Just listened most of the day as hurricane sally hit the panhandle. Good reports and info passed along all day. And K4NRD was working tirelessly the whole day.
Just started listening to SarNet recently. Got on once to check my connection to the closest repeater, Skyway bridge at 21 miles from Largo, FL - solid signal. Good to know.
Ditto.. I'm in Panama City and was on when Michael Hit. Been here since 1961.. in and out when I was in the NAVY and 10 yrs in Europe "Germany". This is home and I'm staying come hell or high water.
My first ever contact was on SARNET. I had no idea where I was, but the guy I talked to informed me (very nicely) and told me about the website for info. I am going to take your advice and program in more of the network repeaters for future emergency preparedness. I originally just got into HAM radio for the "Prepper" aspect, but lately my interest in it is exploding. I am hoping to get a HF system some time in the not so distant future. I have a Yaesu 2980 for my truck, so maybe one day I'll go sit on a parking garage in the Tampa area or something and see if I can catch you. lol
People in Miami love your videos! Thanks for the info on SARnet. Im usually monitoring when mobile. Its a great resource to have and thankful for the guys who keep it going. Hope to hear you on it one day. 73 K4ABX
New Mexico has a great linked repeater system called the Megalink. There's not much of NM, some of TX, and AZ that can't be reached on the Megalink. There's another linked system in TX that is not extensive as the Megalink but it's good from SE TX to Corpus Christi, to San Antonio, and a few other places. It's called the Saltgrass Linked System
we have something similar in Eastern Washington that also covers parts of North Idaho, Northern Oregon and parts of British Columbia. The only downside to a VHF/UHF network is that each access point can go down and one or more can disrupt the network if not completely disabling it. it's simply another wireless network dependent upon the entire network to function. This is why true emergency hams will incorporate HF, thus eliminating the need for a repeater network. If the repeaters go down, HF nets are still functioning.
SARNET is like the living room furniture my parents had when I was growing up that we weren't allowed to play on so it would be clean and orderly when adult guests visited. You can't really use it for normal stuff daily without bothering folks, but it's invaluable to many when there's a disaster. Living in the Daytona Beach area means I don't mind so much not having coverage here but I keep the memories for SARNET towers I'd be near when evacuating programmed in my radios.
Cool video, thanks for sharing. In the Pacific Northwest, we have something similar called the Evergreen Intertie Network. Its almost 30 linked repeaters from Washington through Oregon to northern California. DTMF codes open or close "RF switches" to change the network configuration.
Cinder Blue that's on the West side of Washington. on the East side the SRG system covers everything East of the Cascades and most of North Idaho is in range or interconnected, along with Northern Oregon . There has been plans of interconnecting through the Cascades to have statewide coverage.
@@jesselannigan2300 Please let me know if you hear of anything. I just submitted an application to join WORC which has access to the Evergreen Intertie with the updated DTMF access codes for each repeater controller. There is a yahoo group for it, but its not very active. Its hard to find info on any updates to the system. There is a weekly net on Wednesdays at 7pm, but I haven't tuned in yet.
Awesome system, have been monitoring and occasionally talking on it since March '24 Outside of emergencies it seems to be largely a "radio check" network LOL 73 K4EFW
This video is right on time. I've been learning repeater building. I'm checking locally to see if any large network like this exist. Washington State. I do know there is one for our cost. Thank you for sharing this. You just added some fuel to the fire.
If you get a chance check out BeachNet Washington coast. This is one of the networks I'm currently studying. These are some Wouxan repeaters in a box lol. This the major league. Gotta start somewhere though.
This video is awesome, I thank you Erick/Eric for making it, I am studying for my ham technician license and have been part of public safety and never new this SARNEt was here, Can SARNET be joined does anyone know? as if they need help for specific projects..
I love SARNET! It has great coverage all over the state and the only place I couldnt hear it was in the middle of Everglades National Park. Hope to hear you on the air! KZ4FLA
I always monitor this repeaters when I go visit family in south Fl and drive from Orlando area. During last years hurricane. It was excellent as people from other ares wanted to know about the conditions in different cities. De kv4op
I live in farm country and have several active repeaters including a linked system. I can't see how more populated areas wouldn't have a bunch of people using repeaters. I think people just like to complain. Great video, as always.
On The Flats by the sound of discussions on the net, the individual repeater operators are still maintaining it. The microwave links are still operational and I hear K4NRD is quite active on it with weather alerts, radio checks, etc.
Call for me if you hear me in there. I'm normally on when there is any weather in Florida that is critical especially from Jacksonville to Mobile area. I'm usually relaying info to Pat K4NRD in Madison. He's watching the NE area of Fla and I'm watching the NW from Tallahassee to Mobile. A team of operators has kinda grown together over the years. We know each other not just by their call but we know their voice when we hear them.
Right on with the analog! Thanks for the video. My nephew was a FM two-way radio tech and he worked for a company that setup FM repeaters and systems for commercial use. The company he worked for also did comms for a pro football team and he was able to go to the home games for free. Back a few years ago when DMR came out he was asked by a farmer if his FM analog two-way radios would stop working when these new radios came out. I know it was just ignorance by the person who asked but he told them this simplex system is about as simple as it gets and yes it will continue to serve you well for years to come. I really hope that most areas in the country can keep this going. As a new tech and general soon after I have started programming analog repeaters and simplex frequencies into my digital radios just in case I need them. I find that a lot of the repeaters around me are broken and this really concerns me.
Thank you for uploading! I’ve heard some of the activity of SARnet on a Broadcastify.com stream. Here in Michigan, we have the W8IRA all-analog linked repeater system covering nearly the entire state and into parts of northern Indiana and Ohio and parts of Canada. The only place that the system doesn’t cover is the Detroit area. There’s a separate linked repeater system in the area called the Central Michigan Emergency Network that also covers Detroit, but that utilizes digital modes in addition to analog, and I’m not a fan of the guys who run the system. They remind me of the 435 repeater in LA, or the W2IBC repeater in Indy. A friend and I started the Southern Michigan Repeater Network a few years ago, and we have an analog-only linked repeater system along with separate digital repeaters. We don’t have nearly as much coverage in total as the other linked systems around here, but my friend’s repeater in particular has amazing coverage. I can hit it nearly full scale on an HT from 35 miles away. I decided to link my repeater to his, and that’s how we started the system. Keep up the amazing videos, Eric! 73 de W8SRC
@@sammiller6631 The IRA linked system’s repeaters mainly cover western lower Michigan, so the eastern half doesn’t have as much coverage. I think the easternmost repeater is the Onondaga one which is what I get into from my QTH.
Wow, I never realized we had this network either! I just tried contacting the Stuart repeater, and that's about one of the few UHF repeaters I can hit from my apartment with my HT. Good to know in case I need to access it! 73 de KJ4CKR
We had conversations alkl day today on SARNET, what I mean is, there are some that like to sit there and constantly talk as if they are broadcasting, not caring if someone else wants to talk.. That happens on 30c, and it pisses people off when they dont want to hear an hour long rant about their Donald Trump hate speech.
@@HamRadioConcepts well, if you're going to rant about something, that's a pretty worthy topic. I get--and agree with, what you're saying in your comment here, but I quoted you directly from the video. So many repeater owners and network administrators have the attitude that "this is a calling channel, you should have a conversation somewhere else," which just leads to dead air--I can only ask someone's name and QTH so many times before that gets boring and I move on to do something else. And you need only look at pretty much every talk group on the Brandmeister network to see it in action.
@@HamRadioConcepts Eric, we met at the 2023 HamCation. As a Certified and Trained SKYWARN station I'm also a well equipped and experienced Storm Chaser. I've tried to get critical information out on SARNET from the NWS and could not get a word in edge wise. Some operators where hot keying the system and talking about car shows and I've heard some get on there and talk for nearly an hour about how they do CW.. SARNET isn't to talk about non emergency and non HAM radio topics. It is a valuable communications link. When we have a Tornado Warning "Alert" put out by the NWS we let the stations monitoring it know. Some ppl do not have the instant information from the NWS but they are monitoring SARNET. K4NRD, myself KV4ATV and other stations who have backgrounds in Meteorology get in there so provide information and assistance. I have called in countless flash flood watch and warnings to our NWS Tallahasse office and they sound the WX advisory in a matter of seconds.
it is all used in our area, very active. don't give up. those of us that live outside the city's and get poor cell service use the repeaters and use them allot
Sweet jesus.. I have friends in Del Ray, Fort Myers and near Cocoa Beach and family friends of a silent key in Venice who I used to work with in Michigan. Thank you Eric for the info. Kb8qlz.
Amateur Radio is a public service open to ALL licensed Hams. It is not government owned or controlled by the state. The only exception should be during an actual emergency situation.
A good idea but On a daily basis the repeater noise is non stop. It’s so annoying that I don’t monitor Sarnet. Maybe one of these days I’ll record a video of the noise. Yes, I hear the noise on my mobile, ht and scanner.
It's odd to hear people say analog & 2m/440 is dead. TN didn't get the memo ;). Not only are they active here, I would venture to say it's utilized as much if not significantly more than all digital modes combined. Your mileage may vary depending on location but from my experience, only the larger cities have much digital activity. While in more rural areas we sometimes struggle to even get a digital footprint. Also, here in TN (lots of cellular dead zones), we utilize a similar system called MTEARS (Middle Tennessee Emergency Amateur Repeater System) for emergencies, weather reports, & Agency Nets. It's an incredible asset to the NWS, Amateurs, & EOCs across all 94 counties. Albeit fewer nodes, & microwave connections, it's basically the same thing. KUDOS to the FL DOT for funding & maintaining SARNET as TNs MTEARS is almost completely upheld by Amateurs, with limited (or no) funding from the state. I could be mistaken, but I believe that's the case, a few grants etc aside. Good video!
I recently moved here from the King County area of Washington State. We had something similar to this using just Amateur Radio to tie hospitals in the region together. Our repeaters were located at specific hospitals and could be easily reached by mobile and transceivers located at other hospitals. When you hit one of the repeaters the system would relay your transmission to all the other repeaters on a separate frequency. All using UHF/VHF, no microwaves were needed. There was some discussion before I left on using HamWan, hamwan.org/ as an alternative communications method, again using amateur radio, but at microwave frequencies. The eventual goal was to tie all the hospitals together. Unfortunately all of this was done on limited budgets.
Casey Thompson go to wecomm.org that’s what I am seeing here the system is a series of repeaters linked together across the state and is used for nets as well as normal use and if you keybup on one you will be heard on all that are connected
Did you know they gave you a shoutout on the Announcements page?? Nice!!!! "THERE IS AN EXCELLENT NEW SARNET VIDEO ON TH-cam PRODUCED BY HAMRADIOCONCEPTS VIDEO BLOGGER ERIC! HERE IS THE LINK."
Very Nice to Know! I don't know Ham Radios, but know of them. =] Thanks! S Polk near Highlands, I don't see range - besides Lakeland [too far?] No matter - no radio. but - This is Cool!
years ago they wanted to take 220 for business use and it was close. The reason why we still have from then is it was proven that the growth in ham as the speed in which it's growing the 220 will be needed very soon. Well 25+ years later Hmm!!!
Do you think 220 is going unused might be due to radio manufacturers excluding the band from most radios? I do and if that changed mostly from dual-band radios to tri-band we would begin to see a boom in 220 traffic. My opinion, may not mean anything to anyone but me. :-)
@@mlhoward4469 There is a few manufacturers making tri-band units, but for some reason, there aren't many repeaters or clubs out there to support it. The manufacturers would pump them out if there was a daman for them. We have I'm guessing 4-5 guys that use 220 simplex and they treat it like a family radio, no calls being used, first names only. No one there to question them. If a few clubs don't start using it, or a group to use it and monitor the action, we could lose it, however, it wouldn't be for a long time, there are enough radios out there that would prevent a business or Gov from using it. UPS was trying years ago to take over a 220 freq but found it would be too costly and troublesome. Sorry for babbling on in hope to make a point. I know things have changed, I shutdown my first station in 1983 and just started up about 2 years ago but maybe within the last 2 years I may have keyed up a dozen times, Boy has things changed, DMR, SDR, digital, I feel like a Novice lol. Trying to pickup on the new stuff with an old tired mind is hard.
@@kv4atv How is it working out? Much uses? There's a few here in CT. but I never hear anyone. I have been thinking of a repeater but, I'm too close to others. I have 2 nice location, 1 about 200ft, and 3 miles from the water, and another about 350ft, 5 miles from the same water, Long Island Sound. The only thing maybe DMR hmm, ??????
@@buzzsah It's working quite well. The great advantage of 220 area is you get nearly the area coverage of 2 meters and nearly the speed of 70 cm plus it's not jam packed with traffic during emergency operations. It's growing now that there are plenty of tri band radios out there that include 220.
For everyone that thinks SARnet is taboo and that it shouldn't be used y'all are wrong. For those of you that feel it is your job to remind people they are talking on SARnet and discourage it, shame on you! But like Eric said. Don't camp out on it.
I guess the way they could be more resilient would be to have "multiple paths" in some way capable of being switched to bypass/bridge a gap across a failed linking repeater.
cdsu23 how do you get hold of that ? I’m new and learning with my Yagi antenna get ready to hit the mountain trail of AZ....... line of sight practice, dig ? AG7UG.....73’
Give my station a call or leave a message for me on 40 M 7.078 some time. I'll respond. Also look for my beacon that goes out every 10 min unless I'm working traffic.
I love it when everyone says "don't ask for a radio check" on a repeater. Someone, please. Tell me another way. I'd love it if I had 10 friends that lived 1.5 miles apart each. Then I could test a new radio or antenna in perfect 1.5 miles increments.
Hi Eric... Without getting into too much information.... Can you make a list (if you have already a link to your video) of the best radio to buy for the road/overland/home, such as CB, 10 meter, or whatever, Yes, i'm an old newbie that grew up with a cb in my truck.... Also, what cobra models or other brands have FM on them, and what else should this radio have...Also, power mic's. I'm preparing for a long haul across the country. Is there anyway you have time to talk on the phone without publishing a cell number.
Great Video. If I may ask, how are the repeaters funded, amateur radio club provided or individuals (I assume no state funding), and how did they get to ride along on the state microwave system. Did hams ask or did the state volunteer?
The more effective way to do this is to set them all as DMR so the single frequency becomes 2 channels. One static that activates the entire network, and another that allows each repeater to open up a user specific group. Analog is great, but as you pointed out, they all key up, and it becomes a massive waste of resources.
@@P25AES P25 is expensive for both the repeater owner, and the users. Like 4 to 5 times the investment compared to DMR. But sure! Knock yourself out. All depends on how many people you actually intend to serve, and how much they are willing to spend to play radio with you.
You talk about AT&T not having coverage on I-95. For those of us in the Panama City area, we are still reeling from how bad Verizon screwed the pooch after Hurricane Michael. We have dead spots EVERYWHERE!!!
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Thanks for putting the info on SARNET out there. I'm guessing not alot of Floridian operators know about it. Great vid!
W2TMS
Just listened most of the day as hurricane sally hit the panhandle. Good reports and info passed along all day. And K4NRD was working tirelessly the whole day.
Just started listening to SarNet recently. Got on once to check my connection to the closest repeater, Skyway bridge at 21 miles from Largo, FL - solid signal. Good to know.
I have spoken with Sarasota and in Largo, and I am in Escambia. SARnet is awesome and yes, it is not meant for rag chewing.
SC has a state wide repeater system called SC HEART links most hospitals and other medical facilities. A lot of the repeaters are on SCETV Towers.
The SC SCHEART system is tied together via NON internet microwave for most of its links. The sites have backup generators also.
Yes
Works great. Used it after Hurricane Michael in Panama City,Fl
I know it's quite randomly asking but does anyone know a good place to watch new tv shows online ?
@Shane Orion i would suggest flixzone. Just search on google for it =)
Ditto.. I'm in Panama City and was on when Michael Hit. Been here since 1961.. in and out when I was in the NAVY and 10 yrs in Europe "Germany". This is home and I'm staying come hell or high water.
If more hams were a little more like you it would be a much happier place. Thank you for touching on the subject during your presentation. :-)
Excellent video Eric. In this day and age all 50 states in the union should have, or develop a system similar to Florida’s SARNET.
Jealous in Texas. We have many networks but I don't think that anyone wants everyone on a single system. Great video!!
This is awesome. I wish VA would do this. Florida boy born and raised. Nice to know for when I travel home once or twice a year.
My first ever contact was on SARNET. I had no idea where I was, but the guy I talked to informed me (very nicely) and told me about the website for info.
I am going to take your advice and program in more of the network repeaters for future emergency preparedness.
I originally just got into HAM radio for the "Prepper" aspect, but lately my interest in it is exploding. I am hoping to get a HF system some time in the not so distant future.
I have a Yaesu 2980 for my truck, so maybe one day I'll go sit on a parking garage in the Tampa area or something and see if I can catch you. lol
People in Miami love your videos! Thanks for the info on SARnet. Im usually monitoring when mobile. Its a great resource to have and thankful for the guys who keep it going. Hope to hear you on it one day. 73 K4ABX
Thanks for putting this! I live in South Florida (Broward) and it's highly effective. Plus, many people us it.
Thanks, Eric. I didn’t know about this net. Just programmed in Palm Beach and Stuart repeaters and I am able to hit both!
New Mexico has a great linked repeater system called the Megalink. There's not much of NM, some of TX, and AZ that can't be reached on the Megalink. There's another linked system in TX that is not extensive as the Megalink but it's good from SE TX to Corpus Christi, to San Antonio, and a few other places. It's called the Saltgrass Linked System
Sweet. Thank you for enlightening me
@@HamRadioConcepts Back at you. I didn't know Florida had a linked system but I do now 73 NE5U
Alternative Grids 7 Utilities Down! 73” 😎
we have something similar in Eastern Washington that also covers parts of North Idaho, Northern Oregon and parts of British Columbia. The only downside to a VHF/UHF network is that each access point can go down and one or more can disrupt the network if not completely disabling it. it's simply another wireless network dependent upon the entire network to function. This is why true emergency hams will incorporate HF, thus eliminating the need for a repeater network. If the repeaters go down, HF nets are still functioning.
Man that was the best knowledge build about the SARNET!! Thank you from talking about it.. 73 KN4NWY, from TALLY!!
So tonight I am going to have put this into the radio. Especially with Dorian coming.
Thanks for the info, I had not heard of this
SARNET is like the living room furniture my parents had when I was growing up that we weren't allowed to play on so it would be clean and orderly when adult guests visited. You can't really use it for normal stuff daily without bothering folks, but it's invaluable to many when there's a disaster. Living in the Daytona Beach area means I don't mind so much not having coverage here but I keep the memories for SARNET towers I'd be near when evacuating programmed in my radios.
Just recently discovered this network while visiting my mom in Manatee County. Awesome.
Cool video, thanks for sharing. In the Pacific Northwest, we have something similar called the Evergreen Intertie Network. Its almost 30 linked repeaters from Washington through Oregon to northern California. DTMF codes open or close "RF switches" to change the network configuration.
Cinder Blue that's on the West side of Washington. on the East side the SRG system covers everything East of the Cascades and most of North Idaho is in range or interconnected, along with Northern Oregon . There has been plans of interconnecting through the Cascades to have statewide coverage.
@@jesselannigan2300 Please let me know if you hear of anything. I just submitted an application to join WORC which has access to the Evergreen Intertie with the updated DTMF access codes for each repeater controller. There is a yahoo group for it, but its not very active. Its hard to find info on any updates to the system. There is a weekly net on Wednesdays at 7pm, but I haven't tuned in yet.
Soon, I will get back on 70cm from central Florida and I plan to add all the SARnet repeaters. 73 de AI4I
Awesome system, have been monitoring and occasionally talking on it since March '24
Outside of emergencies it seems to be largely a "radio check" network LOL
73
K4EFW
This video is right on time. I've been learning repeater building. I'm checking locally to see if any large network like this exist. Washington State. I do know there is one for our cost.
Thank you for sharing this. You just added some fuel to the fire.
If you get a chance check out BeachNet Washington coast. This is one of the networks I'm currently studying. These are some Wouxan repeaters in a box lol. This the major league. Gotta start somewhere though.
This video is awesome, I thank you Erick/Eric for making it, I am studying for my ham technician license and have been part of public safety and never new this SARNEt was here, Can SARNET be joined does anyone know? as if they need help for specific projects..
I love SARNET! It has great coverage all over the state and the only place I couldnt hear it was in the middle of Everglades National Park. Hope to hear you on the air! KZ4FLA
Thanks for the information!!! I had all the SARNet programmed in the dmr code plug I emailed you but never used the system.
I always monitor this repeaters when I go visit family in south Fl and drive from Orlando area. During last years hurricane. It was excellent as people from other ares wanted to know about the conditions in different cities. De kv4op
Yep. Simplex is my first love and from there... I know these yowers vary well. They are maintained %100. Point to point is my 2nd.
Wow! What an impressive system! Thanks for the great explanation.
I live in farm country and have several active repeaters including a linked system. I can't see how more populated areas wouldn't have a bunch of people using repeaters. I think people just like to complain. Great video, as always.
Florida DOT announced that as of August 15, 2019, they will no longer support SARNET with equipment, repairs, etc. Such a shame!!!
Which is really sad, hope the volunteers can keep it maintained.
So this was announced 6 months ago. Who’s supporting sarnet?
On The Flats by the sound of discussions on the net, the individual repeater operators are still maintaining it. The microwave links are still operational and I hear K4NRD is quite active on it with weather alerts, radio checks, etc.
@@ChatGPT1111 I'm also very active on SARNET with K4NRD.. I'm KV4ATV Panama City - Bay Co.
Its 2022. How is it going now? I have used the network. It rocked!
Hey Eric, I'm in the Orlando area and monitor SARNet quite a bit. Maybe I'll catch you on there some day.
Call for me if you hear me in there. I'm normally on when there is any weather in Florida that is critical especially from Jacksonville to Mobile area. I'm usually relaying info to Pat K4NRD in Madison. He's watching the NE area of Fla and I'm watching the NW from Tallahassee to Mobile. A team of operators has kinda grown together over the years. We know each other not just by their call but we know their voice when we hear them.
Right on with the analog! Thanks for the video. My nephew was a FM two-way radio tech and he worked for a company that setup FM repeaters and systems for commercial use. The company he worked for also did comms for a pro football team and he was able to go to the home games for free. Back a few years ago when DMR came out he was asked by a farmer if his FM analog two-way radios would stop working when these new radios came out. I know it was just ignorance by the person who asked but he told them this simplex system is about as simple as it gets and yes it will continue to serve you well for years to come. I really hope that most areas in the country can keep this going. As a new tech and general soon after I have started programming analog repeaters and simplex frequencies into my digital radios just in case I need them. I find that a lot of the repeaters around me are broken and this really concerns me.
Thank you for uploading! I’ve heard some of the activity of SARnet on a Broadcastify.com stream.
Here in Michigan, we have the W8IRA all-analog linked repeater system covering nearly the entire state and into parts of northern Indiana and Ohio and parts of Canada. The only place that the system doesn’t cover is the Detroit area.
There’s a separate linked repeater system in the area called the Central Michigan Emergency Network that also covers Detroit, but that utilizes digital modes in addition to analog, and I’m not a fan of the guys who run the system. They remind me of the 435 repeater in LA, or the W2IBC repeater in Indy.
A friend and I started the Southern Michigan Repeater Network a few years ago, and we have an analog-only linked repeater system along with separate digital repeaters. We don’t have nearly as much coverage in total as the other linked systems around here, but my friend’s repeater in particular has amazing coverage. I can hit it nearly full scale on an HT from 35 miles away. I decided to link my repeater to his, and that’s how we started the system.
Keep up the amazing videos, Eric! 73 de W8SRC
The W8IRA is fantastic and I'm glad to see a fellow Michigander here.
73 de KE8JMD
Why doesn't it cover Detroit?
@@sammiller6631 The IRA linked system’s repeaters mainly cover western lower Michigan, so the eastern half doesn’t have as much coverage. I think the easternmost repeater is the Onondaga one which is what I get into from my QTH.
There is the WIN System with linked repeaters mostly on the US West coast, but is expanding to a few other places around the world.
Ryan Toomey yup! AG7UD
Listening to SARNET radio checks as I watch this.
In 2024 it STILL seems like a "radio check" network outside emergencies when EOC takes over temporarily.
Thanks Erick, great job, AG4UU
Excellent information ! This is the type of information people are looking for ! Thank You, PEACE
Wow, I never realized we had this network either! I just tried contacting the Stuart repeater, and that's about one of the few UHF repeaters I can hit from my apartment with my HT. Good to know in case I need to access it! 73 de KJ4CKR
"If you want to have a conversation, use another system," and that right there is why repeaters don't get used.
We had conversations alkl day today on SARNET, what I mean is, there are some that like to sit there and constantly talk as if they are broadcasting, not caring if someone else wants to talk.. That happens on 30c, and it pisses people off when they dont want to hear an hour long rant about their Donald Trump hate speech.
@@HamRadioConcepts well, if you're going to rant about something, that's a pretty worthy topic.
I get--and agree with, what you're saying in your comment here, but I quoted you directly from the video.
So many repeater owners and network administrators have the attitude that "this is a calling channel, you should have a conversation somewhere else," which just leads to dead air--I can only ask someone's name and QTH so many times before that gets boring and I move on to do something else. And you need only look at pretty much every talk group on the Brandmeister network to see it in action.
@@HamRadioConcepts Eric, we met at the 2023 HamCation. As a Certified and Trained SKYWARN station I'm also a well equipped and experienced Storm Chaser. I've tried to get critical information out on SARNET from the NWS and could not get a word in edge wise. Some operators where hot keying the system and talking about car shows and I've heard some get on there and talk for nearly an hour about how they do CW.. SARNET isn't to talk about non emergency and non HAM radio topics. It is a valuable communications link. When we have a Tornado Warning "Alert" put out by the NWS we let the stations monitoring it know. Some ppl do not have the instant information from the NWS but they are monitoring SARNET. K4NRD, myself KV4ATV and other stations who have backgrounds in Meteorology get in there so provide information and assistance. I have called in countless flash flood watch and warnings to our NWS Tallahasse office and they sound the WX advisory in a matter of seconds.
This will probably be put to good use before and after Dorian
That is really cool and I'm sure it's well used with hurricanes.
it is all used in our area, very active. don't give up. those of us that live outside the city's and get poor cell service use the repeaters and use them allot
I didn’t know SARNET had so much coverage. I will have to steal my Igate antenna and get on. Thank you for the PSA.
What a great video I live Escambia county and was looking for a way to hear emergency info when power gose out or the nuclear bomb hits
SARNet in the upper keys is in Islamorada, MM 84.
Sweet jesus.. I have friends in Del Ray, Fort Myers and near Cocoa Beach and family friends of a silent key in Venice who I used to work with in Michigan.
Thank you Eric for the info.
Kb8qlz.
Amateur Radio is a public service open to ALL licensed Hams.
It is not government owned or controlled by the state.
The only exception should be during an actual emergency situation.
Thanks For Video , Very Good ...
Outstanding
Howdy from down the road in Port St. Lucie. Future hammer here.
A good idea but On a daily basis the repeater noise is non stop. It’s so annoying that I don’t monitor Sarnet. Maybe one of these days I’ll record a video of the noise. Yes, I hear the noise on my mobile, ht and scanner.
Thank you for the video. Keith N4TRN.
It's odd to hear people say analog & 2m/440 is dead. TN didn't get the memo ;). Not only are they active here, I would venture to say it's utilized as much if not significantly more than all digital modes combined. Your mileage may vary depending on location but from my experience, only the larger cities have much digital activity. While in more rural areas we sometimes struggle to even get a digital footprint.
Also, here in TN (lots of cellular dead zones), we utilize a similar system called MTEARS (Middle Tennessee Emergency Amateur Repeater System) for emergencies, weather reports, & Agency Nets. It's an incredible asset to the NWS, Amateurs, & EOCs across all 94 counties. Albeit fewer nodes, & microwave connections, it's basically the same thing. KUDOS to the FL DOT for funding & maintaining SARNET as TNs MTEARS is almost completely upheld by Amateurs, with limited (or no) funding from the state. I could be mistaken, but I believe that's the case, a few grants etc aside.
Good video!
On Wednesday it's a NOAA weather radio test day
Great system !!
MANY THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT
Thank you for this very informative video. Great job.!
Great information...thank you for sharing from New York.
That's freakin' awesome.
Great video , so true repeaters not used much anymore. K4KWF
Very nice system. N2ELS
KN4RBO, Largo FL, I can hear the Skyway SARNET repeater from my place, just don't have the power to connect myself.
Try a Yagi, What type of radio and antenna are you using?
Awesome video man!
I’m new to ham radio thanks for the info.
Thanks Eric, great video as usual.
I recently moved here from the King County area of Washington State. We had something similar to this using just Amateur Radio to tie hospitals in the region together. Our repeaters were located at specific hospitals and could be easily reached by mobile and transceivers located at other hospitals. When you hit one of the repeaters the system would relay your transmission to all the other repeaters on a separate frequency. All using UHF/VHF, no microwaves were needed. There was some discussion before I left on using HamWan, hamwan.org/ as an alternative communications method, again using amateur radio, but at microwave frequencies. The eventual goal was to tie all the hospitals together. Unfortunately all of this was done on limited budgets.
We got something similar here in Wisconsin
Just getting into HAM and I'm in Wisconsin. Where can I get more info on the similar net?
Casey Thompson go to wecomm.org that’s what I am seeing here the system is a series of repeaters linked together across the state and is used for nets as well as normal use and if you keybup on one you will be heard on all that are connected
N9IBZED will check it out, thanks!
Did you know they gave you a shoutout on the Announcements page?? Nice!!!!
"THERE IS AN EXCELLENT NEW SARNET VIDEO ON TH-cam PRODUCED BY HAMRADIOCONCEPTS VIDEO BLOGGER ERIC! HERE IS THE LINK."
I'm so new. I'm licensed and have never transmitted. Scanning, virtually all activity I encounter is through a SARnet repeaters.
Great to discover this network, thanks for explaining! 73 de Burt AG8OJ/FG8OJ
Very Nice to Know! I don't know Ham Radios, but know of them. =] Thanks!
S Polk near Highlands, I don't see range - besides Lakeland [too far?] No matter - no radio. but - This is Cool!
years ago they wanted to take 220 for business use and it was close. The reason why we still have from then is it was proven that the growth in ham as the speed in which it's growing the 220 will be needed very soon. Well 25+ years later Hmm!!!
Do you think 220 is going unused might be due to radio manufacturers excluding the band from most radios? I do and if that changed mostly from dual-band radios to tri-band we would begin to see a boom in 220 traffic. My opinion, may not mean anything to anyone but me. :-)
@@mlhoward4469 There is a few manufacturers making tri-band units, but for some reason, there aren't many repeaters or clubs out there to support it. The manufacturers would pump them out if there was a daman for them. We have I'm guessing 4-5 guys that use 220 simplex and they treat it like a family radio, no calls being used, first names only. No one there to question them. If a few clubs don't start using it, or a group to use it and monitor the action, we could lose it, however, it wouldn't be for a long time, there are enough radios out there that would prevent a business or Gov from using it. UPS was trying years ago to take over a 220 freq but found it would be too costly and troublesome. Sorry for babbling on in hope to make a point. I know things have changed, I shutdown my first station in 1983 and just started up about 2 years ago but maybe within the last 2 years I may have keyed up a dozen times, Boy has things changed, DMR, SDR, digital, I feel like a Novice lol. Trying to pickup on the new stuff with an old tired mind is hard.
@@buzzsah I have, own, and run a 220 repeater here in Panama City, Bay Co Fl.
@@kv4atv How is it working out? Much uses? There's a few here in CT. but I never hear anyone. I have been thinking of a repeater but, I'm too close to others. I have 2 nice location, 1 about 200ft, and 3 miles from the water, and another about 350ft, 5 miles from the same water, Long Island Sound. The only thing maybe DMR hmm, ??????
@@buzzsah It's working quite well. The great advantage of 220 area is you get nearly the area coverage of 2 meters and nearly the speed of 70 cm plus it's not jam packed with traffic during emergency operations. It's growing now that there are plenty of tri band radios out there that include 220.
For everyone that thinks SARnet is taboo and that it shouldn't be used y'all are wrong.
For those of you that feel it is your job to remind people they are talking on SARnet and discourage it, shame on you!
But like Eric said. Don't camp out on it.
when are you doing the 6 meter rundown
Great video Ke4mwz Titusville Florida
I guess the way they could be more resilient would be to have "multiple paths" in some way capable of being switched to bypass/bridge a gap across a failed linking repeater.
There is nothing better than JS8CALL for Emcomm. Just try all the features it has.
cdsu23 how do you get hold of that ? I’m new and learning with my Yagi antenna get ready to hit the mountain trail of AZ....... line of sight practice, dig ? AG7UG.....73’
Give my station a call or leave a message for me on 40 M 7.078 some time. I'll respond. Also look for my beacon that goes out every 10 min unless I'm working traffic.
Great information 73s from W5DPV
Beautiful!
Great info, thanks!
73 N4ANO
I love it when everyone says "don't ask for a radio check" on a repeater. Someone, please. Tell me another way.
I'd love it if I had 10 friends that lived 1.5 miles apart each. Then I could test a new radio or antenna in perfect 1.5 miles increments.
Thanks man, new sub from Alabama.
Mega Ditto's Pal! You've got my attention!
We use our repeaters in Az
Hate to see this system go away its been solid for years
Sarnet also known as the "Big Stick"
220 is pretty quiet here in San Diego CA KG6VVO
Great overview. 73 AB1FL
Hi Eric... Without getting into too much information.... Can you make a list (if you have already a link to your video) of the best radio to buy for the road/overland/home, such as CB, 10 meter, or whatever, Yes, i'm an old newbie that grew up with a cb in my truck.... Also, what cobra models or other brands have FM on them, and what else should this radio have...Also, power mic's. I'm preparing for a long haul across the country. Is there anyway you have time to talk on the phone without publishing a cell number.
I'm already working on this video, stay tuned brotha
Great Video. If I may ask, how are the repeaters funded, amateur radio club provided or individuals (I assume no state funding), and how did they get to ride along on the state microwave system. Did hams ask or did the state volunteer?
SARNET New York State need a Amateur Radio Repeater System like it,
Why 70cm? I know the advantages/disadvantages of longer vs shorter wave lengths. So why not 1.25 meters? Best of both worlds right?
There seems to be the majority of HAMs have Dual band 2M 70 cm rigs. I have 220 and I run a repeater here in Panama City Fl.
Interesting, I would have really appreciated to have a technical insight of how the repeater are networked together via SHF.
I can’t mix work and TH-cam videos about amateur radio that’s why I didn’t do it
I wish my state had a good network.
I used to live in MS, that state REALLY needs something like SARnet with all the severe weather they get ALL year long.
The more effective way to do this is to set them all as DMR so the single frequency becomes 2 channels. One static that activates the entire network, and another that allows each repeater to open up a user specific group. Analog is great, but as you pointed out, they all key up, and it becomes a massive waste of resources.
P25 instead of DMR
@@P25AES P25 is expensive for both the repeater owner, and the users. Like 4 to 5 times the investment compared to DMR. But sure! Knock yourself out. All depends on how many people you actually intend to serve, and how much they are willing to spend to play radio with you.
@@paaao how come I was picking up UHF p25 radios with all necessary programming equipment for $95 a pop. Hams need to be reasonable here.
@@P25AES because your situation is anecdotal, and has nothing to do with the status quo.
@@paaao the status quo?
You talk about AT&T not having coverage on I-95. For those of us in the Panama City area, we are still reeling from how bad Verizon screwed the pooch after Hurricane Michael. We have dead spots EVERYWHERE!!!
Do you know the current status of SARNET funding by FDOT? Is there any current funding?
My wife wants your frog. She collects them.
$300 LOL