Repeater Question

[Colin9690]

Hi,

Does anyone know the standard offset of the VHF (150-160 to be exact)? Offset for people who don't know is the difference between a repeater's output and input frequencies.

Is there even a standard?

Thanks,
Colin

 

[mdulrich]

Is there even a standard?

Nope

 

[INDY72]

For smaller systems the easiest way to tell the input, is to look at the FCC data,.. the input is listed as a Fixed -FX station. For larger systems with multiple repeaters, the best way to find the input, is to monitor the fixed, and repeaters, and match the coms to each.

**Note**
On a few systems, the FCC data is actually backwards, one example is Wilkinson County, MS... the FCC lists the input as the output, and output as input- FCC-153.7400 FX/Mob, 155.3100 Rptr/Mob.... Actual way its set up- 155.3100 FX/Mob, 153.7400 Rptr/Mob It took me a year to realise that was the way it was set up.. I was scanning the repeater out freq listed, and NEVER hearing anything,... So on a whim I put the input in,.. and voila!

 

[Voyager]

On a few systems, the FCC data is actually backwards, one example is Wilkinson County, MS... the FCC lists the input as the output, and output as input- FCC-153.7400 FX/Mob, 155.3100 Rptr/Mob.... Actual way its set up- 155.3100 FX/Mob, 153.7400 Rptr/Mob It took me a year to realise that was the way it was set up.. I was scanning the repeater out freq listed, and NEVER hearing anything,... So on a whim I put the input in,.. and voila!

Actually, since the FCC is the SOURCE of the licensing, the FCC is correct and the licensee is wrong :!:

Additionally, since 153.740 MHz is a MOBILE ONLY frequency, they are also in violation of that section of Part 90 as well.

Joe M.

 

[ReceiverBeaver]

Hi group,

Mr. Voyager, Yes the FCC is the source but they are subject to human error as is anyone or agency. And then there's good 'ol computer gliches too. They make mistakes. They recently had to stop issuing ham radio licenses for a few days because they were issuing them out of sequence for a few days. Shut everything down. Had to tell the new licensees affected that their new calls would be revoked and issused new in-sequence calls. Be advised.

 

[ReceiverBeaver]

edit out duplicate post , sorry

 

[mdulrich]

On a few systems, the FCC data is actually backwards,

I would think the FCC data is correct. One of the fire departments in my area operated a repeater for years and began having some interference issues. The new radio service people came in to check out the repeater and asked to see their license. They quickly figured out that the original installer had the frequencies reversed. That department and their mutual aid departments had to have their radios reprogrammed.

Mike

 

[INDY72]

The FCC is notorious for mistakes,.. especially the details on location of transmitters.. In fact we went over this a few months ago,.. and yes it was proven the FCC is NOT GOD! If you want the biggest proof FCC makes mistakes ONE WORD- NEXTEL... WEG

 

[n4voxgill]

the main culprit in errors in the fcc database are the applicants. As previously states the frequency being used as FB2 is a MO frequency, so if the applicant has said they wanted to use it as a base, the fcc would have put a restriction on it, secondary use. if the base does interfere with the input on another, the fcc will require them change all of the radios and although not likely, could fine them 10,000.00 per day.

I served as the apco frequency advisor for florida for ten years. I got an application from the university of florida one day and when I searched for interference I saw that the closest user from the proposed transmitter was over 140 miles. I knew that was wrong, no frequency in florida was open that far. The applicant had listed the wrong longitude and according to the application they were going to put the base station 140 miles out in the atlantic ocean. Some times the coordinators catch the mistakes, but unless something keys your memory the mistakes go through and the license issued. I selected a frequency for one applicant and when it went on the air, got a frantic call from another city about interference on "their" frequency. As it turned out the complaining city had let their license expire more than 10 years before. They really complained when I told them they had to apply for a new frequency and change all of their radios.

 

[Colin9690]

I still need a little help. Can someone tell me the INPUT for this system? The KNOWN OUTPUT freq is 152.405.

151.80500 1 1 2 FB2 1 50.000 125.000
152.40500 1 1 1 FB2 1 50.000 125.000
152.40500 2 1 1 MO 100 50.000 50.000
157.66500 2 1 2 MO 100 50.000 50.000
159.55500 2 1 5 MO 100 50.000 50.000
159.84000 2 1 4 MO 100 50.000 50.000
159.99000 2 1 3 MO 100 50.000 50.000
160.20000 2 1 6 MO 100 50.000 50.000

 

[INDY72]

Your two obvious repeaters-

151.8050
152.4050

Is there any FX station on the FCC Liscense? Better yet, what is the FCC Callsign?

 

[Colin9690]

Callsign is WPRU523. Another question.... I've listened to every possible Input freq and I am 3 miles from the site and STILL can't hear anything on the Input freq. BUT I can hear output perfectly. Look at the FCC site and please help me out.

Thanks 4 the help!

Colin

 

[INDY72]

Just a cursory glance would logically give you this....

8 Freqs....

2 Repeater outs, with one of the mobile freqs also the repeater out on second repeater.

Soo that indicates 2 repeater inputs, 2 mobile only freqs and the 1 mobile freq dedicated to a repeater out.... that leaves 1 that could be for anything....

Here is a trick:
If you have 2 scanners, put one on the repeaters ONLY, the other on mobiles ONLY..... that should give you an indication of which is repeated.....

Also if you can monitor CTCSS/CDCSS tones.. that might give you a clue also.

Also remember that the Repeaters are ELEVATED on towers, or on a structure of some kind. This gives them better coverage to reach the mobiles.... the mobiles are at basically ground level (vehicles), thus you might not get as good reception for them, depending on your location.

 

[Colin9690]

Im trying to listen to the input right now for the Worthington PD. The location of the car that was transmitting was right down the street from me. Im talking 2 miles here. On the input even with squelch turned COMPLETELY OFF, I can't hear anything! What am i doing wrong????

Thanks,
Colin

 

[Voyager]

Hi group,

Mr. Voyager, Yes the FCC is the source but they are subject to human error as is anyone or agency. And then there's good 'ol computer gliches too. They make mistakes. They recently had to stop issuing ham radio licenses for a few days because they were issuing them out of sequence for a few days. Shut everything down. Had to tell the new licensees affected that their new calls would be revoked and issused new in-sequence calls. Be advised.

WHOA! STOP!

Look at the original post again. The issuance of an input on a mobile only frequency, as the FCC did, is CORRECT. There is no other legal way for this to be licensed. While the FCC does make mistakes (I know of several), this IS NOT one of them. It wasn't the FCC who issued a license for a repeater on a mobile only frequency - it's the LICENSEE who is doing that AGAINST their license and Part 90. In this case, the FCC license is correct.

Now, if the LICENSE showed 153.740 MHz as the repeater output, I would agree with you, but that, again, is NOT the case here.

Joe M.

 

[FPO703]

Callsign is WPRU523. Another question.... I've listened to every possible Input freq and I am 3 miles from the site and STILL can't hear anything on the Input freq. BUT I can hear output perfectly. Look at the FCC site and please help me out.

Thanks 4 the help!

Colin

157.6650 should be the input. I looked at the FCC data on the FCC Website and looked at then 'First Used' dates.
That doesn't always work. But, it may have worked in this case.

 

[mdulrich]

Im trying to listen to the input right now for the Worthington PD. (

I have to ask, why do you want to listen to the input of a repeater?

 

[FPO703]

Some people listen to the inputs of repeaters so they can tell if a unit is close by them.

 

[STiMULi]

Also many times the input of a reciever is used as a means of car to car or unit to unit communications.

You can usually hear very interesting conversations on those freqs as they are aware that it is not being transmitted over the repeater.


If you are traveling the highway listening to the input to the repeater or to a vehicular repeater will let you know if you should be watching your driving habits.

 

[Colin9690]

mdulrich, i dont know much about repeaters, so i wanted to get a "hands on" way of how they work.