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 RadioÑnot
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 given repeater to within reason.
(This can vary a great deal and will depend upon the circumstance, but
ragchewing for several hours straight is NOT recommended as 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 yourselfÑbut 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 reasonÑlooking 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 thereÑ-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
help us help each other to remember that REPEATER ETIQUETTE can make a
difference.)
Return To Fort Knox ARC Home Page