Repeater operating guide

Making your first call

1. Listen first. Monitor the repeater for at least 30 seconds to make sure no one is using it.
2. Key up and identify. Press PTT, wait one second (the repeater needs time to activate), then say your callsign: "This is [your callsign] listening."
3. Wait. If someone responds, you have a contact. If no one responds after 15-30 seconds, try again. If still no response, the repeater is quiet — this is normal.
4. Call someone specific. If you want to reach a particular operator: "[Their callsign], this is [your callsign]."

During the contact

• Wait for the courtesy tone before transmitting. The repeater drops carrier briefly between transmissions (the "kerchunk" or beep). This gap lets other stations break in with emergency or priority traffic.
• Keep transmissions short. Key up, say what you need to say, release PTT. Long monologues tie up the repeater.
• Identify every 10 minutes and at the end of the contact. FCC rules require identification at least every 10 minutes and at the end of your last transmission.
• Leave gaps. Pause briefly between exchanges so other operators can break in.

Common mistakes new operators make

Not waiting for the repeater. Pressing PTT and immediately speaking cuts off the first syllable because the repeater takes a moment to activate. Press PTT, wait one second, then speak.

Talking over others. If two stations are in a QSO, wait for a gap and say your callsign briefly to break in. Do not start talking over an ongoing conversation.

Kerchunking. Keying up the repeater without identifying (pressing PTT to see if the repeater responds, then releasing without saying your callsign) is both illegal (unidentified transmission) and annoying.

Using the repeater as a scanner. Monitoring is fine and encouraged. But if you hear a conversation that interests you, say your callsign during a gap and ask to join. Listening without participating is perfectly acceptable.

Emergency traffic. If you hear someone call for emergency assistance on a repeater, stop transmitting and let them communicate. Repeaters are community resources, and emergency traffic takes absolute priority.

Simplex vs repeater

Repeaters extend range by receiving on one frequency and retransmitting on another from a high location. If you can reach the other station directly (simplex), you should — it frees the repeater for stations that need it. The standard simplex calling frequencies are 146.520 MHz (2m) and 446.000 MHz (70cm).