Newbie question about listening to repeaters

[TheSnake]

howdy. being new, i'd like to ask about something i hear people talk about - listening to repeaters. can you tell me something about this? what is there to be heard, how to tune them (is the "offset" important, or can i tune directly to the repeaters transmit freq? how would one know the "tone" and how to program that? any help is appreciated. Using a Whistler WS1065; I have a J-Pole i built and a crappy Hustler discone, BTW.

 

[Cognomen]

Just program the repeater output (the repeater's transmit) frequency.

Many scanners can detect the correct tone and let you add it, but it's not necessarily needed for you to listen. Having the tone for receiving is nice if there are other repeaters/users on the frequency that you don't want to have to listen to.

 

[TheSnake]

Thank you, sir, I appreciate that.

 

[k6cpo]

Although it's primarily directed at those doing two-way repeater communications, the following might give some insight about how repeaters work and why. It's by far the best explanation I've seen.

http://www.alpinelakes.net/uploads/2/2/5/9/22591368/repeater-basics_jon-perelstein__1_.pdf

 

[TheSnake]

Thanks so much, I'll check it out.

 

[RockyBennett]

Although it's primarily directed at those doing two-way repeater communications, the following might give some insight about how repeaters work and why. It's by far the best explanation I've seen.

http://www.alpinelakes.net/uploads/2/2/5/9/22591368/repeater-basics_jon-perelstein__1_.pdf

Great link. Thanks.

 

[CanesFan95]

What you'll hear on ham repeaters are nets where people check in, pass traffic messages, chit-chat a little, or provide emergency-related backup communications. There's also a lot of rag-chew conversations, QSOs, where people just shoot the breeze and talk about anything. I recommend programming in the CTCSS / DCS tones because many repeaters are mixed mode and that'll prevent you from hearing obnoxious digital noise if they're not on analog, unless your receiver does any digital modes. Using CTCSS / DCS also helps you not have to hear obnoxious DMR bleedover from the business bands.

 

[StaticDischarge]

Learn all you want about repeaters here: Repeater Builder™

 

[TheSnake]

Thanks; how does one know what tones (are they frequencies?) to enter on what repeater?

 

[nd5y]

Thanks; how does one know what tones (are they frequencies?) to enter on what repeater?

CTCSS tones are audio frequencies in Hz. DCS codes are a 3 digit octal number.

For amateur radio repeaters you can look up the ones in your area on one of the online databases listed at...

Amateur Radio - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

Also The RadioReference database has amateur radio tabs on each state and county database page.

There is no guarantee that any online source is current or accurate.

 

[StaticDischarge]

Look them up: www.repeaterbook.com or the club website or ask another amateur..

 

[CanesFan95]

Just know that repeaterbook does tend to have a lot of inaccurate stuff, but it's a good starting point. One way to figure out what the CTCSS / DCS is, is to use the tone scan search found on most ham radios and scanners. But a lot of scanners will instantly display the CTCSS or DCS without even having to search.

 

[TheSnake]

Thanks. Are there other freq's/entities which require or even have, CTCSS/DCS? Or is it just repeaters?

 

[CanesFan95]

Anyone can use them, whether they're on a repeater or simplex. They're almost always used on commercial analog frequencies.

 

[TailGator911]

Just know that repeaterbook does tend to have a lot of inaccurate stuff, but it's a good starting point.

Around here repeaters tend to pop up like mushrooms and hardly any of them are listed in the AARL repeater handbook. I don't even buy it anymore, just search on the internet. The handbook will list the established repeaters that have been around for years, so yeah it is a good starting point, but more current information is listed on your local ham radio websites, ARES, etc.

 

[Golay]

Around here repeaters tend to pop up like mushrooms and hardly any of them are listed in the AARL repeater handbook. I don't even buy it anymore, just search on the internet. The handbook will list the established repeaters that have been around for years, so yeah it is a good starting point, but more current information is listed on your local ham radio websites, ARES, etc.

I don't think I've ever even used the ARRL guide. Myself, I have a cheap ol' analog scanner on a homemade 2M quarter wavelength antenna.
The antenna you make out of a SO-239 connector. I'll have it searching 2M or 440 while I'm in the shack.

 

[chief21]

Are there other freq's/entities which require or even have, CTCSS/DCS? Or is it just repeaters?

Be aware that many amateur repeaters DO NOT use outbound CTCSS/DCS. But all analog repeaters can be monitored by using carrier squelch.