Ft. Smith NOAA repeater

[dm1313]

Please move this if this isn't the correct forum.

Just wondering if anyone could explain why suddenly I can not receive the NOAA signal from WXJ50 in Fort Smith. Is the repeater still operational? I can receive WXJ52 from Fayetteville, WXL49 from McAlester, and WWF96 from Russellville loud and clear. I don't get any test signal on Wednesdays or any weather alerts from Fort Smith. I got an alert from Fayetteville this morning about 4:30AM. I've tried all the channels. I have the same results on my BC250D, a Midland WR-100B, and a Oregon Scientific WR-3000 when using the supplied antennas or when I connect them to a discone I have mounted about 15' high.

[poppafred]

They are on the air right now (05:00 local) but there is a horrible hum and the audio is way down.

[jim202]

Have you tried calling the weather service office and asking them if they know of the problem?
They rely on getting calls to inform them there is a problem. In most cases they don't have
remote monitoring of the transmitters.

Problems do happen during thunder storms, the sites take a lightning strike and wipe out
the transmitter, antenna or both. A problem like what your describing is not that uncommon.

Jim

Originally Posted by dm1313

Please move this if this isn't the correct forum.

Just wondering if anyone could explain why suddenly I can not receive the NOAA signal from WXJ50 in Fort Smith. Is the repeater still operational? I can receive WXJ52 from Fayetteville, WXL49 from McAlester, and WWF96 from Russellville loud and clear. I don't get any test signal on Wednesdays or any weather alerts from Fort Smith. I got an alert from Fayetteville this morning about 4:30AM. I've tried all the channels. I have the same results on my BC250D, a Midland WR-100B, and a Oregon Scientific WR-3000 when using the supplied antennas or when I connect them to a discone I have mounted about 15' high.

[poppafred]

I just called and asked and NWS Tulsa is aware of the problem and is "looking into that". It's a 2 hour drive down plus any repair time so it may be tomorrow before it is back up to standards.

[dm1313]

Thanks for all of the replies. Since they are aware of the problem it should be back up soon.

[btritch]

I had that problem while back with WXJ 51 Transmitter in Jonesboro, It was off, I called them, They were unaware it was off, It was off about a week before they got it fixed, We're two hours from memphis Office, They fixed it, It was on a week and off for another week! I haven't checked since this last round of storms, Perhaps I should, lol

So No, It's Not Uncommon, It happens regularly.. The first time was no power and the generator died, The second time was equipment related. So It could be anything!

[k5xs]

Originally Posted by dm1313

Please move this if this isn't the correct forum.

Just wondering if anyone could explain why suddenly I can not receive the NOAA signal from WXJ50 in Fort Smith. Is the repeater still operational?...

A minor comment, but is it really a "repeater"? Does NOAA take an RF feed on some frequency and retransmit it, or are their transmitters just transmitters?

[northzone]

Originally Posted by k5xs

A minor comment, but is it really a "repeater"? Does NOAA take an RF feed on some frequency and retransmit it, or are their transmitters just transmitters?

Yes, in most cases they do. Usually the feed is in the 406-420mhz fed band. I have found many of them by searching in that band. They use very directional antennas on the input feed so you need to be in the right place.