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Portable repeaters are part of the solution, I believe expanding SARA is also part of the solution. Having a larger network of Uhf linked repeaters would allow much greater ease in dropping a portable package into a location, allowing for a simpler solution to having local V/Uhf coverage that links directly to the POC, with out having to wait for repeater tails to drop. Although dropping a crossband repeater onto Flattop Mountain worked there was a considerable repeater tail on VE6BOX that we had to wait to drop before we could talk back, and that slowed down our comm time with Edmonton, as well there was a very short timer of no PTT that would disconnect VE6BOX from the backbone, forcing us to constantly having to re-enter link codes. PITA but in a pinch it did work. Every time an event happeneds there is the opprotuntiy to learn what works, what does not work and what needs to change, and what other tools we need for the tool box, SARA was very valuable in this instance, it provided a reliable secondary link. Unfortunatly not all local repeater owners want to have a link to SARA, and that is ok, as well the local repeater failed due to no power for an extended period of time with out having anyone able to go and put a generator on it to power/recharge batteries, where as the portable repeater provided adequete coverage for where we were at. Another useful idea was using a dedicated simplex frequency as an alarm clock to wake up operators for their shift in the comm trailer, small idea but extremely useful, and if another multi day event ever happeneds it is one of those small things that will get used again.