With the recent partial repair of the amateur radio gear aboard ISS, the 447.475 mHz WA1KAT/R EMA Repeater will resume activity crossbanding both the new ISS Packet frequency of 145.825 and the Voice downlink of 145.800 mHz.
The purpose of this repeater is to offer the opportunity for earthbound ISS Voice operations to be accomplished with a single band UHF transceiver (10 mHz split) with no diplexer required of the operator.
It also will allow the Packet operator full duplex operations providing the tools to reduce packet clashes over an 800 mile radius.
Due to the imminent pressures of PAVE-PAWS, the repeater will be operating at a power level of 20w from behind a ridgeline approximately 7 miles northwest of the original Salem Hospital location.
The current location 42.640415N/-70.947058W affords southerly protection from Otis AFB, a factor which is lacking at the original Salem Hospital site.
The repeater is utilized by a dedicated group of Merrimack Valley amateurs who strongly support ISS activity. It is also available to the members of MAREX-NA, the organization putting SSTV gear aboard the ISS in the near future.
Although I have contacted NESMC previously, I still note that the WA1KAT/R repeater on 447.475 mHz is not listed on your website. The repeater has been active at the Topsfield location, repeating 145.800 ISS traffic, predating my last emails to you.
If you have any questions, please contact me...
Roger Kolakowski WA1KAT Trustee WA1KAT/R 447.475 mHz Essex County repeater.