RED COVERED BRIDGE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
The Red Covered Bridge ARC operates two repeaters; one in the two-meter (146MHz) band; the other in the 70 centimeter (440MHz) band.
Both are open to any licensed amateur in good standing with the FCC.
146.955 (- 600 KHz, 103.5 PL)
Our flagship repeater is a Motorola MSF-5000 with an output of 75 watts. A 103.5 PL is provided on both the transmit and receive frequencies. Our antenna, which is mounted 175' AGL, is seen on the left side of the tower in the picture to the left. The repeater site is located southwest of the intersection of US Route 6 and Interstate 180 near Princeton. Tower space for this repeater is generously provided by Steve Samet, K9TSV, owner and general manager of WZOE radio in Princeton. Other users located at the site include Princeton High School and the City of Princeton's Department of Public Works.
Also housed at the site is our backup two-meter repeater, a 15 watt Motorola DeskTrac. It can be deployed rapidly and seamlessly to keep us on the air while the main repeater is out of service. This was our original repeater, and it continues to provide reliable communications when needed.
Nets held on the 146.955 repeater include...
RCBARC Monday Night Net - Monday night, 8pm
Illinois Valley Radio Association - Thursday night, 8pm
Bureau County EMA severe weather net - as needed
(Trained spotters report local conditions and damage reports for relay to the Quad Cities NWS)
For more information on our nets, see our events or links pages.
444.150 (+500 MHz, 103.5 PL)
Our 440 repeater, provided to us by Brian Stuart, N9ECQ, is located southwest of Princeton on Providence ridge. A 103.5 PL is required to access the repeater. Tower space is generously donated by the Bureau County E-911 board at their Providence communications facility. The antenna is mounted 145' AGL and provides excellent coverage throughout the Illinois Valley.
Pictures of the repeater will be posted at a later date.
