The attached document below compiles our findings and outcomes from the recently conducted traffic and utilization survey. We encourage everyone to read the document in full, as we are directly engaging the public on how to best configure and utilize our resources. We believe that the SWCRS continues to act in the best interests of the public residing in our coverage areas.
Actions
Based on respondent feedback, comments, and rankings, we will be making the following adjustments to our operations and configurations:
- The linking arrangement between Arizona and New Mexico will remain largely the same based on public feedback – Arizona and New Mexico generally separated.
- Addressing interference & congestion concerns:
- To free up spectrum in Albuquerque, Safford & Wilcox regions, and other areas within rural AZ, the following repeaters will be defaulted to standalone modes:
- Guthrie 600
- Pinal 675
- East Mountain Canyon 700
- Based on coverage analysis, these repeaters have higher amounts of redundant coverage with other repeaters already on the air in areas with elevated reports of interference or concerns with congestion. We’ll continue to monitor these areas to see if other repeaters should be adjusted to reduce overlap and free up spectrum.
- The above repeaters will remain linkable on-demand using DTMF, we encourage all members review our webpage and educate themselves on utilizing these commands and the keypads on your radios to do so. Repeaters are configured to self-reset after a 5-minute period of inactivity local to that repeater.
- To reduce the demand of wide-area nets on the spectrum, we will be reducing the occurrence of the following nets as follows:
- Kid’s Net & Tech Net will alternate every other Wednesday.
- The Sunday net will remain as-is.
- Our Net Coordinator will update with the official schedule soon, please continue to check the website.
- In addition, the SWCRS will develop stronger educational campaigns to discourage reg-chewing and channel monopolizing, encouraging brief use of the system rather than sustained conversations.
- To free up spectrum in Albuquerque, Safford & Wilcox regions, and other areas within rural AZ, the following repeaters will be defaulted to standalone modes:
- As always, we remain committed to best serving the interests of the public in our region, which includes our members and non-member users of the GMRS & FRS spectrum. We take interference and congestion concerns seriously and directly and continue to act accordingly. Interference can be reported directly to us via our Contact Form (select regulatory / interference issues)