Repeater User Guide

 This manual describes the operation and user commands for repeaters. In most cases the commands for the repeaters are identical. A table is shown in each command that shows what repeaters have this command available or the code for this particular repeater. An “A” will show when the command is available, a blank where it is not available.

 The touch tone “D” key forces an evaluation of a command given to the controller, thus preventing a continuous carrier on the repeater’s input from locking out a control operator. By following the command sequence with a “D”, commands can still be evaluated even with an extraneous signal present, as long as the controlling signal can capture the FM receiver. The touch-tone pad test also follows this rule. You can not get a “D” key to read back during a TT test sequence because it terminates the command. 

Command errors are corrected by sending a pound sign “#”. The “#” clears the last tone sequence entered into the command buffer. Another TT sequence may be sent immediately after the “#”. The exception to this rule is the touch tone pad test, which will read back the “#” as “pound” and accessing the touch-tone regenerator where the first key sent is the “#” key. 

All Autopatch capabilities have been discontinued on the repeaters at this time.   

 Touch-Tone Access Mode Up/Down

[Code from table] 1 – up or 0 - down
 

Example:   341 - Controller plays “UP” and repeater switches to open mode

 When the repeater is in the touch-tone (TT)/private line (PL) access mode, a non-PL user must send the access code to bring up the repeater. One other problem with this access mode is that if a PL user brings up the repeater, a non-PL user must send the access code before they will be heard on the repeater. Once the access code has been sent, the repeater is in carrier access until the “down” code is sent or the repeater is inactive for 30 seconds.

 Touch-tone Pad Test

5 (followed by sequence to be tested)
 

Example:   5123456789*0#ABCD
-Reads back 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Star 0 Pound A B C

Example:    577777
-Reads back 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

The touch-tone pad test allows users to verify the correct operation of their touch-tone pads. Entering the touch-tone pad test command prefix of 5, followed by any sequence of keys causes the controller to read back the given touch-tone sequence. Notice on the first example that the “D” key is not read back. The “D” key is the forced DTMF command code. Pressing the “D” key is equivalent to releasing the PTT.

 Unmute Touch-Tone

# (Followed by sequence to be passed through)

Example:   #123456
-Controller sends 123456

At times it may be desirable to pass touch-tone commands through the repeater or through the phone line unmuted. This is possible by using the pound sign (#) as a preamble to your touch-tone sequence. Please note that you will have to send the pound sign “#” at the beginning of each sequence. The UHF repeaters respond differently than the VHF repeaters due to the remote bases. The UHF repeaters will unmute the touch-tones and send touch-tone audio through without re-generating the tones. The two VHF repeaters will mute all tones, decoding the sequence. When the user unkeys the controller will regenerate the touch-tone sequence, eliminating noise and distortion from the retransmitted touch-tones.

 Signal Report Test

71*
Example:   71*
-Controller responds with “START TEST NOW”

<Send a message>

-Controller will replay last 7 seconds of received audio

You can find out how strong you are into the repeater by using the Signal Report Test. The digital voice recorder will record up to seven seconds of received audio and retransmit it so that you can hear what others hear. To activate this test send the touch-tone sequence 71*. Unkey and the controller will respond with “START TEST NOW”. Then transmit and talk for up to seven seconds. When you unkey, the controller will replay the last seven seconds that was recorded. This is a useful test when you are in an out lying area and wish to make an autopatch. This test will confirm whether you are patch quality or not.

Time of Day Request

72
Example:   72
-Controller plays “THE TIME IS 8 19 PM MONDAY APRIL 16”

You can request the controller tell you the time of day by send touch-tone sequence 72. The controller will respond with current time and date.

Play Recorded Messages

71(00-16)
Example:   7102
-Controller plays “Special Event” pre-recorded message

You can force the playing of any pre-recorded message on the Digital Voice Recorder (DVR). The DVR is broken up into 16 tracks. Currently, we only utilize tracks 1 and 2. Track 1 is used to advertise the weekly ARES traffic net. Track 2 is used to advertise a coming special event. These messages are normally timed to play at appropriate times, but you may play the tracks at any time.

Two-Tone Selective Call Paging

66(01-20)
Example:   6601
-Controller sends a two-tone sequential page

You can request the controller send a two-tone sequential paging tone that has been stored in memory. Currently there are two memory locations that are of special use. Memory 01 is used to signal ARES users that they are needed on a net. Memory 02 is used to open the receivers located at surrounding hospitals and schools. This is set off ONLY when there is a true emergency (i.e. tornado warning, etc.). The other memory locations are available to users for their paging use. Realize these are limited, so please only ask for a memory location if you plan on using it.

Remote Base Tx/Rx/Off

440 – Remote Base Off
441 – Remote Base Rx/Tx
442 – Remote base Rx Only

Example:   442
-Controller turns on remote base in receive only mode

The two UHF repeaters support remote 2 meter bases. These are Kenwood mobile transceivers that are completely remote controlled. To use the remote base, you must first turn it on. To use the remote base, first turn it on in receive only mode. This will allow you to setup the frequency without transmitting on top of someone. Though, while touch-tone commands are given to the controller the remote base’s transmitter will be shutdown, there is a few seconds while the 2 meter transmitter will be on. So, first turn on the receiver only. Select the frequency you want from the chart below, or directly enter the frequency you wish to operate on. Turn on/off the PL encoder (this is an option step if the repeater you are trying to use does not need it) and select the appropriate tone. Then select the power setting you think you need for reliable communications. Remember, both repeaters have high 2 meter antennas. When operating in high power you will blanket a considerable area. Only run as much power as you think you need. Or start low and increase power as conditions warrant.

Remote Base Frequency Memories

45 (01-40)
Example:   4501
-Controller loads 146.94 Mhz/+ offset into the remote base transceiver

The controller supports up to forty memories. Currently there are 22 memories programmed. The chart below shows the stored receive frequencies, transmit offsets (+ / - 600 kHz), power levels and PL tones:

 
Read Back Remote Base Frequency

450
Example:   450
-Controller reads back the current remote base frequency

You can ask the controller to tell you the frequency setting of the remote base. Sending “450” will cause the controller to tell you the remote base frequency and the transmitter offset.

Set Remote Base PL Frequency

455 (01-38)
Example:   45502
-Controller sets the remote base PL frequency to 71.9 Hz.

The controller will allow you to select any of the 38 PL or CTCSS frequencies that are utilized by the amateur service. The chart below shows which frequencies are available:

Read Back Remote Base PL Frequency

455
Example:   455
-Controller responds with “CTCSS 2 ON OFF”

When requesting the PL frequency, the controller will respond with the current frequency number (see chart above) and the encode/decode status.  The first on/off is the encoder (transmitter) status and the next is the PL decoder status. Only the WD8Q repeater supports PL or CTCSS decoding. The W8WER repeater will appear to accept the commands, but will not really block non-PL signals.

Set Remote Base PL Encode/Decode Status

455 (0-3)
Example:   4553
-Controller responds with “CTCSS 2 ON ON”

You can change the PL or CTCSS status as follows:

                    0 – All PL or CTCSS off
                    1 – PL or CTCSS encode only (transmit)
                    2 – PL or CTCSS decode off (receiver open, PL on transmit)
                    3 – PL or CTCSS decode on (receiver accepts signals with PL
                         only, PL on transmit)

 Set Remote Base Power Level

456 (1-3)
Example:   4561
-Controller sets remote base to low power

You can change the remote base power level as follows:

                    1 – Low power
                    2 – Medium power
                    3 – High power

Read Back Remote Base Power Level