Golay
Member
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2016
- Messages
- 494
I just read a thread where someone bought some good money on a digital radio. And lo and behold the repeaters listed in the directory for that mode are deader than last year's birds nest. So I've said this before, but want to repeat it again:
Before you buy a radio for one of the modes, thinking it would be good because the directory shows repeaters for that mode in your area, STOP.
First program the repeaters listed into a plain ol' analog scanner, and see if anyone is actually using the repeaters listed. Does the squelch open up long enough so you can ascertain there are actually conversations going on. When you do find a repeater that opens the squelch on your plain ol' analog scanner for good lengths of time (not just long enough for someone throwing their call out to dead air), then go buy the radio of your choice in that digital mode.
Don't think seeing repeaters listed means they are being used, or are even on the air. Anyone can get a repeater allocation. Here in Detroit, we have a repeater that hasn't been on the air in 10 years, but the guy keeps renewing the allocation. He may never actually put a machine up.
Before you buy a radio for one of the modes, thinking it would be good because the directory shows repeaters for that mode in your area, STOP.
First program the repeaters listed into a plain ol' analog scanner, and see if anyone is actually using the repeaters listed. Does the squelch open up long enough so you can ascertain there are actually conversations going on. When you do find a repeater that opens the squelch on your plain ol' analog scanner for good lengths of time (not just long enough for someone throwing their call out to dead air), then go buy the radio of your choice in that digital mode.
Don't think seeing repeaters listed means they are being used, or are even on the air. Anyone can get a repeater allocation. Here in Detroit, we have a repeater that hasn't been on the air in 10 years, but the guy keeps renewing the allocation. He may never actually put a machine up.