The W4AVA repeater system is part of a broader linked system. Dave Jordan (WA3GIN) has been heading up the work on this as a labor of love for quite some time.
He has managed to put together a relatively nice linked repeater system with a couple of great friends down in the Northern Neck, Jeff KC8VFN and Andrew AF4AH, to provide awesome VHF coverage along the Potomac River from north of Great Falls to the mouth of the Potomac river and ChesapeakeBay (see attached). We fondly refer to the system as the Potomac River Repeater System (PRRS). We assume the coverage exceeds 10,000 square miles.
This linked system provides improved coverage to potential East and Southern evacuation routes from Arlington, NOVA and the NCR. It also provides hand-held VHF 5 watt radio access from the NCR to the Virginia State Emergency Operations Center in Richmond, VA.
There was nothing like this system in existence before 9/11 leaving the NCR vulnerable from an AUX COM capability perspective and to my knowledge this linked system is the only such system serving the NCR. There has been no downtime of the W4AVA repeater that was unplanned since it was activated 17+ yrs ago! The other pics are of our repeater maintenance facility here in King George. This is where we calibrate the transceivers, tune the duplexers, and program the repeater controllers, etc.
The W4KGC repeater’s Cellwave PD220-3A antenna has been upgraded to a COMSCOPSE DB-224E.
April 6: A2ST 2 Meter Simplex
April 6, 2024, from 4PM-8PM EDT, we will have the Arlington 2m Simplex test. Learn more
Embracing the Simplicity and Strategy of 2m Simplex in Amateur Radio In amateur radio, the allure of 2m Simplex lies in its simplicity and direct approach to communication. This mode, free from the complexities of offsets, CTCSS codes, and digital repeaters, represents ham radio in its most elemental form. For licensed operators, especially those new […]
Calling all radio operators! We have an exciting opportunity for you to be part of a vital team supporting the upcoming 47th Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) on Sunday, October 29. The MCM relies on approximately 150 amateur radio operators to ensure seamless communication throughout the event. Your role? Provide essential situational awareness and rapid communication […]
The W4AVA repeater system is part of a broader linked system. Dave Jordan (WA3GIN) has been heading up the work on this as a labor of love for quite some time. He has managed to put together a relatively nice linked repeater system with a couple of great friends down in the Northern Neck, Jeff […]
K3SRF, KC3ULX, and K4RT operated on battery power during a chilly, and at times, rainy winter weekend during the 2023 Winter Field Day. Read the full article…
Now that we’re a few months into the new year, we’ve had our most recent board meeting and we’ve updated our club officers. As an all volunteer organization, we are very grateful for the folks that regularly participate in club activities from the club president to net control stations, each person makes a contribution to […]
15 Years ago, Arlington County RACES was formed and along with it, W4AVA was registered with the FCC. Through the support of our county and the work of our most active club members, we are now the proud caretakers of our Nation’s Capital’s most powerful and widest area coverage repeater system!
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