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146.520 FM Simplex - Chances of getting a response here are fairly good, with retired and semi-retired folks ready to assist. Of course, your chances are better in the evening hours.

Most used repeaters:

147.120 [N5LEZ] + offset <> Tone 192.8 - Information net Tuesday 9PM - open to all / also weather watch

147.140 [N5WF] + offset <> Tone 192.8 - WARS club net Monday 8PM - open to all

444.325 [K5WFT] + offset <> Tone 192.8 - Most likely to be answered

146.940 [W5US] - offset <> Tone 156.7 - Used only for weather watch activities.

146.680 [K5REL] - offset <> Tone 192.8 - Henrietta, TX - Net Tuesday 8PM - open to all

146.800 [KA5WLR] - offset <> Tone 192.8 - Henrietta, TX - Linked to 146.680

146.860 [KB5ATE] - offset <> Tone 192.8 - Henrietta, TX - has users from southern Oklahoma

Daily repeater activity in Wichita Falls is very "light". The 444.325 repeater is, in my opinion, the most likely machine to be answered if you are passing through town, especially during the mid-day hours. The 147.120 and 147.140 repeaters are programmed to ID every hour and, due to their sleep-disrupting qualities, are not likely to be monitored late at night. There are more repeaters listed in the ARRL Repeater Directory for Wichita Falls, but most get very little use.

For various reasons, there are two groups of storm spotters who activate during hazardous weather conditions.

While getting a response on a repeater may sometimes take a magic trick, once you do, you're likely to find only friendly hams ready to assist you or engage in a rag chew in the Wichita Falls area. As far as I can tell, from monitoring local VHF - UHF activity, there is a definite lack of mean-spirited codgers, young or old.. If they exist, and are on the radio, they must be on HF!

Area Clubs:

Wichita Amateur Radio Society (WARS) - www.N5WF.org

WARS meets every third Thursday at 6:30 PM in the "Professor Jackson" building, behind the American Red Cross at 1809 Seymour Hwy. (5th St.)

License testing is usually conducted four times per year. Licensing classes are also provided by the club.

The club's main public service contribution is providing communications support for the annual Hotter 'n Hell 100 Bike Ride, reported to be the world's largest 1-day bike ride with a rider count approaching 10,000. The club provides communications for smaller events as requested. The club also participates in the annual Field Day event.

License testing is also available in nearby Henrietta, Texas. Give a call on 146.680 or 146.800 for more information. Or get in touch with KA5WLR.

There are no electronics stores in the Wichita Falls area that I know of. Radio Shack does not count, of course.