How to Use HAM Radio Repeaters & the PL Tone

Communication is very important during an SHTF.

You can have the old reliable HAM devices, however, there are so many unanswered questions for the new HAM licensee.

And now I’m bringing in HAM Radio 101 – Intro To Repeaters: We’ll start to answer these questions to make HAM simple.

Quick Navigation HAM Radio 101 – Intro To Repeaters What is a Repeater? Why do use a Repeater? What is a Repeater Offset? What is a Repeater Tone (PL or CTCSS)?

How to Use a Ham Radio Repeater

Simplex Communications

The simplest method to communicate on a HAM radio is simplex. This means that you have the same channel for transmitting and receiving. On the 2 meter band, you can use 146.520 MHz.

This is the National Simplex Frequency. This channel should not be used to chew rag (talk) on, but only to sync up with another HAM. You should make your connection then decide on an alternate frequency to communicate on so that you don’t tie up that high usage channel.

If you can’t reach anyone, then you may have to take things to the next level and use a repeater. You can find a list of repeaters, nationwide in the ARRL Repeater Directory.

What is a Repeater?

A repeater is just another two-way radio. It receives transmissions on one frequency, then re-transmits those same transmissions on another frequency; at the same time.

The actual operation of a repeater will vary depending on several factors such as the country where it is operated, the band being used, and the make or model of the repeater. Despite these differences, the overall concept of how a repeater works and how it must be operated is generally the same.

Repeaters are designed to not transmit noise and spurious signals. Before it opens up, the receiver must receive a signal on its input or receive frequency. This signal should be strong enough for re-transmission. The signal must also have a tone to determine that the station being received at the repeater wants its transmission to be re-radiated.

Basic Components of a Repeater

Antenna

An antenna is used to transmit and receive signals that go in and out of a repeater. Most repeaters only have one antenna.

Duplexer

The duplexer separates and isolates the incoming signal from the outgoing and vice versa. It prevents the receiver and transmitter from hearing one another by the isolation it provides.

Receiver

As the name implies, this component receives incoming signal. The receiver is generally very sensitive and selective so the repeater can hear even the weaker stations. 

Transmitter

A transmitter has two main components: an exciter and a power amplifier. The exciter modulates the audio from the receiver while the power amplifier boosts the audio level so the signal can travel further.

Controller

The controller is the brain of the repeater. Basically, it handles the repeater station ID using either voice or CW and activates the transmitter at the appropriate times.

Why Use a Repeater?

Your handheld transceiver or mobile ham radio has a very limited range. This is due to it’s short (small) antenna and it’s the fairly low height with respect to the radio horizon (unless you are on the side of a mountain). 

A Repeater is used to rebroadcast your transmissions and received signals to much higher levels, electronically, using large, very efficient, high gain antennas, low loss feed-lines and transmitters and receivers, that rated for heavy-duty or continuous use.

A repeater boosts your signal and receives the station you are talking to, over a far greater range and coverage area! You benefit from the repeater’s higher elevation, which increases your effective transmitting and receiving area!

What is a Repeater Offset?

Repeaters need to listen and transmit at the same time, therefore they use two different frequencies. One frequency is for it’s transmitting frequency and the other is it’s receiving frequency.

Think about it this way, if the repeater used the same channels for both transmit and receive, it would only hear itself. That would be a loop, and that seems really, really bad.

The 2-meter band’s offsets are set 600 kHz apart (As a rule of thumb),

• If the output frequency (transmit) of the repeater < 147 mHz, then the input frequency (listening) is 600 kilohertz lower. This is called a “negative offset”.
• If the output frequency (transmit) of the repeater > 147 mHz, then the input frequency (listening) is 600 kilohertz above. This is called a “positive offset”.

The 70 cm band offsets are 5MHz apart (again, rule of thumb)

• If the output frequency (transmit) of the repeater < 447 MHz, then the input frequency (listening) is 5 megahertz lower. This is called a “negative offset”.
• If the output frequency (transmit) of the repeater > 447 MHz, then the input frequency (listening) is 5 megahertz above. This is called a “positive offset”.

On other bands, the offsets will be different. The good news is, that most of the modern ham radios take the offsets into account and will compensate automatically.

Example: If the repeater output is 443.700 Mhz (70cm band). The input, or the frequency the repeater receiver transmits on 443.700, but receives on 448.700 (+5 MHz offset)

If I have your radio tuned to 443.700 Mhz, and hit my transmit button, the radio transmits on 448.700, 500kHz (5MHz) up from 443.700. As soon as I release the transmit button so I can listen, the radio switches back to 443.700. Then I can hear transmissions on the repeater’s output frequency.

The good news is, that most of the HAM radios sold today, will set the offset automatically, once you have chosen your desired operating frequency.

Note: There are always exceptions, so check your local repeater listings or the ARRL Repeater Directory (a must have!).