Question about a Repeater?

[Fuzy_GSXR1000]

I have a Kenwood FH-6A I just picked up the nifty notes,downloaded the acient Kenwood software,bought the cables to connect it to the computer, actually got the program to write to the radio but I think I have a few settings in the software platform not correct. Eventually I will get it because I want to start working on my operating and talking skills!! Tomorrow buying a frame for my license and not one QSO yet...LOL

[Fuzy_GSXR1000]

Today was a very big day!! LOL It turns out I had it programmed correctly and today!!.....I made my first QSO!! Now I have to experement with the local repeaters and see what ones I can hit and cannot!! I'm off to the races!!

[LtDoc]

Good for you!
New software, old software who cares as long as it works.
Have fun.
- 'Doc

[Git-R-Done]

Originally Posted by Fuzy_GSXR1000

Today was a very big day!! LOL It turns out I had it programmed correctly and today!!.....I made my first QSO!! Now I have to experement with the local repeaters and see what ones I can hit and cannot!! I'm off to the races!!

Good job! Always listen to a repeater if someone is talking to someone else to see what their talking about and etc. Some talk about radios, old days, antennas and other things as well!

[Fuzy_GSXR1000]

Thanks guys I think it was nifty notes or the stuff you guys sent me here!! My first QSO(John) told most of jersey's pl tones are 141.3 but I'm wasn't sure I hit the machine.....then I heard a response before I knew it I was in it!!! I want to go on now but it's quiet...LOL

[Git-R-Done]

Originally Posted by Fuzy_GSXR1000

Thanks guys I think it was nifty notes or the stuff you guys sent me here!! My first QSO(John) told most of jersey's pl tones are 141.3 but I'm wasn't sure I hit the machine.....then I heard a response before I knew it I was in it!!! I want to go on now but it's quiet...LOL

Try it sometime there are some ham ops who talk during the night time at some point while the repeater is dead quiet with no heavy use during the morning/afternoon time. Also you will want to know about band openings where when the conditions/weather is good, you will be abled to talk to someone in a different city or state. The website below has more info about band openings:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2-meter_band

- Jamie (N4CYA)

[Fuzy_GSXR1000]

Very good stuff Git let me ask you a question? When I programming a repeater for instance W2RN out of Woodridge NJ, I get the frequency in then set the offset in this case the recieve frequency is 443.750 now when I key the mic it jumps to 448.750 is that the jump or offset transmit frequency or did I program it wrong? Like I said yesterday I made a QSO but was so nervous or excited I didn't noticed if it did that.

[Git-R-Done]

Originally Posted by Fuzy_GSXR1000

Very good stuff Git let me ask you a question? When I programming a repeater for instance W2RN out of Woodridge NJ, I get the frequency in then set the offset in this case the recieve frequency is 443.750 now when I key the mic it jumps to 448.750 is that the jump or offset transmit frequency or did I program it wrong? Like I said yesterday I made a QSO but was so nervous or excited I didn't noticed if it did that.

You programmed it correctly...when the frequency shows 443.750+ that means the offset frequency is going to be higher when it shows - sign that means its going to be a minus offset which is normally around the 144 range for the 2 meter side and 147 for the positive side sometimes higher like around the 148 I think. For the 440 side think higher when it shows a + sign and - minus for low side for the minus offset.

[Fuzy_GSXR1000]

Thanks man!! Now I can input more!!!!

[Git-R-Done]

Originally Posted by Fuzy_GSXR1000

Thanks man!! Now I can input more!!!!

Not a problem! Any more questions that I can't answer? Errr can answer?

[Fuzy_GSXR1000]

Sure...LOL I have four repeaters in my radio so far.....Woodridge,NJ,BARA,NJ,Lyndhurst,NJ, and my all time favorite...K2QH which I can't break in there now talking non stop it's halarious....What other repeaters are hot in my area? I'm thinking maybe my club uses another 2 meter one in West Orange NJ perhaps?! LOL I'm sorry Git I thought you were in Jersey I just was that your in Florida my bad...LOL

[Git-R-Done]

Originally Posted by Fuzy_GSXR1000

Sure...LOL I have four repeaters in my radio so far.....Woodridge,NJ,BARA,NJ,Lyndhurst,NJ, and my all time favorite...K2QH which I can't break in there now talking non stop it's halarious....What other repeaters are hot in my area? I'm thinking maybe my club uses another 2 meter one in West Orange NJ perhaps?! LOL I'm sorry Git I thought you were in Jersey I just was that your in Florida my bad...LOL

I will say program the ham repeaters in your area that you hear people talking on some repeaters are very active and some are not very well used so they appear to be silent until they have morning/afternoon or night time nets for people to talk to each other and etc. I found this website below that belongs to one owner that has a bunch of ham repeaters linked.

Welcome to the W2NJR Linked Repeater System

[Fuzy_GSXR1000]

Wow Ok dude I owe you dinner!!...LOL I see the West Orange one there nice!!!

[Git-R-Done]

Originally Posted by Fuzy_GSXR1000

Wow Ok dude I owe you dinner!!...LOL I see the West Orange one there nice!!!

Just helping out. Seems like the coverage on that site is really good! Look out for weekly nets are always good to check in to which means listen to the frequency where the net is taking place on a local repeater then net control (person controlling the net) says taking checks in ''your city'' then that is where you key up wait a second then say this is ''your call'' then your name with no traffic back to net control.

Eek, forgot to mention since the West Orange system is linked you have to wait a few seconds then talk...Because once you key up all the other repeaters that are linked have to be activated so once that is done everyone in the link repeater area can hear you.

[Fuzy_GSXR1000]

Ok cool!!!

[Git-R-Done]

Originally Posted by Fuzy_GSXR1000

Ok cool!!!

I found this website below that helps to understand repeater linking to one another...I was taught well from my former Ham Radio teacher when I lived in Panama City Beach, Florida.

Amateur Repeater Linking

[Fuzy_GSXR1000]

Git I for the life of me can't hit that New York City Repeater and it's making me crazy on the sheet it has for pl tones 82.5 in and in red 67.0 for out....which one do I use? I tried both and it won't squelch or talk to me like it's supposed to do like Woodridge. Oh btw it has a little ct above the frequency instead of the little t what does that mean also?

[Git-R-Done]

Originally Posted by Fuzy_GSXR1000

Git I for the life of me can't hit that New York City Repeater and it's making me crazy on the sheet it has for pl tones 82.5 in and in red 67.0 for out....which one do I use? I tried both and it won't squelch or talk to me like it's supposed to do like Woodridge. Oh btw it has a little ct above the frequency instead of the little t what does that mean also?

Use 82.5 for the New York City & 67.0 for Red (probably doesn't have a pl tone). Try using your medium or high power to see if your even breaking the repeater squelch if not then maybe the system has a new pl tone. Try emailing the owner of the repeaters to see what they say. If your radio has a pl tone search option enable that when someone talks it'll automatically save the pl tone for that frequency.

What are the repeater frequencies your trying to talk on?

- Jamie

[k8zgw]

The ct means you are in "guard " on receive. ( you need to decode the correct tone).
Set it for just "t", which means you are transmitting tone, but will hear
any carrier on the channel.

[CapHat]

Congrats on your first QSO!!!

Have you monitored 146.520 (Simplex calling freq) in your area? There may be locals operating simplex in your area as well.

Have fun!