A few guys PM me about autopatch and repeaters so Im posting the hand out Paul wrote up for the CSC HAM meeting a few months back.
Welcome to Amateur Radio, A Technician Class introduction to Radio
Simplex - talk and listen on same frequency (like a CB)
Duplex- talk on one frequency and listen on another, like simplex we can only receive when the
mike is not being keyed. Most all repeaters function in duplex mode..
Full Duplex-talk and listen simultaneously, like a telephone, can be done with some dual band radios
however is not common practice.
Repeaters- “Machines” used to extend the communication distances if radio signals. A repeater
listens on an Offset frequency while simultaneously transmits on the Output freq.
often located on a mountain top or tall building, as elevation is key for optimizing
range because our VHF and UHF freq’s are primarily line of sight propagation.
Offset- The difference between the transmit frequency and the receive freq. for repeater use.
Typical 2 meter offset is + or – 600khz from the repeater out freq offset freq.
typical 70cm (440) is 5mhz.
Tone- Tone, CTCSS or tone encoding or tone squelch are basically ways to minimize interference
from distant repeaters which are on or near the same freq. it utilizes a sub-audible tone
transmited along with the speech, the tone –specific to each repeater turns on the
repeater. Tones are published along with the freq. in repeater directories.
Operation-
Simplex is encouraged when the extra distance capability of a repeater is not needed. In simplex we simply call the station and talk away, remembering to ID every 10 minutes. Simplex is more casual, once contact is made, we usually just use our names. *once in a conversation aka QSO, don’t give your callsign followed by “for ID”, your callsign IS your ID and and saying “for ID” is redundant, this holds relevant in all Amateur discipline’s.. Repeater use, HF etc.. remember to end your QSO with your callsign and saying Clear or bye bye or something so others on the freq. know your done.
Repeate use, always listen first, making sure the repeater is not already in use. If it is idle, give the callsign of the person your wanting to contact followed by your own. The other station should answer with your callsign followed by theirs then the qso can continue in a more casual fashion. We use first name , just as you were in a conversation anywhere else. Don’t butt in a ongoing QSO as this would be a rude practice in person, rather if you have something to add or ask, simply wait for a pause, give your callsign followed by the word “comment”, and the folks will usually acknowledge you and welcome you in the QSO. Remember, anyone on frequency can hear you so keep that in mind. If you don’t have anyone in particular to call and want to strike up a QSO, simply state your callsign followed by saying “monitoring or listening” someone may come back to you. Again, ID every 10 minutes with your callsign, and at the end of your “final” and say clear.
AutoPatch- Autopatch is a means of making a phone call from your radio, if you’re on a repeater with an autopatch or linked to one, simply state your intentions: this is KC7XYZ accessing the autopatch, while still holding down the ptt, start with the *key on the mic, followed by the 10 digit number then release the ptt, the repeater will dial then connect, to the other person it’s sounds like a regular phone, for you, it’s still a 2 way radio-remember to unkey the mike to hear your party, at the end of the call, key the mike, hit the # key , state your callsign followed by “clear”.
Programing your Radio:
Most radios have a Call Channel memory, this is useful for a commonly a used freq. then just start filling your memory’s with freq’s you anticipate using. Some helpful tips here would be to go to some repeater directory’s and lookup repeater locations and types, meaning some repeaters are stand alone, while others are linked to other repeaters making a network of repeaters for very wide coverage.
By knowing where these repeaters are you can program you radio with repeaters that make sense to you. I would recommend the purchase of the ARRL Repeater Directory to keep in the vehicle you have the radio in, as if in the event a “situation” arises, you have to know where the repeaters are for you radio to be of any use-assuming no cell phone coverage, these directories are available locally at Ham Radio Outlet located on 43rd Ave and Peoria 602-242-3515 or online.
Also when programming your radio, remember that Repeater frequencies require the correct offset direction +/- as well as the ctcss tones, read your manual, after a few entries it will become easy.
Some helpful websites:
www.azrepeaters.net super helpful with Az repeaters listed by county with all info nessacery and maps of where its located and coverage areas.
www.w7ara.org Arizona Repeater Association, membership encouraged as they provide many of the repeaters used in the greater Phx, Mt. Ord, Flagstaff, Agulia , etc.
www.winsystem.org The Western Intertie Network, a very cool open linked network that includes but is not limited to more than 70 repeaters in 16 states and 4 countries. Like a big partyline, it’s the closest thing on UHF/VHF to using HF for long distance radio. 2 local links to the Winsystem are:
446.660 -/100 tone located in Glendale and 440.675 +/107.2 tone located in Mesa.
http://www.azfreqcoord.org/bp/144bp.html info on Az VHF bandplan
http://www.4x4ham.com a cool group that meets on the Phx ARA repeaters on Wednesdays at 8:15 pm. Usual topics include local trail runs and tech talk. Tune in and give em a listen..
www.qrz.com kinda like Facebook for ARateur radio, lots of info, forums, swapmeet, etc
once registered you can make your own page.. check out mine…
A brief word on Antennas, your antenna is what makes your radio, so if all you have is a 5 watt handheld, invest in a few extra antennas, a gain longer whip type and at least a ¼ wave magmount for the vehicle at a minimum, the better the antenna the better performance out of your radio, a “gain” antenna will make your radio behave as if it has more power regardless to the power you put into it.
This doesn’t mean expensive, I’m just saying if you’re going to be far off the beaten path, you should have some antenna options. The 2 meter slim jim antenna, one could make one for pennies..
I hope this is helpful, 73 de Paul K7PAS
LINKs ARE CUT AND PASTE
Welcome to Amateur Radio, A Technician Class introduction to Radio
Simplex - talk and listen on same frequency (like a CB)
Duplex- talk on one frequency and listen on another, like simplex we can only receive when the
mike is not being keyed. Most all repeaters function in duplex mode..
Full Duplex-talk and listen simultaneously, like a telephone, can be done with some dual band radios
however is not common practice.
Repeaters- “Machines” used to extend the communication distances if radio signals. A repeater
listens on an Offset frequency while simultaneously transmits on the Output freq.
often located on a mountain top or tall building, as elevation is key for optimizing
range because our VHF and UHF freq’s are primarily line of sight propagation.
Offset- The difference between the transmit frequency and the receive freq. for repeater use.
Typical 2 meter offset is + or – 600khz from the repeater out freq offset freq.
typical 70cm (440) is 5mhz.
Tone- Tone, CTCSS or tone encoding or tone squelch are basically ways to minimize interference
from distant repeaters which are on or near the same freq. it utilizes a sub-audible tone
transmited along with the speech, the tone –specific to each repeater turns on the
repeater. Tones are published along with the freq. in repeater directories.
Operation-
Simplex is encouraged when the extra distance capability of a repeater is not needed. In simplex we simply call the station and talk away, remembering to ID every 10 minutes. Simplex is more casual, once contact is made, we usually just use our names. *once in a conversation aka QSO, don’t give your callsign followed by “for ID”, your callsign IS your ID and and saying “for ID” is redundant, this holds relevant in all Amateur discipline’s.. Repeater use, HF etc.. remember to end your QSO with your callsign and saying Clear or bye bye or something so others on the freq. know your done.
Repeate use, always listen first, making sure the repeater is not already in use. If it is idle, give the callsign of the person your wanting to contact followed by your own. The other station should answer with your callsign followed by theirs then the qso can continue in a more casual fashion. We use first name , just as you were in a conversation anywhere else. Don’t butt in a ongoing QSO as this would be a rude practice in person, rather if you have something to add or ask, simply wait for a pause, give your callsign followed by the word “comment”, and the folks will usually acknowledge you and welcome you in the QSO. Remember, anyone on frequency can hear you so keep that in mind. If you don’t have anyone in particular to call and want to strike up a QSO, simply state your callsign followed by saying “monitoring or listening” someone may come back to you. Again, ID every 10 minutes with your callsign, and at the end of your “final” and say clear.
AutoPatch- Autopatch is a means of making a phone call from your radio, if you’re on a repeater with an autopatch or linked to one, simply state your intentions: this is KC7XYZ accessing the autopatch, while still holding down the ptt, start with the *key on the mic, followed by the 10 digit number then release the ptt, the repeater will dial then connect, to the other person it’s sounds like a regular phone, for you, it’s still a 2 way radio-remember to unkey the mike to hear your party, at the end of the call, key the mike, hit the # key , state your callsign followed by “clear”.
Programing your Radio:
Most radios have a Call Channel memory, this is useful for a commonly a used freq. then just start filling your memory’s with freq’s you anticipate using. Some helpful tips here would be to go to some repeater directory’s and lookup repeater locations and types, meaning some repeaters are stand alone, while others are linked to other repeaters making a network of repeaters for very wide coverage.
By knowing where these repeaters are you can program you radio with repeaters that make sense to you. I would recommend the purchase of the ARRL Repeater Directory to keep in the vehicle you have the radio in, as if in the event a “situation” arises, you have to know where the repeaters are for you radio to be of any use-assuming no cell phone coverage, these directories are available locally at Ham Radio Outlet located on 43rd Ave and Peoria 602-242-3515 or online.
Also when programming your radio, remember that Repeater frequencies require the correct offset direction +/- as well as the ctcss tones, read your manual, after a few entries it will become easy.
Some helpful websites:
www.azrepeaters.net super helpful with Az repeaters listed by county with all info nessacery and maps of where its located and coverage areas.
www.w7ara.org Arizona Repeater Association, membership encouraged as they provide many of the repeaters used in the greater Phx, Mt. Ord, Flagstaff, Agulia , etc.
www.winsystem.org The Western Intertie Network, a very cool open linked network that includes but is not limited to more than 70 repeaters in 16 states and 4 countries. Like a big partyline, it’s the closest thing on UHF/VHF to using HF for long distance radio. 2 local links to the Winsystem are:
446.660 -/100 tone located in Glendale and 440.675 +/107.2 tone located in Mesa.
http://www.azfreqcoord.org/bp/144bp.html info on Az VHF bandplan
http://www.4x4ham.com a cool group that meets on the Phx ARA repeaters on Wednesdays at 8:15 pm. Usual topics include local trail runs and tech talk. Tune in and give em a listen..
www.qrz.com kinda like Facebook for ARateur radio, lots of info, forums, swapmeet, etc
once registered you can make your own page.. check out mine…
A brief word on Antennas, your antenna is what makes your radio, so if all you have is a 5 watt handheld, invest in a few extra antennas, a gain longer whip type and at least a ¼ wave magmount for the vehicle at a minimum, the better the antenna the better performance out of your radio, a “gain” antenna will make your radio behave as if it has more power regardless to the power you put into it.
This doesn’t mean expensive, I’m just saying if you’re going to be far off the beaten path, you should have some antenna options. The 2 meter slim jim antenna, one could make one for pennies..
I hope this is helpful, 73 de Paul K7PAS
LINKs ARE CUT AND PASTE
