The Moshannon Valley Radio Network (MVRN) empowers citizens of Philipsburg PA and surrounding areas to communicate with one another whenever ordinary means of communication are not available.
The network isn’t just hardware. It also consists of people, planning, and preparation.
Repeaters
Radio repeaters located near Philipsburg, Sandy Ridge, and Rattlesnake Pike constantly listen for signals transmitted by GMRS and Amateur radio users. When a signal is detected by a repeater, it is instantly retransmitted so it can be heard by more people over a wider area. The repeaters are linked so that a signal detected by any repeater is instantly retransmitted by all repeaters of the same type, allowing seamless communications within their combined coverage areas.
GMRS Repeaters
| Repeater Name | Repeater ID | Frequency (MHz) | Offset (MHz) | Tone (Hz) | Call Sign | Linked To | Linked Via | Repeater Status | Link Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philipsburg 575 | PHB575 | 462.575 | +5 | 192.8 | WRDT431 | RAT550, SDY600 | VoIP | Online | Active |
| Rattlesnake 550 | RAT550 | 462.550 | +5 | 218.1 | WRDT431 | PHB575, SDY600 | VoIP | Online | Active |
| Sandy Ridge 600 | SDY600 | 462.600 | +5 | 229.1 | WREZ994 | PHB575, RAT550 | VoIP | Online | Active |
Amateur Repeaters
| Repeater Name | Repeater ID | Frequency (MHz) | Offset (MHz) | Uplink Tone (Hz) | Downlink Tone (Hz) | Call Sign | Linked To | Linked Via | Repeater Status | Link Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philipsburg 640 | PHB640 | 146.640 | -0.6 | 173.8 | 173.8 | W3PHB | RAT430 | RF | Planned | Planned |
| Rattlesnake 425 | RAT425 | 443.425 | +5 | 107.2 | none | K3HOT | Harrisburg | RF | Online | Online |
| Rattlesnake 430 | RAT430 | 146.430 | +1 | 173.8 | 173.8 | W3PHB | PHB640 | RF | Online | Planned |
People
FRS Radio Users
FRS radios can be purchased at many sporting goods and home improvement stores. They transmit on the same frequencies as GMRS radios and no license is required to use them, but their power is limited to two watts and they do not work with repeaters. FRS radios typically have a useful range of one to two miles under real-world conditions. They are ideal for communicating with neighbors who have FRS or GMRS radios.
GMRS Radio Users
GMRS radios are permitted to transmit using up to 50 watts of power, and GMRS repeaters can be used to further extend the range. Two people using 5-watt handheld GMRS radios could easily communicate over a distance of 3 to 5 miles in flat terrain. A repeater could extend the range to 10 miles or more in mountainous terrain. In order to transmit on GMRS frequencies, a GMRS license is required. The license costs $35 and is valid for ten years. It covers every member of the licensee’s family, including parents, children, grandparents, and grandchildren.
Amateur Radio Operators
Amateur radio operators (“hams”) are permitted to use 18 separate radio bands and up to 1500 watts of power to communicate over great distances. A technical proficiency test is required in order to obtain an amateur radio license.
Planning
During an emergency or at times of heightened concern, effective communication requires a plan.
Everyone
Use FRS/GMRS channel 22 to keep in touch with your neighbors.
FRS Radio Users
You can also monitor the nearest GMRS repeater by listening to channel 15 (Rattlesnake), 16 (Philipsburg), or 17 (Sandy Ridge). With two radios you can monitor channel 22 and one repeater at the same time. GMRS users in your neighborhood can communicate with you on channel 22 and they can relay messages throughout the entire Moshannon Valley using the GMRS repeaters.
GMRS Users
Monitor the nearest GMRS repeater on channel 23 (Rattlesnake), 24 (Philipsburg), or 25 (Sandy Ridge). If any amateur radio operators within the GMRS repeater coverage area are monitoring the GMRS repeaters, they can relay messages throughout several nearby counties using amateur repeaters near Philipsburg, Boalsburg, Altoona, and Rockton. They may also be able to provide a sense of what is happening outside the Moshannon Valley region.
Amateur Radio Operators
Monitor the GMRS repeaters to keep in touch with GMRS operators throughout the Moshannon Valley. Use amateur repeaters to communicate with other radio amateurs in western-central PA. Use HF radio equipment to communicate with radio amateurs in other states or other countries and report important news to our community through the GMRS repeater system.
Preparation
Everyone
- Print out hard copies of any information you might need when the internet is unavailable.
- Make sure your batteries are charged.
- Find out if your neighbors have FRS or GMRS radios and encourage them to visit the MVRN website.
- Practice using FRS/GMRS channel 22 to chat with your neighbors during power outages.
FRS Radio Users
- Monitor the MVRN weekly net by listening to the nearest GMRS repeater on channel 15 (Rattlesnake), 16 (Philipsburg), or 17 (Sandy Ridge).
GMRS Radio Users
- Participate in the MVRN weekly net on the nearest GMRS repeater using channel 23 (Rattlesnake), 24 (Philipsburg), or 25 (Sandy Ridge).
Amateur Radio Operators
- Participate in the PARA weekly net on the nearest Amateur repeater (Rattlesnake 430 or Philipsburg 640).
- Participate in weekly nets hosted by other radio clubs on their repeaters.
