RNRC uses strategically located VHF repeater sites to extend communications across rural areas where a single radio site would never be enough.
A repeater site is a fixed communications location designed to receive radio transmissions from subscribers and retransmit them across a much larger area.
Radio coverage is heavily influenced by terrain. Mountains, ridgelines, valleys, distance, and vegetation can all affect whether one radio can communicate directly with another.
By locating repeater equipment at strategically selected elevated sites, RNRC can provide communications across areas that would be difficult or impossible to cover using subscriber radios alone.
An RNRC site is part of a larger communications system. Depending on the location and site design, the installation may include radio equipment, antennas, feedline, networking, power systems, backup power, environmental protection, and remote monitoring.
Each site is then connected into the broader RNRC network so communications can extend beyond a single mountaintop.
Instead of requiring two subscriber radios to reach each other directly, an RNRC repeater provides an elevated communications point between them.
A reliable repeater site requires several systems working together. The exact configuration varies by location, but the major building blocks are similar.
Professional radio equipment receives subscriber transmissions and retransmits them through the RNRC system.
Antennas, feedline, filtering, and related RF equipment connect the repeater to the coverage area surrounding the site.
Depending on the location, a site may use commercial power, solar, or another suitable primary power source.
Battery systems and, where appropriate, other backup power resources can help keep communications operating when primary power is interrupted.
Network connectivity links repeater sites together and allows communications to move between participating locations.
Remote monitoring can help RNRC identify equipment, power, network, and operational problems without waiting for someone to physically visit a remote site.
A repeater is useful on its own. Connecting multiple repeater sites together is what allows RNRC to create a much larger regional communications network.
A member transmits through an RNRC site covering one part of the network.
The communications system connects participating sites and carries authorized traffic between them.
Authorized users in another coverage area can participate in the same communication through another RNRC site.
Nevada's geography makes a multi-site approach especially valuable. No single repeater location can provide reliable communications everywhere the Cooperative may need to operate.
Mountains and ridgelines can provide excellent elevated radio locations while also creating significant coverage shadows behind them.
Rural operations may span large distances. Multiple sites allow RNRC to extend communications across a much larger geographic footprint.
Different valleys and basins may require different elevated sites to provide useful radio coverage.
The network can evolve as members identify new operating areas and there is sufficient need to support additional infrastructure.
RNRC members can elect access to the repeater sites that are appropriate for their operations, subject to technical feasibility, available capacity, licensing, and Cooperative policy.
When a member elects access to a site, the member participates in that site's operating expenses under RNRC's cost-allocation policy.
If your operation needs access to several RNRC sites, your authorized communications can be configured for those sites.
If you do not elect access to a particular site, you are not allocated a share of that site's ordinary operating expenses.
A good mountaintop is not automatically a good communications site. RNRC considers both radio coverage and the practical requirements of building and maintaining reliable infrastructure.
The site should provide useful RF coverage to areas where members need communications.
RNRC considers available tower space, equipment space, antenna mounting, power, grounding, and other physical requirements.
A linked site needs a practical way to connect with the rest of the RNRC network.
Remote communications equipment eventually requires maintenance. RNRC considers whether the site can be reasonably accessed when service is needed.
Site rent, utilities, connectivity, maintenance, and other recurring expenses must be reasonable for the members who would benefit from the location.
Power, environmental conditions, equipment protection, network connectivity, and maintainability all influence whether a location can support dependable service.
RNRC can evaluate additional repeater locations as membership grows and new communications needs are identified.
A member or group of members identifies an area where additional RNRC coverage would provide meaningful operational value.
RNRC evaluates potential sites based on predicted coverage, infrastructure, access, backhaul, cost, and technical feasibility.
The Cooperative determines whether there is sufficient technical and financial support to move forward with the proposed site.
Once approved and funded, the site can be constructed, configured, tested, and integrated into the RNRC network.
Coverage varies substantially by location, terrain, antenna height, subscriber radio type, antenna system, and other RF conditions.
RNRC's Coverage page provides information about the network's geographic footprint and can help prospective members determine which sites may be appropriate for their operations.
A vehicle-mounted radio with an external antenna may communicate successfully in locations where a lower-powered handheld radio cannot.
Coverage information should therefore be considered together with the type of subscriber equipment a member expects to use.
RNRC may be interested in suitable mountaintops, towers, elevated properties, communications facilities, or other locations that could help expand the Cooperative network.
The Host a Repeater Site page explains the general infrastructure, access, power, tower, and network requirements RNRC considers when evaluating a potential location.
RNRC can evaluate your operating area, expected subscriber equipment, and network requirements to help determine which repeater sites may provide useful coverage for your organization.