The Repeater on Sunset Ridge is working normally now. After a lot of problems in the first four months of 2025, including wind damage and a power outage that lasted for months, the repeater is in better shape than ever. The repeater now has; battery capacity that will last for days, Solar power that is usually able to fully charge the batteries every day, An automatic generator that will power the repeater and charge the batteries if the charge gets to low, with enough propane to last for weeks.
Ken also has a backup repeater that can be switched on anytime the hilltop repeater goes down. The backup has less power and is at a lower level, so there will be less coverage. The backup is in Claremont and was used for much of the time when Sunset Ridge lost power until we were able to get the new backup systems ready.
There are some YouTube videos of repeater trips on the “GOTAhams on the Go” channel @ (380) GOTAhams OnTheGo – YouTube our latest video is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANPVE6DpxtI&t=431s
The WG6OTA repeater is privately owned. The repeater owner has chosen to make the repeater available for Club activities and to offer it as an ‘open’ repeater for the use of the local ham radio community. The owner asks that the repeater is used with courtesy and that conversations remain family-friendly and avoid divisive controversy. Use of the repeater should remain in compliance with F.C.C. Part 97. In the event of any emergency communications, users should give way to the emergency traffic immediately. It is hoped that this can be a friendly and welcoming space for those new to Getting On The Air! Many of the Club’s UHF-FM activities are centered around WG6OTA. For this reason, the Club’s call sign: WG6OTA, has been assigned to the repeater by the Club Trustee with the approval of the elected officers.
The repeater is located on Sunset Ridge, due north of Claremont at an altitude of about 1 mile above sea level and provides very wide coverage of Southern California.
The WG6OTA repeater can be found at 449.160 MHz with a standard offset of minus 5 MHz and a CTCSS tone of 77.0 Hz. The repeater also broadcasts a tone at 77.0 Hz for those wishing to use tone squelch.
The road to the repeater can be challenging given weather or recent weather events and this can result in delays in maintenance.
The repeater is supported by direct user donations and volunteer effort. If you would like to contribute to this activity please contact Dave, K6EV at K6EV@ARRL.NET. If you would like to contact the repeater owner, please write to Ken, KC6WOK at KC6WOK@GMAIL.COM
