Often one of the questions we get from new Amateurs is how to talk on and use repeaters. This sometimes will stop a new amateur from using a repeater for a while because they are afraid of doing it wrong.
Our repeaters are there to be used by every Amateur that wants to use them. And while there is no “law” for repeater use beyond the FCC regulations there are some Etiquette around the use of repeaters.
- Listen Before You Transmit: Before you key up, take a moment to listen. Someone may already be in a conversation (QSO), running a net, or passing priority traffic. Transmitting on top of another station, even briefly, forces everyone to repeat themselves and can interfere with emergency traffic.
- Identify Properly: FCC rules require you to identify with your callsign at the end of a contact, and at least once every ten minutes during a contact. Good operator practices recommend identifying with your callsign at the beginning of a contact, too! There is no need to give the other station’s call every time you turn it over. A simple “KE5XYZ” at the end of your transmission is plenty.
- Starting a Contact: Calling CQ on a repeater is uncommon. If you want to make a contact, just announce your callsign followed by “listening” or “monitoring,” for example, “KE5XYZ listening.” Once every few minutes is plenty. If nobody answers after a couple of tries, the repeater is probably quiet and you can try again later.
- Joining a Conversation: If a QSO is already in progress and you would like to join, wait for the courtesy tone or for one of the stations to unkey, then simply state your callsign. The station currently talking will usually acknowledge you and bring you into the conversation. This is what the courtesy tone is for, to give new stations a window to join in. Do not interrupt a QSO unless you have something to add to the topic. Interrupting a conversation is no more polite on the radio than it is in person.
- Breaking In: The word “BREAK” is reserved for priority or emergency traffic. If you need to pass important traffic during someone else’s QSO, say “break” (or “break for priority traffic”) and wait to be acknowledged. Stations in the QSO should yield the frequency immediately. Please do not use “break” just to join a casual conversation. Saying your callsign during a pause is the correct way to check in.
- Emergency Traffic Has Priority: Any station reporting emergency traffic gets immediate priority over everything else on the repeater. If you hear the word “emergency,” stop transmitting, listen, and stand by to assist if you can. The same applies to ARES, RACES, and SKYWARN nets, including practice nets. Yield the frequency and check back in once the net has cleared.
- Leave Pauses Between Transmissions: Repeaters typically have a courtesy tone and a hang time after each transmission. Wait for the courtesy tone before you key up. This lets other stations break in, gives the repeater time to reset its timeout timer, and keeps the conversation from running the repeater into a timeout.
- Do Not Kerchunk: Kerchunking is keying the repeater without identifying or saying anything. This practice is hard on the repeater, and it is annoying to everyone listening. If you want to check whether you are making the repeater, key up and say “KE5XYZ testing” or “KE5XYZ, checking into the machine.” That is a legal test and gives anyone listening the chance to give you a signal report.
- Keep It Clean and Civil: Obscene, indecent, or profane language is prohibited on the air at any time. Beyond that, a repeater is a shared community space, and most clubs ask that you avoid topics likely to turn heated, such as partisan politics, religion, and other hot button issues. Keep the conversation friendly and welcoming, especially to new hams.
- Use Plain Language: Q signals (QTH, QSL, QRZ, and so on) and other shorthand developed on HF CW do not add much on a local FM repeater. Plain English is clearer and more welcoming to newcomers. Likewise, avoid CB style slang (“handle,” “10 codes,” “good buddy”). Amateur radio has its own conventions.
- Mind Your Transmission Length: Most repeaters have a timeout timer (typically three minutes). If you hold the mic too long, the repeater will drop you and you will have to wait for it to reset. Keep your transmissions reasonably short, and let the courtesy tone drop between exchanges.
- Mobile and Portable Users: If you are mobile, let the other station know. Long pauses, dead spots, and picket fencing are normal, and the station you are working will be more patient if they know you are moving. If you are about to enter a tunnel, drive through a low spot, or park the car, a quick “standby, going into a dead spot” saves confusion.
- Nets: If a scheduled net is about to start, wrap up your QSO and move on, or take it to a simplex frequency. Check in to the net if you want to participate, and follow the net control station’s direction. Do not transmit during a net unless net control calls you or you are passing emergency traffic.
- A Word On DMR: Talk groups are shared. When you key up on a talk group such as a statewide or regional group, you are transmitting to every repeater connected to that group, sometimes dozens of machines across a large area. Keep your calls brief. Wide area and statewide talk groups are considered “calling” groups. They are meant for short contacts and to arrange longer conversations elsewhere. For extended QSOs, move to a TAC (tactical) talk group or a local talk group so you are not tying up the wide network.
- When In Doubt, Listen: The best way to learn the local flavor of a repeater is to listen for a while. Every machine has its regulars and its customs, and new operators are almost always welcomed warmly when they jump in respectfully. If you are unsure about anything, ask. Most hams are happy to help.