What a repeater is and why etiquette matters
A repeater is a station, usually on a tall site, that receives your signal and retransmits it, giving handheld and mobile radios much greater range. Because many people share one repeater and only one can transmit at a time, good manners keep it useful for everyone. Etiquette varies from place to place, so treat the points below as common practice rather than universal rules.
Listen first
Before transmitting, listen for a while. You will learn who is on, whether a net or conversation is in progress, and how the local group talks. Also listen before each transmission in case someone else is about to speak or an urgent call is under way.
If you are not sure you have the right frequency, offset and any required tone, check a current repeater directory or the local club’s information first.
How to call and identify
- To start a conversation, say your call sign and that you are listening, for example “W1ABC listening.” There is generally no need to say “CQ” on a repeater, since CQ is usually used on HF and simplex.
- To call a specific station, say their call sign followed by yours: “K2XYZ, this is W1ABC.”
- Identify with your call sign as your regulator requires. In the United States, for example, FCC rules require identification at the end of a communication and at intervals of no more than ten minutes during it. Check the rules for your own country.
- Using phonetics for your call sign helps if conditions are poor. See the phonetic alphabet guide.
Keep it short, leave a pause
- Keep transmissions brief and to the point, and avoid long monologues.
- Leave a short pause after each transmission, a second or two, before keying up again. This allows others to break in and lets the repeater’s courtesy tone sound.
- Remember that you are on a shared resource. A conversation that would suit a simplex channel may be better there.
Breaking in and emergencies
If you want to join an ongoing conversation, wait for a pause and say your call sign, or “break” followed by your call sign. Many groups reserve the word “break” for urgent or emergency traffic, so check local practice before using it casually.
If someone declares an emergency or needs help, give up the frequency immediately and stay off unless you can assist.
Courtesy tones and the time-out timer
Most repeaters send a short tone when a transmission ends. Wait for it before transmitting again. Repeaters also have a time-out timer that cuts off a transmission after a set period. Keeping each transmission short makes timing out unlikely.
Nets and club repeaters
Many repeaters host regular nets (scheduled on-air meetings) such as weekly club check-ins or emergency preparedness nets. Stay quiet during a net unless you are checking in or have urgent business, and follow the net control operator’s instructions. Many repeaters are run by clubs, and joining or supporting the owning club is a common way to say thanks.
Things to avoid
- Interfering with another transmission. Deliberate interference is harmful and may be against regulations.
- Offensive or inappropriate language. Many regulators prohibit obscene or indecent language on amateur frequencies.
- Excessive kerchunking, which is keying the radio without speaking just to see whether you can reach the repeater. A short call with your call sign is better.
- Commercial or political chatter that the rules or the repeater’s owner do not allow.
- Long tests or background noise. Check your microphone and avoid keying up in a noisy place.
- Heated arguments on the repeater.
Moving to simplex
If two stations can hear each other directly, consider moving to a simplex frequency so the repeater is free for others. Agree on the frequency, say “QSY” or “let’s move to simplex,” and also give your call signs when you leave the repeater. For the meanings of QSY and other codes, see our guide to Q signals for ham radio.
Sample exchange
- “W1ABC listening.”
- “W1ABC, this is K2XYZ, good morning.”
- “K2XYZ, good morning. Nice to hear you. How is the weather over there?”
- (pause)
- “W1ABC, it’s clear and cool here. K2XYZ.”
Local rules vary
Always check the repeater owner’s or club’s guidelines, along with your regulator’s requirements. If you are new, say so on air; most operators are happy to help. For unfamiliar words you hear, the ham radio terms glossary is a useful reference.