Join the Amateur Radio Club - 02/27/2009
The Lockheed Martin Amateur Radio Association in Orlando has installed a new FM radio
repeater and is now in full operation. A repeater is a radio system that re-transmits radio
signals from low power source, creating wide range communications. The repeater, which
operates in the UHF band on 443.875 Mhz, PL of 103.5 Positive Shift, is located at the
top of the Sand Lake Road facility's administration tower.
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IN FULL OPERATION: A new FM radio repeater has been installed on top of the Sand Lake Road facility's administration tower in Orlando. |
The antenna can be seen on the southwest corner and is about 15 feet above the roofline.
The repeater is also on a backup power system. In the event a disaster would occur, the
repeater would function as normal allowing vital communication as needed.
LMARA was established in mid 2008 and was initiated by RF Engineer Bill Grassa, who has
been with Lockheed Martin since 1984.
"My goal was to start an Amateur Radio Club and get as many people who work at MFC to
join, as well as encourage others to obtain their Amateur Radio License. Amateur Radio is
a form of voice and data that is transmitted using Radio Frequency signals using portable
and/or fixed stations," Bill said.
"The Amateur Radio Club is a non-profit organization and has been extremely supportive in
enabling communications when it was nearly impossible, during many catastrophic disasters
across the country," he said.
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CAREFUL INSTALLATION: Radio Frequency Engineer Bill Grassa installs the antenna on the roof of the SLRC Administrative building in Orlando. |
Over 45 active Amateur Radio Operators are currently participating in the Amateur Radio
Club at the Sand Lake Road facility.
The Amateur Radio Club meets on a monthly basis. If you are interested in joining, please
contact LMARA President Jim Schilling at 407-356-3574 or Repeater RF Engineer Tom
Wirth at 407-356-3926. Visit the LMARA Web site at http://W4MFC.com for more information.
