AUTOPATCH GUIDELINES for the 146.76 REPEATER
Autopatch operation involves using a repeater as an interface to
a local telephone exchange. Hams operating mobile or portable
stations are able to use the autopatch to access the telephone
system and place a call. The primary purpose for having an
autopatch is to report traffic accidents, fires and other
emergencies. There is no way to calculate the value of the lives
and property saved by the intelligent use of autopatch facilities
in emergencies. The public interest has been well served by the
amateurs with interconnect capabilities. As with any privilege,
this one can be abused and the penalty for abuse could be the loss
of the privilege for all amateurs. The suggested guidelines here
are based on conventions that have been in use for years on a local
or regional basis throughout the country. The ideas they represent
have widespread support in the amateur community and by the ARRL.
Amateurs are urged to observe these standards carefully.
1) Although it's not the intent of the FCC Rules to let Amateur
Radio operation be used to conduct an individual's or an
organizations' commercial affairs, autopatching involving limited
business affairs may be conducted on Amateur Radio. (The FCC has
stated that it considers nonprofit and noncommercial organizations
businesses). You may not use Amateur Radio to conduct any form of
business in which you have a financial interest and may not use
Amateur Radio in a way that economically benefits your employer.
Amateurs should generally avoid using Amateur Radio for any purpose
that may be perceived as abuse of the privilege. The distinction
is essentially whether the amateur operator, his family or his
employer has a financial stake in the communication. If the ham is
paid for, or will profit from the communication, it may not be
conducted on the autopatch.
That's why there are telephones and commercial business radio
services available. Use care in calling a business telephone via
the autopatch. Calls may be legally made to one's office to
receive or to leave personal messages.
Using Amateur Radio to avoid the cost of public telephones, as
an alternative to commercial cellular telephones or two-way
business-band radio isn't considered appropriate to the purpose of
the amateur service.
Calls made in the interests of highway safety, such as for the
aid of injured persons at the scene of an accident or to remove a
disabled vehicle from a hazardous location, are clearly permitted.
2) All interconnections must be made in accordance with telephone
company rules and fee schedules (tariffs).
The KCARC, as a nonprofit volunteer public service group has
successfully arranged for a telephone line at the repeater site to
be charged at the lower residential rate, pursuant to an agreement
stating the primary use would be for noncommercial and emergency
assistance communications. Any commercial communications conducted
on a regular basis could endanger this agreement and result in the
club being charged the higher business rates previously assessed.
Please do not place orders for food over the autopatch, except
in conjunction with civil defense activities or in support of other
public service operations. (Red Cross, fire depts, search/rescue)
3) Autopatches should not be made solely to avoid telephone toll
charges. Autopatches should never be made when normal telephone
service could be just as easily used. The primary purpose of an
autopatch is to provide vital convenient access to authorities
during emergencies. Ham operators should exercise care, judgement
and restraint in placing routine calls.
4) Third parties (nonhams) should not be put on the air until the
responsible control operator has explained to them the nature of
Amateur Radio.
Control of the station must never be relinquished to an
unlicensed person. Permitting a person to conduct a patch in a
language you don't understand amounts to relinquishing control
because you don't know whether what they are discussing is
permitted by FCC rules. English and Spanish are the only
acceptable languages for use on the 146.76 repeater.
5) Autopatches must be terminated immediately in the event of any
illegality or impropriety. (Inappropriate language or content)
6) Station identification must be strictly observed. Please
identify before initiating the autopatch and upon completion of the
call. Identification must be made in the English language to be in
compliance with FCC rules.
7) Phone patches should be kept as brief as possible as a courtesy
to other amateurs; the amateur bands are intended primarily for
communication among radio amateurs, not to permit hams to
communicate with nonhams who can only be reached by telephone.
8) If you have any doubt as to the legality or advisability of a
patch, don't make it! Compliance with these guidelines will help
ensure that amateur autopatch privileges will continue to be
available in the future, which helps the Amateur Radio service
contribute to the public interest.
EXAMPLES:
Use the HIGH Output Power Setting on your radio, monitor the repeater before you
key up, then key up and give your callsign, Do NOT Unkey the mic, dial the
appropriate Autopatch Access Code and telephone number, then unkey the mic
and listen for the autopatch response message.
If you key up and immediately enter DTMF tones, the autopatch will not accept them.
The autopatch has a three minute limit on calls and will automatically disconnect
after three minutes, or 30 seconds of inactivity on the radio input.
911 and 912 are the only PUBLIC access codes, any other codes you were given are
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL and are NOT to be given out, especially over the radio.
DIAL 911 for:
Automobile accidents with injuries
Any type of uncontrolled fire
Hazardous material spills
Crimes in progress
Any immediate threat to the safety of persons or property
DIAL 912 for:
Automobile accidents without injury
Safety hazards (Traffic signals/signs inop)
Disabled vehicles on public roadways
Suspicious activities
Traffic jams
Situations not requiring immediate attention