Amateur Repeater Directory

[KD8DVR]

View attachment 191388
It appears that RepeaterBook is now moving toward selling access to repeater information—data that should remain freely available to the amateur radio community. Many state frequency coordinators have already stopped publishing their databases publicly and instead provide that information privately to RepeaterBook. They already make a profit via ads on the site for data, much of it provided by us, and the frequency coordinators. Was not this data meant to help our Hobby, or was it a for profit venture?

In 2025, the ARRL officially designated RepeaterBook as its primary source for repeater data. Both organizations are private entities, not public agencies, and this shift has effectively placed community-sourced repeater information behind commercial and closed platforms.

This is exactly why we’re building the Amateur Repeater Directory — a transparent, community-driven, and public-domain alternative. Our repeater data is exported regularly and published openly, with no licensing restrictions. It’s truly free as in free beer — anyone can use it, share it, or even build competing applications.

But taking information from state frequency coordinators, claiming ownership over it, and then selling it back to the very community that created it — that’s not how amateur radio is meant to work.

This is exactly why we are building the Amateur Repeater Directory, it's interesting that they are now announcing many of the features we already have.

Repeaterbook is NOT selling its repeater directory!

Stop spreading lies!

There are just some extra functions that require payment, whereas most functions are free. This is going to offset server costs.

Nothing worse than some upstart spreading lies....

 

[K9KLC]

Repeaterbook is NOT selling its repeater directory!

Stop spreading lies!

There are just some extra functions that require payment, whereas most functions are free. This is going to offset server costs.

Nothing worse than some upstart spreading lies....

There is nothing wrong with allowing extra features at a fee. QRZ has done it for years and years as well as many apps available for both ham and non ham users. I went this morning on repeater book for some info and didn't even need to log in to get what I needed.

I agree the statement as posted wasn't 100% correct. While I fully support another accurate way to gain repeater information, I'm not sure why what anyone else is doing should affect their mission. I have my own small business and the one thing I don't do is "cut down the other guy". If I can't sell myself and what we do in our own merits then it's what it is. If you have to resort to bad mouthing the other guy you've lost already.

 

[CoastalDude]

Repeaterbook is NOT selling its repeater directory!

Stop spreading lies!

There are just some extra functions that require payment, whereas most functions are free. This is going to offset server costs.

Nothing worse than some upstart spreading lies....

Well, let's put it this way, many states are now only providing their repeaters lists directly to Repeater Book, they no longer will list them publicly on the Frequency Coordinator sites. RepeaterBook will not let developers like me, use that data to create software that will help the ham radio community, I know, I asked. So basically, they're saying they are the sole developer company for Ham Radio going forward. In fact, they told me the saw no use in my software when I demo'd it to them, now they're announcing much of the very same feature set.

But, these features sets, such as the Amateur Repeater Directory provides like charting true elevation between you and the repeater, the Fresnel Zone infraction, all that stuff, that ain't free. That's listed in RepeaterBook plu$. So now Frequency coordinators provide the data to them, they control it, and they deem what software the industry needs, and it will be locked behind a paywall.

Many frequency coordinators, in my opinion, have failed us. They view software developers who might take that data and create super cool new tech for our hobby as pariah's. Kansas's website said they were no longer listing the data because people were taking it trying to make money with it, the irony here can't be missed, they've since removed that he he

We'll have to disagree, but that's fine. We'll succeed without their data, it will be community maintained, accurate, and free for all as in free beer, in fact, it already is:

See ARD-RepeaterList/States at main · Amateur-Repeater-Directory/ARD-RepeaterList

I have no problem with RepeaterBook making money, they have that right, everyone does, but once the Frequency Coodinators stopped listing their data publicly and starting providing it to RepeaterBook only, who can and does deny developers access to the data, that's where these people veered from the spirit of Ham Radio.

I'm sorry I brought this up, it is what it is, I've spend the past year trying to gather the data, only with the advent of AI and a substantial community effort can it happen, it's just all needless work. Can you really copyright the output/input frequencies, tones, and offset of somebody else's repeater?

 

[K9KLC]

Well, let's put it this way, many states are now only providing their repeaters lists directly to Repeater Book, they no longer will list them publicly on the Frequency Coordinator sites. RepeaterBook will not let developers like me, use that data to create software that will help the ham radio community, I know, I asked. So basically, they're saying they are the sole developer company for Ham Radio going forward. In fact, they told me the saw no use in my software when I demo'd it to them, now they're announcing much of the very same feature set.

But, these features sets, such as the Amateur Repeater Directory provides like charting true elevation between you and the repeater, the Fresnel Zone infraction, all that stuff, that ain't free. That's listed in RepeaterBook plu$. So now Frequency coordinators provide the data to them, they control it, and they deem what software the industry needs, and it will be locked behind a paywall.

Many frequency coordinators, in my opinion, have failed us. They view software developers who might take that data and create super cool new tech for our hobby as pariah's. Kansas's website said they were no longer listing the data because people were taking it trying to make money with it, the irony here can't be missed, they've since removed that he he

We'll have to disagree, but that's fine. We'll succeed without their data, it will be community maintained, accurate, and free for all as in free beer, in fact, it already is:

See ARD-RepeaterList/States at main · Amateur-Repeater-Directory/ARD-RepeaterList

I have no problem with RepeaterBook making money, they have that right, everyone does, but once the Frequency Coodinators stopped listing their data publicly and starting providing it to RepeaterBook only, who can and does deny developers access to the data, that's where these people veered from the spirit of Ham Radio.

So then it's the repeater coordinators not providing the info to you it appears. The frequency coordinators have failed us a long time before you came along with your app, so that's honestly not anything new. I'm not saying they're all bad nor were they all bad in the past but I can tell you, there have been some pretty shady stuff happen thru out the years.

 

[CoastalDude]

So then it's the repeater coordinators not providing the info to you it appears. The frequency coordinators have failed us a long time before you came along with your app, so that's honestly not anything new. I'm not saying they're all bad nor were they all bad in the past but I can tell you, there have been some pretty shady stuff happen thru out the years.

Yes, in that we both agree !! I wrote to a lot of them actually, some we're very cool, and they needed some software to manage their repeaters, I told a few of them I'll write it for you for free, to be honest, all of the repeaters in a SQL table at say 30k repeaters is kids stuff, like moms recipe app, this stuff ain't hard. But then, I starting running into coordinators that said they were doing some kind of deal with RepeaterBook, and that pretty much ended that, I wanted to create software for the coordinators that would make it very easy for them, and modern.

Have you seen some of these sites? Their ancient, full of weird keys, full of duplicates, some with last touched dates over a decade ago. But it's not their fault, they're ham radio guys, not developers, they did their best. But then you have the lists of Repeaters owners they've reached out too who have never replied, the "Threaten to Delist" list, he he. So many of those guys can't even reply once a year to update their status, it's really just a shame. Honestly, we'd of been better had the FCC mandated a formal agency over repeaters, registration, public listings, the whole deal, our hobby would have tons of super interesting software. I'm working with some meshtastic stuff that could even (with additional hardware) detect when Repeaters are active or silent, there's so many possibilities.

Then take SERA, they prided their selves on not releasing data, and they manage like 10 states !!! there's been a huge outcry, now they publish a book, but for Member$ only, sound familiar. In some way theirs somewhat of an arrogance with certain coordinators.

Ham Radio isn't doing well, there are however tons and tons of folks out there with handhelds that don't know how to use them, don't understand them, don't view them as fun, but they are. Imagine my suprise when I did my Line of Sight scan and found a few 1,300 ft towers near me, that I can connect to, and talk from Florida, through Alabama, to Mississippi on a 10w hand held! It's freaking cool as heck, from that I built my own antenna 25 ft tall, I also found out half of the repeaters in my radio where dead weight because the Line of Sight had them impossible to reach, but do a scan out 500 miles, find a repeater you'd never think of reaching, then do easily, and talk an amazingly long way from home, that's the stuff of dreams for guys like me



That's just me reaching the Repeater, the range of a repeater than high in incredible. That's what our software does.

 

[N6JPA]

LOL! no more ker-chunking of repeaters! The wonders of the 21st century!

 

[K9KLC]

Ham Radio isn't doing well,

LOL you know I keep reading this... Tell you what, fire up a HF radio this weekend and let me know how ham radio is doing. Trust me ham radio is doing just fine. It's not as much repeater oriented as it used to be (well unless you count internet linked stuff) but ham radio as a whole, is doing just fine.

 

[K9KLC]

LOL! no more ker-chunking of repeaters! The wonders of the 21st century!

That's great!

 

[k6cpo]

So then it's the repeater coordinators not providing the info to you it appears. The frequency coordinators have failed us a long time before you came along with your app, so that's honestly not anything new. I'm not saying they're all bad nor were they all bad in the past but I can tell you, there have been some pretty shady stuff happen thru out the years.

My club is still waiting for official notification of coordination on an application we filed in 2016. We've been using the particular repeater pair since before the application was filed.

 

[nd5y]

My club is still waiting for official notification of coordination on an application we filed in 2016.

I have heard it's like that in some large metro areas. If you want a new repeater coordination you get put on a waiting list unless you are part of the good old boys clique.

 

[k6cpo]

I have heard it's like that in some large metro areas. If you want a new repeater coordination you get put on a waiting list unless you are part of the good old boys clique.

The responded right away to the initial application with a comment that our pair looked and also asked if we would accept a different pair if it turned out it was more appropriate. Since then, nothing...

 

[K9KLC]

I have heard it's like that in some large metro areas. If you want a new repeater coordination you get put on a waiting list unless you are part of the good old boys clique.

It's like that in small areas too however , the "good ole boys clique" is accurate it seems regardless of location.

 

[billyska]

I can delete your account and you can simply re-register, it's no problem at all

are you able to delete my account from here.. Thanks

 

[k6cpo]

I have heard it's like that in some large metro areas. If you want a new repeater coordination you get put on a waiting list unless you are part of the good old boys clique.

Well, that's their problem. We're going to continue using the frequency pair whether they approve it or not.

 

[K4EET]

Did those interested in the Amateur Repeater Directory (ARD) by @CoastalDude get the eMail this morning alerting everyone of a change in direction for the ARD? Perhaps @CoastalDude will publish the details here in case there are some following this thread that did not receive the eMail.

 

[ladn]

Did those interested in the Amateur Repeater Directory (ARD) by @CoastalDude get the eMail this morning alerting everyone of a change in direction for the ARD? Perhaps @CoastalDude will publish the details here in case there are some following this thread that did not receive the eMail.

Nope, didn't get a thing

 

[K4EET]

Nope, didn't get a thing

Howdy 🤠 👋🏻! The eMail needs to be posted here so everyone can know what new direction that @CoastalDude is taking the Amateur Repeater Directory (ARD) in. I don’t want to post the eMail without their permission. I hope they see this activity and will post the message here since at least one person didn’t get the memo… 🤣🤣🤣