Using repeaters
A five-watt radio in your pocket reaches a mile or two on its own. Through a repeater it can reach across a whole metro area.
What a repeater is
A repeater is an automatic station on a hilltop, a tower or a tall building. It listens on one frequency and simultaneously retransmits, with far more power and a much better antenna, on another. Your handheld only has to reach the repeater - the repeater does the hard part. Most are put up and paid for by local clubs, and using them is free.
What you need to programme in
- The output frequency - what you listen on.
- The offset - how far away the input frequency is, and in which direction. Radios usually apply the standard offset automatically.
- The tone - a sub-audible tone your radio sends so the repeater knows to open up. Miss this and you will hear everyone but nobody will hear you.
Your club, or an online repeater directory, will have the local list. If you are new, ask someone to programme the first few for you and watch how they do it.
Linked repeaters and internet links
Some repeaters are linked together into systems that cover whole regions, and some connect over the internet to repeaters in other countries. It is a slight cheat compared with pure radio, but it means a handheld in your kitchen can join a conversation on the other side of the world.
What a net is
A net is a scheduled on-air meeting, usually weekly, run by a net control operator. They call for check-ins, take each station in turn, and keep things orderly. Types you will run into:
- Club nets - news, announcements, and a round of chat.
- New operator nets - specifically for people who just got licensed. Ideal first outing.
- Traffic nets - practice at passing formal written messages.
- Emergency practice nets - drills for storm and disaster support.
How to check into a net
Wait for net control to ask for check-ins, then say your callsign once, clearly and slowly - phonetics help. When they come back to you, give your name and location, say "nothing further" if you have no announcements, and hand it back.