A general overveiw of the system.
Learn about the indivudual sites.
Techincal Information
Page Code Information
NORTH TEXAS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
Welcome to the North Texas Communications System. Most people refer to the
system as simply NTCS. It is our goal to provide the amateur community with
a wide-range, full-featured, and technically advanced communications system
which spans the North Texas Region.
The system is currently composed of several repeaters in the
VHF-UHF spectrum which may be and are often linked together either by manual
or automatic means. Because of the large area covered by the system, and to
alleviate congestion, some repeaters are normally "unlinked" to allow more
users access to the system in their region. It is a simple task, however,
to link the repeaters to communicate with stations over 100 miles distant.
These repeaters are linked to provide communications for the National Weather
Service, Storm Spotters, as well as for normal traffic. A unique feature
of NTCS is the automatic linking of the member repeaters each Saturday
evening at 9:00 PM for the system-wide net. At the conclusion of the net, an
automatic net-cancel sequence returns the repeaters to their normal
configuration.
Each repeater can either be linked to any of the other repeaters, or
can be unlinked in a "stand-alone" mode. Normally, the entire D/FW area is
in a linked configuration to allow user communication throughout the
metroplex. Areas normally linked are the Denton, Fort Worth, Dallas,
Cleburne, Granbury, and Waxahachie areas thus allowing commuters to traverse
the metroplex and always be capable of communications via an NTCS repeater.
Long-range, system traffic is available via a simple user DTMF code.
The long-distance areas will include Stephenville, Brownwood, Wichita Falls,
Terrell, Waco, Greenville, Gainesville, San Saba, Jacksboro, and Comanche.
Future plans include coverage through Abilene, Snyder, Post, and Lubbock.
This system differs from other linked systems in that it designed to
completely cover a large area, NOT just include far away places with no
communication in between. Our goal is to enable travel from one edge of the
system to the other without communication gaps in between. Ideally, the
system will allow traveling within at least 150 miles of the metropolitan
area and always be able to communicate via an NTCS repeater.
Another useful feature is DTMF paging. Users can both send and
receive pages. Anyone can send pages using DTMF tones. In order to receive
pages, the operator must have a radio capable of receiving DTMF pages.
Users can choose a personal 3 digit page code for use with the system. A
simple user code allows the users to access the page mode and issue pages to
other stations system-wide. This paging function allows one to be in
"Quiet Mode" to not hear repeater traffic. When the user's radio receives
the personal 3 digit code, the radio will pass the audio directed to that
person. In this way, one can have a quiet radio, and still not miss
any important calls. For further information and a listing of page codes, visit our
Page Code page.
A unique Weather Page feature is also available. The North Texas
region is divided into several "Regions". Each of these Regions are further
divided into "Districts". When severe weather threatens your area, a
weather page is issued to all users in the affected area. Information
as to the nature of the weather is then passed to users in the area affected.
For further pager information, and to receive your personal 3 digit
page code, contact Wayne-N5VZE.
New users are welcome. The owners and operators of NTCS intend to not
only operate a technically advanced, wide-area system, but also a friendly
system that serves to promote the best to be found in the amateur community.
We are continually striving to improve the system. We certainly hope that
you will find the communications system useful.
N5VAV
443.750 PL 110.9 Egan, Tx.
441.850 PL 110.9 Richland Hills, Tx.
147.360 PL 110.9 Dublin, Tx.
The N5VZE repeater is located in Egan, (approx. 30 miles South of Fort Worth), Tx. It is the "original" NTCS repeater. The repeater consists of a General Electric Master II and an S-Com 7K controller. The antenna is a Decibel Products model at 180 ft. with a ground elevation on 850 ft. above sea level. It is definetely a long-range coverage repeater. Mobiles are able work the repeater with 5 watts up to 50 miles out. Higher power stations can work the repeater dependably 75 miles out with intermittent coverage to 120 miles. The repeater has seen traffic from Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Arkansas.
The repeater offers several user functions such as time/date, a 60 second transmit function, and the DTMF paging function. Of course, control operators have FULL control over all of the repeater's functions.
Like all NTCS repeaters, the Egan repeater is fully operational during power outtages via the emergency backup system. We feel it is important that there be uninterrupted communications at all times, especially when severe storms are affecting the area.
The N5VAV 441.850 repeater is located in Richland Hills, (North East Fort Worth), Tx. The repeater consists of a General Electric Master II radio, an S-Com 7K controller, and TX-RX duplexers. The antenna is a Decibel Products model at 60 feet. The site ground elevation is 570 ft. above sea level.
The repeater went on the air October 12, 1995. One week later, the repeater was fully integrated into the system with the addition of the link radio. The S-Com controllers make the task of linking and control a simple matter. The repeater is on the air 24 hours a day and has emergency power backup in event of a power outtage. Because the repeater is utilized in storm spotting, it must stay on the air even in the event of a power outtage due to severe storms.
The repeater is LITZ compatible in the event of emergency. Pressing the DTMF digit "0" for longer than 4 seconds will set off the emergency message. There are several user functions available such as time/date, a 60 second transmission which can be used to find the best location from which to work the repeater or aligning antennas, and the DTMF paging function.
There are several messages that one will find on the repeater from time to time such as space shuttle information, weather watch/warning information, holiday greetings, and other messages which are used as needed. A "self-diagnosis" routine is currently under development to alert control operators to any difficulty with the system.
The N5VZE 147.360 repeater is located in Dublin, Tx., 75 miles Southwest of Fort Worth. This repeater is usually "unlinked" from the D/FW metropolitain area. A simple DTMF code will easily join the repeater with the rest of the system. It is automatically joined at 9:00pm Saturday for the NTCS net.
It is often referred to as the "Rattlesnake" repeater because of its proximity to Rattlesnake Mountain. It is the primary repeater for the Cross Timbers Amateur Radio Club. The CTARC is composed of hams throughout Erath, Eastland, and surrounding counties as well as around North Texas. The club has a net on the repeater on Tuesday evenings at 8:30pm. All are welcome and invited to participate.
The repeater is also used as the SKYWARN frequency for the Erath/Eastland county region. The repeater is easily linked to the D/FW metropolitain area via the simple DTMF code to allow easy access for the storm spotters into the National Weather Service in Fort Worth.
NTCS uses General Electric radios, primarily Master II's, converted for simultaneous receive and transmit. NTCS is proud to use exclusively S-Com 
controllers system wide. We use various types of commercial and amateur antennas. NTCS is always striving to achieve excellence with a technically advanced, friendly communications system.