Repeaters
JOHNSON COUNTY RADIO AMATEUR CLUB - REPEATERS
The JCRAC club owns several repeaters that offer new types of digital communications and linking capabilities. This has prompted the need for guidelines on the recommended use of these new modes. Since each repeater has its own unique capabilities, the guidelines will be presented for each individual repeater. Repeater Usage Guidelines January 2025 => JCRAC Repeater Information and Guidelines 4-0.pdf
145.290 AND 145.210* – ANALOG / DMR
These repeaters are mixed mode Analog and Digital (DMR) repeaters.
The mode in use during a transmission has priority (and cannot be interrupted until the repeater carrier drops).
These repeaters are not linked to any other repeaters or networks.
In the ANALOG mode these repeaters require a tone of 151.4 Hz for access and they transmit a tone of 151.4 Hz for activating your receiver tone squelch mode (CTCSS).
When using CTCSS or Tone squelch use the monitor button or the “S” meter or received signal light to make sure the channel is clear before transmitting.
To access the DMR mode configure the radio for standard repeater operation. See the “Digital- DMR” web site tab for configuring the proper talk group ID and time slot.
These repeaters send the ID in analog after 10 minutes of combined analog and digital transmissions.
442.600 AND 443.725 YAESU FUSION
These repeaters operate in the Yaesu System Fusion digital mode only (no analog mode).
They use a standard plus ( + ) offset of 5MHz.
These two repeaters are linked via Yaesu WiresX software to the Kansas City Room (ID 28952) and the Kansas City Room repeater.(444.400 - KØHCV)
Select either DV (preferred) or VW digital mode from the radio.
The linking takes place over the internet so there may be some delay. Please wait several seconds between each PTT to prevent cutting off the first or last words of a conversation.
The repeaters are linked to the internet via a Node station. The Node stations operate in a simplex mode and when in the transmit mode cannot receive until the repeater drops.
These repeaters are permanently connected through the WiresX software to the Kansas City Room and CAN NOT be changed to different rooms.
Repeated attempts to change the room may result in being blocked from accessing the room. For more information about the Kansas City room and the linked repeaters go to the website kansascityroom.com
223.940 Analog
This repeater operates as a standard analog repeater with a 1.6MHz minus ( - ) offset. This repeater is not linked to any other repeater.
All of the repeaters operate in the automatic mode {Part §97.3(6)} and have a 3-minute time out timer {Part §97.213(b)} as prescribed by the FCC. The time out timer is reset each time the repeater carrier drops. If the repeater “times out” the repeater can only be reset by a repeater control operator after one minute of silence on the repeater input.
{Part §97.115(c}) prohibits 3rd party communications on automatically controlled repeaters (no control operator on duty). Be sure there is a control operator monitoring when passing 3rd party communications.
* The 145.210 (WBØHAC) repeater is maintained by the JCRAC for use by the Shawnee Radio Amateur Communications Team (SRACT).
JOHNSON COUNTY RADIO AMATEURS CLUB - REPEATERS USAGE GUIDELINES
In addition to the specific operating procedures for the repeaters listed above the following operating practices apply to most repeaters in general.
Repeater Usage Guidelines January 2025 => JCRAC Repeater Information and Guidelines 4-0.pdf
The main purpose of the repeater is to support emergency and public service use. Normal transmissions should be short to allow emergency or public service traffic to access the repeater.
During morning and evening “drive time” and nets keep your transmissions short (both analog and digital) to allow everyone access to the repeater.
Repeaters are intended primarily to facilitate mobile and portable operations
Monitor the repeater to become familiar with its operation.
Use “clear speech” questions and responses instead of “Q” signals or “10 codes.
Identify your station at the end of a transmission or series of transmissions and at least once every 10 minutes during the transmissions. {Part §97.119}
Keep transmissions short as long transmissions will time out the repeater.
It takes a little time for the repeater receiver to key up the transmitter. Key the microphone and pause a moment before talking.
The repeater covers a large area and is monitored by many licensed and unlicensed listeners of all ages.
Please refrain from discussions, opinions and language that might be disturbing to others.
Please do not try to communicate with persons engaging in unidentified transmissions. Either ignore the transmissions or sign off and move to another frequency.
Do not engage in repeated transmitter keying, unidentified transmissions, playing music, strange sounds or any other illegal activities.
Do not use the word “break” to get into an existing conversation unless it is an emergency.
Do not join into an ongoing conversation unless you have something to add. Interrupting is no more polite on the air than it is in person.
To request a contact simply give your call sign and indicate you are listening or monitoring. No response to your call may indicate that you didn’t make the repeater clear enough to be understood or that no one was available or able to return your call.
