The K-Link Repeater System
K-Link System Terminology

Listed are some of the big words and slang terms
you might hear used on or about the system.

Closed Repeater
 
 
A repeater whose use is limited to certain individuals.
There are no closed repeaters in the K-Link Repeater System.
 
Control Operator
 
A licensed operator designated to "control" the repeater.
 
Courtesy Tone
 
 
 
 
A short tone sounded after each repeater user's transmission to permit other
stations to gain access to the repeater before the tone sounds.  Yes, it's called
a courtesy tone because if you are a courteous user, you will allow enough time
for other people to break in.
 
Coverage
 
 
 
The geographical area in which the repeater may be used regularly and reliably
for Communications.  This does not include the "hilltop 90 miles away from the
repeater".
 
CTCSS
 
 
 
 
Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System. A sub-audible tone system which may
operate the squelch of the repeater when the corresponding sub-audible tone is
present on a transmitted signal. Also known as PL (Private Line), or
CG (Channel Guard) or Tone Squelch.
 
Equal Power Boundary
 
 
 
 
 
 
The point at which two or more repeaters have exactly
the same signal strength.  For example, the Equal Power Boundary
for 444.850 and 444.600 is near the Crawford St. Exit on I-135.
Users should take note of these boundaries so that they can switch
to the next repeater without dragging the currently selected repeater
into the noise.
 
Forward Path
 
The transmitted signal going from the repeater to the user.
 
Full Quieting
 
Signal Strength in excess of amount required to mask ambient noise.
 
Grade Of Service (GOS)
 
 
 
 
 
A value from 1 to 5 that indicates the quality of signal strength
of a repeater at a given location.  A GOS of less than 3 generally
indicates that a handheld is not usable from that location.
A GOS of 0 indicates no service, and GOS of 5 indicates excellent
repeater access at any power level.
 
Reverse Path
 
The transmitted signal going from the user to the repeater.
 
TITO or (Talk-in/Talk-out)
 
 
 
 
 
Refers to the relationship between the amount of signal the
repeater is getting from a user (reverse path) versus the signal
the user gets from the repeater (forward path).  A repeater running
100 watts with a receiver having 1 uV receiver sensitivity
(an alligator) is going to have poor TITO.
 
Underlay Repeater
 
 
Refers to a repeater that is specifically designed to cover a limited area.
An underlay repeater is not necessarily linked to the main system.
 

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