Repeater / Handheld config question

[bads197]

I turned my VX8R on for the first time at lunch today.

I did a quick search in google and found a local repeater Amatuer Radio Station W6DEK Serving 147.435 Mhz Ham Radio on this website.

I tuned it to that freq. and heard a few guys chatting away that seemed like they knew each other. Progress forward so cool.

I noticed that on the site it said output at 147.435 and input at 146.400.

Granted I didn't xmt but I assume the auto offset was automatically set at 146.400?

Instructions in manual say to hit "hm/rv" button but it does nothing. If I hit "F/W" first and then "hm/rv" it switches to Home. I'm unsure what Home is yet.

Is it not showing the offset because it's on "auto"?

More research on http://rptrlist.w6jpl.ampr.org/ shows I need to program CTCSS for 103.5? If I'm reading that correct? (to transmit to that repeater) Also on the 2m band.

I was also able to listen to the radio 95.5 KLOS and 93.1 so all good there.

Am I on the right track so far?

thanks
jake

 

[Moleculo]

Oh, you found the (in)famous 435 repeater...one of the oldest repeaters in the country. Be advised, this is also a controversial repeater because they allow profanity and other adult topics, which is generally not permitted on the air. But they have fought and won...

Anyway, that repeater uses an "odd split". Most repeaters follow a standard offset which on 2 meters in the U.S. is +/- 0.600. Whether it's + or - depends on where you are in the spectrum. The nice thing is that since it's a standard, almost all radios are programmed with a "standard offset" feature that automatically knows which way to go when you key the radio. That's a long way of saying that you usually don't need to worry about it if you use the standard functionality.

When you encounter a repeater with an "odd split", you have to program that in and use one of your memories to do it. You will also need to include whatever PL tone they use also, which is how the repeater knows to let your signal in. On the VX-8, you do that with the "CODE" function, which is above the 2 on the keypad. To program in the odd split, follow the instructions on page 48 of the manual.

Fortunately there aren't that many repeaters with odd splits, so you rarely have to worry about it. You just happened to pick the one common repater in SoCal that does this.

 

[bads197]

Thanks Moleculo!

After doing a search on the web on the iphone it was the first one I came upon. I had no idea really what I was doing but consulting the manual I managed to get it programed for that freq.

I'll mess with it tomorrow some more, I'm going to call in "sick" so I can goto a couple stores and then to my daughters school for parent/teacher afternoon.

thanks again!


jake

 

[WX2MIG]

The best approach is to get a repeater directory, or reseach your area repeaters on one of the many websites that list them.
Using your VFO tune into each one and listen to see if they are active, and to get a feel for the type of traffic that is conducted on them. Record the one's you feel comfortable with. Write down the frequency, split, and PL tone, when you have accumulated a list of repeaters, program them into your radio's memory banks. Make notes as to the location, call sign, and sponsoring club to each one and keep a copy of that list with you so you know which repeater is which, and who you might find listening on them.
Most HAM's will frequent one machine, they may use other machines to check into the various nets, or to participate in SkyWarn, ARES, or RACES nets, but for most day to day rag chewing, they'll gravitate to one repeater, usually the one sponsored by their club, or a fellow HAM they are friends with.

After you listen to the different machines in your area, you'll get a feel for who is who, and where they can normally be found, and also who you should avoid......