Virginia's Amateur DMR Linked Repeater Network
Virginia's Amateur DMR Linked Repeater Network
DMRVA is a Virginia-based, Commonwealth-focused digital mobile radio linked repeater system for amateur radio. For updates on the status of the system and repeaters, check the posts below often.
If you have questions please drop us a line.
73,
Jay – KD4BPZ
James – K4JK
Update: Richmond, Powhatan and Petersburg have been restored.
We are aware of a network issue impacting connectivity of some of our repeaters back to the rest of the network. Please stand by for more information as we work to resolve this issue.
After a period of testing, site improvements and troubleshooting noise at the site, the Thornton Mountain system is on air full time effective January 9, 2026. The repeater is located on Thornton Mountain west of Rocky Mount, VA and near Ferrum, VA. The frequency a non-standard +1.4 MHz offset VHF pair of 145.080 MHz (output) and 146.480 MHz (input). In case you are wondering, this is properly coordinated through SERA and is our third VHF repeater on the system. The talkgroup line up can be found on the talkgroup page. This repeater contributes to massive coverage in the Roanoke area, with the local talkgroup being linked between Thornton Mountain, Poor Mountain, Tinker Mountain, Fort Lewis Mountain, Mountain Lake and a BM repeater on Long Ridge Mountain. Thanks go to the Roanoke area team of WB4EOT, N4MGQ, KD4EG, W4KZK and a special thank you to KA4CBB for providing an excellent duplexer to bring this site online.
We recently learned of the loss of Mike, AE4ML. Mike led efforts to create both VHF and UHF DMR coverage in the Fredericksburg area and was a prolific repeater operator, tinkerer and ham with diverse interests in the hobby. This will be a big loss to the amateur community in his area. The two networked repeaters in the area will continue to operate without any changes.
The repeater located in the middle peninsula area (Topping in Middlesex County) is going off the air this weekend from its current location. This is related to the passing of Peter, K2VIZ who established and maintained this repeater. Our team is working on alternate locations for potential relocation. There is currently no ETA or location in the works, but will be an ongoing effort.
The New Kent repeater site had been off the network and the connection was restored this weekend. The repeater is located in the Talleysville area of the county on a water tank at approximately 220 feet. It provides coverage along route 60, interstate 64, Colonial Downs, Providence Forge, New Kent airport, Bottoms Bridge and other areas. The local TG is linked to Richmond Metro. Please let us know if you have any feedback on coverage of this site.
Two new repeaters are online in far southwest Virginia in neighboring counties using the N4HRS callsign. The first is located in Wise County, near the city of Norton on High Knob mountain. The 443.7375 MHz repeater (CC9) will provide coverage to a large portion of the county including Big Stone Gap, Coeburn, Wise and other areas. There will also be coverage in the majority of Scott County and eastern/central Lee County. It will likely reach some portions of Kentucky, Tennessee and North Carolina as it is located at 4300 feet.
The second is in neighboring Russell County, near Honaker on Big A mountain. The 444.8125 Mhz repeater (CC9) will provide coverage to the immediate area including Swords Creek, Raven, Richlands and towards Tazewell along routes 19 and 460. Lebanon and Buchanan County will also have coverage. Reports from these new systems are appreciated.
Peter Martin (K2VIZ) passed away recently. He was an avid enthusiast of DMR and the linked DMRVA repeater network and worked to expand coverage throughout central Virginia. Peter contributed to many repeater sites in the region by assisting with installation, custom metal fabrication, climbing towers and in other ways. The intent is for Peters repeater sites to continue to operate thanks to the cooperative efforts of other local hams.
Recently we’ve heard about some operators paying for codeplug development and radio programming. There are a multitude of free codeplugs available for download on the RATS codeplugs pages as well as extensive information about codeplug conversion and some of the other details. There is also some support available if you run into hiccups. Even though there are a large number of radios out there, we want to encourage as much collaboration and sharing of information about the system as possible.
Operators supporting the Special Olympics in the Richmond area will be using Timeslot 1 on the Richmond and Petersburg repeaters during the days of June 6 and 7, 2025. All traffic on Richmond Metro (TG 27500, TS1) will be managed by Special Olympics Net Control during this time.
Accordingly, all Talkgroups on Timeslot 1 will be unavailable for general amateur use during the duration of the Special Olympics nets. Thank you for your understanding during this important event.
The South Boston repeater is off the air until April 23, 2025 while some work is done at the site. The repeater is expected to return around this date and should provide the same coverage to the area.