The GARA Club is raising money to pay for a Motorola MTR3000 Repeater System This Repeater cost includes buying a Controller, Charger, Batteries, and misc. hardware items and professional installation services.
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Our club's current 2-meter FM HAMTRONICS 17-watt repeater is located on the Sidney Lanier Bridge in Brunswick. It has been and continues to be a good and reliable machine. It has especially shined since we purchased and installed a new DB224 four-bay antenna in November of 2022. I don't recall hearing of any problems with it in its 28 years of faithful service...but it's 28 years old and Hamtronics went SK along with its founder a few years ago.
Of course, nothing lasts forever, and we need to prepare for the day our good old Hamtronics "Tank" will experience a breakdown. Repairing it could be very difficult and we would be without a Repeater for a long time till we figured it out.
So, while things are going well and we are not in a hurry, we will retire the old Hamtronics machine and replace it with a newer, more powerful commercial-grade Motorola MTR3000 Repeater.
But not to worry, we will leave the old faithful on-site resting nearby just in case it might ever be needed to activated again! It's good to have a backup machine.
We have a nice replacement system planned and a few of the items have already been purchased. Your donations will buy:
There is a serious price tag that comes with such a nice Repeater system acquisition, but based on my interest poll I recently conducted, I saw overwhelming support for this project.
So, I'm very optimistic that our Club will meet and exceed our $3000 fundraiser goal. Our Silent donor will match dollar for dollar up to $3000. Add that to our existing $865 we raised from sale of excess Club equipment, and we will be very close to paying for everything. If like last time on the Antenna we are able to exceed our goal, then all will be paid for leaving the Clubs finances in good shape.
Here's hoping for a great fundraiser and looking forward into the future for 30+ years of an awesome new GARA Club repeater!
Let's get this done and I'll keep everyone update on our progress!
Regards, -Mel (WE8J)
PLEASE NOTE: When you donate on-line, your money will go through a financial intermediary named STRIPE who will handle your donation and then deposit funds in the GARA Club account. In any event, I will not touch any money at all. I'm just setting up this fundraiser. For this service, STRIPE charges a 2.9% + .30 cents fee per transaction. As far as FUNDLY is concerned, it is free or you can make a voluntary TIP...or not. You set the amount. This method proved to be very convenient and effective on the Antenna fundraiser, but if you don't want to donate here on-line, then alternatively, you can donate by personal check:
Make your check payable to: Glynn Amateur Radio Assoc
MAIL TO:
Please note "REPEATER" on your check.
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