Metro groups are typically 2 to 5 repeaters all in the same rough area and can be used for QSO’s that are broader in coverage than Local 1. Metro 2 can be a good alternative to a statewide talkgroup or other very wide area talkgroup.
Metro 2 is rebadged from the old Local 2 (3166) but with linking to select other repeaters in the same local area or areas of coverage. Local 1 remains unaffected.
Local 2 has been rebadged to Metro 2
All Local 2 talkgroups on all managers of the 3 c-Bridges have been renamed to Metro 2. The TG ID’s will remain unchanged (3166) and no radio need be updated. Local 2 will work as Metro 2. The ACB files and and starter and community codeplugs will be updated to reflect this talkgroup name change.
Metro Groupings are Optional
Not every repeater will be linked into a Metro group. The purpose is to enable communities an a way that a pure Local 1 cannot but without the need to reach out statewide to which may be too broad. Metro can be both a local only (as it was previously) as their is no nearby repeater such as Yakima or Ocean Shores. While Ocean Shores are coastal towns or cities, they are not likely candidates for a Metro group. Very wide coverage repeaters are not likely to be in a group as their coverage is likely a community in itself.
The likely initial groups will be Portland/Vancouver Metro (already testing as Local 2), Seattle Metro and Spokane Metro. Repeater owners or interested parties may suggest other Metro groups if they wish. Portland/Vancouver has been operating on a Local 2 grouping for the past 5 months to evaluate the area linking idea and no issues surfaced.
Seattle Metro is an example (below) of how we may choose repeaters for the group
- Seattle Metro – obvious choice as it is a fill-in repeater
- Cougar – Covers Seattle well and is close to, and central to Seattle coverage, moderately high level site
- Tiger – Covers Seattle well though also many other areas at a higher level site , may not make the group
- Kubota – Fill-in repeater in Southeast Seattle
If you have suggestions, requests or input as to adding or modifying a group, please leave a comment below or Email the Tech Team at: tech@dev.pnwdigital.org
Available / Tentative / Potential Metro Groups and their repeaters
- Gorge Metro Group (I-84 Group’s eastern-most repeaters, created of 12-22-21)
- Biggs Junction
- Boardman
- Cascade Locks
- Hood River
- The Dalles
- Trout Lake
- m2d manager pending
- Ephrata/Moses Lake Metro Group (created 12-20-21)
- Ephrata
- Moses Lake
- Idaho North Metro Group
- Coeur d’Alene – Blossom Hill
- Coeur d’Alene – Metro
- Idaho West Metro Group (Jeff, KB7SIJ repeater owner’s request)
- Lewiston
- Saint Maries
- Inland Metro Group – (Southern California Repeaters) (temporary pending decision)
- Blue Ridge
- Santiago Peak
- Wrightwood
- NCS
- Baldi VHF
- Ned – MMDVM Server for Net Control Stations
- Ruston
- Pateros/Wenatche Metro Group (tentative)
- Pateros (not on network as yet)
- Wenatchee
- Portland/Vancouver Metro Group (this is a 6 month testing project ending January 2022, not finalized for Metro 2 rollout)
- Ariel
- Brush Prairie
- PPMC
- Otis
- Oregon City
- Gresham
- Corbett
- West Hills (AARG)
- Cascade Locks (may be moved to Gorge Metro)
- South Saddle
- Mt Hood
- Salem Metro Group (potential group)
- Prospect Hill
- Orchard
- Seattle Metro Group (Created and completed 12-14-21)
- Kubota
- Cougar, East Tiger (Tiger is temporarily in this group)
- Seattle Metro
- Snoqualmie Metro Group (potential, pending decision)
- Rattlesnake
- Valley Camp
- Tulalip Metro Group (permanent; on same manager)
- East Tulalip
- West Tulalip
- Spokane Metro Group (group not yet decided, contact Rod KC7AAD if you have input)
- Krell UHF
- Krell VHF
- Lookout Point
- Ridgecrest UHF
- Tri-Cities Metro Group
- Tri-Cities UHF – Jump Off Joe Mountain
- Tri-Cities VHF – Jump Off Joe Mountain
- Winthrop Metro Group
- Mazama
- Winthrop
Transition Considerations
Some hotspot servers will likely need to have their TG list updated for the label change.
Metro 2 will keep the same 5 minute hold-off timers for now but over time will be reduced to the standard 3 minute hold-off timers. Local 1 will remain unchanged, single site with 5 minute hold-off timers.
First Published: December 10, 2021 Last Updated: 2 years ago by Mike – NO7RF
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