2 METER HAM communications....

[jwwphoto]

Where would I scan at for 2 meter repeaters in my area....? Where could I search on the internet to see of there is a 2 meter repeater in the Lake Charles Area. About 13 or so years ago I used to listen to a 2 meter repeater with a call sign of N5EK. Can't seem to find it now.



Jeff

 

[N4JNW]

Go here: www.artscipub.com/repeaters

It's a huge repeater database that covers the US. It will give you the frequencies in use in your exact area.

If you're looking for the ham operator that held the call, N5EK, then go to www.qrz.com, and type his/her callsign in the directory and look it up. It will give you the full name, and address for the ham operator that is currently holding N5EK.

Sometimes Artscipub isn't as up to date as they claim. They claim daily, but I've stumbled upon many repeaters that weren't even listed. If you want to scan for them, scan 144 to 148 Mhz. Most scanners have a dedicated ham search bank in them already, but if yours don't, just scan 144 to 148 and you'll hear any action in your area.

146.520 is a Nationally known simplex calling frequency by all hams as well, you might want to program it into your scan banks, as it's a universal frequency among hams, as CB channel 19 is known among truckers.

 

[OpSec]

Sometimes Artscipub isn't as up to date as they claim. They claim daily, but I've stumbled upon many repeaters that weren't even listed.

Their database, as with any others, is only as good as the data being provided to them for publishing. I've just about given up on most ham repeater databases that aren't published by the coordination group (if any) in the state of interest. This is due to old, wrong or non-existant information contained within these other databases.

From a scanner standpoint, scan 144-148 MHz and you hear anything in your area.

 

[zz0468]

Sometimes Artscipub isn't as up to date as they claim. They claim daily, but I've stumbled upon many repeaters that weren't even listed.

Many repeaters are closed or private, and don't submit their data to Artsci.

 

[kb2vxa]

Hi Jeff and all,

There are quite a number of repeater listings available, almost all woefully inaccurate so your best bet is to scan for them. Go to www.arrl.org and download the band plans, then just so you don't scan useless spectrum scan the two output sub bands. The inputs (if you're licensed and want to access them) are -600KHz for outputs below 147MHz and +600KHz above, 147 can go either way. In congested areas you'll find repeaters on some nearby 146MHz simplex frequencies, those inputs are-1MHz. PL tones are another matter but most ham rigs these days have PL scan, input tones usually but not always match output tones while some are CS.

Hey, if you're not licensed... GET ONE!

"Many repeaters are closed or private, and don't submit their data to Artsci."

That's not entirely correct ZZ, the lists are obtained from regional coordinating committees so if a repeater is closed the list will show it. It's the non coordinated repeaters usually not found on those lists, however some hams scan and compile their own and post them on their web sites so that's where you'll find them.

That takes us to WHY those lists are inaccurate, the committees are lax in keeping up to date AND some (I'll call them lids when an expletive is more appropriate) will hang on to a coordinated pair long after the repeater has gone dark. New repeaters often don't get on the list and there's plenty of "paper repeaters" still hanging on like so many leeches. To compound the problem those paper repeaters become roadblocks to those on the waiting list, there's an available pair just sitting there in the paperwork if only they would take the time to sort it out.

Rant mode, off.

 

[nd5y]

The Wiki has links to where you can find online repeater coordination databases in your area, if they exist.
http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Amateur_Radio

 

[n4voxgill]

try 145.2100 and 146.73 the 146.73 shows a ctcss tone of 173.8

 

[w0fg]

As quiet as most 2m repeaters are these days any of the databases listed will give you a good starting point as they're almost certain to have the older and most active repeaters listed. When searching the ARRL database watch for the ones showing ARES or Skywarn activity as they're the ones that will probably be the most heavily used in a given area. If you're looking for off-repeater or uncoordinated activity you can search the 145-148 Mhz range for FM signals, but they're likely be very intermittent.

 

[zz0468]

That's not entirely correct ZZ, the lists are obtained from regional coordinating committees so if a repeater is closed the list will show it.

Here in Southern California, 95% of the 70 cm repeaters are closed, and/or private, and the local frequency coordinating body does not give out their information except for inclusion into the ARRL repeater directory. And even then, information is minimal. This lack of information is not an oversight, nor is it lazy. It is by design. I have perused the Artsci list, and only a tiny fraction of the coordinated systems in Southern California are listed. Knowing the scene on 70 cm here in So. Cal as intimately as I do, and seeing how flawed Artsci is, I have zero faith in it's accuracy on other bands as well.

The FCC tends to look at the ARRL repeater directory as semi-authoritative when the need arises to resolve issues between coordinated and uncoordinated repeaters, so submitted the THAT publication. I cannot speak for other areas of the country, but here in Southern California, the Artsci repeater list is almost completely useless. I doubt any of the frequency coordinating bodies here even recognize that the Artsci list exists, let alone submit information. The usrepeaters.com list is much more complete.

Yes, I realize the thread is about 2 meter repeaters. I don't operate on 2 meter fm myself, it's a zoo here. The point I am trying to make is, there are better lists out there. I would suggest that you start by finding out who the local frequency coordinators are, and see if they have an official list on their web page.

 

[W4KRR]

Depending on the scanner model you have, many have pre programmed search ranges, like 2 meter and other amateur frequencies. The BCD396T and 996T have this feature; you just select this search range and any amateur activity will show up for you.

 

[kb2vxa]

Hi again ZZ and all,

"I don't operate on 2 meter FM myself, it's a zoo here."

I know all about SoCal, (Planet Of The Apes) your good buddy Jack Gerritsen and all the rest of the monkeys. dit dit

 

[K9GTJ]

Many repeaters/repeater clubs have nets in the evenings. Do a scan around 8 PM and 9 PM to look for activity. Also, once you hear a ham, note their call sign and then look up their email address at QRZ.com and send them an email asking them for additional information.

 

[W4BOZ]

RR lists some repeaters and simplex freqs that are popular for certain things (ARES/RACES nets, etc) around my area. While it isn't full of ham freqs, it wouldn't hurt to dig around whatever listings are for your area too.

That and doing a google search (or whatever) for ham clubs in your area usually yields some repeater information.....and information on how/where to take exams if you feel so inclined.