CIAHN on the WX9PIA Repeaters
- Details
- Category: Severe Weather
- Published on Thursday, 08 December 2011 08:29
- Written by Steve Lehmann
- Hits: 94
Starting January 1, 2012 the Central Illinois All Hazards Net (CIAHN) will be transitioned to the WX9PIA Repeater System. This transition will allow the net to continue to grow and utilize new technology available. Our mission continues to be to provide a high quality and reliable communications system available during any time of need. The net will continue to be managed by the Emergency Communications Response Team from the City of Peoria Office of Emergency Management. The City of Peoria Office of Emergency Management will continue to provide a direct link to the National Weather Service Office in Lincoln, IL.
The local weather net has transitioned through 3 different repeaters over the past 20 years. January 1st will mark a new era for the CIAHN history as it becomes multicast on linked VHF (147.330+ MHz 103.5 CTCSS) and UHF (444.050+ MHz 103.5 CTCSS) amateur repeaters along with EchoLink (node #629244). The addition of the UHF system and EchoLink will offer amateurs additional operating locations. The VHF repeater is excellent for amateurs who are mobile or outdoors in areas that are generally free of obstructions, such as buildings. The UHF repeater is an excellent addition for amateurs operating indoors or in and around buildings. UHF signals do not travel quite as far outdoors as VHF signals, but they do a better job of penetrating wood, steel, and concrete, giving amateurs better range and performance in urban environments and around buildings. VHF signals travel farther, absent obstructions, and tend "hug" the earth, providing better performance when outdoors, mobile, or in hilly terrain. Finally for those amateurs in RF poor areas and conditions may participate by connecting to the repeater via EchoLink. Detailed RF coverage maps can be found on the WX9PIA Repeater General Information page.
Over the first 6 months of 2012 the team will be working on making some exciting enhancements to the repeaters performance. As the details become more firm we will be sure to share the information and timelines with everyone.
The ECRT and City of Peoria Office of Emergency Management would like to thank the Peoria Area Amateur Radio Club for the use of the W9UVI 147.075 MHz repeater over the past 2 years. We appreciate the upgrades and ongoing maintenance the PAARC has put into the repeater.