Repeaters

The following are repeaters owned and maintained by Snohomish ACS to maintain a robust communication system for use during disaster activations.  The repeaters operating in the ham bands are also available for normal amateur use.  The repeaters outside the ham bands may be used with permission .

ACS DSTAR

Snohomish County has the first wide coverage DSTAR repeater system located in Granite Falls.  Like the other ACS repeaters, this system is open to the general amateur community when ACS is not activated. Unlike the other ACS repeaters, it is only available to users with DSTAR radios.  Although the DSTAR radios can operate FM, the repeater operates in DSTAR mode only. The Snohomish County EOC, DEM-10 and the two Granite Falls fire stations are equipped with DSTAR radios and can use this system.   The two portable kits stored at the EOC also contain DSTAR equipped radios.

The system went online in July 2009, was moved to the Granite Falls location in October, 2010, and will continue to be improved over time.  At this time, DV mode (voice and low speed data) is available on UHF at 440.325MHz but no gateway because there is no Internet available at this site (yet).  In May of 2012 a second repeater was added at DEM with full gateway functionality on 440.350MHz.  The DD mode (high speed data) was moved from Granite Falls and installed at DEM and is available at 1251.650MHz.  If you have a new radio and need your gateway access approved, after you register be sure to mail Scott n7ss at arrl.net.  The gateway has no notification mechanism to let us know you attempted to register.

The DV mode radio programming information is:

NR7SS B       440.325       +5.000    Granite Falls - No Gateway

NR7SS B       440.350       +5.000    DEM Everett - Gateway

Future Plans

Install the DSTAR Gateway at Granite Falls

The callsign on the Granite Falls system needs to be changed because DSTAR needs a unique address for each user and gateway system.  The gateway server is currently being configured but there is no Internet at the Granite Falls site (no wires at all).  There are two options for Internet at the site.   SERS is looking at upgrading to a new microwave link with additional capacity which would allow us to use the older one for Internet.  There is also a possibility of installing HAMWAN at the site.  

Connect Email and Chat via DRATS

DRATS is a piece of software that works on DSTAR, packet or directly on the Internet to provide chat, file transfer (including photos and forms), mapping and Winlink compatible email functionality.  It is possible for a radio somewhere in the coverage area to provide Internet access by running DRATS to provide email service.  This can be done easily at any time and is at least some improvement before the gateway is available.

Connect to Regional Reflector

The Federal Way team is currently working on a DSTAR reflector that acts like a conference bridge for DSTAR repeaters.  This would allow all gateway connected repeater systems to participate in a region-wide system.  It is an outstanding way to connect local coverage systems and sparse DSTAR users into a system that would have WWA-wide coverage.  If we had an emergency and needed the bandwidth, we could simply terminate our connection to the reflector and preserve the bandwidth for our operations.

What can you do?

We will be offering training on the new system in the coming months.  With just the EOC and DEM10 systems, we have some great capability to offer DEM and the SAR teams.  Adding other team members with DSTAR capability provides even more service to our coverage area.  If you’re considering a new radio, you may be interested in the additional features.  There are some links with additional information below.

You can install and run D-RATS via the Internet.  This provides a great way to get familiar with the software and connect to our Ratflector when it goes live.

http://dstardb.ae7q.com/index.php?CALL=nr7ss&TYPE=rpt1Call  View activity on the repeater

http://www.dstarinfo.com DSTAR information and repeater listings

http://www.dstarusers.org Latest live DSTAR listings world-wide

http://www.d-rats.com D-RATS Home Page

Granite Falls Repeater (GRANIT)

This Amateur repeater is located near Granite Falls with sufficient altitude to provide extensive coverage for most of Snohomish County.  This station is used as the Snohomish County ACS Resource Net (during activations and exercises) and also open to the general amateur radio community.  This repeater is owned, operated and maintained by Snohomish County ACS.  

Frequency:  146.920 MHz, -.6 Tone:  123.0 Hz Mode:  FM Analog

Firetrail Repeater (FIRE2)

This Amateur repeater has great coverage from the Arlington area and is available to the general amateur radio community.  During activations this repeater may be used for the Command net.

Frequency:  224.380 MHz, -1.6 Tone:  103.5 Hz Mode:  FM Analog

Firetrail Repeater (FIRE4)

This Amateur repeater has great coverage from the Arlington area and is available to the general amateur radio community.  During activations this repeater is used as a backup on 70 CM.

Frequency:  444.200 MHz, +5 Tone:  D172 Mode:  FM Analog

Lynnwood Repeater (LYNNWD)

This Amateur repeater has coverage for South County from the Lynnwood area and is available to the general amateur radio community.  During activations this repeater is likely to be used as the backup to the Resource Net (GRANIT).

Frequency:  146.780 MHz, -.6 Tone:  D172 Mode:  FM Analog

Clearview Repeater (CLEARV)

This Amateur repeater has great coverage for South East County from the Clearview  area and is available to the general amateur radio community.  This repeater has good coverage over most of the county.  During activations this repeater is likely to be used as the Tactical Net.

Frequency:  442.975 MHz, +5  Tone:  D172 Mode:  FM Analog

Montlake Repeater (MTLAKE)

This Amateur repeater has great coverage for South County from the Mountlake Terrace area and is available to the general amateur radio community.  This repeater has good coverage over most of the county. 

Frequency:  443.725 MHz, +5  Tone:  103.5 Hz Mode:  FM Analog

Swedish Repeater (SWEDSH)

This Amateur repeater has great coverage for South County from Swedish Hospital in Edmonds and is available to the general amateur radio community.  This repeater has good coverage over most of the county. 

Frequency:  444.025 MHz, +5  Tone:  156.7 Hz Mode:  FM Narrow Analog

DEM OSO Commercial Repeater  (DEMOSO)

This  is not an Amateur repeater, operating outside the ham bands from Oso near Darington, WA.  Coverage is great for North county however covers most of the county.  This repeater is available with permission from Snohomish ACS.  This system may be used during activations.

Frequency:  154.055 MHz, +4.795  Tone:  103.5 Hz Mode:  FM Narrow Analog

DEM Clearview Commercial Repeater (DEMCL)

This  is not an Amateur repeater, operating outside the ham bands from Clearview.  Coverage is great for South county however covers most of the county.  This repeater is available with permission from Snohomish ACS.  This system may be used during activations.

Frequency:  154.055 MHz, +4.795  Tone:  114.8 Hz Mode:  FM Narrow Analog

DEM  Whidbey Commercial Repeater  (DEMWI)

This  is not an Amateur repeater, operating outside the ham bands from Whidbey Island.  Coverage is intended to cover the waterfront well.  This repeater is available with permission from Snohomish ACS.  This system may be used during activations.

Frequency:  154.055 MHz, +4.795  Tone:  127.3 Hz Mode:  FM Narrow Analog

Snohomish County Repeater Map (2023)