How to use UHF Repeaters

Submitted: Wednesday, Sep 26, 2007 at 16:51

ThreadID: 50049 Views:19499 Replies:5 FollowUps:3

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UHF Radio

If you are considering a trip into Australia’s vast outback, then a UHF Radio is an important communications device to have. Besides the entertainment value, such as chatting with other travellers,

glids

G’day all,

I understand in general how the UHF repeater system works, but have a couple of questions regards finding the nearest repeater and any particular operational procedures.

I have a GME TX3200, but the manual only covers Duplex operation in basic terms, and makes no mention of finding the right channel.

1. Nearest Repeater:
I have a copy of the repeater list off another of the exploroz sites, but what is the best way to find the nearest repeater - do you:
• look through the list to find the nearest repeater, hope it is operating, and select the nominated channel, or
• do you scan channels 1 to 8 and see what is happening, or
• can it be found easily some other way?

2. Operational Procedures:
Are there any particular operational procedures when using repeaters, or do you select the desired channel, set the radio to Duplex, and talk in the same manner as on Simplex?

I have noticed the (archived) thread regards listing the repeaters as waypoints into the GPS. I will follow that up a bit more on the OziEx site, but would rather not rely on that method.

Many thanks,
glids

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Reply By: MEMBER - Darian (SA) - Wednesday, Sep 26, 2007 at 17:39

Wednesday, Sep 26, 2007 at 17:39

Some radios will "sniff" for a repeater via a selectable scan sequence (it runs across all 8 channels for traffic, then runs across them again, giving each a short 'send' + listening for a revertive from the repeater) - if something is heard, it 'chirps a high note - if nothing is heard, you get the low chirps. Quite handy - no nead to carry repeater lists - if they are not in range, they can't be used anyway (in round terms that is). The Icom 400 Pro has this feature.
If I had a radio with no sniffer and had no station list either, I'd simply push duplex, and then try a very brief call on each of the 1 - 8 channels. Once you hit it, someone will probably pop up, say g'day and confirm your query !

AnswerID: 264044

Follow Up By: Member - Bucky (VIC) - Thursday, Sep 27, 2007 at 04:37

Thursday, Sep 27, 2007 at 04:37

Wish I had brought an Icom 400 Pro,,, I have a Uniden 013,, Its OK, but the mate has this Icom ,, and has it powered up and everything else done to it ,,
Amazing bit of radio ,,
Cheers
Bucky

FollowupID: 525820

Reply By: obee - Wednesday, Sep 26, 2007 at 18:59

Wednesday, Sep 26, 2007 at 18:59

If you select duplex then hit the pressel switch on each of the duplex channels. you should get an identification signal, often in morse code, come back. You should, that is. I heard one come back with voice once but I get the feeling that not all of them respond. Duplex stations may be installed by individuals with permission from the goverment regulator but they must allow use by everone. Channel 5 of course is the emergency station and they dont like people to use it for general chit chat.

Correct me if I am wrong on these points.

owen

AnswerID: 264056

Reply By: Member - Shane D (QLD) - Wednesday, Sep 26, 2007 at 19:27

Wednesday, Sep 26, 2007 at 19:27

Hi Glids
Generaly, I have my Uhf scanning all repeater channels, plus a few others, if I'm away from any city.
It wont take long to work which channel(s) is repeater and I always have it on duplex as this function only works on the 9 channels
If you find yourself in an emergency situation select CH 5(duplex) as this is the designated emergency channel and have repeater placed every where.
When you talk on duplex channel 4 you are actually transmitting on channel 34, you may already know this
As far as operational procedure go, no real difference as to normal only if you are to-ing and fro-ing with someone else, just leave a break(3-4 seconds) in between transmission to allow the repeater to reset.
Shane

AnswerID: 264059

Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Thursday, Sep 27, 2007 at 06:58

Thursday, Sep 27, 2007 at 06:58

>If you find yourself in an emergency situation select CH 5(duplex) as
>this is the designated emergency channel and have repeater placed
>every where.

UHF CB should not be viewed as being able to provide contact in the event of an emergency.

Channel 5 repeaters are not "everywhere" by a very long shot and across most of the Australian land mass you would be lucky to find one.

UHF CB is "line of sight" only - in the hills of the High Country it will frequently only have a range of 1 or 2km. If you want reliable long range radio comms. the only choice is HF.

Mike Harding

FollowupID: 525823

Follow Up By: Member - Shane D (QLD) - Thursday, Sep 27, 2007 at 11:32

Thursday, Sep 27, 2007 at 11:32

Thanks Mike
, you are correct in saying that, however if you are on most major highway I think you will find channel 5 frequently, yes my statement was misleading in saying that they are everywhere but I think that you under estimate how many are out there
Shane

FollowupID: 525874

Reply By: Crackles - Wednesday, Sep 26, 2007 at 21:16

Wednesday, Sep 26, 2007 at 21:16

Glids simply push the microphone button on each station in turn momentarily. (Check for other users 1st) A second after you let it go you will hear a short burst of static as the repeater station opens & closes. No static means no repeater in range on that channel. Occasionally the repeater will respond with a tone burst. If you monitor one station for a while this series of tones may be broadcast occasionally, some even have a pre-recorded voice message telling you which repeater it is.
An area may have 2 or 3 repeaters in range so you can then use your list to choose one that is between you & the person you wish to speak to. This may extend your range up to 80+ km.
Of course before you do this you must ensure channels 1 to 8 are in duplex mode.
Cheers Craig..............

AnswerID: 264068