Suggested Repeater Operating Techniques

This document sets forth the generally accepted operating protocols to be followed when on any of the IARC sponsored repeaters. These stated guidelines do not conflict with any portion of Parts 97 of the FCC Rules and Regulations, or what is stated within the Addendum's of the Articles of Incorporation of the InterCity Amateur Radio Club, INC.

These are only Suggested Operating Guidelines that have been established over many years of experience by the IARC membership. They are strongly suggested to be used on all of the IARC Sponsored Repeaters and you'll not go wrong if you use them on other repeaters as well. A quote from one of our repeater trustees is “when using the repeaters be yourself”, “be mindful of what you say, and how you conduct yourself.”

         1.  Purpose of the Suggested Operating Guidelines (Techniques):

The Repeater Trustees and the Board of Directors of IARC are responsible and held accountable, for the proper conduct of communications on the repeaters. This is being published in an attempt to inform users (both old and new) of what is generally accepted as good operating guidelines or (techniques), to be used on the IARC repeaters.

This Guideline applies only to the operation on the IARC repeaters and is not intended to dictate how you operate on other frequencies or non-IARC repeaters. However, you should operate within the proper procedure as defined by the FCC, on all amateur frequencies.

              2.  Identifying on the Repeaters:

“97.119.. Station Identification: (a) Each amateur station, except a space station or telecommand station, must transmit its assigned call sign on its transmitting channel at the end of each communication, and at least every ten minutes during a communication, for the purpose of clearly making the source of the transmissions from the station known to those receiving the transmissions. No station may transmit unidentified communications or signals, or transmit as the station call sign, any call sign not authorized to the station.” When you identify, simply use your call sign. It's not considered a good operating technique to follow your call sign with the words, “for ID”, or “for the FCC.” That's why you stated your call sign in the first place.

               3.  Contacting another station on the Repeaters:

When establishing a contact with another station, simply give his/her call sign once or twice followed by your call sign. You may indicate if you are mobile by following your call sign with the word “mobile.” Use of such words following your call sign as “are you by” or “are you by on the channel” or “are you out there” or other such phrases, are not considered good operating technique. If you wish to let people know that you are available for a contact, simply say your call sign. The use of the words “listening or monitoring” is not necessary.

               4.  During your contact on the Repeaters:

If you're talking to a station you don't know, you'll probably want to give your name. Good techniques dictate that we don't use “personal” or “handle” or other such titles to mean our name. Just say, “my name is....”  And when referring to another ham, use his name or call sign only. Carry over “handles” from another service are not considered good operating technique. Between transmissions of the stations in contact with each other, remember to pause until you hear the courtesy reset tones. This will enable anyone else who wishes to join in, or who has an emergency, the time to break into the conversation.

              5.  When you've completed your contact on the Repeaters:

When you are about to sign with another station and you want to wish them well, the Amateurs use “73” spoken as two words, “Seven Three”. Such phrases as “Threes to ya”, “Seventy Threes to ya”, or “Seventy Threes all the way around” are not considered good operating technique. The FCC Rules state that you should sign by using your call sign only. You should identify at the beginning and the end of your transmission. So, it is inappropriate to say such things as “This is (call sign) clear and monitoring.” The last words spoken should only be your call sign. And as matter of proper operation, it is not appropriate to sign with a station and then continue the contact. Sometimes it is necessary, but it should be an exception. The other station should realize that the station has signed and should not make a transmission that requires the signed stations to transmit again.

              6.  Use of codes, ciphers and signals on the Repeaters:

As is the case on all frequencies used by Amateur Radio, the use of codes, ciphers and signals is forbidden by FCC Rules. The “Q” Signals were originally designed to be used on CW. This is still the case, so “Q” Signals should not be used on the IARC Repeaters. The use of “QSL” to mean “I copied your last transmission” or “I copied that” or “OK I understand” is not good operating technique. (Isn’t it simpler just to say OK, or copy, or roger. These are only two syllable words. “QSL” is three. This makes for a much shorter transmission and it gets the point across just the same.) The Police Department Dispatchers and officers use phrases in their daily communication operation that are unique to law enforcement. These phrases should not be used on the IARC Repeaters.

               7.  Privacy on the Repeaters:

There is no privacy on the communications that take place on ANY of the Amateur frequencies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of privacy when talking on the IARC repeaters. The only frequencies that are considered private by FCC Rules are the Cell Phone and Cordless Phone frequencies. What is said on the IARC Repeaters may be overheard by other Amateurs on the frequency or by the general population using scanners. All amateurs should use good judgment as to the language and content of their transmissions.

              8.  Net operations on the Repeaters:

When checking into the Skywarn Net, or any of the IARC sponsored nets, check-in with the Net Control Station (NCS) using your call sign followed by your name, location and availability. Speak slowly and clearly for the benefit of the NCS. During the net operation, transmit only at the direction of the NTS. (This applies to any NET operation) Listen carefully to the information requested by NCS. If you have a report that is appropriate, get the NCS attention by using your call sign only. Wait to be recognized by NCS before continuing with your report. And keep it brief but complete in the format spelled out in your Skywarn Spotters Guide. Make sure your report is relevant to the current condition of the NET. In other words, reports of non-relevant conditions are called “sunshine reports” and are not wanted or needed. Keep you reports short and to the point.

             9.  Conducting business on the Repeaters:

Using the repeaters to call a commercial business for such things as ordering a pizza or other take out items, is not considered appropriate on the IARC Repeaters. Although the FCC Rules permit a limited amount of such commercial transactions, IARC Repeaters are not to used for such functions. A business type call is permitted when the calling station is calling a tow truck or other emergency or public service business. Discussion of items for sale is permitted as long as they are amateur radio related. Other than amateur radio items should not be mentioned for sale, and no dollar amounts should be mentioned or negotiated. If money is discussed, it should be done either on the phone or in person. Not on the repeaters.

            10.  Use of Phonetics on the Repeaters:

The IARC VHF & UHF repeaters, provide clear and understandable communications as does any FM repeater. The use of phonetics is not appropriate unless the receiving station asks you to “say your call sign phonetically.” The reason you use phonetics is to make sure that the receiving station can understand the difference between  letters in your call sign that sound similar, e.g. between B, C, D, E, Z, T, an P.  But on the repeaters it is clear communications and the use of phonetics is not necessary. So if you are asked to repeat your call, do not use phonetics unless asked.

           11.  DX’ing and Aeronautical Mobile Communications Through the Repeaters:

In the spring and fall a phenomenon occurs primarily on the 2-meter repeaters called “ducting”. This “ducting” allows, at given times, the ability to work stations at great distances (DX) via the repeaters. Because of the proliferation of 2-meter repeaters on the same frequencies and splits, “DX’ing is strongly discouraged by most of the repeater trustees around the country. Working aeronautical mobiles through the repeaters is also very strongly discouraged for the same reason. Working “DX” or aeronautical mobiles is quite acceptable on recognized simplex frequencies. Please consult the ARRL Repeater Directory for these recognized simplex frequencies.

            12.  Language on the Repeaters:

As is the case on any amateur frequency, there are certain topics of conversation the should not be discussed and certain words that should not be used. Touchy subjects that can cause heated disagreements on the repeaters should be avoided. Such topics as Religion, Politics and Sex should not be discussed on  IARC repeaters. Of course, using profanity is never acceptable operating behavior at any time. Remember, the general population is listening on scanners, and amateurs need to avoid using inappropriate language or creating discussions that may lead to emotional outbursts. Over use of “catchy phrases” is probably not a good idea if we are to sound like the communication professionals we are.

            13.  The IARC Repeaters are here for your use:

The Board of Directors and the Tech Committee of IARC have worked hard to insure that the repeaters are here for your use. Please do your part in keeping them on the air by utilizing proper operating procedures. If you have questions as to what is appropriate and what is not, ask an experienced ham and he or she will be glad to assist you. If you are contacted by a more experienced amateur, whose intent is to help you improve your operating procedure, don't take it as a personal criticism, but rather as an opportunity to improve. It is better to ask, than to operate in a manner not consistent with these Suggested Operating Guidelines.