Grubstake Repeaters

AARC currently funds the Grubstake wide-area repeaters, which provide coverage across the Matanuska-Susitna Valley and into Anchorage.

Grubstake Repeaters

If sufficient funds are not available, the Grubstake wide-area repeaters will be shut down due to financial constraints.  In addition to monthly rental charges, there is a premium charge for getting to the repeater site by helicopter when things go wrong or simply for annual inspection and maintenance.

As many of our members may know, these repeaters serve a very, very wide area. From far north in the Mat-Su Valley, to the Anchorage bowl, and even to the Kenai Peninsula, they serve us well.  They are important for general ham service, but more importantly, they play a critical role from an emergency communications perspective.  The weekly ARES net is even held on 147.33/83 repeater.  If the repeaters are “turned off”, there’s no guarantee that they will be, or even can be, turned back on.

We ask for your support to keep the repeaters alive.  We need on average about $2,300 per year to operate these repeater systems.  So, if you believe these repeaters should be funded and kept alive, we ask you to contribute to help the effort.  We also urge you to contact your friends and neighbors, hams and non-hams alike to help. 

As of April 18, 2020, Joey Acosta of Arcticom stated that they have been on 100% solar for about the last 3 weeks with no need for the diesel generator to fire up.

The following individuals have made contributions to support the ongoing operation of the repeater system. Funds go to lease tower space, transportation, and maintenance costs.