Metro groups are typically 2 to 5 repeaters all in the same rough area and can be used for QSO’s that are broader in coverage than Local 1. Metro 2 can be a good alternative to a statewide talkgroup or other very wide area talkgroups.
Metro 2 is rebadged from the old Local 2 (3166) but with linking to select other general repeaters in the same local area or areas of coverage. Local 1 remains unaffected.
Metro Groupings are Optional
Not every repeater will be linked into a Metro group. The purpose is to enable communities a way that a pure Local 1 cannot but without the need to reach out statewide or other TG’s which may be too broad. Metro can be both a local only (as it was previously) as their is no nearby repeater such as Yakima or Ocean Shores. While Ocean Shores are coastal towns or cities, they are not likely candidates for a Metro group. Very wide coverage repeaters are also, not likely to be in a group as their coverage is likely a community in itself.
The likely initial groups will be Portland/Vancouver Metro (already testing as Local 2), Seattle Metro and Spokane Metro. Repeater owners or interested parties may suggest other Metro groups if they wish. Portland/Vancouver has been operating on a Local 2 grouping for the past 5 months to evaluate the area linking idea and no issues surfaced.
Seattle Metro is an example (below) of how we may choose repeaters for the group
- Seattle Metro – obvious choice as it is a fill-in repeater
- Cougar – Covers Seattle well and is close to, and central to Seattle coverage, moderately high level site
- Tiger – Covers Seattle well though also many other areas at a higher level site , may not make the group
- Kubota – Fill-in repeater in Southeast Seattle
If you have suggestions, requests or input as to adding or modifying a group, please leave a comment below or Email the Tech Team at: tech@pnwdigital.net
Available / Tentative / Potential Metro Groups and their repeaters
- Grays Harbor Metro Group
- Cosmopolis – Cosmopolis Hill
- Ocean Shores – Town Center
- Gorge Metro Group (I-84 Group’s eastern-most group of repeaters)
- Biggs Junction
- Boardman
- Cascade Locks
- Hood River
- Rexx (special inclusion, MMDVM servers normally not included in Metro groups
- The Dalles
- Trout Lake
- m2d manager pending
- Idaho North Metro Group
- Coeur d’Alene – Blossom Hill
- Coeur d’Alene – Metro
- Idaho West Metro Group (Jeff, KB7SIJ, repeater owners request)
- Lewiston
- Saint Maries
- Inland Metro Group – (Southern California Repeaters)
- Blue Ridge
- Santiago Peak
- Wrightwood
- Issaquah Metro Group
- East Tiger Mtn UHF
- East Tiger Mtn VHF
- Longview Metro Group
- Cathlamet
- Longview
- Rainier Hill
- Naneum Ridge Metro Group (Kittitas County)
- Naneum Ridge
- Ephrata
- NOTE: Raven’s Roost UHF & VHF may join after co-channel testing period
- NCS (Net Control Stations Assist)
- Baldi VHF
- Ned – MMDVM Server for Net Control Stations
- Ruston
- Oregon Central (tentative)
- Prineville
- W7GXJ (Future: HiDARG – Powell Butte)
- Palouse/Pullman Metro Group
- Palouse
- Pullman (UHF off-the air, VHF pending)
- Pateros/Wenatchee Metro Group (tentative; pending Pateros coming online)
- Pateros
- Wenatchee
- Portland/Vancouver Metro Group
- Ariel
- Brush Prairie
- Corbett
- Gresham
- Mt Hood
- Oregon City
- Otis (MMDVM server)
- Pine Hollow
- South Saddle
- West Hills (AARG)
- Raven’s Roost
- Raven’s Roost UHF
- Raven’s Roost VHF
- NOTE: May combine with Naneum Ridge after co-channel testing period
- Salem Metro Group (potential group)
- Orchard
- Prospect Hill
- Seattle Metro Group (Created and completed 12-14-21)
- Cougar, E. Tiger (E. Tiger UHF is temporarily in this group, may split off to U&V only)
- Seattle Metro
- Tacoma Metro Group
- Baldi 220
- BaldiVHF
- Baldi UHF
- Baldi 900
- Ruston
- Tulalip Metro Group (permanent; on same manager)
- East Tulalip
- West Tulalip
- Spokane Metro Group (tentative group not yet decided, contact Rod KC7AAD if you have input)
- Krell UHF
- Krell VHF
- Lookout Point
- Ridgecrest
- Tri-Cities Metro Group (possibly to include Yakima and Prosser repeaters)
- Tri-Cities UHF – Jump Off Joe Mountain
- Tri-Cities VHF – Jump Off Joe Mountain
- Yakima Metro Group (not yet approved)
- Yakima – Elephant Mountain (tentative)
- Prosser – Horse Haven Hill (tentative)
First Published: December 10, 2021 Last Updated: 10 months ago ago by Mike – NO7RF – Pullman
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