On July 30, 2022, members of JARA moved the VHF repeater transmit antenna (144.79 MHz) from the tower to its own mounting platform. We had, what seemed, like a very limited and irregular coverage pattern. Suspecting that the proximity to the tower (<3 ‘) and location of the antenna entirely below the guy wires skewed propagation, we moved the antenna away from the tower complex but still on the upper roof. The antenna remains 10’ at its base above the upper roof. On the VHF net the following evening, attendees agreed that the radiation pattern has vastly improved with signals reaching formerly dormant areas. “We had dead spots less than 3 miles from the repeater but now coverage is more even, stronger, and farther than we previously experienced”, said Trustee Rick, NJ0P. Updated reception reports are welcome and be sent over-the-air or via out Contact Page.
Jarbalo Amateur Radio Association
In Memory of Mac, W0ROO