Recommended Repeater Operating Procedures

Use simplex wherever possible freeing the repeater for necessary uses.

Monitor the repeater (listen) or determine if the repeater is in use, and if there are any peculiarities in its operation. After listening for a few seconds, identify, un key and listen to see if it was quiet for a reason, and to allow someone to let you know if there is a reason not to continue (low audio, low signal strength, etc). Then, if all OK, proceed.

Don’t break into a contact unless you have something to add. Interrupting is no more polite on the air than it is in person. Interruption without identification constitutes malicious (and illegal) interference.

Use the minimum power to key up the repeater. To make contact, simply indicate that you are on frequency . For example "VE3XYZ monitoring". Do not ker-chunk.

Remember amateur radio transmissions are being monitored by many non-hams with scanners. Watch your language and your manners. Avoid giving out information that is not intended for the general public. For example: We just bought a brand new super-duper Hi-Fi system. The club now owns a new gizmo and we keep it in the club's meeting room. And one more important no, no... Don't tell the world Bob VE3XYZ and his family are away for two weeks.  Please don't bring disrepute on the Amateur Radio Service.

Repeaters are intended to facilitate mobile and portable operation. During rush hours, base stations should relinquish the repeater to commuting mobiles. Some repeater owners have strict rules requiring this.

Keep transmissions short and thoughtful. Do not monopolize the repeater. Pause between transmissions to allow other amateurs to identify themselves if they wish to use the repeater. Remember... Listen, push, pause, talk. Pausing also allows the timer to reset, avoiding a "time-out"

Identify legally. In Canada that means at the beginning and end of a contact and every thirty minutes of operation.

Repeaters are installed and maintained at considerable expense and inconvenience. Regular users and non members using a repeater should financially support the individual or club owner in their efforts to keep the repeater working properly.

 

Auto-Patch Operation

 

Many repeaters are equipped with auto-patch facilities which, when properly accessed, connect the repeater to the telephone system to provide a public service.

Because of past abuses, use of the auto-patch is often restricted by the local repeater owners, but may be available to visiting amateurs on a courtesy basis. Never use an auto-patch for any commercial purpose. Even if your use is marginally legal, the repeater owner has the right to terminate your call.

Listen for a few seconds to see if the repeater is in use, then identify, un key and listen to see if it was quiet for a reason, and to allow someone to let you know if there is a reason not to continue (low audio, low signal strength, etc). Then, if all OK, proceed.

To use the auto-patch, first identify yourself "VE3XYZ for the auto-patch", key in the auto-patch access code and the telephone number you are calling. Keep your call short to avoid "timing out" the repeater. You may have to remind the person you have called that you can't hear them when you are talking. Keep the call brief.

When your call is completed, key in the auto-patch OFF code, and identify again "VE3XYZ clear of the auto-patch"