January 14, 2026

Ham radio repeater now powered by solar

The Fredericksburg Repeater Operators Group (w5fbg.com), a group of licensed amateur radio operators in Gillespie County, announces its 2-meter, 1.25-meter, and 70-centimeter amateur radio repeaters are now operational on solar power.

These amateur radio repeaters are located at the Kneese Hill repeater site and serve the communities of the Texas Hill Country including Gillespie and surrounding counties.

The solar power system was provided by a grant from the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Foundation. ARRL is the national association for amateur radio. Dee Hester (K7UD), Dennis Robertson (W5FBG), Barb Schuyler (N9NM), Pete Schuyler (N9OF), Keith Jenkins (KI5DFU), J.B. Neans (KL5GR) and Jim Lindley, (K5EWS) were all contributors. This team designed and implemented the repeaters and the solar power system.

The solar power system was procured from, and built by, Greater Texas Solar of Mason, Texas.

Thanks to the ARRL Foundation, the repeater site can remain on-the-air, without interruption, during critical events despite loss of commercial power.

The Fredericksburg Repeater Operators Group expresses its thanks to Bryan Kneese and Fred Burg, (N5PIA), for the location and facility in which the equipment is housed. Special recognition goes to Bee Creek Communications and The Home Depot for their contribution of services and materials.

The local organization has for many years provided amateur radio repeater services to the community. The group also maintains a set of repeaters located at Methodist Hospital (Hill Country) to be used in times of public need such as the solar eclipse events of the past few years, severe weather events and fires. These repeaters provide backup communication should such be needed.

Many of our local amateur community are members of ARRL’s Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) as well as the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) under the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM).

The now solar-powered amateur repeater system is a key resource for both ARES and RACES as they stand ready to serve in local, state, and national emergencies. Local members hold leadership positions in these organizations.

The amateur radio community (ham operators) is comprised of a large group of men and women from all walks of life with a common interest in the art and science of radio and a desire to assist the public in times of need. This is a long-standing tradition dating back to the beginning of radio over 100 years ago.

The local ham group meets on the third Saturday of the month at 7:30 a.m., in Fredericksburg, at La Tequila Jalisco restaurant. Hams and non-hams are welcome.

The Hill Country Amateur Radio Club (hillcountryarc.org) meets at 7 p.m. in the Union Church,101 Travis Street. Kerrville on the first Thursday of each month.

For more information, visit the group’s website.

Cite:https://www.fredericksburgstandard.com/2026/01/14/ham-radio-repeater-now-powered-solar/