For years the ARES/ACS/RACES net on the W3YA repeater in Boalsburg/State College (21:00 Sunday Evenings, (146.85 mHz -) has opened with a preamble that instructs amateur radio operators what to do if the repeater fails.  Amateur radio operators should expect the net to move to the W3GA, (146.76 mHz -) repeater on Rattlesnake Mountain. To test this procedure Centre County EC, Carmine, K3CWP, arranged to have the repeater shut off by Trustee Woody, K3YV, midway through the net on Sunday, March 31, 2024.  To Carmine’s knowledge this has never tested before.

When the repeater was shut off NCS Brett, W3SWL, immediately moved the net to W3GA and continued from there.  Check ins were completed on W3GA and midway through the net business the W3YA repeater returned to operation.  Brett shifted the net back to W3YA immediately.  About 22 of the 28 check ins were made on W3GA.

This short drill is evidence of amateur radio operators being prepared to operate even when unexpected problems happen in our communications circuits.  Special thanks to everyone for their patience during the drill, especially Brett, W3SWL, and Woody, K3YV.