A general overveiw of the system.
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Techincal Information
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TRINITY RADIO AMATEUR INTERTIE NETWORK
Welcome to the Trinity Radio Amateur Intertie Network. Most people refer to the
system as simply TRAIN. It is our goal to provide the amateur community with
a wide-range, full-featured, and technically advanced communications system
which spans the North Texas Region and beyond.
The system is currently composed of several repeaters in the
VHF-UHF spectrum, as well a frequency agile HF remote base. which may
be and are often linked together either by manual
or automatic means. The system also sports a frequeny agile HF Remote Base.
All of the system functions can be controlled by the P.A.L.S. ( Packet Auxillary Link System).
With PALS, control operators on packet can control all repeater and system functions by radio control.
Because of the large area covered by the system, and to
alleviate congestion, some repeaters are normally "unlinked" to allow more
users access to the system in their region. It is a simple task, however,
to link the repeaters to communicate with stations over 100 miles distant via DTMF tones or PALS.
These repeaters are linked to provide communications for the National Weather
Service, Storm Spotters, Emergency Teams, as well as for normal traffic. A unique feature
of TRAIN is the automatic linking of the member repeaters each Thursday
evening at 8:00 PM for the system-wide net. At the conclusion of the net, an
automatic net-cancel sequence returns the repeaters to their normal
configuration.
There are currently several organizations which use the TRAIN such as the
Tri-County Amateur Radio Club, the Wise County Amateur Radio Club, the
Wise Country Emergency Team, the Nocona Texas Communications System, the National Weather Service, Stormspotters, and Disaster teams.
Each repeater can either be linked to any of the other repeaters, or
can be unlinked in a "stand-alone" mode. Normally, the UHF repeaters are
in a linked configuration to allow user communication throughout the
metroplex. Areas normally linked are the Denton, Fort Worth, Dallas,
Boyd, Weatherford, Decatur, and Bridgeport areas thus allowing commuters to traverse
the metroplex and always be capable of communications via a TRAIN repeater.
Long-range, system traffic is available via a simple user DTMF code or via PALS.
The long-distance areas will include Nocona, Wichita Falls, Jackboro, Gainesville, and
Southern Oklahoma.
Future plans include coverage through San Antonio and Oklahoma.
This system differs from other linked systems in that it designed to
completely cover a large area, NOT just include far away places with no
communication in between. Our goal is to enable travel from one edge of the
system to the other without communication gaps in between. Ideally, the
system will allow traveling within at least 150 miles of the metropolitan
area and always be able to communicate via a TRAIN repeater.
The TRAIN maintains a KA-Node on 145.01MHZ. This is all full-featured Node ( TRAIN ) with a mailbox and digipeater. The node is powered by a KPC-3 and a GE radio with a DB-224 antenna at 180 ft. Packet enthusiasts are welcome to use the TRAIN packet station Node, Digipeater, and Mailbox.
New users are welcome. The owners and operators of TRAIN intend to not
only operate a technically advanced, wide-area system, but also a friendly
system that serves to promote the best to be found in the amateur community.
We are continually striving to improve the system. We certainly hope that
you will find the communications system useful.
N5VAV
146.98 PL 110.9 Boyd, Tx.
444.825 PL 110.9 Boyd, Tx
441.850 PL 110.9 Richland Hills, Tx.
147.360 PL 110.9 Nocona, Tx.
The K5JEJ repeater is located in Boyd (approx. 30 miles Northwest of Fort Worth), Tx. It is the "original" TRAIN repeater. This repeater is part of the Signal Hill Radio Network , a subsidiary of TRAIN. Please use the link for more information on Signal Hill.
The repeater consists of a General Electric Master II radio. The antenna is a Decibel Products model at 350 ft. with a ground elevation of 113 meters above sea level. It is definetely a long-range coverage repeater. Mobiles are able work the repeater with 5 watts up to 50 miles out. Higher power stations can work the repeater dependably 75 miles out with intermittent coverage to 120 miles. The repeater has seen traffic from Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Arkansas.
The repeater offers several functions such as phone patch, (available with Control Operator help), and access to the entire TRAIN network. Of course, control operators have FULL control over all of the repeater's functions.
Like all TRAIN repeaters, the Boyd VHF repeater is fully operational during power outtages via the emergency backup system. We feel it is important that there be uninterrupted communications at all times, especially when severe storms are affecting the area.
Besides the main site in Boyd, there are several "satellite" receivers located around the region. These receivers increase the effective range of the repeater by allowing especially low-power stations and "walkie talkies" to access the receiver from a great distance. Each satellite has a different PL tone to access the repeater so it is possible to change satellite sites by changing PL tones.
When in the Wise County area, use the main repeater PL of 110.9
When in the D/FW Metroplex, use Richland Hills Satellite - PL 123.0
When West of the Metroplex, use Springtown Satellite - PL 88.5
The K5JEJ 444.825 in Boyd, Tx. is located at the same location as the 146.98 repeater. It is usually linked to the
441.850 repeater in Richland Hills. The repeater is also a member of the Signal Hill Radio Network.
The repeater has several user functions including a digital recording system, a DTMF tester, Time/Date
functions, and of course, access to the entire TRAIN network.
Through this repeater, there is access to a frequency agile VHF remote base, a frequency agile HF remote base, a 6 meter remote base, and the rest of the TRAIN network. All of these functions may be controlled via
DTMF codes or the PALS network.
The N5VAV 441.850 repeater is located in Richland Hills, (North East Fort Worth), Tx. The repeater consists of a General Electric Master II radio, an S-Com 7K controller, and TX-RX duplexers. The antenna is a Decibel Products model at 60 feet. The site ground elevation is 570 ft. above sea level.
The repeater went on the air October 12, 1995. One week later, the repeater was fully integrated into the system with the addition of the link radio. The S-Com controllers make the task of linking and control a simple matter. The repeater is on the air 24 hours a day and has emergency power backup in event of a power outtage. Because the repeater is utilized in storm spotting, it must stay on the air even in the event of a power outtage due to severe storms.
The repeater is the primary repeater for the Richland Hills R.A.C.E.S. organization. The emergency power and linking capabilities allow R.A.C.E.S. controllers to communicate in the Richland Hills area as well as with
the National Weather Service and other locations. When in R.A.C.E.S. mode, the repeater courtesy tone will
be an "R" in CW and will have a dropout of a voice "NET". If there is a R.A.C.E.S. weather net, the courtesy tone
will be an "R" in CW with a dropout of "Skywarn" in voice.
The repeater is LITZ compatible in the event of emergency. Pressing the DTMF digit "0" for longer than 4 seconds will set off the emergency message. There are several user functions available such as time/date, a 60 second transmission which can be used to find the best location from which to work the repeater or aligning antennas, and the DTMF paging function.
There are several messages that one will find on the repeater from time to time such as space shuttle information, weather watch/warning information, holiday greetings, and other messages which are used as needed. A "self-diagnosis" routine is in place to alert control operators to any difficulty with the system.
The N5VAV 147.360 repeater is located in Nocona, Tx., 78 air miles Northwest of Fort Worth. This repeater is usually "unlinked" from the D/FW metropolitain area. A simple DTMF code will easily join the repeater with the rest of the system. It is automatically joined at 8:00pm Thursday for the System-Wide net.
It is often referred to as the "Lake Country" repeater because of its proximity to Lake Nocona. It is the primary repeater for the NTCS (Nocona Texas Communication System), and Montague County.
The repeater is also used as the SKYWARN frequency for the Montague county region. The repeater is easily linked to the D/FW metropolitain area via the simple DTMF code, or by PALS to allow easy access for the storm spotters into the National Weather Service in Fort Worth.
TRAIN uses mainly General Electric radios, primarily Master II's, converted for simultaneous receive and transmit. TRAIN is proud to use several S-Com 
controllers system wide. We use various types of commercial and amateur antennas. TRAIN is always striving to achieve excellence with a technically advanced, friendly communications system.
Please let us know what you think of our site, or let us know if you have any questions!