River Raisin Repeater Association, Inc.

K8RPT

The RRRA was formed in 1971 for the expressed purpose of promoting FM and repeater operation, offering a technical base on the subject, providing a useful communications facility for emergencies, and to develop friendships through a common goal.

RRRA members participate with many local clubs and organizations to provide our organization’s resources to local and visiting radio amateurs, as well as to our communities. The generosity of our members and friends contributes to the service the RRRA can offer. RRRA encourages the participation of its members in local general interest amateur radio clubs.

The River Raisin Repeater Association Inc. is an ARRL affiliated club, allowing our membership to take advantage of the many services offered by the League. The specialized nature of the Association and the intent to provide a service to all amateurs, call for only one general meeting yearly, so as not to conflict with the activity of local amateur clubs having a broader interest to the amateur community.

There are now five RRRA systems in operation to serve the amateur radio operators of the Monroe County region. Our first repeater, 146.72 (previously 146.73) went on the air in 1971, from downtown Monroe. Today, we operate from our transmitter site near Ida for 146.72, 224.78, 442.65, and our 144.93 JNOS/Digipeater. The 444.55 Repeater is located near Luna Pier, and the 442.825 system is in Dundee.

Amateur operators throughout the area are welcomed and encouraged to use the repeaters. System coverage of the 72-repeater extends approximately 45 miles from its 250 foot main antenna site at Ida for 25 watt mobiles. Receive sites at La Salle, Monroe, Newport, Ottawa Lake, and Dundee offer improved coverage for hand-held units operating in those areas.

The RRRA has agreements with the Monroe, Lenawee, and Washtenaw County ARPSC Organizations to allow priority use of the repeaters in case of an emergency. Users are to respect these agreements in the true spirit of Amateur Radio public service, and allow unobstructed operation of the repeaters by these groups in an emergency or drill.

Non-emergency amateur activities such as nets and drills are regular users of the systems, and other activities and special events are welcome. The Association board will be pleased to assist in scheduling such operations.

The 72 Repeater System (146.72) operates with its main antenna at 250 feet, in Ida. Satellite receivers are located at Ida, Monroe, Dundee, Newport and Ottawa Lake. Stations must transmit 100 Hz PL to access the system. The 146.72 system may be crosslinked with the 442.65 repeater.

Our 220 system is located at Ida, and has its antenna at the 250-foot level on the tower. This system operates using carrier squelch. The 224.78 can be crosslinked with 442.825 in Dundee for enhanced operations.

The 442.65 MHz repeater is located in Ida, and transmits from a 200-foot antenna height, and may be crosslinked with the 146.72 repeater system. Stations must transmit 100 Hz PL to access the system.

The 444.55 MHz repeater is located near Luna Pier, and currently transmits from a low profile antenna. Stations must transmit 100 Hz PL to access the system.

The 442.825 MHz repeater is located in Dundee, and transmits from a 125-foot antenna height. Stations must transmit 100 Hz PL to access the system.

The 144.930 digipeater operates from the 200-foot level at the Ida transmitter site. The digipeater alias is RRRA. This site serves as a wide area "hub" for regional digipeating.

146.72, 442.825, 442.65, 224.78, and 144.93 all operate with emergency backup power. The 72-Monroe repeater will indicate emergency power operation via voice announcement, and Dundee with a "lo-hi-lo-hi" courtesy beep. In the emergency power mode, the repeaters may reduce transmitter power and shed some of their normal features to conserve battery.

As battery capacity is of course limited, the repeaters should be used conservatively when they are operating on battery power in order to preserve power for emergency needs.

The 72-Monroe system incorporates a digital voice recorder to allow special news and announcements to be scheduled on the repeater. The DVR will store up to sixteen messages each programmable to play on command or at a preset time interval. Special bulletins and important announcements can be prerecorded for severe weather or other emergencies.

All of the RRRA systems are open to use by all amateur radio operators. However, if you are more than a "once in a blue moon" user of the RRRA repeaters, we ask you to consider joining the association. Your participation will help to insure the ability to operate, maintain and improve these systems while ensuring readiness to support any emergency/disaster communications needs that may arise.

The Association is an independent radio club and is supported solely by member dues and contributions. Dues are $20.00 per year. Membership runs from May 1 to May 1 of each calendar year. The Association holds its annual business meeting typically on the first Saturday in May.

All members will receive a renewal notice in April. Dues for the upcoming year will be prorated (monthly basis), if applicable, to align all expiration dates with the May 1st date. Example: if you joined as a new member in December 2000, you will receive a renewal notice in April 2001 requesting dues of $7.50 to extend your membership through May 2002.

You may join the River Raisin Repeater Association by printing out the application form linked below (in PDF format), entering the requested data, and sending it along with appropriate payment via the U.S. Postal Service. Please note, it is important to include all requested info. Personal information will not be published or otherwise made available outside of the association business records.

Download RRRA Application Form