Don't forget the rig!

[k0kn]

Don't forget the rig!
By Kyle Yoksh, K0KN

My family and I recently took a trip from our home near Kansas City to Austin, Texas. Having small ones to look after wasn't going to leave
much time for radio, so I considered not bringing one at all.

Luckily enough for me, I brought my Yaesu VX5r, small but effective. As it turned out, ham radio came in very handy not once, but twice during
our trip!

First, we were stuck in heavy Austin traffic on Friday, and were hopelessly lost. The cell phone was of little use, as the folks at the hotel gave us bad directions TWICE!

At this point, I scanned the entire 2 meter band looking for an active QSO. Nothing. I didn't try scanning 6m or 440. I got out my several-year-old ARRL repeater guide, and found some frequencies for the area, but to my dismay, I could not key any repeaters! Maybe the repeaters had changed CTCSS tones, was down for repairs, etc. Perhaps these machines were just too far away for HT use?

This is where luck tipped in my favor! I took the radio out of VFO mode and into memory mode. Maybe one of my local Kansas City repeater frequencies would also be an active frequency in Austin?

First one I tried was 442.150, and VIOLA! I heard the repeater ID! Keep in mind that I've tried calling on 146.520 and even repeaters before for help, and
usually end up discouraged when nobody replies.

I now know that I wasn't giving a long enough call or being specific enough. This time I gave a specific call, and tried to talk a little while, in case anyone
was scanning several frequencies. I gave a call some like this:

"Are there any stations listening who can help me with some directions here in Austin? This is K0KN mobile, and looking for any station on frequency"

After just a few seconds, I got a reply from WX5U! We talked for a minute or so until another station chimed in, W9DPY! For about 5 minutes, we
had a roundtable going on, with Mickey and Dave chatting amongst themselves to find me the best route.

Within about 10 minutes of my shot in the dark call on 442.150, I saw my destination and was pulling into the driveway! Ham radio saved the day!

A few days later, on our way back to Kansas City, we stopped in Oklahoma City to resupply and visit the National Memorial. About 5-10 minutes from downtown I scanned 2 meters. Nothing. I tried going into memory mode again, and you'll never believe it - 442.150 worked again!

I gave another long call asking for some directions, and that I was mobile
in Oklahoma city. I called twice, and was rewarded with a return from
KA5ETA! Bob steered me the right way toward the memorial, and also
suggested a nice part of town for lunch!

A map never hurts, but don't forget the radio on your next trip!

Thanks again to Mickey, Dave and Bob and the 442.150 repeaters in Austin (AA5BT) and Oklahoma City (KA5ETA).

73,

Kyle Yoksh
K0KN
Olathe, Kansas
[B][U]

[N6BOA]

Hi Kyle, though I haven't met him, I used KA5ETAs repeater while I was in Oklahoma City with my 5th grade daughter. She had to do a State report on Oklahoma (required Calif 5th grade curriculum) so I decided to take her there for a real "hands-on" experience. We also visited the memorial - a must see! This was last February. I used that repeater for information as well as to talk to my husband back in California via echolink. My husband would log into the repeater, via computer, and I could talk to him with my HT while walking about OKC. Bob was helpful and considerate.

I agree, I don't go anywhere without my Yaesu Ft-60 and my ARRL repeater guide (mine is current).

73 de Barb (n6boa)

[n5aor]

Hey Kyle! Even though I'm from the Dallas metro area in Texas, I seem to be finding myself in Oklahoma City once or twice a year recently. 146.52 mhz seems to be used heavily, just as much if not more than a lot of repeaters. I don't think I've made a call during regular hours and haven't been able to start a QSO with at least one person.

If you ever find yourself in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metro area, the best repeaters for COVERAGE are:

145.350 pl 100.0 far north Dallas Co.
147.060 pl 110.9 far south Dallas Co.
444.150 pl 100.0 middle of Dallas Co
146.940 pl 110.9 middle of Tarrant Co. (Ft. Worth)
146.920 pl 110.9 middle of Denton Co.

Ofcourse we have so many other repeaters but these are the ones with the best coverage, monitored often, and should be around for a while. Also, in the Metroplex, most repeaters use 110.9 encode tone, so you can start with that input tone if you find yourself having to scan for other repeaters.

Glad to hear your positive story, I'm sure something similar will happen some day since I drive a rolling antenna farm (10 antennas with more plannned) and I even rarely go anywhere in another vehicle without an HT (though it usually doesn't get turned on).

73 de kd5mno

Greg

[kd5sca]

Here is the link for the #Austin Radio Club (http://austinhams.org/) . They keep a list of all the repeaters in the area.

[kc8ahn]

Its been serveral years now since I have had to use the radio for directions (I dont travel much), but the last time, I was traveling and took some Mapquest directions. I got to a point where things did not look right, got on the ol repeater in the area and they got me where I was going, saving me about 100 miles from Mapquest. I was happy with that.

I never leave w/o a radio in the car, and I even try to have the HT with me, but that does not always happy.
Steve
Kc8AHN

[K5MAR]

Kyle makes a good point about something that is a pet peeve of mine. Make a longer call and do it more than once! I don't know how many times I've been in another room and heard someone call on the local repeater, but by the time I get back to the shack they're gone. The call was just long enough for a "Kxxxx monitoring" to be transmitted, and if you don't happen to be sitting on top of the radio, it's lost. My small city is home to Okla. State University, and I'm sure that at least some of the calls were from hams bringing their collage students to school and looking for a QSO or directions, but that one short call was lost. One time I heard a ham come on with something like "This is WB0xxx visiting in Stillwater for a couple of days and wondering if there is anybody on the repeater who can give me directions to a good family restaurant? WB0xxx listening. Our normally quiet repeater came alive with responses, because he stayed on the air long enough for his call to be heard.

So the next time you travel, don't just ID with your call, identify yourself! You might be amazed at the response!

Mark - K5MAR

[WA2ZDY]

Now I understand why one of the better repeaters in our area here in central NJ is so good. It's on 442.150.

Ahhhh Austin, for all the weirdos in that city, it's still like home. The cradle of the west. Now I'm homesick. Thanks.

[kb2vxa]

Hi all,

"I don't know how many times I've been in another room and heard someone call on the local repeater, but by the time I get back to the shack they're gone."

Frustrating, isn't it? That's EXACTLY why whether "listening" or calling a specific station I make brief but REPEATED calls until satisfied he/they aren't monitoring or a QSO starts.

For Chris ZDY:
Holmdel 442.150 + 192.8 K2ADA w/ Echo Link
OK, but I won't make any comment on the Echolink bit. I wouldn't say any repeater in your area is better than any other, you have several and IMO they're ALL very good including some linked systems, one of which covers almost all of NJ. If you want to "reach out and touch someone", we're within range of a plethora of repeaters in NJ and NY that are all very active and in use by some of the friendliest and most helpful people you could ever know. Oh, your favorite isn't all that active. Maybe that's why you like it, a bit of a refuge from the "2M CBers". (;->) Hmmm, maybe I should sit on it one day and say hello when you show up.

My point is people, it all depends on where you are (some places are downright unfriendly), what's in range and who if anyone is listening (some listen for their cronies but won't answer a CQ), some places are a radio desert in one way or another. Then too "(callsign) listening" one time is no way to call CQ, you wouldn't do that on HF now would you?

[N1MLF]

Agreed...a short call might get missed.
MAINE has a great linked repeater system that covers a good part of the state.
Heres a link for travelers coming this way.
Yankee Amateur Club (http://home.maine.rr.com/goulds/yankee.html)
Scroll down a bit for the freqs.
73..JW

[kf4cau]

I rarely leave home without my VX5R. It has come in handy so many times, it's unbelievable.

I also try to take my Motorola "Talkabout" FRS/GMRS radios with me on trips. They do make a good backup to Amateur Radio and also come in handy when we go to malls, etc. (I'm the only ham in my family). They usually stay in the scan mode on the road. One never knows when he/she will receive a call for assistance on the FRS/GMRS system as well.

As the owner of the 147.375 repeater, (Dickson, TN), I try to monitor as much as is possible. It is not a high power system, but we are located near I-40. There have been several calls for motorists assistance over the past through the repeater.

In addition, while I am at home in my radio room, I try to keep 146.520 on in the background. One never knows when he/she might hear that call for assistance on simplex.

J. Landon Reynolds KF4CAU

[kf4cau]

Oh Yeah! Don't forget the recent copy of the repeater directory! And thse Repeater Map books are nice too if you travel a lot.

I keep a repeater directory in the glove box of each of my cars. The only dang problem is that the ARRL charges so much for them now!

J. Landon Reynolds KF4CAU

[kc8ahn]

I have the repeater directory in my car at all times. Unfortunally, its not recent, and PL tones may have changed or been added, but they do come in handy to atleast find a freq.

Also, I make it a point to map my route as best as I can, then go thru either the directory, or get online, and program freqs for areas that I am going to be traveling thru, and then keep the radio on scan. As it stands now, I travel to southren Ohio every Sat, I have every repeater between my house and where I am going programed, not only that, but the back up route is programed as well.

[K4JF]

Quote[/b] (kc8ahn @ Oct. 23 2005,08:51)]I have the repeater directory in my car at all times. Unfortunally, its not recent, and PL tones may have changed or been added, but they do come in handy to atleast find a freq.
Yep, but knowing just the frequency is no help if it is PLed. #You really do have to have the directory with you, or pre-program your trip, as noted. #

On second thought, pre-program is the ONLY way to do it. You don't want to be trying to dig down and set a PL tone if you're driving.

[N1BHH]

My handheld goes everywhere with me. Yes everywhere, you never know when you will need some help when out on the road. If I go on a road trip, my magnetic mount antenna comes along and the DC cord as weel to plug into the lighter. The Alinco DJV5 runs a full 5 watts with power from a car, so I won't have much trouble reaching anywhere or anyone. It's on my belt when I go shopping and it's in my backpack when I'm at work. Handheld radios are just perfect, and alkaline cells last forever. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[K4JF]

Quote[/b] (N1BHH @ Oct. 23 2005,15:44)]Handheld radios are just perfect, and alkaline cells last forever. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif
Where can I get some of those everlasting alkalines?

[n5zxj]

Kyle,

From Waco to Austin there are numerous 2m repeaters that are very active daily. You did say that your repeater directory was outdated. Plus scanner the band for a few miles.. Nearly always find someone out there ragchewing in and around Austin.

If I'm headed out of town, or across the country some place, I always check the listings for repeaters along the way. Alnd always spend a bit surfing the net looking for repeater listing in those areas.
Also Its worth checking for Echolink / IRLP links too.

Next time you pass through Central Texas try Get on the W5BEC WIDE Area Repeater - 147.140MHz, PL 123.0Hz. Covers from IH35 E/W intersection to northern part of Austin. Plus a few other wide area machines along the way too.

just my thoughts.

Gerald N5ZXJ
ARES EC Bell County
Life Member ARRL
Echolink # 1947

[AI4GV]

What can also be entertaining on a long trip is to program in all the IRLP and Echolink repeaters in ahead of time and put them in order of your route. I pretty much stayed in contact with family and friends at home all the way up I-95. A friend just kept dialing in the next repeater he thought I would be in range of. That way I didn't have to mess with entering codes while driving. Of course I also had the freqs for other repeaters along the way. Mapping software can't tell you where all the good restaurants are like a local can.

[kb2vxa]

Hi guys,

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but the ARRL directory and most of the on-line resources are terribly inaccurate. Since they gather information from the various coordinating committees they list many paper repeaters and those uncoordinated don't make the list. Then they lag behind new developments further complicating things so while they're helpful they sure have a big shortfall. There are SOME accurate and up to date resources compiled by local hams but they're few and far between.

I have found the best resource to be band and PL scanning, in other words finding them myself. No arguments please, if it's not active it doesn't exist if you know what I mean. I know all about repeaters that have PL access but don't transmit a tone rendering PL scan useless but nothing's perfect, not even the ARRL.

Now what's this crap about QSOing on the calling frequency? Nothing galls me more unless it's the lids in NY that tied them all together with a linked crossband repeater system jamming each and every one with the same mindless drivel. Hey people, calling frequencies are just that, make your contact and QSY to let someone else in edgewise! Then too people monitoring would rather not be bothered with your chatter while waiting on a call that never comes because the frequency is in use. It's a big band, you can keep ONE frequency clear, can't you?

[kf4cau]

What's this about some lids in New York using the calling frequencies to cross-band and jam everything up? Haven't heard about that one.

Of course, then again, they put folks like Hillary and Shumer in office. If our radios were guns they'd be trying to take them away.

[w7my]

Quote[/b] (kf4cau @ Oct. 23 2005,06:27)]I rarely leave home without my VX5R. It has come in handy so many times, it's unbelievable.

I also try to take my Motorola "Talkabout" FRS/GMRS radios with me on trips. They do make a good backup to Amateur Radio and also come in handy when we go to malls, etc. (I'm the only ham in my family). They usually stay in the scan mode on the road. One never knows when he/she will receive a call for assistance on the FRS/GMRS system as well.

As the owner of the 147.375 repeater, (Dickson, TN), I try to monitor as much as is possible. It is not a high power system, but we are located near I-40. There have been several calls for motorists assistance over the past through the repeater.

In addition, while I am at home in my radio room, I try to keep 146.520 on in the background. One never knows when he/she might hear that call for assistance on simplex.

J. Landon Reynolds KF4CAU
How do you get them to scan?

[K4JF]

Quote[/b] (kb2vxa @ Oct. 27 2005,15:23)]I have found the best resource to be band and PL scanning, in other words finding them myself. No arguments please, if it's not active it doesn't exist if you know what I mean. I know all about repeaters that have PL access but don't transmit a tone rendering PL scan useless but nothing's perfect, not even the ARRL.
Scanning doesn't work if an active repeater doesn't happen to be in use at the time you scan past it. We have a VERY active repeater here, but if you don't bring it up, then you won't know it's there half the time. (I estimate it is busy 50% of the time - that's very high for most repeaters.) They aren't all in use 60x24x7.

And if the repeater in a strange city is toned, you can't bring it up until you know the tone. So you really do need the data.

The repeater directory also takes listings from individual owners, not just coordinators, so a repeater CAN be listed even if it is not on the coordinator's list.