FM & Repeater Operating Guide

1. On-Air Protocol & Courtesy

  • Listen Before Transmitting: Be sure the frequency (or channel) is not busy before you transmit. How would you like it if someone interrupted your conversation? Please do not interrupt an ongoing conversation. When you turn to a repeater or a simplex frequency, listen for at least thirty (30) seconds before transmitting.
  • Repeater Etiquette & Policies: Be sure to learn the usage, protocol, and/or policies of the repeaters you are using. Just because a repeater is “there” does not mean that you are welcome to switch to it and use it for long, extended rag-chews. Some repeaters welcome newcomers; some do not. Even though your license allows you to operate on any frequency within your privileges, a wise amateur avoids closed/private repeaters and machines run by unfriendly groups. Listen for a while before deciding to use a repeater, or ask someone if you are welcome to use it for occasional conversations.
  • Language & Manners: Try to keep your language polite. Profanity and discussions of bodily functions should be off-limits—not just because of regulations, but because it is the right thing to do. Generally, other hams and their families do not want to hear conversations that are not of the “G-rated” variety.
  • Handling “Stand By” Requests: Sometimes while talking, it is necessary to ask the other person to “stand by” (e.g., handling a traffic situation, family interruptions, drive-up windows). The proper response when requested to stand by is silence. It usually takes only a moment. If you feel it is absolutely necessary to say something, say: “[Call sign] standing by.” A long, drawn-out acknowledgment serves no purpose.

2. Station Identification (FCC Part 97.119)

§ 97.119 Station identification:
(a) Each amateur station, except a space station or telecommand station, must transmit its assigned call sign on its transmitting channel at the end of each communication, and at least every 10 minutes during a communication, for the purpose of clearly making the source of the transmissions from the station known to those receiving the transmissions. No station may transmit unidentified communications or signals, or transmit as the station call sign, any call sign not authorized to the station.

When using any linked system, you are tying up dozens or hundreds of repeaters and listeners. Follow these proper identification guidelines:

  • No Need to Identify at the Start: There is no FCC requirement to give your call sign at the very beginning of a contact.
  • Drop “For ID”: Saying “This is K6xxx for ID” (or worse, “for license preservation purposes”) is redundant. There is no other reason to state your call sign than to identify your station. Simply state your call sign naturally once within every 10 minutes. Conversations do not need to come to a halt to identify.
  • Signing Off:
    • Still Listening: Merely say your call sign. Saying “clear and monitoring” is unnecessary and superfluous.
    • Shutting Down: If you will not be there to answer calls, “clear” is appropriate (e.g., “K6JSI clear”).
    • Unanswered Calls: If you call someone and get no answer, let others know the repeater is open by saying: “K6xxx clear” or “No contact, this is K6xxx clear the WIN System repeater.”
  • Mobile Designators: FCC rules no longer require you to state your location or district (such as “…mobile 6” or “…mobile 3”). While no longer mandatory, it is not wrong if you choose to use it.

3. Language, Terminology & Jargon

  • Q-Signals on FM Voice: Using Q-signals too often is bad form. Although they have a valuable place in amateur radio (especially CW), they are not universally accepted on FM voice. Using them on every transmission is annoying. Use them sparingly, if at all.
  • Avoid CB Jargon: Phrases like “What is your first personal?” (name) or “I’m on the side” (listening/monitoring) are recognizable CB terms. While not illegal, they are generally avoided on amateur radio frequencies. Plain English is always preferred (e.g., “My name is Shorty, what is yours?”).
  • Proper Salutations (“73” and “88”):
    • 73 means “best wishes” and 88 means “love and kisses.”
    • There is no “s” at the end. Do not say “73s”, “88s”, or “threes and eights and all those good numbers.”
    • Proper Voice Example: “OK Dan, seven-three and I will talk to you later. (pause) K6JSI.”
    • Proper Voice Example: “73 for now, K6JSI clear.”

4. Microphone & Transmit Techniques

  • K-H-T (Key, Hesitate, Talk): One of the most important habits to learn. Push the PTT button, pause slightly, and then speak. If you speak simultaneously with keying the mic, the first syllable or word will be clipped by repeater links and squelch circuits.
  • Calling Scanning Stations: Radios scanning multiple channels or bands can miss quick transmissions. If calling someone who may be scanning or monitoring multiple rigs, call twice: say their call twice, then your call once. Pause 30 seconds and try again. If on a linked system, mention the network name (e.g., “W6xxx, this is K6xxx on The WIN System”) so they know which band or mic to pick up.
  • Noisy Environments: You do not need to hear yourself talking. Shouting into the mic when background noise is high will only distort and clip your audio, making you unreadable. Hold the mic close and speak in a calm, normal, clear voice.

5. Handling Emergency Traffic

Different repeater groups handle emergencies differently. Follow these general guidelines:

  • State the Emergency Immediately: Do not just ask “Is anybody monitoring?” (which sounds like casual conversation and may be ignored). Instead, declare your situation: “Can someone help me contact the Highway Patrol?” or “I have emergency traffic; I need help contacting the Fire Department.”
  • If You Can Help: Acknowledge immediately and assist with the call or relay.
  • If You Cannot Help: BE SILENT! Do not key up to explain why you cannot help (e.g., stating you left your DTMF pad at home, forgot the autopatch code, or your phone is busy). Unnecessary transmissions tie up the frequency.

6. Station Logging

There is no FCC requirement for maintaining a routine station log, except when handling international third-party traffic. However, keeping a logbook is good practice for logging new contacts, frequencies, modes, and any emergency traffic handled.

7. Simplex vs. Repeater Operation

  • Simplex (S): Uses the same frequency for both transmit and receive (no offset / no “+” or “-“). When using simplex, you only hear stations within direct line-of-sight RF range of your antenna. However, if using a simplex node linked to an internet system (such as IRLP or AllStar), you will hear stations calling in over the network through that simplex node.
  • Repeater: Uses two separate frequencies (one to receive and one to transmit simultaneously). Repeaters are duplex devices placed at high elevation to extend communication range.

8. How to Operate Through a Repeater

To successfully operate through an FM repeater, you need to configure three fundamental settings in your radio:

1. Receive Frequency & Channel Steps

  • Tune your radio’s VFO to the published repeater output frequency (e.g., 442.900 MHz for Loma Prieta).
  • Channel Step Settings: Most modern radios default to 25 kHz channel steps. In areas like Southern California UHF (440 MHz), frequencies are spaced in 20 kHz steps. If changing your radio step to 20 kHz, make sure you start on an even channel (e.g., 448.000 MHz) before adjusting the menu setting; otherwise, the increments will land on odd frequencies.

2. Repeater Offset & Direction

Because repeaters receive on one frequency and transmit on another at the same time, your radio must transmit with an offset:

  • Standard Offset Amounts:
    • 2-Meter Band (144–148 MHz): 0.600 MHz (600 kHz)
    • 70-cm / UHF Band (440–450 MHz): 5.000 MHz
  • Offset Direction (+ or -): Check your radio screen for the + or - indicator. When you press PTT, verify that the display shifts to the proper transmit frequency (for example, receiving on 442.900 and transmitting on 447.900 indicates a +5.000 MHz offset).

3. CTCSS / Sub-Audible Tone (PL Tone)

  • Tone Encode (T / Enc): Most repeaters require a continuous sub-audible tone to open their squelch. Ensure CTCSS is turned ON and set to the published tone (e.g., 162.2 Hz).
  • Encode vs. Decode: Use Encode only. Do not enable tone Decode (or Tone Squelch / TSQL) unless you know for certain that the repeater transmits a tone on its downlink, or your radio’s receiver will remain muted.

Reference: The Loma Prieta WIN System repeater is listed as 442.900 MHz, (+) offset, 162.2 Hz CTCSS.