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Upper Rio FM Society 

April 2020 Newsletter

The mission of the Upper Rio FM Society, Inc. is to provide a State-of-the-Art Amateur Radio repeater network for the benefit of our members, licensed Amateur Radio operators, the community and provide public service communication support in times of emergency.

BREAK BREAK BREAK!!!!

The April 14, 2020 General Membership Meeting has been canceled.

March 19, 2020 Board of Directors Meeting

The Board cancelled the April 14, 2020 General Membership meeting due to the corona virus restrictions. The July 14, 2020 General Membership meeting has not been cancelled at this time -- but stay tuned.
 
The society recently received a reimbursement payment for damage caused by the power company at our Capilla site. The Board authorized a portion of the payment to fund the purchase of a new repeater for the Capilla site. The new repeater will be installed once the weather allows access to the site.
 

Cibola Search and rescue Cross Band Repeater

Cibola Search and Rescue (CiSAR) President, Tony Gaier, attended the Board meeting and requested permission to install a crossband repeater at the Hub. CiSAR has already had a number of rescue missions on the west side of the Sandia mountains this spring and needed a repeater at the Hub to improve communications with their ground crews. The Board authorized the repeater because of the current health alert, “gyms are closed, exercise outside, do a hike.” More hikers are now expected on the Sandia trails, so CiSAR wanted the cross band repeater online as soon as possible. A workday was scheduled for Saturday (March 21, 2020).
 
CiSAR work crew photo (Left to right)
Ralph (KB0SJZ), Don K (KF5MEF), Tony (KD5SMU), Joe (K5STI), Larry (NL7TO). Present, but not in the photo, Goodie (WA5SJW), Jim (AF5FI)

Saturday was a very successful day and the CiSAR equipment was installed.  The hardest task was to install the crossband antennas on the cooler stand on the west side of the Hub. The work crew included members from CiSAR and the URFMSI. By mid-afternoon the cross-band repeater was on the air and checked out. Attached are a few photos of the work crew. And the repeater has already been put to use for a mission.
Final installation steps (left) and the the completed antenna system (right)
Repeater Report
 
HUB
All the repeaters are online with normal operation. Some tower work is planned for the Hub to install a HF antenna for emergency support and for the CAP. Also, we will be working on a plan to set up a 12-volt connection to the Hub’s batteries for the CAP equipment.
 
Capilla Repeater Site
The club plans to install a new repeater when the weather allows. Also, the club is looking for a second antenna to separate the receiver and transmitter (presently repeater in duplexer mode). A second antenna to separate the receiver and transmitter should improve the repeater performance.  
 
Sandia Crest Repeater
The Sandia Crest repeater (442.450 MHz) is operating normally. Because of an earlier problem, the Board authorized the purchase of a new power supply/battery charger with internet access for the site.
 
Diamond Memorial Repeater
One of the directional Yagi antennas was damaged by the winter weather. Mike Langner will replace the antenna with the help of a KNME tower climber.
 
La Mosca Repeater
The La Mosca 94 receiver has reduced sensitivity this winter, we do not know the cause at this time. When weather allows, we will troubleshoot the problem and hopefully get the receiver back to normal sensitivity.
 
Microwave Ridge Repeater
The repeater is operating normally with no problems reported. One issue noted was that the concrete tower base is cracking and will need some work.
 
Tapia Mesa Repeater
This repeater is operating normally with no problems reported.
 
Other Club News

 Amazon Smile
We are pleased that club members have signed up for the Amazon Smile program and listed the URFMSI as their charitable organization. Signing up to Amazon Smile does not add cost to the items you buy but provides much needed funds back to the club.
 
Membership
Please remember to go to our website and check your membership status. We have a large number of members that are past their membership expiration date. Because of the Capilla problem, the club continues to need your support.
 
Announcements
 
The next General Membership meeting
The April 14, 2020 General Membership meeting has been cancelled due to the corona virus.
 
Spring Tailgate
The Saturday April 25, 2020 tailgate at the Stoneface Tavern, 8201 San Pedro NE, Albuquerque has not been cancelled at this time. But it is not looking very likely that it will be held. Watch the Amateur Radio Caravan Club web site for up to date info on the tailgate (https://caravanradio.org/)
 
Other
Due to the “stay at home order”, it would be a good time to study for getting your Ham license or study to upgrade your license. Below are a few internet links to help.
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