Amateur radio repeaters are radio systems used by amateur radio operators to extend the range of their transmissions. These repeaters are typically placed on high points such as mountain tops or tall buildings and are often linked to a network of other repeaters. They are used to allow two-way communication between amateur radio operators over a wide area. Amateur radio repeaters are an important part of the worldwide amateur radio community and they provide an invaluable service for the hobby.
We currently have two repeaters operating to serve the Upstate of South Carolina and operate a nightly directed net that is open to all licensed amateurs at 9PM on our Ceasars Head repeater (W4NYK 146.61 MHz)
Repeater: 146.61 MHz ‘-‘ offset Voice Repeater
Location: Atop Ceasars Head in Northern Greenville County
Input: 146.01 MHz
Call: W4NYK
Echolink node: W4NYK-R
Repeater: 146.82 MHz ‘-‘ offset Voice Repeater – AutoPatch capable (Instructions Below)
Location: Atop Paris Mountain in Greenville County
Input: 146.22 MHz
Call: W4NYK
The Blue Ridge Amateur Radio Society also maintains an Echolink node
for the 146.610 MHz repeater located on Caesars Head Mountain.
Echolink Node 545072 W4NYK-R
What is Echolink?
EchoLink? software allows licensed Amateur Radio stations to communicate with one another over the Internet, using voice-over-IP (VoIP) technology. The program allows worldwide connections to be made between stations, or from computer to station, greatly enhancing Amateur Radio’s communications capabilities. There are more than 200,000 validated users worldwide in 162 of the world’s 193 nations with about 4,000 online at any given time.
AutoPatch instructions for the 146.820- MHz repeater
Only local (7-digit) numbers and the emergency 911 number are accessible.
STEP 1: Verify clear frequency and identify your station (“this is W4ABC”) and the number to be called. (for example, “I’m calling 555-5555”, or “I’m calling my residence”.
STEP 2: Enter * (star) plus the telephone number in one complete string. You now have 3 minutes to talk before the autopatch is automatically timed out.
STEP 3: Listen for your party to answer. Let the called party know you are on the radio autopatch and that communications will be one direction at a time. You talk, OR they talk, not both at the same time.
STEP 4: After phone call is complete, enter the disconnect code of # (pound). Release the microphone and make sure the autopatch is disconnected.
STEP 5: Reset the IRLP link. Enter the number 9 from your touch-tone pad. Listen for “Link Set”
STEP 6: Identify your station and state that you have cleared the autopatch.
IF YOU CANNOT GET THE PATCH TO WORK, contact one of the BRARS board members and they will do their best to help you resolve any problems you are having with the patch.
- REMEMBER……UNIDENTIFIED TONES OR TRANSMISSIONS ARE FROWNED UPON BY THE FCC
- ALWAYS IDENTIFY, EVEN IF YOU ARE ONLY TESTING YOUR TONES OR TESTING THE REPEATER
- BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY…DON’T SET A BAD EXAMPLE!