K1JY Repeater System News

August 24, 2008

Dear K1JY Repeater System Users;

A recent personal decision has not come easily, and has been a long time in the making.

Over the past several years, I have spent a good deal of time traveling for work, and my time available for hamming has been limited. With limited time, maintaining ten repeaters has become more of a burden than a passion. Also, the cost of access to, and maintaining some of the repeater sites, has exceeded what is reasonable for a hobby. Donations that I have received from several amateurs have helped ease that burden.

As the 'better half' has recently retired from full-time teaching, we are looking to spending even more time out of the area. Thus, being available for repeater system monitoring and maintenance is going to become more difficult for me.

I have decided it is time to simplify my life by reducing or eliminating some responsibilities and obligations, both amateur and non-amateur related. This past Spring, I gave up a NH ARES appointment. As some of my repeater sites come up for site access renewal, and as some of the equipment takes an un-scheduled 'early retirement', I am going to be removing some of the repeaters from the air. There is no master plan here. Some may be totally decommissioned; some may be relocated; some may be assumed by other individuals or clubs. I do not know what the fate of all will be.

Unfortunately, one of the first to leave the air is 442.350 on Craney. This was a particularly difficult decision, as this was my first voice repeater, and is currently one of the hubs for the repeater system; however, due to change of ownership of an underlying land lease, this has become one of the more costly sites to maintain. Decommissioning Craney will orphan 449.225 Deerfield, and 447.775 Loudon from the system. Deerfield has long had difficult to repair antenna issues so it will be under further scrutiny; Loudon will be decommissioned due to limited site access.

Decisions regarding other repeaters will continue to be made as obligations become due, and opportunities arise. If the service one of the repeaters has provided that is considered valuable is lost, perhaps other folks can rise to the occasion and provide a replacement service. I am available to talk with anyone who would like more information, or has an idea to offer.

I appreciate the support, be it physical, financial, or moral, that has been afforded me over the years. Special recognition goes to W1PID and N1XBD.

Lindsay

K1JY