These coverage footprints are based on having some band enhancement and the use of a full power mobile. Dependable use would include all of Lake County, Western Ashtabula County, most of Cuyahoga County, and Northern Lorain County. Also, the 443.700 does have coverage on the south shore of our Canadian neighbors. Many contacts have been made from Lemington to Port Dover.

Good Repeater Etiquette
by - Charlie Schlieper, N5TD

1. Strive to be courteous to others. With all the diverse personalities on-the-air nowadays, this can, at times, be trying. 
2. Accept breaks as normal occurrences in Ham Radio -- not an intrusions to your 'private service.' Some hams do not always exercise their best discretion in breaking into existing QSOs.
3. Listen for a short time before you transmit on a repeater. Use common sense on this one. Don't just switch over to a repeater channel from another frequency and immediately start transmitting unless your situation requires it!
4. Limit your time on a the repeater to within reason. This can vary a great deal and will depend upon the circumstance, but rag chewing is NOT recommended during the morning and evening drive times and is not a friendly practice!
5. Talk to strangers once in a while. Many hams, all good people, slip into a habit of not talking with anyone they don't already know when operating FM repeaters. They forget that this is not what they do when on HF!
6. If you're a tight, efficient operator, you may be proud of yourself -- but there's a problem: when you're on the repeater, no one else can get in edgewise! Every now and then, vary your timing to give others a chance to get in. 
7. If you're operating too loosely on a repeater with long gaps in between transmissions, do not be surprised if another operator suddenly uses the repeater!
They are completely within their rights, and have not committed any error. It is then your responsibility to politely inform them of any "GROUP ACTIVITY" involving the repeater at that time---parades, weather nets, i.e.. 
8. If your area repeater has closed control or autopatch access codes, do not give them to others over the air!  If you are entrusted with such information, you are expected to treat it with discretion. 
9. You DO NOT have the right to assume your right to use the repeater is more important than others! Under normal circumstances with an open repeater this is true!
THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO CLOSED REPEATERS ! ! ! Just because you might be listening for a call does not give you the right to intimidate others into NOT using the machine.
10. Strive to use acceptable language over VHF and UHF repeaters. Controversial as it may seem, what is acceptable tends to vary from one part of the country to another, but placing some reasonable LIMITS on language helps set better standards for Amateur Radio.
11. Use simplex channels when they make more sense. Two cars traveling close together should NOT be using a REPEATER unless there is some compelling reason,  looking for another friend to join in, or the contact is going to be brief, etc. 
12. Do not be afraid to use the repeater. That's why it's there -- for YOUR use! No one should question your decision to utilize the repeater for a short to medium contact. For long extended visits following contact, changing to a SIMPLEX channel would be best. PLEASE!

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