A bit of the history of 147.210. The original repeater was built and maintained by Bob Stanard, K0BZK, of the BPU Radio Department, in the early 70's. It operated under RACES rules, with the input frequency in the 145.xxx range (not 147.81-that freq was not authorized under RACES.)

The repeater, callsign WR0ABJ, using all Motorola tube-type gear, was located on 2 water towers, with the receiver at Valley & Lawrence Av. in the Argentine District and the transmitter on the water tower behind the National Guard Armory at 20th & Ridge. A leased telephone line connected the two sites. In 1981, maintenence issues and (mainly) the expense of the leased line led then-director Don Millsap, W0IQK (ex-K0CZT) to order a new Motorola Micor repeater and Sinclair duplexer. The single-site repeater was located on City Hall at 7th & Ann and is currently the stand-by repeater. The Micor underwent a thorough checkup during 2005, gaining a new ID'er and remote control circuitry. The antenna is a Decibel Products DB-222E on the west side of the City Hall helipad. This is a directional antenna, with the favored direction to the west. Antenna height restrictions at City Hall, due to the helipad, limited that repeater to a smaller antenna.

In 1996, the City obtained a grant for a new repeater and a Motorola Quantar with a Sinclair duplexer was acquired. This is the current repeater, and is located on the water tower at 51st & Gibbs Road. The antenna system consists of a Decibel Products DB-224 antenna in directional configuration, with coverage shaded to the northwest. This repeater also underwent a thorough checkup in 2005. The Gibbs Road site has a standby generator.

It's noteworthy that both of the repeaters were ordered from the manufacturer as amateur repeaters. They are not converted surplus.

Both are owned and maintained by the Emergency Management Department.

Information provided by Bill Barnes, WB0NSQ