Papa2118 Posted July 17 Report Posted July 17 Just curious why some repeater operators are resistant to disclosing how high their antenna(s) are. I guess you can hit it or you can't, but it can be useful to know sometimes if you want to know what is or isn't in the way. Say you're testing and know you should be hitting a given repeater but can't and you're trying to figure out if terrain is a factor. Just wondering. Quote
Jaay Posted July 17 Report Posted July 17 Topographical maps for your area are Very useful for this ! TrikeRadio 1 Quote
SteveShannon Posted July 17 Report Posted July 17 44 minutes ago, Papa2118 said: Just curious why some repeater operators are resistant to disclosing how high their antenna(s) are. I guess you can hit it or you can't, but it can be useful to know sometimes if you want to know what is or isn't in the way. Say you're testing and know you should be hitting a given repeater but can't and you're trying to figure out if terrain is a factor. Just wondering. Ask when you request access. Also, when testing, plan to drive closer to the repeater until you definitely know you’re hitting it. Quote
UncleYoda Posted July 17 Report Posted July 17 There's no good reason to not publish height. If the repeater is using a directional antenna, the primary direction should be reported too. But even worse to me is not giving a general location for the repeater. Like height, being able to determine distance and bearing is fundamental to radio comms. Towers can't be hidden anyway so there's little if any additional threat from vandals by letting the users know where it is. Papa2118 and Raybestos 1 1 Quote
Papa2118 Posted July 17 Author Report Posted July 17 40 minutes ago, SteveShannon said: Ask when you request access. Also, when testing, plan to drive closer to the repeater until you definitely know you’re hitting it. I have asked. Quote
SteveShannon Posted July 17 Report Posted July 17 Just now, Papa2118 said: I have asked. You asked why they’re resistant to disclosing the height of their antenna? Good job! What did they say? Quote
OffRoaderX Posted July 17 Report Posted July 17 I dont publish the actual/*exact* elevation of my repeater antenna because its connected to my house and knowing its exact elevation would make it easier for all the mentally-ill people that send me threats to locate it. RayDiddio, SteveShannon, kirk5056 and 4 others 6 1 Quote
TrikeRadio Posted July 17 Report Posted July 17 As @Jaay already mentioned above... a topo map can give you the elevation if you know the location or general location. If you know something about the locaiton and the repeater is on a mountain top or something (as apposed to a building or tower) you can use this line of sight tool to see where you would get good line on a repeater. https://www.scadacore.com/tools/rf-path/rf-line-of-sight/ But yeah, like some have already said, if they don't tell you the elevation or don't want to... there is no reason they have to. Jaay 1 Quote
Raybestos Posted July 17 Report Posted July 17 2 hours ago, OffRoaderX said: I dont publish the actual/*exact* elevation of my repeater antenna because its connected to my house and knowing its exact elevation would make it easier for all the mentally-ill people that send me threats to locate it. It's okay, man. I already know where you live. I sat on you front porch naked for two hours this morning before sunrise. If you don't believe me, check out the crusty butt prints near the top step. WSEL330, The219 and Jaay 1 2 Quote
OffRoaderX Posted July 17 Report Posted July 17 Just now, Raybestos said: I sat on you front porch naked for two hours this morning before sunrise. If you don't believe me, check out the crusty butt prints near the top step. The butt-prints smell fresh so your story checks out. RayDiddio, The219, Jaay and 4 others 2 5 Quote
Mrsig Posted July 17 Report Posted July 17 30 foot tower & this is my main gate. Good luck getting in.... GreggInFL 1 Quote
WRUE951 Posted July 17 Report Posted July 17 6 hours ago, Papa2118 said: Just curious why some repeater operators are resistant to disclosing how high their antenna(s) are. I guess you can hit it or you can't, but it can be useful to know sometimes if you want to know what is or isn't in the way. Say you're testing and know you should be hitting a given repeater but can't and you're trying to figure out if terrain is a factor. Just wondering. plug in the coordinates on Google Earth and check in Street View. (no all are available) Quote
WRXL702 Posted July 17 Report Posted July 17 1 hour ago, OffRoaderX said: The butt-prints smell fresh so your story checks out. I Would Have To Disagree. Think His Story Has A Crack In It.......... RayDiddio, Raybestos, OffRoaderX and 1 other 2 2 Quote
WSEL330 Posted July 18 Report Posted July 18 You could try to Fox hunt it AND what about the skid marks in the driveway? Quote
tcp2525 Posted July 19 Report Posted July 19 On 7/17/2025 at 8:27 AM, Papa2118 said: Just curious why some repeater operators are resistant to disclosing how high their antenna(s) are. I guess you can hit it or you can't, but it can be useful to know sometimes if you want to know what is or isn't in the way. Say you're testing and know you should be hitting a given repeater but can't and you're trying to figure out if terrain is a factor. Just wondering. It's and ancient Chinese secret and we are sworn to secrecy. You don't need to know what's in the dumplings you enjoy. Why do you think you have the right to know what someone's antenna height is? WRTC928 1 Quote
WSAQ296 Posted July 19 Report Posted July 19 It's because it really is irrelevant. Unless they give you height above terrain, it means nothing. Even then, unless you're familiar with the topography of the land, it can mean very little. My antenna is 40 foot above ground. However my elevation, while not bad for 'the area' is bad for my exact area, as everything around me is taller. Found a house we loved, if only it'd been on a mountain, or at least not in depression by a river. I can run 40 watts, or 100 (only in testing) and my distance is maintained. My next hope is to buy an old tree trimming truck, and turn it in to a tower lol. RayDiddio and SteveShannon 2 Quote
UncleYoda Posted July 19 Report Posted July 19 4 minutes ago, WSAQ296 said: It's because it really is irrelevant. If given both elevation and antenna height (along with distance and bearing) it is absolutely relevant. It's foolish to claim otherwise. Quote
BoxCar Posted July 19 Report Posted July 19 18 minutes ago, UncleYoda said: If given both elevation and antenna height (along with distance and bearing) it is absolutely relevant. It's foolish to claim otherwise. It's only relevant on "high site" antennas - those mounted on hill tops and peaks. For a repeater in an urban/suburb area it's best thought of as a control station rather than a repeater. Quote
tcp2525 Posted July 19 Report Posted July 19 21 minutes ago, UncleYoda said: If given both elevation and antenna height (along with distance and bearing) it is absolutely relevant. It's foolish to claim otherwise. How so? I think he gave an accurate description of terrain and and other obstacles play a key role in distance and performance. It's totally and other foolish and breaks every terrestrial and celestial boundary of human stupidity to think otherwise. Quote
RayDiddio Posted July 19 Report Posted July 19 On 7/17/2025 at 12:13 PM, OffRoaderX said: I dont publish the actual/*exact* elevation of my repeater antenna because its connected to my house and knowing its exact elevation would make it easier for all the mentally-ill people that send me threats to locate it. Randy's antenna is between 0' and 45,000' at or above sea level. This is why he gets to look down on we lowly peasants from his ivory tower on that glowing hillside somewhere between Seattle and Baja. Quote
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