Overview
The KK7NQN repeater system is a high-powered, public-use amateur radio node located on the northeastern side of Shelton, Washington near Lake Limerick. Operating on 145.125 MHz FM with a 110.9 Hz PL tone, this repeater features a crossband input on 223.240 MHz to optimize range and reduce self-interference. It is linked to AllStar Node 62222.
Purpose
This system was created by Hunter Inman (KK7NQN) to serve as both a community resource and a technology testbed. Its mission is to provide:
- Reliable public repeater access for regional operators and net check-ins
- Crosslinking to national hubs like DoDropIn and FireSide
- Live system telemetry and logging for transparency and education
- Emergency communications capabilities through partnerships with local clubs
System Features
The repeater is more than just an RF gateway. The system includes:
- A live dashboard at kk7nqn.net with real-time repeater stats, system temps, call logging, and transcriptions
- Callsign-based profile pages with QSO history, activity graphs, and transcripts
- Automated transcription of on-air QSOs using Whisper AI
- Web-accessible net control tools and activity summaries
Technical Specs
- TX Frequency: 145.125 MHz (FM)
- RX Frequency: 223.240 MHz (FM)
- Tone: 110.9 Hz
- ERP: Approx. 400–500 watts
- Antenna: Diamond CP22E at ~60 feet AGL
- Power: Amplifier-driven with relay control and thermal monitoring
- Control Server: Mini PC with AMD Ryzen 7 6800H, 32GB RAM
Privacy & Searchability
This repeater automatically logs, transcribes, and indexes activity for transparency. Google has indexed over 2,000 crawlable pages including searchable callsign profiles and net activity logs. These logs are designed to assist net control operators and promote accountability—not to invade privacy. It should be noted that these transcripts can be wrong and may not acurately represent what was actually said.
Future Plans
- Deploying better RX filtering and possibly shifting to simplex or full crossband modes
- More integration with emergency operations and ham clubs in Western Washington
- Enhanced public dashboard tools, including live audio streaming and QSO leaderboards
Questions?
Reach out to Hunter Inman via QRZ or the contact form on the main site. Better yet, key up on the repeater and say hello!