Ham Radio Repeater Dos and Don'ts operating tips
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ส.ค. 2024
- I share some best practices of operating a ham radio using a repeater. Common sense tips for new hams or people thinking about getting in to the hobby.
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I'm guilty of forgetting to pause during some conversations. I'll try and do better. Thanks for the reminder.
Another do - Program your local repeaters and scan them. Find your people. No one gets along with everyone but there's a home out there.
And it bugs me, when locals ask you for the same local frequencies, all the time. Then complain because its not programmed in their radios.
@@chrissewell1608 that really chaps my ass too!
Another "do" that I was taught when operating on echolink - if you're connecting through echolink, leave a bit of dead air on either end of your transmission. Some repeaters cut out a bit of echolink transmissions and this is a good way of making sure your full message is heard. It doesn't have to be long: even just a bit less than a second usually works, though I've had some people tell me to wait over a second and a half to be really sure.
Very helpful to the new tech, thanks for doing this video man.
Excellent - as a newly qualified Foundation (UK technician class) licence holder knowing the do's and don'ts so as not to offend is essential to the confidence to key up and make contacts . Those made so far have been great people. 73
If no one is coming back to you and you think nobody is listening... call CQ, every OM will rush to their radio to tell you not to do that.
Then you can talk to them.
Jokes aside, great video man.
To the new dudes and gals out there, check into nets, if its a round table net, say "in and out". Then you don't have to talk anymore. Keep doing this till you're good to talk.
Let the repeater drop, that girl needs to cool down.
Expanding on what you said, if you are new, reach out to a local ham and schedule a chat on the repeater. It's easier if you know who you are talking to.
LOL calling CQ probably will get you someone to talk to, or at least be talked at.
If you look on repeater book often repeaters will have a link entitled "Permission Req ". I'm not sure whether that means permission 'request' or permission 'required', but it seems like a good "Do" to request permission to use the repeater if the option is offered. I've also heard that it's good etiquette to ask if directed calls are okay on a repeater. Please do correct me if I'm wrong.
I haven't heard of either of those. My understanding was any ham could use any repeater, but I am just an amateur at all this. On the GMRS side, I know there is a network of repeaters here that require a paid membership.
Great info. I'm currently studying for my first HAM license. I have been listening on a Radioddity GD-77. Can't wait to be transmitting some day.
You can do it!
i realize I'm quite off topic but does anybody know of a good place to stream new series online?
@Jerry Jad I would suggest flixzone. Just google for it =)
@Caspian Emerson Yea, I have been using Flixzone for years myself =)
@Caspian Emerson thanks, I signed up and it seems like a nice service :) I appreciate it!
Every time you release I video it makes my day, thanks Brian
Wow, thanks!
I am a new ham but have heard you don’t break in and call “Break” unless its an emergency. You can break in with your call sign and the folks talking will typically acknowledge you and ask you to join the conversation
I’ve just discovered this channel, and I think it’s awesome. Your attention to detail is amazing, and a friendly voice.
I’m looking forward to upcoming videos. 👍❤️
Welcome aboard!
Great Video for all the new ha m's
Thanks 👍
I really appreciate your videos. Knowledgeable, entertaining, and clearly passionate about your hobby.
You mentioned the high cost of repeaters. I make significant extra donations to one of the clubs in my metro area to be earmarked for repeater maintenance/improvements. You can drain down a club bank account quickly for unexpected repeater repairs or relocations. My time is spent on the HF bands so I don't even use the local VHF and UHF repeaters but I understand their importance.
Good advice! You encouraged me to get my tech license last year. Thanks a bunch from KC1NCK!
Glad I could help! I hope you get a lot out of the hobby.
LOL. I just bought a Baofeng GT-5R last week, at the request of an unlicensed friend. I'm studying for the tests. (I plan to do two or all on the same day). In the meantime, I'm just trying to find people to listen to.
I thought it would be exciting to listen, because I live about a half mile from Pearl Harbor. Unfortunately, I am also surrounded by concrete. I'm waiting for a Super-elastic Signal Stick
Dual Band 2 meter / 70cm (19" long) antenna, hoping I'll hear some improvement.
At any rate, I heard my first really clear transmission today (I don't listen much). It was,
"You're f*ing d*ks".
There is no place left to get away from foul language, anymore. None.
On the happy side, I love your videos, even though they're 2 years old. Gifts that keep on giving. Thank you! : )
Update: I got the antenna. In a world of concrete, it doesn't make much difference.
Very nice video and good advice. Common sense and common courtesy are often lacking in today's it's all about me world. Thank you for putting it out there.
Thanks for a very helpful video. I've been a ham since 1978 but haven't been active for about 20 years and would like to become active again. Your video about repeater usage has been very helpful to me.
your videos helped me turn my old cb radio hobby as a kid into the real thing!
Nice!
Do be sure the repeater that you choose, is an open repeater. Closed repeaters by some individuals or clubs, frown on public use and owners can be nasty at times to a non-clique user (yes, there are cliques in ham radio). Some closed repeaters are only used for local emergencies as well, and require a keypad code to activate it. Repeater directories will state whether the repeater is Open or Closed.
Glad to see another video! One of my favorite ham related channels and definitely motivated me to get involved last fall.
Awesome! Thank you!
Good summary. Another problem with not allowing a break during QSO interchanges is that the repeater's shutdown timeout can be triggered.
good point.
New Ham studying for my test! Great Video!
Thank You Mr.Brian K4BBL Russell KE7QXR from Salem Oregon here! The FCC specifies per Part 97 The Amateur Radio Service Sub section B STATION OPERATION STANDARDS: 113 (4) UNDER Prohibited Transmissions: that, Obscene or Indecent is prohibited!
Yes it is Dull and dry reading but Part 97 is truly important Reading for any ham. Part 97 provides a wealth of information to promote Sound Engineering and Good Amateur Practice. 73 ~ KE7QXR Russell
I love your videos. Just got my ham radios and am studying for my license. Your videos help a great deal. I used Chirp to program my local repeaters into my radio (UV5R) and scan frequently through the channels and frequencies. Your channel is a great resource. Thanks very much!
very positive and encouraging, great work on this video, thanks. I moved from your neck of the woods, North Georgia, Duluth area to Palm Coast, FL. I am reacquainting myself with proper repeater behavior.
Thank you! Nicely done and helpful.
Another "wanna be" here... Great video, great info for us getting ready to make the plunge! I'd like to add/make one suggestion to your "be nice" tip.. carry that philosophy off-air as well. Sometimes I'll stumble across someone in a parking lot with a call sign vanity license place.. being a bit on the shy side without a keyboard "shield" it takes a lot for me to approach strangers.. I'm sure I'm not the only one like this... anyways.. sometimes I'll try to strike up a conversation by saying I've noticed their call-sign.. usually they'll ask for mine and I'll say that I'm studying for my ticket and plan to get on the air. Then I seem to get the impression that they don't want to deal with a wanna be and the conversation ends. I'd love to chat a bit to learn if there's any clubs in the area or maybe even just brag about your rig or something. I always hear how the hobby is dying and how its hard to attract new people.. well we're here! We just need a little encouragement and to feel that we'd be welcome.
Hi Brian, Just wanted to say Thank you real quick. I first started watching your videos on and off a about a year ago and finally go around getting my tech license and just got my General Lic monday night. Thank you! Bill Smith K2WWS - AG
Please give your call sign phonetically. New hams (and old, deaf ones!) find it hard to catch call signs at first. Great video! KE8KCA
Thanks for the video it really helped me out. I just got my license yesterday technician and just bought an Icom ID 52 handheld and I live in Decatur Georgia but I go RVing a lot in north Georgia so I’m glad I found your channel. Thanks again waiting on my call sign from the FCC! But I really have no idea what I’m doing yet to be honest.
Just a couple of notes from a 50-year ham: (1) "Roger beep" is a CB/FRS/GMRS term. The tones on repeaters are called "courtesy beeps," and have a different function - they usually let you know when the time-out timer resets. Don't jump in till you hear the beep, or you may not get much time to transmit. (1a) Never transmit an actual roger beep to a repeater! It may be confused with the repeater's own tail messages/beeps. (2) Regarding kerchunking, one of the major points of annoyance is to hams scanning repeaters. Don't be that guy! (3) Being welcomed on a repeater is a two-way street. Learn the language and other conventions by monitoring, and see if the sponsor of the repeater has a web page with recommended procedures. (4) If you need to see if your radio is working, listen to your own signal on a scanner. If you want to get a report on how well your signal is making it into the repeater, ask for a "signal report," not a "radio check." 73! - AE4KR
I misspoke, thanks for clarification and additional info.
These are all great advice and things to remember! 👍🏻 73
Thanks, Brian. This is mostly common sense but the reminders are helpful.
Thank you for the update. I've been following for a little while and appreciate someone local to learn from. looking to take my test as soon as possible to enjoy the HAM Community. Again I appreciate you channel.
If you’re local join NFARL.org and join us on Monday night tech net! You don’t have to be a member to join the net.
@@HamRadioInAction Thank you Sir.
What you state is almost what we do across the pond in the UK. It is certainly a good point to leave a few seconds between each transmission for someone to break in.. I often listen to my local and some Hams act as if they own it and never let anyone else in there ! Great video as always and thanks. Stay Safe..
Great video. I would add that repeaters are private property of others, whether that is a club, an organization, a government entity, or a private individual. While they may be operated and open for general amateur use, owners have the right to allow/disallow who they wish. Be RESPECTFUL as it's SOMEONE ELSE stuff. They pay dearly for it. Repeaters cost tremendous money to implement, maintain and grow. If one wishes to hang around, one should contribute financially to the cause or at least be mindful they are using someone else' stuff. If it isn't working, pissing and moaning on the air is akin to coming into another person's house as a guest and complaining about the cable TV/Internet speed, food in the fridge, etc. A guest should never become like fish out of water and start stinking.
I really enjoyed watching this video. Thanks
Glad you enjoyed it
Good Job. Nice info. Thank you. May God Bless.
I have my license and really barely even transmit but I transmitted just a bit to report a dangerous weather situation and besides talking quietly having a speech impediment and saying over too much I think I did good because of your videos, thanks
Outstanding video!
Good advice and informative video! Keep spreading the word de N8SIZ!
All very reasonable. Thank you.
My wife and I were licensed in July of 2020 and the local ham community has been very welcoming. That was something I worried about.
I appreciate the time you took to do this video. Taking my Tech exam this Wednesday online, what a boost!
Best of luck!
Good luck Ben.
@@SgtBooker44 thanks Sergeant! Online test last night, missed 3, onto the General 🙏🏾
@@HamRadioInAction nailed it Brian, going for the next level!
Great points - thank you!
Great video.
Well done man! Good reminders taught in a kind way! Right on point. KB0OET
Thanks for the videos. Im new to ham (in your backyard GA), studying for the test. I'll reach out when I get my call sign!
I really like your channel and I'm preparing to get into the hobby, primarily, because I came across one of your videos. Unfortunately, where I live there aren't many people in the hobby so I'm learning from the things I see on You Tube. Looking forward to trying to reach you via radio one of these days.
Randy Tapp - Henderson, KY.
Good luck and I hope to catch you in my logbook.
Great job 👍
Ham since 1976 here. The suggestions were fairly complete, and right on target. I liked the "be nice" admonition. There is a tremendous amount of "not nice" around. We, who are the stewards and docents of the Amateur airwaves really should be nice on what amounts to the "very first method of social media". The language on network television, even the News Programs are presenting more and more four-letter language. You might want to suggest a tighter standard than "what you hear on network TV". Thanks Brian. I will be sharing the link to this video w/ our ZOOM ham class. 73... K4KID
Keep conversations short, don't time out the repeater every time it's your turn. Thanks & 73, KG7SXF
Very nice job of presenting some very reasonable guidelines, sir! This sort of information is valuable to new operators, and is a great refresher to more experienced folks as well. 73, KO4AZY
I would add, DO invite new hams/ new callsigns to the nets you are on. New hams dont always know where to find them.
good point!
Excellent point. I wouldnt have known about my local repeaters unless someone told me after i was done taking the tech test
Advertise nets on other repeaters and nets!
Thanks - hello from Savannah GA. BRAND NEW Newbie studying for Tech in October. Nice area you are in.
Great video! You got a new subscriber from it!
Good one... I'm a newbie in ham radio... all your advices are welcome. Thanks
We have a repeater near the area I live where people usually conduct regular conversations without leaving any space in between. This is because the hobby is sadly dying so the people are always the same. We only have ANACOM (our FCC) to blame.
As soon as you get your first license you must stay 2 years listening in (NO TRANSMITTING), you may only transmit if supervised by another Ham with a higher category than yours.
The law itself is discouraging.
Greetings from Portugal.
2 years lol
Thank you sir 🙏
Let's collab with a little aviation/radio video!
as far as using language that can't be used on network tv. I have heard pretty foul language on tv. I would say don't use language you would not use in front of your mother or priest.
I debated using "network TV" as the bar, I think yours may be better. But I have heard some salty mothers.
Definitely. TV now is just so trashy and foul. Ham radio is more proper by far.
You don’t know my mother or priest then..
@@shaftman75 if your vocabulary, or lack of it is such that you use profanity in those situations then go headband use it. The majority of people with a 4th grade education will tell you that it is not ok to use "potty words" and most people will find it offensive !
@@HamRadioInAction TV channels that are broadcasted over the air have some decency standards to follow. And, those standards seem to relax a bit between 9 pm and midnight local time.
Great video. Haven't seen anything from you in a while.
A tip for prospective hams. You don't need a license to listen. Buy a radio and program it. Listen to the local repeaters while you study or wait to get licensed. You'll learn a lot about the norms in your area.
Thanks for the videos, I’m studying for my Technician Test and everything you put out is helping me learn the ins and outs of the community.
I’m real close to being ready, probably am right now. But want to be 100% sure I’m ready 😂 I’m really struggling with what radio to get. It’s so hard to pick, since there are 3 different Digital modes. Not sure I want to get just an analog radio and then buy a new HT in 3/4 months. Since I’m thinking I’m gonna go for general sooner than later and will want an HF setup.
I sugget getting the yaesu ft60r
Excellent video. I linked it on the HRCC Facebook page, I hope you don't mind. 73, George N2YTA
Not at all thanks for helping get the word out!
Really enjoyed your video, may I share it with our group have some new hams and will be a good refresh for seasoned vets
A couple of things I'd like to add, is don't purposely double on someone when they're transmitting. It happened to me during a net one evening. The person doing it had a tv or music playing in the background, which drowned me out.
One last thing, if a station refuses to identify, ignore them. They probably don't have a license to begin with. It's been happening here in East Tennessee a lot more over the past 4 or 5 months. People have been getting on repeaters, refusing to identify, and causing interference. It gets frustrating dealing with it.
73, W4ISB
We're having the same problem here in Central Ohio with unlicensed prepper types who go out and buy disposable Baofeng radios and just jump on ham repeaters with no callsign. They seem to have some end of the world fantasy where there are no more rules and they can just do as they please.
It happens here as well. Had a incident last night where someone was purposely doubling one a few hams along with myself. I need to get a beam antenna and find them. Not sure why the FCC is going to increase the cost of a license and not going to do anything about enforcing the rules.
The courtesy tone on the repeater means that you are finished speaking and that the repeater has reset. No need to say "over, back to you or go ahead" when you're on a repeater.
Hello,
Great Info and love your channel!
Any recommendation for a two way radio with great distance for family traveling?
Very well done Brian and so needed! It is good for us to be reminded that we are licensed users of the radio frequency spectrum, go by the rules and afford every courtesy possible to our fellow operators. Our Ham club went over subjects such as this from time to time as a reminder. Great advice on supporting the licensee of the local repeater. Our club president owned and operated the local repeater which was on a 9000' mountain top. A wonderful opportunity to learn about the repeater, duplexers and antennas of the 2 meter and 70 cm bands! Great job Brian. Just found you here on the Tube this night. Wil be looking for you! 73's de KB5ZDW, QTH Hastings, NE.
ker-chunking to get on a repeater seems very common here in SoCal....
Some repeaters are CLOSED. Ergo, they are NOT for public use.
Quick definition of QST and QSY first time used would be nice.
Here in south africa. Most of our repeaters are run by clubs, and usually have a rule that you MUST have BCL enabled.
Great video. Yes foul language is against FCC rules.
Currently studying and the video series I was watching suggested avoiding the word "break" unless it's an emergency. I noticed it in your video. That video was out of Texas, but I was wondering if that is maybe a regional thing.
Perhaps we are watching the same series as I saw the same thing.
Hi, Brian. Seems like the pace of releases has slowed down. Hope all is well with you. Really enjoy your channel.
In Michigan we say "I'm gonna take a bite" on repeaters to reset the timer and let anybody jump in. I've never heard people use this particular phrase outside of my local repeaters
Great advice thanks from mw6tab
Just got my radio studying all the stuff now, I'd love to try to ping a repeater see if my set up works but will wait till I get my call sign
"_____ calsign then "break"" I thought that was frowned upon?
Great video as usual my friend. Thanks for clearing this up. I thought there was something about not using "break" on the air accept in case of emergency.
I've heard people say break to just add a comment to a discussion. Maybe that's a regional difference?
Definitely frowned upon on all our local repeaters in Richmond Va. and surrounding areas. Break signifies an emergency
@@HamRadioInAction yes, break is for add comments. If you have a emergency you say mayday.
There are regional differences to using the word Break. One suggestion I can make is to listen on the repeater for awhile to see how other operators use the repeater to see the customs for your area.
good answer!
Around my area, there are 2 repeaters on the same frequency. One is in Rock Hill, nc. The other is in Moravion Falls. Alot times I hear both repeaters
147.225
Where I live in France, you have to say callsigns at the end of your message (If you don't, other ham will remind you to do so) and it is common practice to say your callsign at the beginning of every reply like "F4ABC qui reprend."
So if someone ask me a question, i respond with a simple yes I need to say "yes, this is wp4rps, Roger"?
"F4ABC speaking. In this case i would just say "Yes". But If I want to respond with a longer sentence like I do here, I will say at the begining that it is me talking. Again, I'm a new ham, I just mimic the others (HI). Back to you WPR4RPS F4ABC"
@@Nospecificplan oh, thank you for the explanation. Here is every ten minutes and the end of the QSO. Back to u F4ABC de WP4RPS.
That is different than here in the states, thanks for sharing.
Hi! I like your channel. I understand that using "break" is reserved for emergencies. Can someone confirm if this is correct? Thanks!
Great video!
Thank you friend. Good info. Am in Northern California, Bay Area, somewhat in the bunker. A mix of patriots and a great many intolerent progs here, particularly the media, unbelievable.
Have radios but have not transmitted until getting proper license.
One thing my local club has been encouraging is to only say your callsign without the word "break" if you want to break in with something non-critical, and then to use "break" during an emergency (or a drill) to signal that it's at the very least an emergency drill. This was brought up a couple months ago as a way of making sure people don't ignore an actual emergency because they're talking about their rigs.
Hi Brian great video, just looked you up, you have a lot of great experience and knowledge why not upgrade to Extra? Just a thought, keep up the good work! Your Ham brother K4MIQ ..
please make a video on how to use echolink!
Hi Wow great info! While I agree with most everything you said in this video and think it is wonderful someone actually addressed repeater usage. I would disagree about interrupting an On going QSO just for sake of and let me try to explain. While circumstances may differ that invites others to join such as adding to a current conversation that's fine I agree. Okay just to break in is not fine especially taking it off topic. Many do that and the original QSO is taken over more times than not. Not to mention the guys having the original conversation are left out because when someone interrupts their buddies come along most of the time. That happens a lot. One thing everyone tends to forget about repeaters is their main purpose which is EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS that's their primary function. While they are open in most cases to the Ham Public they were never intended to be Rag Chew Central as many are used for today. When I became a ham I was taught if I wanted to have a QSO on a repeater to maybe occupy it for 10 minutes or less. If I wanted to talk longer move to simplex and let me say all that depends a lot on area. If I couldn't make contact on simplex to give the repeater a break for a time then return and continue. I guess every where is different on how Repeaters are Used but One thing regardless of where I have been nobody likes the motor mouths that start before daylight and talk everyday all day and if anyone else tries to have a QSO motor mouth starts the COMMENT COMMENT COMMENT interrupting.
I get where you are coming from with these points and I agree for the most part. I disagree a bit that the main purpose of repeaters is for Em comm. I feel repeaters exist for hams to communicate, whether that be chit chat, experimentation or emergencies. I do feel that the chit chat folks need to leave room for emergency breaks and step aside if there is some sort of emergency situation. I also feel that if you want to have an uninterrupted conversation with someone there are probably better modes of communication than over the air, on a repeater, but I do see where it would be frustrating to have many interruptions.
@@HamRadioInAction Hi! maybe I caused a misunderstanding? If I want a private conversation I'll do that in person or by another means as you say. I'll try be brief I do not mean people shouldn't join a conversation. Some people Interrupt and really have Nothing to add or really contribute in anyway to an on going conversation. Understand? They Interrupt just to interrupt and then simply take over. It's rude and displays rudeness and lack of respect. Understand? It would much easier to convey my meaning I am sure if we just sit down and talked. Repeaters back when they 1st came into use and this is my opinion okay? I believe It was Understood that a Primary USE would be for Emergency use. Right? I think the reason for this was because many repeater Owners in this area realized that People would over use them because some people just can't help their need to sit down and GAB all day. Those people tend to not give others a chance to talk or talk with their friends or what have you. Right? So in my area Repeater Owners would suggest if your QSO for example went for an extended amount of time to take it to simplex. Freeing the repeater for others to us. It was just trying to make it useable for EVERYONE because it is always the case a few will abuse most anything. We have people who use a repeater in my area as that CAN'T TAKE a Breath. Seriously , they can't even give the curtesy tone a chance to activate. These same people will talk all day, every day. If you listen these same guys will sit talk hours. If By some chance someone say for example 2 travelers will be passing through and want to talk just for giving each other directions or just because they wanted to talk. The Mouths will Interrupt talk a minute then basically leave the guys out. Repeaters by their nature are just going to draw people who would take and do take advantage. To help CRUB that Stating that the use of a Repeater primary Function is Emergency use does help.. Rules or by agreement need be in place. Maybe by area or whatever? Don't take me wrong I agree with you mostly I think we're saying pretty much the same thing just going at it differently. Again This is how it used to be in the area I live and as I said maybe it is just an area thing or a repeater owner thing? I personally believe we should have rules that apply and those rules are enforced. Today a lot of problem is we have rules but we have very little to no enforcement/
Love your videos! Do you have TikTok 😁 ?
The only place you will find a "ROGER BEEP" is on the children's band, what you hear is a courtesy tone, letting you know the time out timer has reset.
l love radio repeater
Can you please do a beginner review of the tyt uv88? How to use? Thanks.
Keep up the good work. I really enjoy your videos!
73
VE9MAO
Thanks, will do!
I didn’t think you were supposed to say “break” unless it was an emergency, no? Newbie here
If you are on a system with multiple linked repeaters. When you key up, give it at least two too three seconds before speaking. Give all repeaters on the system time to link up.
Love your videos. Thanks, Al KG6KGD
Can you do a video on how to use EchoLink? I can’t connect to other repeaters through my local EchoLink repeater.
Hey Brian, hope you're doing well!
Just wanting to get started in ham.
Where should I start?