South Texas Amateur Repeater Society

Amateur Radio operators serving the needs of the Rio Grande Valley

STARS is an organization of ham radio operators dedicated to the mission of advancing and furnishing radio communications in the Rio Grande Valley. STARS members furnish their time and the use of their sophisticated communications equipment solely as a public service . They are available to furnish communications during storms, hurricanes, special events and times of disasters often when other regular commercial communications systems are not available. This sterling record of public service has been recognized at the highest levels of both national and international government!

As you read this web page, we invite you to acquaint yourself with the many resources that STARS furnishes on a regular basis to South Texas and the welfare of the general public.

STARS EQUIPMENT INVENTORY:

The STARS communications system includes many facets. Here is a brief listing of some of the equipment resources available:

Currently STARS has about six VHF and two UHF repeaters on-line and operational. STARS also has a vhf digipeater on 145.010. All STARS equipment is state of the art, owned and operated by STARS and financially supported through membership dues, donations and income generated by the organization. STARS also Has ECHO LINK which is sponsored by K5RAV Dr. David Woolweaver.

STARCOM:

STARCOM is an auxiliary of STARS that was founded to meet the need of closer communications with city, county and state agencies. In time of emergency, STARCOM stands ready to serve the communications needs of the Rio Grande Valley.

STARLINK

STARLINK was commissioned in response to a request from a federal agency whom would like to see an effective communications system in place and operating along the entire American-Mexican border. STARS is currently obtaining equipment and installing it in a concentrated effort to implement this state of the art communications system. Eventually, this system will stretch along the border from the Gulf of Mexico to Laredo, Texas. It will have the potential to tie into existing systems and ultimately could tie the Rio Grande Valley in to the West Coast of California! At the present time STARLINK reaches from the Gulf of Mexico to Edinburg, TX

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

STARS is dedicated to the task of educating and adding young people to its membership. The future of Amateur Radio and its ability to service the public sector in coming years is predicted on the infusion of new people to our ranks. STARS welcomes new members to our ranks and individuals in the organization are happy to work with new members to train them so they can obtain their FCC licenses. Growth for the future is our watchword!

NETS SPONSORED BY STARS

RGV Rag Chewers Net Monday through Saturday at 7:00pm.

The RGV Information Net Sunday night at 7:00pm With News Line Hosted by N5PVL CHARLES D BRABHAM

STARS EMCOM NET Thursday nights at 6:30pm This is a directed net directed by WA5ZIP (Shadow).

SKYWARN NET is activated when the National Weather Service in Brownsville, TX, request that it be activated. This is a directed net directed by WA5ZIP (Shadow)

The STARS repeater on 147.700MHz has been designated by the state of Texas as the Valley-Wide emergency net if so required by circumstances.

STARS has been used as a primary communications resource during the hurricane season. In 1988, when all other communications systems were down, STARS became the primary emergency communications system for the Rio Grande Valley and facilitated communications between the Coast Guard vessels and their headquarters at Corpus Christi, Texas. As a result, a citation for distinguished service was awarded to STARS by the U.S. Coast Guard 8^{th District Communications Officer.}

^SUMMARY

In short, the South Texas Amateur Repeater Society has a long and distinguished record of serving the public interest. STARS solicits your support, cooperation and membership. STARS is writing a new and proud chapter in the history of Amateur Radio. We invite any questions you might have. We thank you for your time and interest.