These
repeaters are owned and operated
by the Marin Amateur Radio Society for the public benefit and enjoyment
of Marin amateurs. Please respect all of the operating rules and
exercise courtesy.
Pictures:
There
are a number of other high level repeaters in Marin which are
owned and used by private individuals or groups. These are generally
closed systems and one should check with the parties involved
before using those systems.
The MARS repeaters
The Marin Amateur Radio
Society (MARS) owns and operates 4 repeaters in Marin County.
Three of them operate independently and are complete stand alone
systems:
In addition, MARS operates
the 147.33 SYSTEM. It transmits from Big Rock Ridge in Novato.
It is important you understand this is a SYSTEM. The INPUTS are
as follows:
- Big Rock PL 203.5
Hz
- Mt. Tamalpais (west
peak) PL 179.9 Hz
- Mt. Barnabe PL 167.9
Hz
- Tiburon PL 167 Hz
There is no West repeater,
or Tiburon repeater or any other iteration. This system is designed
to allow access to the 147.33 output from Big Rock (the only output)
from anywhere in the county by merely selecting the correct input
PL tone based on your location. The remote receivers are connected
by 440 radio into Big Rock and then retransmitted on 147.33. So
when calling in from West County it's probably best to use Barnabe.
Use Tiburon from the South and Mt.Tam from Mill Valley or San
Rafael.
The 147.330 Big Rock Ridge system does not have a CTCSS tone on its output.
146.700, 443.250 and 443.525 have a CTCSS tone of 82.5 on their output
CTCSS Output Note: Normally you would use the input tone as the output tone but because of interference issues on Mt Tam it was necessary to choose a different frequency. Unfortunately most amateur radios transceivers are unable to take advantage of split encode/decode tones and limit you to a single tone for both.
Our spare
repeater: 147.33 (VHF) Located on San Pedro above San Rafael.
It is a GE Mastr Pro operating at 50 watts with PL 173.8 Hz. This
repeater is normall shutdown and held in reserve as backup for
the "big" system on Big Rock. This repeater system uses
positive offset. The input freq. is +600 Khz from your transmitter.
Helpful
hints for operation on the repeaters ... (not counting 10 meter
FM) by Ed Karl K0KL
A.
Unlike HF operation, it is unnecessary and poor procedure to call
"CQ". Many operators used to come "up" to VHF and failed to recognize
that we have an open circuit to all who normally listen to the
repeater. There is no hiss from the speaker as on HF (the squelch
function takes care of this nicely) so many radios are left on
frequency.
B.
Merely announce your call letters. Anyone listening who wants
a conversation will respond.
C.
DO NOT use the phrase "... KX6XXX monitoring". To monitor implies
the function of a control operator, if you are listening, or are
listened to, someone will answer.
D.
The repeaters (except the San Pedro VHF repeater, which is
for standby service only) all have what is called a "courtesy
tone" or beep. This usually takes a few seconds after you have
letup on the mike switch. The purpose is to force courtesy, or
leave a place where someone may join the conversation. Always
remember to leave space for someone to join in. Failure to observe
the courtesy tone will result in the repeater shutting itself
down until you do stop transmitting. Then you get the "steel
ball award" for timing out, people will point fingers at
you and send unkind notes.
E.
The word "break" is used for emergency situations only. It should
be uni-versally recognized and immediately turn the repeater over
to the station making the request. It functions differ-ently on
HF. On repeaters it's a must do not ignore this request.
F.
Use common sense. When the weather is really foul, be sensitive
to the need for emergency communications. No official exercise
is necessary, just recognize another station might be in a jam
and need help. Leave extra space between short comments. Don't
get into long winded contacts at a time like this.
G.
"Q" Signals are entirely inappropriate on FM or repeater operation.
"Q" signals are a form of shorthand useful in a CW message or
contact. It is easier to say QTH than "my l o c a t i o n i s
...". QSL acknowledges receipt of a piece of traffic or information.
It is not another way of saying; "OK, roger, I understand, gotcha,
or even received". This may be OK on other services, or even sound
slick, you think, but NOT on repeaters, makes you sound like you’re
from another planet. Why don't you ever hear QTR? (What time is
it?) It's easier to just ask.
Squelch:
Generally, FM radios have a squelch control. The noise you here
is not "squelch". Squelch is quieting the noise, or background,
when there is no signal. The presence of a signal quiets the channel,
the squelch opens up and you are able to hear the station. Generally
set the squelch about 10 degrees beyond where it quiets the radio.
The
Big Rock system has several inputs. Check the guide and find where
the inputs are physically located in the county. Select the input
best for your location. These inputs all use the same frequency
and the PL or sub-audible tone causes the inputs to open up and
feed the repeater output. Ask a control operator or club member
more about the system. It was well engineered, covers the county
well and can do a great deal. Just be sure you understand how
to use it most efficiently.
We
have "auto patch" or the use of telephone over the repeater. It
is free to MARS members who just need a password to activate the
feature. It also works in areas where cell phones have no or spotty
coverage, a handy tool. But if you don't know how to use it, or
don't know the password it is of little value in an emergency.
And
finally, let's help out newcomers find the way. Don't holler at
their ignorance of the way life is, or the way they operate. Encourage
them and invite them to meetings, give soft handed advice; then
we'll all enjoy their friendship. |
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