JUST LISTENING TO A REPEATER

[W5HTW]

Just had my semi-annual dose of repeateritis. Trying to monitor during a tornado warning in our area. Here's what I heard:

Typical repeater conversation:

HAM1 KC5GGGG THIS IS KC5YYYY Heard you on and thought I'd give you a call (beep)
(Beep is the courtesy beep)
HAM2 KC (pffstst beep) this is KC5 spfftsy (beep) ... here on .... (beep) name is (beep)
HAM1 Roger. You aren't really very clear into the repeater. Where are you located? (beep)
HAM2 (beep) phsessstt just outside fsssttt) (beep) on my talkie pfsstttt (beep) .... weather ssssspttp (beep)
HAM1 Well, I didn't get much of that but glad you are having a good day. Just thought I'd drop in and say hello. I missed your QTH (beep)
HAM2 (beep) I'm pffffsst (beep) and may be able psssft (beep) kinda new ((beep) psssfttt but hoping (beep)
HAM1 I hope you are enjoying the afternoon. Sure is a nice day here. I still don't have your call sign correct. Please give it to me again in phonetics (beep)
HAM2 OK the call is pffffstt five (beep) and my phonetics are Kilo Charlie spppssstt (beep) and my name psssffftt (beep) and I've been on here for pfffffsstt (beep)
HAM! I missed your name. Maybe you can pass it along on the next go-round. How's your weather down there (eight miles away?) (beep)
HAM2 pfffffst (beep) clear and pssffstt (beep)


Ad infinitum. Why is it HAM1 doesn't realize that HAM2 can't get into the repeater, and just go away?! That is why I HATE listening to repeaters. Nothing but constant scratches and courtesy beeps when some guy 40 miles away on a handheld is chatting his little brain out and no one can hear more than two words in a row.

I can take about (beep) 30 seconds of (beep) the above garbage (beep) and I don't (beep) listen to repeaters (beep) anymore (beep) for another six months. (beep)

Ed

[ai4ep]

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif These folks think that " Hey I can KERCHUNK this repeater x# of miles away, so surely I can carry on a conversation in it."

But then, what can you expect ?

...and dont blame it all on the TECHNICIANS, plenty of old EXTRAa use the same logic as mentioned earlier....and it aint all SOUTHerners either.... !!!

[KB1KIX]

Quote[/b] (ai4ep @ June 03 2007,21:51)]...and dont blame it all on the TECHNICIANS, plenty of old EXTRAa use the same logic as mentioned earlier....and it aint all SOUTHerners either.... !!!
Man.... I heard a similar exchange on 20 last week.

Early morning, 2 guys giving a QSO up and down the coast.

One up here in New England, the other a snowbird.

Man, this was hilarious.

After hearing them try to get their normal sked going - I hear the "I'm not copying you George"..... Then I hear, "Bill, can you copy me? I can't copy you".

Well, this was true to form, just like the medical nets.

Bill informs George that he has turned up his hearing aid. George replies "Sorry, couldn't hear you, I had to crank up my hearing aid".

Man, I almost died at that point - it was rather hilarious!

OK, maybe it was just me - but it was slightly different then them medical nets.

Jonathan

[wa9cwx]

Hey, hey, hey.... In my best 'Butthead' imitation....

You hit the blunt nail on its' pointy head.....
Simplex on FM, CW, SSB occasionaly, and lately digi modes where I listen to myself.....these are what I do on Two Meters.

Gave up on the repeaters after the two guys talked to each other 'simplex' ....ON THE INPUT FREQUENCY....to avoid 'using the machine'.... http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[ai4ep]

" I have a 5 by 9 copy on your station, can you give me your call sign SLOWLY, the static here is terrible " http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[VK2AKG]

I know the concept my be totally alien to QRZ readers who live in the USA but have you ever considered that ham1 was just being polite?

Many new hams, and a few older ones too, get on air with poor signals over long paths - heck some of the best fun I ever had on a repeater was working ZL from VK (over 1200km) or on radio was on 1221MHz back in the early 1970s working signals _way_ down in the noise.

IMHO the continual compaints on QRZ by american hams wishing to denigrate others yet having nothing of import to say of their own do not serve either their hobby or their country's best interest.

Frank.

[ai4ep]

Frankie --- what IS your point ?

[ka5s]

(I may have already posted this here but search didn't find it)

Roger copy?

Roger copy? QSL? You're five by nine, repeat.
I missed your name and weather; my report, that would be neat.
The rig's a brand new Garbletron, my beam is turned around;
You've got a real good signal here, please say again your town.

QSL? My audio? How do I sound to you?
Is my 1500 watts still getting through?
The rig's a little hot, I'll give this mike a shot,
And just what does an RF clipper do?

QRZ? Are you still there? I must retune the amp;
I don't seem to be hearing as I should.
Give me a listen to, does my voice sound deep and true?
I'm trying something else that might work good.

Ah, QSB. You faded out. I see the reason why:
The coax melting at the tuner, there.
I'll replace it with hardline and call another time,
Seven threes, and see you later on the air.

© Cortland Richmond 2003




Cortland
KA5S

[ky5u]

Quote[/b] (VK2AKG @ June 03 2007,19:18)]I know the concept my be totally alien to QRZ readers who live in the USA but have you ever considered that ham1 was just being polite?

Many new hams, and a few older ones too, get on air with poor signals over long paths - heck some of the best fun I ever had on a repeater was working ZL from VK (over 1200km) or on radio was on 1221MHz back in the early 1970s working signals _way_ down in the noise.

IMHO the continual compaints on QRZ by american hams wishing to denigrate others yet having nothing of import to say of their own do not serve either their hobby or their country's best interest.

Frank.
Being polite is telling the guy he isn't making it into the repeater. Being stupid is the guy who isn't making the repeater continuing to try to talk. And for your superior foreign intellect, there's a test for you:

[W5HTW]

Quote[/b] (AG4YO @ June 03 2007,20:23)]Being polite is telling the guy he isn't making it into the repeater. Being stupid is the guy who isn't making the repeater continuing to try to talk.
Exactly! And then shut the heck up. This dumb idea of continuing to talk for ten more minutes when you know the guy isn't hearing you, and you aren't hearing him is really about the IQ of a flat rock.

Ed

[ve2nsm]

Quote[/b] (W5HTW @ June 03 2007,21:38)]Just had my semi-annual dose of repeateritis. Trying to monitor during a tornado warning in our area. Here's what I heard:

Typical repeater conversation:

HAM1 KC5GGGG THIS IS KC5YYYY Heard you on and thought I'd give you a call (beep)
(Beep is the courtesy beep)
HAM2 KC (pffstst beep) this is KC5 spfftsy (beep) ... here on .... (beep) name is (beep)
HAM1 Roger. You aren't really very clear into the repeater. Where are you located? (beep)
HAM2 (beep) phsessstt just outside fsssttt) (beep) on my talkie pfsstttt (beep) .... weather ssssspttp (beep)
HAM1 Well, I didn't get much of that but glad you are having a good day. Just thought I'd drop in and say hello. I missed your QTH (beep)
HAM2 (beep) I'm pffffsst (beep) and may be able psssft (beep) kinda new ((beep) psssfttt but hoping (beep)
HAM1 I hope you are enjoying the afternoon. Sure is a nice day here. I still don't have your call sign correct. Please give it to me again in phonetics (beep)
HAM2 OK the call is pffffstt five (beep) and my phonetics are Kilo Charlie spppssstt (beep) and my name psssffftt (beep) and I've been on here for pfffffsstt (beep)
HAM! I missed your name. Maybe you can pass it along on the next go-round. How's your weather down there (eight miles away?) (beep)
HAM2 pfffffst (beep) clear and pssffstt (beep)


Ad infinitum. Why is it HAM1 doesn't realize that HAM2 can't get into the repeater, and just go away?! That is why I HATE listening to repeaters. Nothing but constant scratches and courtesy beeps when some guy 40 miles away on a handheld is chatting his little brain out and no one can hear more than two words in a row.

I can take about (beep) 30 seconds of (beep) the above garbage (beep) and I don't (beep) listen to repeaters (beep) anymore (beep) for another six months. (beep)

Ed
Another thing.
Why do repeater owners insists on giving tremendous power outputs to their repeaters?
I've seen VHF repeaters with as much as 200W output! Why? Considering you can not "buy" better reception for a repeater that's often standing in a noisy environment, full of RF from other repeaters and broadcast transmitters, one should try to match the output of the repeater with it's relative sensitivity.

Rule of thumb should be, if I hear the machine I can get through it. How many times you heard a machine with a signal less than full quieting that you can activate and be heard properly on it with 10W and a mobile 1/4 wave?

[K0RGR]

One thing that's really impressing me lately is that we're all getting lazy about maintaining our radios, and that includes me.

Once upon a time, repeater groups would get together, and somebody would provide the gear so that everybody could set their frequency and deviation 'just so'. Now, nobody would know where to start. Many radios now come set for the very narrow deviation that's now standard in some parts of Europe. This does not mix well with those set for older U.S. standards. Yet we hear it all the time - Joe with his Kenwood and it's inaudible deviation talking to Pete and his very loud/borderline clipping Yaesu. I've a mind to sue them for the wear and tear on my volume controls.

I spent a frustrating Saturday as my Tiny Tracker III mysteriously failed to communicate with the local digipeater. I've know about this problem for over a year, but forgot to do anything about it. Nuts...

I had borrowed two different antennas this weekend in an effort to improve the signal from my tracker. The first one had the outer jacket rubbed off its' coax - not a big deal. The other one had a weak magnet and blew off the car, but it also had a bad coax connector on it that had to be taped in place to make it work. Yecchh...

[N9FE]

There is one and only one simple explanation for this, HANDHELDS are NOT RADIOS, they are only 5 watts at best, buy a real radio

[W5HTW]

Used to take my IFR service monitor to club meetings and help those guys get their rigs operating right. Free. That, though, was in the days of crystal control, mostly, though a couple of synthesized rigs were out there.

I agree with the power versus sensitivity comment.

But there are still a lot of guys who just continue to try to talk even after five minutes of not getting anything through. That is what irks me, as I had that darned 'beep' every few seconds. I don't mind it when used correctly, but when some signal off in the boondocks is just barely tripped the repeater, so you get a beep every four seconds I give up on the repeater. We have a few like that around here. I guess some of it is intermod, though the tone should cut that out.

Ed

[K7JEM]

One main problem with repeaters is that the people that set them up often know little about proper installation and maintenance. They think they can just buy or build a repeater, and it will work OK.

I don't know how many people I have run into that had desense on their repeater. To cure the problem, they want to put on a preamp, or increase the TX power.

Most repeaters have no business running more than 25 to 50 watts. It is much better to have a repeater that is hard to hear, and easy to get into, than one that is easy to hear and hard to get into.

Gripes me to no end when the repeater is DFQ and I can't get in with a 25 watt mobile unit.

Joe

[k5okc]

Quote[/b] (W5HTW @ June 04 2007,15:44)]But there are still a lot of guys who just continue to try to talk even after five minutes of not getting anything through.
What I've done in the past is to just break-in and advise the station that he is unreadable. That he should increase his power, or move closer to the repeater.

That way I don't have to get on the Internet and bitch.

[k5okc]

Quote[/b] (K7JEM @ June 04 2007,15:59)]I don't know how many people I have run into that had desense on their repeater.
Better learn to drive better.

[ve2nsm]

Quote[/b] (K7JEM @ June 04 2007,16:59)]Most repeaters have no business running more than 25 to 50 watts. It is much better to have a repeater that is hard to hear, and easy to get into, than one that is easy to hear and hard to get into.
Agreed, all my repeaters range from 10 to 30W, Ok, they're all battery operated but still.
I noticed sometimes it's the same "ego" trip that makes the owner crank up the power to see if his machine is stronger that the other guy's. What good does it makes if everybody can hear it but nobody can access it.

[K7JEM]

Quote[/b] (k5okc @ June 04 2007,14:22)]Quote[/b] (K7JEM @ June 04 2007,15:59)]I don't know how many people I have run into that had desense on their repeater.
Better learn to drive better.
I was intending to hit them. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[ki4ned]

watch out for the next prostate examination, comming to your repeater very soon, dont miss it

[kb2vxa]

A few years ago there was a certain Florida net control who was so hard of hearing he'd shout loud enough to be heard without a radio. He was always asking for DX chickens but scared them all away. Now it's reversed, it's the DXie Chicks who have everybody pissed off.

[WA2ZDY]

Quote[/b] (ai4ep @ June 03 2007,22:25)]Frankie --- what IS your point ?
I think he's saying American hams are rude or stupid, or maybe both.

[W5HTW]

Quote[/b] (k5okc @ June 04 2007,14:15)]Quote[/b] (W5HTW @ June 04 2007,15:44)]But there are still a lot of guys who just continue to try to talk even after five minutes of not getting anything through.
What I've done in the past is to just break-in and advise the station that he is unreadable. That he should increase his power, or move closer to the repeater.

That way I don't have to get on the Internet and bitch.
Y

Nah, it isn't worth it.



Ed

[ai4ep]

coming to the internet and fussing about how other people act on repeaters is absolutely worthless. The other party never comes here to read some one else talking about their antics.

Something similar to writing to your LETTER TO THE EDITOR of your local newspaper about other folks driving habits...the other party cant read to see your words about HIS driving habits.

[W5HTW]

Wow!! All these super-righteous hams who have never griped about anything or anyone on T&A forum! I am duly impressed!

But it won't affect me having my opinions, and posting them here, so deal with it, or don't read it.

Ed

[k3wrv]

Hey guys-

There are times when you HAVE to use a repeater that you can't hit full quieting. Once tried to report a tornado on our local machine, which I can usually hit full quieting with an HT. NCS reported that I had a lot of t-power whine on my sig (from a battery powered HT. So I repeated "TORNADO" several times, and also sent it in cw. NCS told me to STFU, and then asked if anybody had copied me. One guy came back and said "He said something about a tornado". and the net went on with whatever it was doing.

On another occasion, the French Ambasador's car broke down in a remote area of the Black Hills in SD. No Cellfo service in the area, so I rewported it on the Custer, SD repeater about 50 miles away. A very POLITE and PATIENT OP on the other end managed to pull me out and passed my traffic to the local Sheriff. Situation resolved.

For rag chewing, whether on HF or 2m, it's no fun wiithout a decent sig. For emergency traffic, use whatever you've got and rely on the skill of the guys on the other end.

[N2RJ]

In 9Y what annoyed me the most were people who used HT's with the rubber duck in their house or in their cars.

They would be dropping out and frying eggs half the time.

I reached the point where I would just drop the mic and go about my business when someone came up with an unreadable signal.

I mean, how hard is it to put up a decent antenna? At home you can make a j-pole or slim JIM. On your car, get a mag mount!

[kc7gnm]

Quote[/b] (ka5s @ June 03 2007,23:03)](I may have already posted this here but search didn't find it)

Roger copy?

Roger copy? QSL? You're five by nine, repeat.
I missed your name and weather; my report, that would be neat.
The rig's a brand new Garbletron, my beam is turned around;
You've got a real good signal here, please say again your town.

QSL? My audio? How do I sound to you?
Is my 1500 watts still getting through?
The rig's a little hot, I'll give this mike a shot,
And just what does an RF clipper do?

QRZ? Are you still there? I must retune the amp;
I don't seem to be hearing as I should.
Give me a listen to, does my voice sound deep and true?
I'm trying something else that might work good.

Ah, QSB. You faded out. I see the reason why:
The coax melting at the tuner, there.
I'll replace it with hardline and call another time,
Seven threes, and see you later on the air.

© Cortland Richmond 2003




Cortland
KA5S
You know that is funny because contesters do that all the time. I was talking to a guy in the Alabama QSO party this past weekend. I gave him a 56 report. He gave me a 59 but had to ask for my callsign several times. He then even said thanks for the 59 report. I called him back to tell him I did not give a 59 but I gave a 56. By that time the pileup was back again. It amazes me how folks can give a 59 signal and ask several times for the callsign. I got the guys call the first time but he was not that strong into AZ so I gave him a correct report. I understood everything he said first time so gave him the 5. His signal wasn't that strong so gave him the 6. Now if he could not hear me that good then why give a standard 59.

And Riley said that contesters were some of the best ops. LOL

[wa9cwx]

How about the all time 'classic' repeaterism, I HAVE actually heard this, a few times....

Some bright ham giving 'strength' (S meter) reports to the other station, and the other guy CHANGING power levels, expecting something to be different.... http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[kc7gnm]

Quote[/b] (wa9cwx @ June 05 2007,11:53)]How about the all time 'classic' repeaterism, I HAVE actually heard this, a few times....

Some bright ham giving 'strength' (S meter) reports to the other station, and the other guy CHANGING power levels, expecting something to be different.... http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
lol that one is funny. Yeah that repeated signal sure does sound different at a higher input power. LOL. I have actually heard someone doing this before and I had to explain that to the guy on the other end that I could only measure the signal strenghth of the repeater and not his signal.

[KB1KIX]

I've said it before....

I'll say it again....


Moderator's note:

The image which was posted was in VERY bad taste. Do NOT post similar items ever again!

Glen, K9STH
One of the QRZ.com moderators

[WA9SVD]

Lots of issues here...

1. Many radios (including H-T's as well as "real radios) have a much greater receive range than transmit range. They WILL hear signals well beyonfd their range.. If such a person tries to make a contact through a repeater, they either will be unsuccessful, or only intermittently successful. THAT isn't the repeater's fault!!! It doesn't matter if the repeater is 2 Watts, or 200 Watts, it's the fault (or responsibility) of the user to ensure he/she can actually use the repeater with a decent signal, not just "kerchunk" or activate the repeater carrier.

2. Many repeater users just don't "get it." They will say "Oh yeah, you're pinning my meter, but your audio is scratchy and dropping in and out..."
Yep, the repeater is "pinning the meter." But the other fella just ain't making it! (Try listening on the input, and THEN give the fellow a signal report. Or radio check, as some newbies call it...)

3. If someone prolongs a contact through a repeater with a station on the "edge," then they are at least partly guilty. TELL the other station "you aren't making it." Don't continue talking; the other station may think they are making the repeater fine. Certainly, there ARE times when it might be necessary to use a repeater with a sub-optimal signal, and not necessarily in a life-or-death situation. But to carry on a conversation under those conditions to just say "How're you doin'?" is not in keeping with good Amateur practice, and just plain inconsiderate and annoying.




BTW: KB1KIX: There's a difference between arguing and discussing.

[ai4ep]

good news

It is possible for a repeater that TRANSMITS less than 5 watts with an all - directional antenna to have a reliable coverage area of more than 20 - 25 miles from the site.

It is amazing what just a few watts can do on the 2 meter band... !!

* after messing with amateur radio over 15 years, I am still learning stuff .... and to think that my old CB HANDLE was " mister know-it-all " !!!

[ve2nsm]

Quote[/b] (ai4ep @ June 05 2007,23:14)]good news

It is possible for a repeater that TRANSMITS less than 5 watts with an all - directional antenna to have a reliable coverage area of more than 20 - 25 miles from the site.

It is amazing what just a few watts can do on the 2 meter band... !!

* after messing with amateur radio over 15 years, I am still learning stuff .... and to think that my old CB HANDLE was " mister know-it-all " !!!
Depends on the height and the antenna. Here we have VHF repeaters that covers easily 100Km, and HF repeaters in excess of 200Km with 10W.

[WA9SVD]

Well, let's see. I've worked packet through MIR and the ISS. as well as made a couple of satellite contacts with a handheld and a simple 1/4 wave whip. I think that beats a 100 kM range by a few klicks. (One of the sat contacts was on the 1 Watt setting.) It's often a matter of "line of sight." (Or, "location, location, location.")

[wc5cw]

W5HTW, et al...

While I have no particular contribution to the central theme of this topic, I pause to politely disagree with the following declaration:

>There is one and only one simple explanation for this, HANDHELDS are NOT RADIOS, they are only 5 watts at best, buy a real radio"<-- N9FE

While travelling by automobile several years ago up and down the West coast as well as across the Sierra Nevada Mountain chain, in and around the High deserts of Nevada and California (in the Mojave from Lake Tahoe down thru Death Valley and south to I-10), I used an ICOM IC-7TA handheld tied to a Hershey's kiss mag-mount atop my travelling companion's car...I was able to establish numerous 2m contacts with excellent signal and audio characteristics into repeaters that I had no idea of with regard to their location or their distance from our moving vehicle...My impression is that the experience was enjoyable not only for myself but the other ops who engaged in the conversations, as well...Because I identified myself as a "5/mobile 6" they were eager to learn of my location which I could only approximate by roadsigns and a map sprawled out on my lap.

Another side of the story.

FWIW

Bruce
WC5CW

[K8MHZ]

Quote[/b] (VK2AKG @ June 03 2007,14:18)]I know the concept my be totally alien to QRZ readers who live in the USA but have you ever considered that ham1 was just being polite?

Many new hams, and a few older ones too, get on air with poor signals over long paths - heck some of the best fun I ever had on a repeater was working ZL from VK (over 1200km) or on radio was on 1221MHz back in the early 1970s working signals _way_ down in the noise.

IMHO the continual compaints on QRZ by american hams wishing to denigrate others yet having nothing of import to say of their own do not serve either their hobby or their country's best interest.

Frank.
I think I would like to live in VK land.

Frank hit the nail on the head.

What's the scale for electricians down under? Could I ply my craft and manage to pay for a bite or two and a place to sleep for my wages?

If so, you might see me there someday!

[K8MHZ]

Quote[/b] (ai4ep @ June 05 2007,15:14)]good news

#It is possible for a repeater that TRANSMITS less than 5 watts with an all - directional antenna to have a reliable coverage area of more than 20 - 25 miles from the site.

It is amazing what just a few watts can do on the 2 meter band... !!

* after messing with amateur radio over 15 years, I am still learning stuff #.... and to think that my old CB HANDLE was " mister know-it-all " #!!!
You have just explained a lot to me.

You need say no more.

[ab8yy]

In reference to the original post in this thread - everyone is attacking the person with a weak signal into the repeater. This just isn't fair in all cases. Usually you can't hear the output when you are transmitting. If, in fact, you can get into a repeater, then someone carrys on a conversation with you - it would stand to reason you are ok into the input.

If the person on the other side (or someone else listening) doesn't come on and tell this person that he isn't making it - then how is he to know? And don't rely on the second ham's request to repeat information to tell you - isn't it possible he could have been just on the fringe of the repeater? He may have been missing it because he can't hear it all that well and it isn't ham1's signal to blame.

We need to tell these guys that they aren't getting in. This goes along with contesters giving out 59 reports for signals they can't hardly hear or understand. It is'nt fair to the others in the conversation.

Steve

[ve2nsm]

Quote[/b] (ab8yy @ June 07 2007,15:31)]In reference to the original post in this thread - everyone is attacking the person with a weak signal into the repeater. This just isn't fair in all cases. Usually you can't hear the output when you are transmitting. If, in fact, you can get into a repeater, then someone carrys on a conversation with you - it would stand to reason you are ok into the input.
I think originally that was the point. the person that has the weak signal is not necesarily guilty, however the person that persists to keep on with the QSO without advising the other station he's almost inaudible is guily.

Honesty is about telling the truth, not making people feel good. We have the same problem here in latin america, possibly worse.

[wa9cwx]

IN THE OLD DAYS ........ http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

Repeaters were to listen to, to monitor, ANYONE within simplex range was encouraged to work simplex. CALLING was done on the repeater, OR weak, VERY weak signals.

(There WERE no HTs in those days, a FEW of the rich guys had Motorolas around the Chicago area, the 'Brick', but FEW were actually on the repeaters)

So, weak signals, as long as you didn't keep it up forever, were tolerated.

It does seem that somewhere in the late 70s, the convention turned to just using the repeater as a chatterbox converter, close or not, and that always seemed dumb to me. Repeaters make excellent Monitoring devices, call your buddy, then QSY to simplex. OR use it when mobile, and simplex just won't cut it.
As far as lots of people just using their 'shack on a hip' and tying up the repeater night after night, hour after hour, it really turns me off, and definitly seems to reduce the effectivness of the repeater for lots a hams, widely spread out, who might like to just monitor for when a call comes in for them...An 'open' repeater (no tone reqired), that will PASS PL tones, is one way around that, but that is a little TOO restrictive. Then ONLY the people who know what tone you are using, can call you.

Anyway, since the local repeater is in 'transmit'. virtually 100% of the time, afternoons and often past midnight, and filled with innane, CB type conversations, psuedo-tech babble, (I'm on the little skeeter radio, how many pounds you got on me?)...I simply have migrated to simplex for whatever VHF operating I do.

THAT seems to be what the current status is, so be it, it isn't wrong, but does seem a strange use for such a potentially valuable tool as a repeater.

Even simple mobile antennas, in the attic, with some good coax, would yield HTs that would be effective simplex rigs around this small town. But the use of the 'duck' antenna, and no other, while chatting endlessly on the repeater is what I hear WHENEVER I listen. #OR, stations 4 miles apart, running 50 watt radios, and chimney mount antenna....again, what is wrong with simplex..?

I'm done gripping... http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[W5HTW]

Quote[/b] (ab8yy @ June 07 2007,12:31)]I



We need to tell these guys that they aren't getting in. This goes along with contesters giving out 59 reports for signals they can't hardly hear or understand. It is'nt fair to the others in the conversation.
Precisely the point. Why keep telling someone to give their name, location, etc., when you know very well you can't hear them? In my original posting, it is indeed HAM1 who is at fault. He should not be prolonging the agony. And I hear that off and on (when I listen to repeaters.) I'm glad some of you got it.

If you can't hear the fellow, say so. Then shut up. Go barbecue the dogs (weiners) or watch the ball game. Don't keep going back to him over and over again.

If he has an emergency, you can tell. He will, hopefully, say "help!" Then, yeah, try it, even try to get him to another repeater.

HAM1 should have said, "You're not making the machine. I can't copy you. Let's try another time. Thanks and 73"

It's that easy!

Ed

[VK2AKG]

K8MHZ if you are serious re wanting to move to VK then contact me by email to arrange an echolink sked.

Regards, Frank.

[ai4ep]

...but most folks DO NOT KNOW they are not " making the trip " to the repeater until YOU ( or some one else ) lets them know ; in normal words.

You do not have to be grouchy, or offensive to the dude, just let him know that you can not copy all his words he said in a previous transmission, No need to ffend the fellow, he means no harm.

YOU might appreciate being told the same thing in the future that you werent coming in LOUD & CLEAR ----or you just might get your drawers in a wad about the situation .

It may depend on whether you took your mood pills lately ?? !!

( check for spelling errors, some folks whine about wrongly spelled words at this site ---like this is some kind of english / spelling class ) .

[kd7msc]

[quote=KB1KIX,June 05 2007,02:42]I've said it before....

I'll say it again....

Moderator's note:

Offensive graphic removed.

Glen, K9STH
One of the QRZ.com moderators

I wish you would quit saying that. Those kids cant help it. I hope it doesnt make you feel good to make fun of them. :(

[W6GQ]

Quote[/b] (KB1KIX @ June 05 2007,10:42)]I've said it before....

I'll say it again....

Well I refuse to use your image especially since my child is challenged,

Moderator's note:

Edited to remove profanity (although I definitely understand your frustration).

Glen, K9STH
One of the QRZ.com moderators

[W6GQ]

Quote[/b] (N9FE @ June 04 2007,13:43)]There is one and only one simple explanation for this, HANDHELDS are NOT RADIOS, they are only 5 watts at best, buy a real radio
WOW , I have been making contacts all over the world on my FT-817ND,, hmmmmmmm I guess I will throw it away since it is not a REAL radio.

Your my IDOL

See my signature

[kg4yus]

One of the local repeaters near Daytona Beach was having controller problems, a certain "bad rotten Person" was bound and determined to tell the world #on another machine that it was deliberate interference and the no good so and so was going to get in some serious GD'd trouble ( wont retype the explicit)
So as this "bad rotten person" is on the other machine he nitpicks and complains about the other machine's minor intricacies (sp?) #just because his favorite machine is having trouble. And to top it off when the repeaters controller was repaired and the owner made it known it was a hardware fault and not someone kerchunking the repeater for hours on end the same #"bad rotten person" had the nerve to try and say that he told everyone all along it was a hardware problem...

I dont get how some people act on repeaters, just makes no sense whatsoever.

[ai4ep]

All in all, it IS interesting to listen to other 2 meter repeaters every now & then when you take a short trip ( 1000 miles or less ) around in this great nation......and noticing how DOWN RIGHT STUPID and APPPARENTLY IGNORANT folks rig up their reepeaters to sound like... with things like ----

* 2 tone ( doorball ) roger beeps as the repeater unkeys

* CW id so fast ( possibly 30 + wpm ) that no one would be able to copy the call sign of who owned that repeater

* robot voice " the temperature is 75 degrees inside and 80 degrees outside "...like --- who cares ?

* wrong HOURS on the TIME OPTION, some obviously not changed every 6 months.

* wrong MINUTES ( several minutes, like 15 - 20 ) on the TIME OPTION .

and that is just here in the southeastern USA.

The most irritating were the " good buddy 2 tone doorbells " , along with the folks talking telling their OWN FCC issued callsigns so fast that apparently no one else could copy them either " Mildred, did you change your call, it sounded different than you said 10 minutes ago " !!

But since I already told WHERE I was riding, I guess there ARE no more questions.

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif Dang it, git rid of those good buddy 2 tone doorbells !! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif