RARS.org: RARS Repeater Operating Guide

RARS Repeater Operating Guide

What = Is A=20 Repeater?

How Do You = Use=20 Repeaters?

Plain=20 Old Talking=20
Three=20 Way Radio=20
Station=20 Identification=20
Breaking=20 In=20
#$%~=E1@&#+*!!= =20
Making=20 an Autopatch Call

Business=20 Communication=20
DX!=20
Simplex=20
Band=20 Plan=20
Emergencies=20
Skywarn/ARES=20

Public=20 Service=20
Giving=20 Directions=20
Nets=20
Timers=20
Coded=20 Squelch=20
The RARS=20 Repeaters

WHAT = IS A=20 REPEATER?

Let's get basic for a few paragraphs... and if you're an = old-timer, you=20 might want to read through this section just to see if we got it = right.=20

First, what exactly is a "repeater"? And why do we use them? =

3DHT Without repeaters, = the=20 communication range between Amateur VHF-FM mobile and handheld = radios at=20 ground level is limited -- five to fifteen miles for mobiles, and = just a=20 couple of miles for handhelds. The distance you can communicate is = usually=20 referred to as "line-of-sight" -- you can talk about as far as you = can see=20 (if you cut down the trees).

To extend our range, we use repeaters. A repeater is a = specially=20 designed receiver/transmitter combination. When you operate = through a=20 repeater, its receiver picks up your signal on the=20 inputfrequency, and the transmitter re-transmits -- = or=20 "repeats" -- you on the outputfrequency. For = example, one of=20 the RARS repeaters hears you as you transmit on 146.04 MHz, and = repeats=20 you onto 146.64 MHz. You'll hear this repeater referred to as=20 "Six-Four." 3DTower=20

Repeater antennas are located on tall towers, buildings, or = mountains,=20 giving them much greater range than radios with antennas near the=20 ground. And when you're in range of a repeater, you can talk = to=20 everyone else in range of that repeater.

RARS' 146.64 repeater is located in west Raleigh, near the = beltline and=20 Hillsboro St. Its antenna is on the side of a tower that = puts it=20 about 350 feet above average terrain. A mobile station = running 50=20 watts can reliably communicate through the repeater out to about = 35=20 miles. So if you were 35 miles north of the = repeater,=20 you could talk to someone 35 miles south of the=20 repeater. That's 70 miles between you -- a whole lot = better=20 than the 10 or so miles you could cover without the repeater!

3DTelephone Repeaters can have many = features beyond=20 just extending the range of mobile or handheld radios. One = especially=20 useful feature is called Autopatch. A telephone line and = special=20 control equipment at the repeater allow you to make local phone = calls from=20 your radio. Now, this is not exactly a replacement for a cellular = phone.=20 You can't use Amateur Radio for your business, including = autopatch. You=20 can't receive calls, you can make only local calls, and your = conversation=20 is not private! Everybody else listening to the = repeater=20 hears your call. Still, autopatch is handy, within its = limitations. Most=20 of the RARS repeaters have autopatch facilities -- keep reading = and we'll=20 tell you how to use them.

HOW DO YOU = USE=20 REPEATERS?

There are literally thousands of repeaters across the US (and = the=20 world). Each one can have it's own peculiarities and unique = operating=20 procedures, but there are some basics that apply to almost all of = them.=20 Really complete instructions would fill a book, bore you to tears, = and=20 start some fights about what's correct and what's not (operating = procedure=20 is a matter of strong opinion in Ham Radio!). We'll risk all of = that now,=20 but try not to fill a book. 3Dlips=20 =20

PLAIN OLD = TALKING.=20 Mostly, you're here to get on the air and chat, = right? OK,=20 first you set your radio for the repeater you want to use. = Don't=20 know how to find a local repeater frequency? The RARS web = site has a=20 list of the Triangle area 2-meter repeaters. Check it out here. If = you're=20 outside the Triangle area, you'll need a repeater directory. = They're=20 available from the ARRL and = the SouthEastern Repeater = Association. =20 At the very least, you can just scan across the band for activity = using=20 this chart as your guide (click on the chart for a larger=20 view):

Once you've selected a repeater and dialed it up on your radio, = the=20 first thing you should do is... LISTEN for a minute. =20 Repeaters are party lines. Lots of people use = them on=20 and off throughout the day, and the one you've selected may be = busy with=20 another conversation right now. So listen for a minute. = (Does anyone=20 remember what "party lines" are? Kids, ask your = grandparents!)

If the repeater isn't busy, key your transmitter and say = something like=20 "KN4AQ listening. Anybody want to chat?" (Use your own call, = not=20 mine, please). You could call CQ, but that time-honored = method of=20 seeking a contact never caught on with FM operators. = Somebody may=20 even tell you your not "supposed" to call CQ on FM, but you can. =

When you release your transmit button, most repeaters will stay = on the=20 air for a few seconds, and many will send some kind of = "beep." Then,=20 the repeater transmitter drops off the air. The beep is = there to=20 remind everyone to leave a pause between transmissions in case = someone=20 wants to break in. Even if there's no beep, leave a = pause. =20 Somebody may have just come across a traffic accident and needs = the=20 repeater to report it. If nobody leaves a pause between=20 transmissions, they can't break in.

If somebody answers you, then have a good time! You can talk = about=20 anything you want -- there are not many rules about the content of = Amateur=20 conversation. You can't use Ham Radio to conduct = your=20 business, but you can talk about where you work and = what you=20 do. Prime time TV language has been peppered with some "hells" and = "damns," and so has language on some repeaters. RARS discourages = that.=20 You're not having a private conversation -- you may have lots of=20 listeners, some of them children. Keep that in mind as you choose = language=20 and subject matter.

3Dhourglass How long do you talk? I see you're catching on to the = party-line=20 concept. Maybe somebody else wants to use the repeater when you're = done.=20 There's no hard rule. It depends on the time of day (rush hours = are=20 prime time for mobiles, evening is also a busy time, = while 2=20 a.m. is pretty empty), and who else might want to use the = repeater. If=20 you've been interrupted several times by others needing the = repeater to=20 call someone, maybe you've been on a bit too long. 3DGroup

THREE-WAY RADIO. = Not=20 all conversations are strictly two-way. Three, four or five = or more=20 Hams can be part of a "roundtable" conversation (five or more will = be=20 pretty unwieldy). A free-wheeling roundtable is a lot of = fun... and=20 it poses a problem: when the person transmitting now = is=20 done, who transmits next? Too often, the = answer is=20 everybody transmits next, and the result is a = mess. =20 The solution is simple -- when you finish your transmission in the = roundtable, specify who is to transmit next. "... Over to you, = Rick.=20 KN4AQ."

WE PAUSE FOR = STATION=20 IDENTIFICATION.The Rules say you must ID = once=20 every 10 minutes. RARS is big on clear = identification when=20 you use our repeaters, but you don't have to overdo it. Give your = callsign=20 when you first get on (this isn't specifically required by the = rules, but=20 RARS encourages it on our repeaters), then once every 10 minutes, = and=20 again when you sign off.

You don't have to give anyone else's callsign at any time, = although=20 sometimes its a nice acknowledgment of the person you're talking = to, like=20 a handshake.

BREAKING=20 IN. Repeaters are shared resources -- the = party-line.=20 There are many times and reasons that a conversation in progress = might be=20 interrupted. You might break in to join the group and add your = comments on=20 the subject at hand. Someone might break in on you to reach = someone else=20 who is listening to the repeater. You might have to report an = emergency.=20 How to break in is the subject of debate and = disagreement.=20 Here are some suggestions:

3DBull

Pick a good time. If you have an emergency, a good = time=20 is NOW. That's why there's a pause between = transmissions. Otherwise, listen a bit. Read the ebb and = flow of=20 the conversation. One of the fastest ways to establish a = reputation as a jerk is to frequently butt your way onto the = air=20 without regard for the people already talking.
=20
Give your call, and say what you want. When = you've=20 listened and decided it's OK to break in now, transmit quickly = when=20 the other station stops, before the beep, and = say=20 something like this: "KN4AQ, I have an emergency," "KN4AQ, can = I make=20 a call?" or "KN4AQ, can I add my 2=A2?"
=20
What about "Break?" The problem with just = plain=20 "break" is that nobody knows exactly what it means, and = everybody has=20 to stop and find out. Some Hams will tell you that = "break" means=20 "I just want to join in or make a call," "break-break" means = "I have=20 very important traffic," and "break-break-break" means "I have = a dire=20 emergency." That's fine, but not everybody = knows=20 that. Plain English works better.
=20
Maybe somebody's breaking in on you. = What do=20 you do? Easy -- let them transmit, right = now,=20 unless you know absolutely and for sure that they do not have = an=20 emergency. Maybe somebody hasn't read this guide and = isn't the=20 expert operator you are now, and they just say "break" or drop = in=20 their call, when what they really mean is "HELP!" = So let=20 them talk. Say "go ahead," and give your callsign. = And if=20 they're one of those boneheads who's interrupting your = perfectly good=20 conversation for no reason but to hear themselves talk, well, = bite=20 your lip and be glad you know better.
=20
The exception is when someone actually announces an=20 emergency. Then CLEAR THE DECKS! = DO=20 NOT TRANSMIT! The station who declared the = emergency has=20 the frequency, and unless they ask for your help, don't give = it. =20 Unless... always an unless... they obviously don't know how to = handle=20 the situation... and you DO. (You do, don't you?)=20

#$%~=E1@&#+*!! What was that I just = heard? =20 A stream of foul language and nasty noises on the repeater? =20 Jamming? Sounds like something straight out of CB! I'm = OUTRAGED, and I'm gonna tell that sucker off! = He can't=20 get away with that on our repeater! Gimmie = that=20 microphone! =20

Cool down. It doesn't = happen=20 often, but it does happen -- it's a big world out there, and there = are=20 some bad people in it. Some of them find a Ham Radio now and = then,=20 and discover the delight of offending an audience. The key = word is=20 audience. Deliberate interference and bad language = are=20 designed to make you react. The person doing it wants to=20 hearyou get mad. They love it. And if = they don't=20 get it, they go away, usually quickly. So when = you=20 hear the rare nasty stuff on the repeater, our advice is to = please=20 ignore it completely. Don't mention it at all on the = air. =20 Sometimes a repeater control operator will decide that the best = way to=20 handle the situation is to turn off the repeater or one of its = functions=20 for a while, but the rest of us should bite our tongues and be = silent.

MAKING = AN AUTOPATCH=20 CALL. An Autopatch allows you to make local phone = calls=20 from your Amateur Radio, through special control equipment and a = telephone=20 line connected to a repeater.

The autopatch may require an "access code," much like a = computer=20 password, but sent in Touch-Tones. Some repeaters have "open = autopatch," allowing anyone to use it. Their access code is = usually=20 just a * (STAR). Other repeaters have "closed=20 autopatch." The patch codes are disclosed to members only, = although=20 members are encouraged to place calls for hams traveling through = town.=20 (RARS' autopatch is open.)

The procedure for using an autopatch depends on the policy of = the=20 repeater's sponsor, and on the design of the control system. This = is a=20 basic guide:

First, make sure the repeater isn't busy. If you've just turned = on your=20 radio and don't want to wait a minute to see if the channel is = active, you=20 might ask "is this frequency in use? KN4AQ." If you have a clear = channel,=20 then here's what you do:

On some basic patches, you identify yourself and your = intentions=20 ("KN4AQ Autopatch"), dial the access code, unkey your transmitter = and=20 listen for a dial tone. Then dial the number.

On other patches, you dial the access code and telephone number = as one=20 string, and it stores and then regenerates the number. You = then hear=20 it dial and ring. The party you called says hello, and you = transmit=20 and talk.

Most people on the telephone end get a little = confused by=20 autopatches until they've had some experience with them. = When you=20 are transmitting, they can't interrupt you, but they don't know = that. So=20 even though they're being rude by interrupting, they = will=20 think you are being rude by continuing to talk and=20 "ignoring" them. You can reduce this problem by keeping your = comments very short, and releasing your transmit button=20 immediatelyafter your last word.

Another common source of autopatch confusion is the Dead = Phone=20 Effect. When you transmit, some noise accompanies your = voice on=20 the phone line, even if you have a very good signal into the = repeater. And=20 when you stop transmitting, there's usually a little click or pop = on the=20 line, then it goes dead silent. The party on the line thinks = the=20 phone's gone dead. They will say "hello? hello? Are = you still=20 there?" or something like that. We enjoy it.

When you're done with the call, say good-bye, just like on a = regular=20 phone call, and let the party on the phone hang up. Then you = hit the=20 "kill code," which on many autopatches is the # button. And = identify=20 again ("KN4AQ, clear autopatch"). Listen to make sure you=20 successfully killed the patch (the repeater may talk to you, or = beep, or=20 just drop).

3D"Open Business calls on = an Amateur=20 autopatch are a sensitive area. In September 1993, the FCC = relaxed=20 the rules on some business-type communication. You should = get a copy = of the=20 rules and become familiar with all of them, but here we're=20 specifically talking about 97.113 "Prohibited=20 Communications."

The FCC says you can not use Amateur Radio for = your=20 business or employment, but now you can use Amateur = Radio=20 for personal communications that involve dealing with a = business. =20 The often-cited example is "using an autopatch to order a pizza" = -- in the=20 past, this would have been illegal. Now, this kind of call = is=20 legal. RARS policy is to keep the "business" calls to a = minimum, and=20 to not disrupt ongoing repeater traffic for a = business-type=20 call. Some clubs still prohibit all types of "business" = traffic.=20 Over the years, this has not become a problem. The most = frequent=20 (but still rare) violation is hams calling their work to say = they're=20 coming in late - that's a no-no!.

Specific RARS autopatch instructions are included later in this = GUIDE. 3DAlbania?

DX! Well, = you probably=20 won't be hearing Albania on two-meters anytime soon, but VHF does = have=20 it's own form of DX. A few paragraphs ago we mentioned that the = RARS .64=20 repeater had about a 35 mile range. Usually. =20 Sometimes, though, VHF/UHF "opens up," and stations can be heard = for=20 hundreds of miles. This is another book-length = subject. We'll=20 just squeeze in that VHF/UHF band openings are a double-edged = sword. =20

It's exciting to talk to someone 200 miles away, and it's OK, = too. But=20 keep in mind that repeaters were designed to cover local = territory, not=20 half the country. So when the band opens up, there is the = potential for=20 lots of interference as well as lots of fun. Repeaters on the same = frequency will suddenly be too close together. You could very = easily be=20 keying up two or more of them at once. To be responsible, get to = know=20 where your signal is going (a repeater directory will help). Use a = directional antenna, minimum power and keep your conversation = short.

3D"Winston/Raleigh

On .64, we have to be particularly sensitive to another 146.64 = repeater=20 in Winston-Salem, about 100 miles west. When the band opens, = even=20 just a little, their mobiles begin keying up our repeater, and we = begin=20 keying up their repeater. While normally not fatal, this can = be=20 irritating. Running minimum power, either mobile or from = home, will=20 help.

How much power is too much? Within 15 miles of the .64 = repeater=20 (that's every place in Raleigh), two to five watts into a mobile = antenna=20 is all you need. 45 watts is excessive. At home, with = an=20 antenna up on the roof, 45 watts is really excessive = for=20 talking through a local repeater. When the band is open, = even a=20 five-watt mobile signal can travel from Raleigh to = Winston-Salem. At=20 those times, patience and courtesy will help a lot.

SIMPLEX. = This may come=20 as a shock, but you don't have to use a repeater to=20 communicate on two-meter FM. You can use simplex, which means=20 yourradio talking to my radio = directly. We do=20 have that five to fifteen mile range -- much more if we're on our = home=20 stations. Why not use it? But don't just pick any = old=20 frequency your radio can generate to talk simplex! You may end up = on the=20 input of a repeater and interfere with people you can't hear. Use = the=20 Band Plan simplex channels:

146.40 =20
146.43 =20
146.46 Input to Charlotte, NC and = Clarksburg, VA=20 repeaters=20
146.49 =20
146.52 (the National Simplex=20 Channel) =20
146.55 =20
146.58 =20
147.42 (RARS Official Simplex=20 Channel) =20
147.45 =20
147.48=20
147.51 =20
147.54 Used for packet in the = Triangle=20
147.57

Note: = Channels listed are=20 in 30 kHz steps. There are 15kHz "split" channels in between them = that may=20 be used, but the narrow-band FM radios we use are not selective = enough to=20 reject strong signals from an adjacent 15kHz channel. =20

BAND = PLAN?=20 Yes, there is a plan organizing frequency use for = two-meters (and,=20 for that matter, every Amateur band). For the most part, band = plans are=20 voluntary -- the FCC regulates only a few modes and band = segments. =20 Band plans for HF are international, and you'll find them on the = ARRL web site. Band = plans for=20 VHF/UHF are developed by regional coordinating groups. North = Carolina is a part of the SouthEastern=20 Repeater Association (usually called SERA, and pronounced = like=20 Sarah).

Here's a simple block diagram based on SERA's Two Meter = Bandplan.=20
(Can't read it? Click on the image for a = larger=20 view):

The complete two-meter band plan is much more detailed than = this chart=20 shows. The Repeater and Packet segments are divided into = more than=20 100 individual "channels" for repeaters and simplex = operation. For=20 an really complete look at the two meter band, download this = PDF=20 file, containing a chart showing every channel in the band = plan, with=20 information on the closest repeater to Raleigh for each = channel. The=20 chart will print on an 8^1/2x11 sheet. You'll need = your=20 reading glasses (sorry).

(And if you bought a dual-band radio, the chart also shows the = UHF=20 repeaters and band plan.)

The two-meter band plan looks complex, perhaps even=20 convoluted, doesn't it? That's because two-meters = grew in=20 spurts, a little here, a little there. In the early 1960's, = there=20 was just a little AM and SSB activity centered just above 145.0 = MHz. =20 FM and repeaters were barely getting started, around 146.94 = MHz. The=20 rest of the band was empty. FM began to grow, but it was = constrained=20 by FCC regulations that let Techs use only 145.0 to = 147.0MHz. =20 Satellites were launched, packet was invented, and rules changes = moved=20 Techs and repeaters around the band. Everyone needed a slice = of the=20 pie, and the result is the band plan you see in the chart. = (When I=20 teach a class in the fall, I say that two meters is carved up like = a=20 Halloween Pumpkin.)

Check out the frequency coverage of your shiny new two-meter FM = handheld. It covers the whole band, doesn't it? But if = you use=20 it any-old-where, you might interfere with someone - maybe an SSB=20 operator, or a satellite station, or a repeater input. = Please stick=20 to the Band Plan channels. If we all do that, we'll get maximum = use and=20 enjoyment out of the band.

EMERGENCIES.=20 Helping to communicate in emergencies is Amateur Radio's = #1=20 reason for existence. Repeaters, especially with autopatch, are = excellent=20 tools for emergency communication, and the most frequent type of = emergency=20 called in is the traffic accident. Details on the 911-autopatch = are=20 included in this publication. And that's why we leave a pause = between=20 transmissions -- you never know when someone (you) will need the = repeater=20 in an emergency.

SKYWARN /=20 ARES. We also use repeaters to help the National = Weather=20 Service in an operation called SKYWARN. When severe weather = threatens the area, listen to the 146.88 repeater, and follow = instructions=20 from the net-control station. Details on Central Carolina SKYWARN = are=20 available at their web site. =

ARESis=20 the Amateur Radio Emergency Service. = During=20 any kind of emergency, ARES operators will be using repeaters for = local=20 coordination and traffic-passing. Visit the Wake County ARES web site.

During these operations, the active repeater will probably be = "closed"=20 to regular conversations. But unless a major disaster has hit the = area,=20 there will be other repeaters available for regular activity. Ask = the net=20 control station for the status of the repeater. 3D"We're

PUBLIC = SERVICE.=20 Hams across the country regularly help charitable = organizations=20 with communications during fund-raising events like bike-a-thons.=20 Repeaters and simplex are both used for public service events. = Their=20 activity isn't too compatible with other hams "rag-chewing" on the = same=20 channel, so during the event a repeater will again be "closed." If = you=20 need to make a call or a quick autopatch, call the net control = station and=20 most likely you can use the repeater for a minute with no = problem. =20 Check the Public-Service = web=20 page for details on activities you can help with.

GIVING=20 DIRECTIONS.What's "giving directions" doing in a = repeater=20 operating guide? Just listen for a while, and you'll hear why. We = give a=20 lot of directions on repeaters, to locals in an unfamiliar part of = town,=20 and to traveling hams visiting the area. And, sad to say, too = often we do=20 it badly. One person will give adequate directions, and someone = else just=20 has to break in to give his favorite shortcut. Or = somebody=20 gives a two-minute long string of street names and landmarks, = non-stop.=20 The poor, lost ham who asked will then thank everyone politely, = turn off=20 the radio, and pull into a gas station to try again. We literally = fall all=20 over each other trying to be too helpful!

If someone has given directions that will get the traveler to = her=20 destination, let it be. Make a correction only if the directions = are dead=20 wrong (they'll end up in Albania?). If it's your turn to give the=20 directions, keep them short and simple. And it might be helpful to = find=20 out where the mobile station is before telling him = where to=20 go!

NETS. = Repeaters are=20 great places for nets, and there are lots of nets. A net is an = organized=20 on-the-air activity. We've mentioned a few already, like SKYWARN = and ARES,=20 but there can be many other types -- traffic nets, rag-chew nets,=20 specialty topic nets, club information nets, and more. When a net = is=20 active on a repeater, the repeater is "closed" to other activity. = The=20 net-control is in charge of the frequency, and all communication = should be=20 directed to that station first.

3D"3 TIMERS.Almost all = repeaters=20 have something called "timers." A timer is a clock that starts = counting=20 when you begin to transmit through the repeater. Typically, this = clock is=20 set to "time-out" after about three minutes. That means that if = you=20 transmit continuously through the repeater for more than three = minutes,=20 the repeater will go off the air (we call it "timing out"). = Repeater=20 timers usually reset to zero when you, the user, stop = transmitting. If the=20 repeater has a "beep," the timer probably resets when you hear the = beep.=20 So you have to keep your transmissions under three minutes, and = always=20 wait for the beep, to avoid having your transmission dumped by the = repeater timer.

The three-minute timers are one way to comply with the FCC = rules for=20 stations being operated by remote control (most repeaters are = remotely=20 controlled). They are not designed as punitive measures for gabby = hams...=20 but come to think of it, given the party-line nature of repeaters, = and the=20 potential for that emergency traffic, it's a good idea to keep = your=20 brilliant monologues a bit shorter anyway. If you must ramble on, = orator=20 that you are, don't forget to let the timer reset, and check if = somebody=20 else needs the repeater, after a minute or two.

CODED SQUELCH. = There are two kinds of Coded Squelch commonly available = to=20 Amateurs: CTCSS, commonly called "PL" (Private-Line, a = Motorola=20 trade name), and also called "Subaudible Tone", and DTMF, = more=20 generally known as Touch-Tone (an AT&T trade name). The = purpose of=20 coded squelch is to allow special signaling from a transmitter to = a=20 receiver, either to turn the receiver on, or to access special = functions=20 (like autopatch).

CTCSS (Continuous Tone Coded = Squelch=20 System) keeps your receiver quiet on a busy channel until the = station=20 you want calls. It adds a "subaudible" tone to your = audio,=20 one of 37 very specific frequencies between 67 and 250.3 Hz. Yes, = humans=20 can hear these frequencies quite well, so they're "subaudible" = because=20 your receiver's audio circuit is supposed to filter them out. A = receiver=20 with CTCSS will remain silent to all traffic on a channel unless = the=20 transmitting station is sending the correct tone. Then the = receiver sends=20 the received audio to its speaker.

In commercial radio service, this allows Jane's Taxi Company = and Bob's=20 Towing Service to use the same channel without having to listen to = each=20 other's traffic.

In Amateur Radio, some repeaters require users to send the = correct=20 CTCSS tone to use the repeater. This rarely means the repeater is=20 "closed," for use only by members. More likely it's simply = used to=20 avoid having the repeater keyed up by users of another repeater on = the=20 same frequency.

You can use CTCSS yourself, if you have a decoder in your = radio, to=20 silently monitor a busy channel for stations calling just you. = Arrange the=20 tone to use in advance, and set your radio to CTCSS decode mode. = Have your=20 friend send your tone when she calls. You won't hear anyone = else. =20

But, be sure to turn your decoder OFF before you = make a=20 call, or when you answer one, or you might interfere with someone = you=20 aren't hearing. Note that some repeaters will not pass these low=20 frequencies, so test the repeater you're planning to use before = you count=20 on it as a signal path. Some repeaters will pass the higher tones, = but not=20 the lower tones.

DTMF (Dual Tone Multi Frequency, = more=20 commenly known as Touch- Tone) is used all over Amateur Radio for=20 autopatching and remote control. Many new radios are coming = equipped with=20 touch-tone decoders and a mode called "paging." = Again, with=20 a DTMF decoder you can silently monitor a busy channel. But this = time,=20 instead of listening for a subaudible tone, your radio is waiting = for a=20 specific sequence of touch-tone digits. Once again, please turn = off your=20 decoder before making a call -- that "quiet" channel may have been = busy=20 for hours!

The RARS=20 Repeaters

146.64 W4DW	This is RARS' "Flagship" repeater, located at the 250' = level of=20 a tower owned by the State of NC, on Blue Ridge Road just = across=20 from the Fairgrounds. Typical 50-watt mobile coverage = is 30 to=20 45 miles, except to the west, where there is a deep shadow = caused by=20 the tower and antenna orientation. The repeater offers = open=20 autopatch.
145.13 W4RNC 82.5=20 tone	Our second two-meter repeater is on the DH Hill Lilbrary=20 Building on Hillsborough St. on the NCSU Campus, about 150 = feet=20 above average terrain. You'll need 82.5 tone to hit = it. =20 Coverage is a little less than 64, but it does well around = town and=20 the suburbs. If 64 is busy, take your conversation to=20 13! No autopatch on this machine.
444.525 W4RNC 82.5=20 tone	This machine is located in north Raleigh, near Strickland = and=20 Six Forks roads (we call it the "Bayleaf" site). Its = antennas=20 are at the top of a 250' Alltel Cellular tower. = 35 watt=20 mobile coverage takes you 15 to 25 miles. Open = autopatch.=20

Details on operating the RARS Repeaters are = available=20 on the
Repeater=20 F.A.Q. page. =

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