wd0hwt.net

What does it cost to keep the MARA repeater operating?
  VHF (2 Meter repeater) 146.25/85 MHz

The cost for OPERATING the 8 sites that comprise the 25/85 VHF repeater system averages about $1200.00 per year. All of this money comes from donations from the system users. When un-expected repair expenses (such as losing an antenna from lightning damage) occur a special fund drive is started to pay the extra costs to finance this expense. Each year we try to UPDATE part of the system with a cost of about $300.00, so our TOTAL yearly expenses for operating the 25/85 system runs about $1500.00.
The biggest expenses are for monthly AC power costs to operate the equipment at the sites and the cost of a general liability insurane policy to provide protection to the owners of these sites (required by the site owners). We do not receive donations from NOAA, Metro Skywarn, or from the marathon.

  AC power costs (all 8 sites)   $400.00
  Telephone at WBL (security system, control)   $300.00
  Liability Insurance for 9 sites   $350.00
  Paper, envelopes and postage   $45.00
  Minor repairs and upgrades for 8 sites   $400.00

Our total expenses in 2009 were held to $1230.00, but donations only totaled $745.00. We had to take the rest from our savings account. We have in past years had a savings account that was used for system updates and emergency repairs (usually about $500.00) but that account has been depleted in 2009.

Your continuing support will keep the 25.85 repeater operating and allow continued operation of the system.

  UHF (449.800/444.800 MHz)

We lease space and pay for electric powere at the UHF repeater site for $11.00 per month. The yearly cost to keep this UHF repeater operating is about $160.00 (lease, power, and repairs).
We currently have supporters that designate their supporting donations to keep this UHF repeater operating that pay for most of its support. Additional supporters will allow for more repeater features.

  Other amateur radio operations

The MARA allows it's club callsign (WDØHWT) to be used on D-star, packet radio, and APRS amateur radio stations, BUT DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY MONETARY SUPPORT FOR THESE OPERATIONS.

The Metro Area Repeater Association operates two amateur repeaters in the
Minneapolis / St. Paul Metro Area.

The 146.250 / 146.850 MHz repeater has a 500-watt transmitter and a series of remote receive sites
located throughout the Twin Cities area. The repeater offers an auto patch to supporting members of the
association. Metro Skywarn also uses this repeater for severe weather spotting activities.

The 85 systems's courtesy beeps inform you of the operational mode the repeater is in
The morse code letters are as follows:
K ( -.- ) Normal Operation
NET ( -. . - ) Net Operation
WX ( .-- -..- ) Weather Net Operation

The 449.800 / 444.800 MHz repeater is located midway between Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN near the area of Hwy 280 & I94 and requires a CTCSS tone of 114.8Hz.

Both of the repeaters operated by the Metro Area Repeater Association are there for your use and are open to all licensed amateurs.

HOW IS MARA FINANCED

All monetary support for operating the MARA repeater system, adding new features, and updates to the system
comes from donations from "SUPPORTING MEMBERS" of time, equipment, and/or money. MARA uses no other
method of raising funds to keep the repeater system operating and adding new features. If we do not have the
funds to add new features, or make improvements, we just cannot do them.
The recommended contribution for "Supporting Members" is currently suggested to be $25.00 per year. A
contribution of any amount will be cheerfully accepted and an acknowledgement of your contribution will be sent
to you.