Last updated May 9, 2017

www.W3PHL.ORG

Philadelphia Area Repeater Association, Inc

48 Years of Service

P.O. Box 64, Valley Forge, Pa 19481-0064 A non-profit 501C3 Corporation

An ARRL affiliated Club

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PhiladelphiaAreaRepeaterAssociation

 

 

PARA-Net Every Tuesday Night at 8 PM on 146.76 Mhz (PL 131.6) September to May Limited Edition Special PARA QSL card to those who check in (while supplies last) Open to all hams - informal discussions on ham equipment, ham activities, computers, computer problems, gadgets, PARA-Normal activities, equipment for sale, and anything else you want to share or hear about. NEW!!! New QSL Card available for those checking in to the net - only linited quantity

 

The 76 repeater at Valley Forge is running the new Kenwood package

 

Great Web Site with all kinds of good Ham Info Click on http://www.k0bg.com/

 

 

Packet Anyone? Remember the packet fad back in the 80s & 90s? I had a lot of fun with it and really enjoyed it. Unfortunately the Internet killed it, or so they say. Today we have lots of experimentation with a new digital platform called NBEMS. Its much faster, but the trouble with it, is that there are so many different modes of it and everybody just experiments. Nobody monitors like we used to on packet. I have done alot of searching on the Internet and found that California and Michigan are very heavily invested in packet networks, especially for ARES-RACES. They tried the newer forms and found that, even though packet is slower, it has the capability to be reliably networked and monitored and thats why they use it. I also found that there is a TNC for the Raspberry Pi being used on some of these networks. Its called TNC-Pi and TNC-X. I have a Raspberry Pi and when I can find the funds, I plan on getting one and starting back into packet and most likely the packet BBS again. Anyone else interested? Gene K3DSM NBEMS: Find out what this is all about - Click here What is DMR? This is growing very fast and competing with D-Star and Fusion Amateurs Guide to DMR DMR Activity Monitor

 

 

 

Our History The Main Line VHF Association was reorganized November 1, 1967 and operated the 34-76 repeater, later 34-94 / The Los Voyagers operated the 28-76 repeater, later 28-88. PARA was born Dec 7, 1970 at the GE Space Center in King of Prussia where both clubs merged. There were over 300 hams at this meeting. The 16-76 repeater with an autopatch was born out of this meeting when Gene K3DSM demonstrated his 446 repeater with autopatch.. PARA continued to operate a 34-94 and 28-88 repeater. Within the next years, a repeater group from Jersey merged adding the 22-82 repeater and then a group merged from the Feasterville area adding the 37-97 repeater. The Quadrant idea was formed to take traffic off the 76 repeater and onto the quadrant repeaters. In 2010, PARA dropped the 88 and 97 repeaters due to lack of interest and loss of coordination. PARA has an interesting list of PARAsites where the repeaters once resided including Penn Valley, Berwyn, Honeybrook (early 70's), West Chester, etc. Would love to have those dates if someone has them. Officers: President: Gene K3DSM Vice President: Robert NX3S (SK) Secretary open (acting: Gene K3DSM) Treasurer Caterina KB3POA Board: any and all active members at this time Meetings: Tuesday, May 22 and then Wednesday, November 7, 2018.   New Location Map: Lower Providence Township Building, 100 Parklane Drive, Eagleville, Pa 19403 (Norristown in some GPS) Directions: 1. From King of Prussia, take Rt. 202 South to Rt. 422 West to the Oaks Exit. Then, at the exit ramp turn Right onto Egypt Road and take the second Left onto Pinetown Road. 2. Go to the second stop sign and turn Left onto Eagleville Road. 3. Go to the traffic light at Ridge Pike and proceed straight into the Lower Providence Township property; bare right and follow the driveway to the township building which is beyond the public library.     Membership list - click

Public Service PARA repeaters are used for ARES-RACES as well as other public service events like the LiveStrong Bike Race, Valley Forge Revolutionary Run (April) to coordinate race communication. PARA is also promoting Ham Radio at the Kimberton Hamfest as well as promoting Ham Radio at service clubs such as Rotary Club Meetings.   The ATV Group intercom 144.34mhz     Supporting 7 Amateur Radio Repeaters and 5 Links serving the entire Philadelphia Area for Hobby and Emergency Communications     PARA's "Flag-Ship" Repeater System: 146.76 Mhz W3PHL with transmitters at Valley Forge Mountain and Worcester, PA and Remote Receivers: Eagleville, Worcester, Sellersville, Bacton Hill & Camden, NJ (those in yellow may be temporily off) ------------ Section Repeaters:   Phila West: Delaware County, Pa 146.94 Mhz Phila East: Camden, NJ 146.82 Mhz ------------ VHF Repeater: 52.41-53.41Mhz VVHF Repeaters: 223.86 Mhz, 224.94 Mhz UHF Repeater: 443.9 Mhz all repeaters PL 131 ATV Repeater: 439.25 Mhz (off -looking for new location))           PARA is looking for Private and/or Public Grants to maintain, update, and expand this system. Corporate membership sponsors wanted - Certificate

October 2005 Last Paragraphs that was mailed to all paid members, supported by advertisers - Normally delivered by email

Pictures PARA at Berwyn Roller Rink ( 1969-70) One of PARA's first locations serviced the entire Phila area Note the duplexers on top of the rack and the mechanical code ID wheel in the upper right. Tribute to W3PHL Fred More