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Help Strengthen ECRA’s Eastern Colorado Ham Radio Network
0% complete
$4,994 raised of $8K
39 donations
Help Build the Eastern Colorado Repeater Network
Hi, I’m Bryan Wheeler, KB9UZO, Chairman and founder of the Eastern Colorado Repeater Association.
ECRA is an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to build, operate, and improve reliable Amateur Radio and public-service communications across rural Eastern Colorado.
This campaign originally helped ECRA establish System 1 in Peyton, Colorado. Since then, with the support of our members, donors, volunteers, and community partners, ECRA has continued growing and successfully installed System 2 near Yuma, Colorado.
Both systems are now operational, and this primary GoFundMe campaign supports the continuing needs of ECRA Systems 1 and 2, as well as future improvements to our regional communications network.
Where Your Donation Goes
Donations made through this campaign support ECRA’s overall nonprofit mission and current system needs, including:
- System 1 and System 2 equipment repairs and replacement
- Repeater, controller, duplexer, antenna, and feedline upgrades
- Electrical, grounding, cooling, and environmental improvements
- Internet service, remote monitoring, and communications links
- Tower, mounting, cabinet, and site infrastructure
- Maintenance, testing, transportation, and installation expenses
- Administrative and operating costs
Funds are received and managed by the Eastern Colorado Repeater Association and are used only for legitimate organizational, public-service, communications, educational, maintenance, and infrastructure purposes.
System 1 — Peyton, Colorado:
System 1 is ECRA’s original operational repeater site in the Falcon/Peyton area and remains a central part of our network.
System 1 currently provides VHF and UHF Amateur Radio communications coverage and serves as an important foundation for ECRA’s expanding network.
Current System 1 needs include:
- A replacement six-can VHF duplexer
- A replacement VHF four- or six-bay folded-dipole antenna
- A replacement weather receiver antenna
- Repairs, upgrades, maintenance, and continuing operating expenses
- Internet, monitoring, remote-control, and system-support costs
Maintaining System 1 is essential because it supports local communications and helps connect ECRA’s growing regional network.
System 2 — Yuma, Colorado
System 2 was successfully installed near Yuma, Colorado, in June 2026 and is now operational.
This system expands reliable VHF and UHF Amateur Radio communications coverage across northeastern Colorado and the surrounding Eastern Plains. It represents a major milestone for ECRA and demonstrates what can be accomplished through persistence, donor support, volunteer labor, community partnerships, and careful planning.
Although the primary installation is complete, System 2 continues to require support for:
- Final equipment and site improvements
- Antenna, feedline, grounding, and mounting upgrades
- Electrical and environmental-control improvements
- Cooling and ventilation improvements
- Internet and remote-monitoring expenses
- Replacement parts and backup equipment
- Continuing maintenance, testing, and long-term operating costs
- Improvements that increase reliability and system resilience
System 2 is no longer merely a proposal. It is installed, operational, and serving rural Eastern Colorado today.
Why This Matters
Eastern Colorado contains large rural areas where dependable communications coverage can be limited or unavailable.
ECRA’s systems help provide communications resources for:
- Amateur Radio operators
- Rural residents and travelers
- Severe-weather communications
- Community and public-service activities
- Emergency communications support
- Technical education and Amateur Radio development
Our purpose is to improve communications coverage where it is needed most while building an open, transparent, inclusive, and community-oriented organization.
Our Future
ECRA’s long-term goal is to continue improving Systems 1 and 2 while expanding reliable communications coverage into additional underserved portions of Eastern Colorado.
Future projects may include:
- Additional repeater sites
- APRS and digital communications capabilities
- AllStar and other linking improvements
- Backup and redundant communications equipment
- Partnerships with communities, Amateur Radio organizations, and existing system owners
- Additional emergency and public-service communications resources
Every contribution helps ECRA maintain what we have already built and continue responsibly expanding the network.
Transparency and Accountability
ECRA is committed to maintaining transparency regarding donations and organizational expenses.
Funds raised through this campaign are managed by ECRA and used to support the organization’s systems, infrastructure, operating expenses, maintenance requirements, and public-service mission.
Important Donation Information
All donations are voluntary charitable contributions supporting the Eastern Colorado Repeater Association and its nonprofit mission.
Donations do not provide any goods, services, memberships, donor incentives, or other benefits in return.
Thank you for helping us maintain and strengthen reliable communications across Eastern Colorado.
Questions about ECRA, our repeater systems, or how donations are used are always welcome.
Bryan 'Wheelz' Wheeler
KB9UZO
https://www.youtube.com/@EasternColoradoHamRadio-ECRA
Organizer
