs in progress. Thanks to W3SF and N3XCC for the technical assist!! We will work together to get it back on the air.

Jeff Blake, N8PSU
Trustee