hitting repeater

[fcr]

Using my HT, I can make contact with a local repeater. I know this because I hear the kerchunk and the repeater talks back giving me the current time and call sign. I have been announcing my call sign on and off at various times for the past two weeks and I have yet to make contact with anyone nor has anyone answered my call sign. Just at a loss as to why no contact from other hams.

 

[hill]

Just because you can hit the repeater doesn't mean you signal is great. With a HT your signal can be marginal with noise that make copying it difficult.

Do you hear others using the repeater?

Try during drivetimes. Also consider joining the local radio club, since after they meet you will be more likely to make contact on the repeater.

Does this repeater have any nets on it. As these are a great time for new hams to get on the air.

 

[jgorman21]

Hello. A few questions.

What radio are you using?
How far away is the repeater and is it an “open” repeater?
What power setting are you using?

 

[AK9R]

Do you hear others using the repeater?

And, if you do hear others using the repeater, have you tried calling one of them? Depending on the nature of the conversation, it might be rude to just butt in. But, after the conversation winds down, try calling one of them using the format of "[their callsign], this is [your callsign]".

 

[W9WSS]

Just don’t say, “Breaker breaker,” or the word “Contact” [without your callsign].

 

[k6cpo]

Not all repeaters have people on them all the time. I have 94 different channels programmed into the radio I monitor the most at home. Of those 56 are repeaters. The others are a mix of amateur simplex, airport towers, railroad, Marine VHF and wildland firefighting agencies. I have the radio set on continuous scan and sometimes I don't hear anything on the amateur repeaters for hours at a time. It depends a lot on the time of day and day of the week.

 

[paulears]

Why not ask for a signal report? "This is QWERTY in (name of where you are. Can any tell me how well I'm getting into the repeater?" Remember many people testing just announce their callsign when they are testing and not actually wanting a reply.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

I have been announcing my call sign on and off at various times for the past two weeks and I have yet to make contact with anyone nor has anyone answered my call sign. Just at a loss as to why no contact from other hams.

OK? Is the repeater normally active? Does it host a regularly scheduled net? Nets can be a good way to put your callsign out there & introduce yourself to the locals. Welcome to the RR forums

 

[GlobalNorth]

Your best bet for a response is after work [1530 to 1730 - your time] and weekend afternoons and early evenings.