N6LXX Repeater System Invades Texas

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Here are a few pictures of the N6LXX repeater system links in Northern Texas and Southeastern Texas

For years now, those of us on 6 meters in Southern California find ourselves very fortunate to have an open repeater system built and maintained by Chris, N6LXX. This system has intergrated 6 meters with 900MHz, UHF, and 10 meters, providing outstanding coverage throughout southern California and into Las Vegas, Nevada (via the 900MHz system).

In late August 2006, the N6LXX system extended it's coverage area into Northern Texas by establishing a new repeater on a 2000 foot tall tower in Rosston, Texas, and stations from around Dallas, Witchita Falls, and Oklahoma have been heard coming into the system via a remote base on 52.525, as well as a UHF repeater (443.7375 (+) PL 141.3) and a 900MHz repeater (927.5625 (-) PL 123.0) in the area. That remote base is no longer in use, and a six meter repeater has been established with a coordinated pair of 53.130 (output) and 52.130 (input) with a PL of 107.2 hertz. As we have heard, this link is seamless, and it is impossible to hear the linking process.

Liberman Broadcasting Tower, Era is a 609.6 meter (2,000 feet)-tall guyed mast at Era, Texas, USA at 33°29'05.5" N and 97°24'44.8" W. It was built in 2006 and is used for emergency communication and commercial radio broadcasting. Currently, it is used for storm tracking communications and primarily serves as the transmitter for KNOR-FM, 93.7 “La Raza,” a Spanish-language music station playing “Norteno” music (roughly comparable to contemporary Country in English).

Situated on a private ranch about 7 miles west of Era, Texas, Liberman Broadcasting Tower Era is one of earth's tallest structures (tied for sixth with several other guyed masts); and as of May 2007 was the tallest structure in Texas.

The tower is named for its proximity to Era, though it is much closer to the small communities of Rosston and Leo.

To view an article published in the Weatherford Democrat about this tower, visit: Texas Tallest Structure Brings Emergency Communications, Spanish Radio

AUGUST 2007

It has been almost a year to the day since Chris Buchanan, N6LXX, opened the link to his Rosston, TX repeater, linking northern Texas with Southern California. And now he's expanded his system AGAIN! This time, the N6LXX repeater system takes up residence in the Houston suburb of DEVERS, TX.

The Liberman Broadcasting Tower Devers (home to the N6LXX repeater) and the Clear Channel Broadcasting Tower Devers, guyed TV masts, belong to world's tallest constructions.

This addition to the N6LXX repeater system will provide amateur radio coverage in the greater Houston area as well as Beaumont, Port Arthur, Pasadena, and the Galveston Bay area. This repeater's footprint should also extend into southwestern Louisiana, and into the Gulf of Mexico.

Currently, the repeater is operational on 70cm on 449.850 MHz (input), 444.850 MHz (output), and a 151.4Hz PL. When fully operational, there will be a 6 meter repeater with an input frequency of 52.210 MHz, and an output frequency of 53.210 MHz, with a 151.4Hz PL as well.

This repeater, as is the case with all N6LXX repeaters, is OPEN to all amateur radio operators. We hope you enjoy the pictures taken from the new Devers, Tx tower as well as the tremendous linked repeater system that is N6LXX. As always, our thanks go to Chris, N6LXX, for his dedication and generosity to the amateur radio community.

N6LXX Repeaters, Home of the San Diego Six Shooters Amateur Radio Net

Friday nights @ 8:00pm PST (10pm CST) we hold the San Diego Six Shooters Amateur Radio Net on N6LXX repeater system .This has proven to be a very popular net and is open to all licensed amateur radio operators. It provides an outstanding opportunity for exchanging ideas and information, asking technical qustions , and making announcements for your clubs's activities as well as posting items for sale/want/trade. Immediately following the conclusion of the roundtable portion of the net we play the ARRL Audio News, just hours after it has become available. Why not join us each and every Friday night!

It is important to note that the San Diego Six Shooters Amateur Radio Club has no ownership rights or privileges to the N6LXX repeater system. Like you, we are grateful users of this system.

Click on images to see them at full size

Mt. Harvard Repeater Site (N6LXX HUB)

Rosston, Tx 2000' tower (N6LXX repeaters 1500' up)

Chris, N6LXX, fine tuning his repeater at the Rosston site

70cm, 33cm, and Tri-band (2m,70cm, 6m) antennas at the N6LXX Rosston, Tx repeater

At 1500 feet above the ground, this is what it looks like when you take a peek over the railing back down at the ground.(Rosston, Tx)

And it is still another 500 feet to the top of this tower (Rosston, Tx)

You better believe there's a railing up here!! (Rosston, Tx)

A look at one of the many guy-wires helping to support this tower (Rosston, Tx)

While climbing up here may be an option, I'd prefer to take the elevator (Rosston, Tx)

The elevator's rail, rollers, and brake system for a smooth and safe ride all the way to the top. (Rosston, Tx)

Here we can see the controls for the elevator, as well as an intercom to communicate with personnel on the ground. (Rosston, Tx)

Another peek down to the ground, this time through the floor grid. (Rosston, Tx)

Heres a look at the control center for the N6LXX repeater in Southeastern Texas. Currently housing a 6 meter repeater and a 70cm repeater, there appears to be room for expansion... ya never know! (Devers, Tx)

Here's a close look at the antennas being used for the N6LXX repeater in Devers, Tx. (6M on the left and 70cm on the right)

The tower that houses the N6LXX repeater in Devers, Tx, is officially listed at 1999 ft. Here we are at the 1500 ft platform looking up towards the broadcast platform at the top.(Devers, Tx)