D:\Documents\RobRadio\repeater code of conduct.rtf

KB5UJM Repeater Rules of Conduct

The KB5UJM Repeater's Rules of Conduct
ver:1.0
Date: 012072013

The repeater owner who is also the trustee can alter or make exceptions to these Rules of Conduct at any time, for any reason, with or without prior notice. I will make every attempt to post the Rules of Conduct in a timely manner online at the KB5UJM repeater website, www.qsl.net/kb5ujm/repeater/conduct

Ownership Statement

Robert Dittman of San Antonio Texas has been assigned the Amateur radio callsign KB5UJM by the Federal Communications Commission. He has applied and been granted authority to operate as a trustee of an amateur radio repeater located in the city of San Antonio, TX.

This KB5UJM repeater, found on the coordinated (Texas VHF FM Society) frequency of 442.350 MHz is owned solely by an individual and shall remain the property of Robert Dittman unless directly conveyed by him by sale, gift, or other legal property transfer by written instrument.. The KB5UJM repeater is not affiliated with any group, club, or organization. . Robert Dittman from time to time may be provided technical, financial, equipment, or other support by the repeater users or other persons. Such support is understood and deemed by Robert Dittman and any such party to be a gift and does not create nor transfer any property interest of any kind to any such person with respect to any aspect of repeater property. Also, the repeater users by virtue of their use of the repeater, shall not be deemed to have been conveyed or transferred in any form any property interest in the repeater under applicable Texas or federal laws related to property ownership. All rights to the repeater at all times shall remain solely with Robert Dittman.

Why do we need rules at all for repeater conduct or etiquette?
No one likes a bunch of arbitrary rules, but when you have a shared resource, like a wide coverage range repeater they become necessary. We all tend to assume that everyone knows the generally accepted rules. But, that could be careless of us and unfair to those who want or need to have a clearer definition of the expectations and requirements. It can also create discord when repeater users offend others by unknowingly breaking some unwritten rule. Activities that may be an irritation or even a flagrant violation to one person might not be an issue at all to another. It's probably best for me to be clear about the rules I really think are important. It is not my intent to define every action allowed or disallowed but to provide the guidelines for proper etiquette and give some “breathing room” to previously established, as well as new and exciting, uses of the repeater.
I completely understand that everyone slips once in awhile, no matter how hard we try. But, I expect all users of the KB5UJM repeater to do their very best to follow these few simple and obvious rules of repeater conduct. Conduct on the repeaters should be governed by common sense and courtesy.

The rules are pretty basic:

1. Always identify yourself according to the regulations. This means every ten (10) minutes and at the end of your transmission. This is not only my rule; it is also required by our license. It never hurts to give your station's call sign more than less. It helps other users know you are there if they are listening.

2. Avoid lengthy conversations, pause between transmissions. This in no way means keep the repeater quiet. On the contrary I put the repeater on the air to be used and I am very happy when it is busy. It does, however, mean that we all should remember to leave pauses for those to have their say. This helps for those on Echo Link or who may be on cross band equipment.

3. When using EchoLink, identify yourself often and do not “park” on a connection. I often have the repeater connected to other Echo Link systems. Feel free to connect to other systems. It is always a good idea to give your station's call sign because all the Echo Link users see is the Repeater's call sign, not yours. Speaking about parking on a connection, please don't forget there are operating limitations of the repeater equipment. So, try not to connect to six very busy nets. The equipment will last longer and I will not have the expense should something burn up.

4. Yield existing conversations to recognized activities: RACES, Skywarn, Porkcast net, etc.. We do not have established nets, although often there are users who wish to connect to other nets such as the World Wide Friendship net, or the Handi Ham net. Please remember this is a shared communications resource.

5. Do not engage in political soap boxing. Do not engage in any personal antagonisms.. I am firm on this rule, you will be warned and if you continue you may be asked to leave the repeater.

6. Do not use CB lingo/slanguage. Do not use “Q” codes and phonetics excessively. This is FM, not like HF so we all can hear you loud and clear, nor is it a general practice to speak in this way. 10-4 good buddy? QSL then.

7. Always yield the frequency to a breaking station (any station with emergency traffic). The pro sign "break" has a very specific meaning on ham radio. So if you hear it, then give them the frequency. If you use it, remember the importance of its use. Ham radio has saved many lives and you never know when it may need to save yours.

8. Selling items OTHER than ham related equipment is not allowed, nor is conducting any business. This is not only my rule but is also a prohibition against our license. As Amateur Radio operators, we are prohibited from gaining any pecuniary benefit from our operation of our amateur radio stations. When in doubt take it off the air.

9. Watch your language; my repeater is "G-Rated" 24 hours a day. As stated above, sometimes slips happen. That being said there is a complete difference between an inadvertent slip and an intentional act. Most times all transmissions of the KB5UJM repeater are being electronically recorded and these recordings will be turned over to the FCC enforcement office. I'm not kidding.

10. If you hear stations jamming or interfering do not make any comment, ignore them. Do not antagonize those interfering! This is not going to make them stop; it also puts your licensee at risk as well.

11. Transmitting touch tones to gain control of repeater functions is allowed. Please first identify your station then state the function or feature you wish to access then enter the access code. If however your touch tones are solely to cause interference to users, this behavior is strictly prohibited! This includes ANY transmission intended to disrupt communications between users. Such conduct will be reported to the FCC Enforcement office, and recordings will be provided to enforcement agents. Again, I'm not kidding.

My policy: the KB5UJM repeater is open for all to use, provided you follow the rules in using it.

Part 97, officially called Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 97 (47 CFR Part 97), is the body of rules which governs the Amateur Radio Service.

What gives the owners and trustees the right to tell someone how to operate?

All repeaters have rules. These rules often go beyond Part 97. And, users who refuse to comply with the repeater’s rules can be told to stop using the repeaters. This is entirely at the judgment of the repeater owners or trustees. FCC Rule 97.205(e) says, "...Limiting the use of a repeater to only certain user stations is permissible." There are no qualifications - ifs, ands, or buts - to this rule. This isn’t just the right to close a repeater. In fact, the ARRL says, "...a repeater does not have to be listed as being "closed" in The ARRL Repeater Directory in order to have a limited access." (Source: The ARRL’s FCC Rule Book) The terms "open" and "closed" don’t appear in the regulations at all! All repeater users must follow the rules of the repeater.

Again, my policy: the KB5UJM repeater is open for all to use, provided you follow the rules in using it.

Nothing could be fairer. The ARRL says it clearest of all: "A repeater is not a public utility - you don’t have a "right" to use it. When you are using someone else’s repeater you are, in effect, a visitor in the owner’s station. So, you should conduct yourself accordingly. If you use that station in a manner that the owner finds objectionable, that person has every right to revoke your privilege of using it!" (Source: The ARRL’s FCC Rule Book)

Each station owner is responsible for the operation of their equipment. They must always meet the FCC defined rules, and may also implement a more stringent set of rules for the operation of their equipment. To use my repeater you must follow my rules. There are repeaters with more lenient rules than mine are and some which are much more restrictive. Beyond the FCC minimum requirements, it's up to each repeater owner to set their own operating rules. A repeater user needs to try to fit in. If the rules for the KB5UJM repeater are uncomfortable for you and do not suit your personal needs or style I encourage you to try other repeaters or even try talking on simplex. I wish for everyone willing to abide by these simple rules to freely use my repeaters. They will help us all get along and enjoy this wonderful hobby.

Please report interference and flagrant violations on the repeater to KB5UJM(AT)ARRL.NET.

I sincerely welcome you and hope you have many enjoyable conversations on the KB5UJM repeater. 73!

Portions of this document were extracted from other repeater owners versions. Imitation is the highest form of flattery. That being said, I in no way wish to infringe upon any copyright material held by any person. Please contact me if you are the holder of any copy written material found on this webpage at the above listed email address. I have made every attempt to modify this document as my own personal work product and so therefore I am asserting my own copyright claim to this specific document and its modified content.

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