It can be a huge pain and time suck to try and find repeaters in the areas that you are going to be adventuring in.
#RADIO REPEATER PLUS#
In order to talk to the repeater, you would need to tune to 144.730 MHz (which is 145.330 plus the negative offset of. So, 145.330 MHz is what you would tune to in order to listen to the repeater. 6 MHz offset for its receiving frequency, and it requires a 131.8 PL Tone. In the above picture, we see that the repeater’s transmitting frequency is 145.330, it has a negative. So, in order to successfully talk on a repeater, you need to know its: a) Reference Frequency This CTCSS tone is also referred to as a “PL” tone in most repeater listings and directories. Thus ensuring that only communications that are supposed to go into the repeater, actually make it in and get repeated out. Without this sub-audible tone, the repeater will not pick up and re-transmit your signals. Most repeaters will use CTCSS tones nowadays. We will go over some examples below that will help visualize it.Īlong with having the correct split and split direction, almost all repeaters will be protected by a sub-audible tone called a CTCSS (Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System), or DCS (Digitally Coded Squelch). If you don’t understand the above, then don’t hurt yourself trying to understand it. If you understand the above, then you are doing great. This positive or negative shift is called the “ split direction” or “ split direction“.Īre you still with us? What we have gone over so far is the hardest part of conceptualizing how a repeater works. The offset can then go one of two directions… positive 5 MHz or negative 5 MHz, from the repeater’s reference frequency (its transmitting frequency). For the 70cm band (440 MHz frequencies), the standardized split/offset is 5 MHz.
#RADIO REPEATER LICENSE#
6 MHz, but the Tech License Exam likes to list it as 600 KHz.
#RADIO REPEATER SOFTWARE#
Most programming software and repeater information sources will list it as. This difference in the 2 frequencies is referred to as a repeater’s “ split” or “ offset“.įor the 2meter band (140 MHz frequencies), the standardized split or “offset” is. Luckily, the difference between a repeater’s listening and transmitting frequencies has been standardized for the United States (which is coordinated by your local Frequency Coordinator). This “ home” or “ transmit” frequency will be the frequency that the repeater transmits on, and you will LISTEN to it on.Ī repeater’s listening frequency will be what YOU will transmit on to talk to IT. This is where you will find the repeater in repeater listings and directories.
![radio repeater radio repeater](https://www.hamtwowayradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/25W-UHF-6-Cavity-Duplexer-for-Radio-Repeater-SGQ-450-Type-TX-456-175-MHZ-RX-4.jpg)
The frequency that you will HEAR a repeater on is regarded as the repeater’s “ home” or “ transmit” frequency.
![radio repeater radio repeater](https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2524/3755912799_86eea5c2a8_b.jpg)
In order for repeaters to receive a signal and transmit a signal simultaneously, they have to “listen” and “talk” on two different frequencies. If you can have your signal hit a repeater, chances are, you will be able to find help for whatever problems you find yourself in while hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, by yourself, in a snow storm. Repeaters are the main reason that most backwoods adventurists get into ham radio. Thus, they effectively make your signal reach far further than your handheld or mobile ham radios probably can by themselves.ĭepending on the terrain, it is not uncommon to have repeaters get signals out over 200 miles away. What makes repeaters work great, is they are usually situated at high altitudes, on mountains or ridges, and run higher power than your average handheld or even mobile ham radios. Sometimes, you may need to leave the vehicle and hike up to the top of a ridge, but that beats having to hike all the way back to civilization.Ī repeater is an automatic controlled radio station that automatically takes an incoming signal and simultaneously repeats it out to a wide area. So, if you find yourself in a predicament while playing in your 4×4, if you can hit a repeater, you will most likely get help. The nice thing about that, is, usually, people are monitoring repeaters… especially in the mornings and evening times. If you get stuck somewhere in America, there is a very high chance that you will be within range of a repeater.
![radio repeater radio repeater](https://image-us.bigbuy.win/upload/image/assistant_no_logo/2611190023611/2611190023611-3.jpg)
Repeaters are this magical machine that takes your radio transmissions, and repeats them to a wider range and bigger audience. As an off roader and avid 4×4 adventurer, repeaters are a massive part of why I got interested in ham radio to begin with.