AC6V's GUIDE TO FM REPEATERS
ALSO AVAILABLE:
DX101x - A Guide For Beginning DXers
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This book is six months in the writing and features the advice of several noted Amateurs and technical gurus.
It is intended for those entering the world of FM Repeaters and Amateur Radio. The guide is written for new users with or without a technical background
88
Pages
All Chapter Text In 12 Point Times Roman For EZ Reading
Book Is Copyrighted © With United States Library Of Congress
(Author
Qualifications -- The Brag Tape --
Hewlett-Packard Tech Writer - 21 years, Amateur
- 24 years)
MANUAL
UPDATES
TESTIMONIALS (UNSOLICITED)
Universal Radio comments: Many new hams find repeater operation intimidating. This book lets you skip that awkward early stage. It provides the knowledge and confidence you need to enjoy repeater operation immediately.
73 NE5EE
I would like to send a thanx to you for your book on repeaters. Just starting out in the hobby. I could not have asked for a better guide to the world of fm repeaters. I have now started working 2 m ssb and have logged over 17 grid squares in 4 months. Thanx again for a great start in the hobby. 73 George KG6TVC, San Leandro, CA
KF6HBJ writes -- I purchased the FM101x Guide last week and have gone through the material relating to my HT. Basically I purchased it to bring me up to date as I had dropped off from using my radio quite awhile ago. Being a computer guy, I found the material easy to follow and found the essentials pointing me to further readings on web links for increased knowledge and detail. From the first page to the last page, I never felt slighted because I wasn't a seasoned Ham Radio Operator. Rod's vernacular clearly expresses what I needed to get accustomed to without the academia sort of information that I have read in other technical types of volumes. Thanks Dave KF6HBJ, Temecula CA
Excellent Book. I recently taught a one day ham class for new technician hams. I purchased a copy
of the FM101X book for each student. All the students had many compliments for
the contents of the books. One comment "including the book in the course was a
very good idea" Another comment"FM101X answered all my questions about repeater
operation as a new ham - great book"
The new hams loved it! For new hams this is the book! Dick Decker K6SUU, Turlock
CA
N5ACM comments on eHam reviews: Get up to Speed Quickly with this Guide. This book is well worth the price. You get current, practical information on topics of interest to both new and old HAMs. Information is presented in a straightforward, succinct and readable manner, the illustrations are basic, but adequate. You don't need or pay for glossy fluff here- the book provides a well thought out treatise on FM ops in one place, from simplex, repeaters, digital and the vagaries of Echolink. Lots of links for further information too. A great place to get up to speed quickly. New HAMS will feel completely comfortable on VHF/UHF after perusing this book. Well Done. N5ACM, Arlington TX
AB7NI Wrote: Rod, Received the book today. I read it, and was impressed. Great minds must think alike. Your comments were EXACTLY what I have been telling new hams for years. Very much interested in buying in volume for the next class I teach. Meanwhile this copy is getting some yellow highlighted sections. Great job! Thanks -- Gary AB7NI Colbert, WA
KG6JPX Wrote -- Bravo on AC6V'S FM101x. Also, the internet website references are great. However I think it would help a lot if you repeated them in the back of the book, grouped according to their purpose. That would help locate them later on when the reader has forgotten the context, chapter and page number where it was first seen.
Author note -- this will be added --see MANUAL
UPDATES
Chapter
1 Introduction - Click Here For Sample
Covers an introduction to the book as well as an example of the bewildering
jargon that one will encounter on Amateur Radio Repeaters and where in the book
to decipher the alphabet soup and jargon. CTCSS, PL, Offset, Desense, Alligator,
Machine, Picket-Fencing, Quieting,
Q-Signals, beeps, hang-time, protocol, OM, capturing, etc.
Chapter
2. Your
First FM Radio
- Click Here For Sample
Information on what to select as your first FM radio. Discusses advantages of
Handi-Talkies vs Mobiles, antennas, batteries, features to consider.
Chapter
3. Operating Simplex-
Click Here For Sample
Discusses how to operate simplex (without a repeater). Range to be expected,
antennas, cross polarization, and protocol. Includes a complete list of simplex
frequencies from 2 meters thru 1.2 GHz including the recommended National
Calling frequencies.
Chapter
4. How Repeaters Works -
Click Here For Sample
Simplified pictorial of a repeater. Covers simplex, half duplex, full duplex
operation. Explains offsets, splits, input and output frequencies. Lists the
standard offsets for USA repeaters - 10 meters thru 2.4 GHz. Thoroughly covered
are CTCSS, PL, SUBAUDIBLE TONES | TONE SQUELCH | DCS, DTCS |TONE BURST | DTMF
| BEEPS & BE-BOPS.
Chapter
5. Programming a Rig -
Click Here For Sample
Covers the nightmare of programming a radio. How to make a cheat sheet. Using
programming cables. A source for a handy wallet size programming accessory.
Generic outline for programming any radio.
Chapter 6. Antennas,
Power Sources, VSWR, and DeciBels -
Click Here For Sample
Covers rubber duck antennas, better antennas such as ¼ wave, ½ wave, ¾ wave and 5/8 wave,
Yagis, and
J-Poles. Gives numerous URL's and tips for building your own antennas. The
battery paragraphs cover Sealed Lead Acid (SLA),
Lithium,
NICAD
and NIMH
Batteries.
Power Supplies, VSWR, and dB are covered in a non-technical approach.
Chapter 7. Using Repeaters -
Click Here For Sample
This chapter covers how to find repeaters, repeater guides on the internet,
complete rundown on repeater protocol, soliciting a conversation, asking for
information, jargon heard, radio checks and signal
reports, what to say, breaking in, multiple conversations - rotations, nets,
roll calls and demos, autopatching. Also listed is a complete listing of 2 Meter
repeater pairs, packet simplex, and voice simplex frequencies.
Chapter 8. Phonetics, Q-Signals, and
Callsigns -
Click Here For Sample
All about Q-Signals used on repeaters. Recommended
Phonetics are covered (Alpha, Bravo, etc).
A list of all USA
callsign districts and classes of license callsigns are explained.
Chapter 9. Funny Repeater Sounds and Myths -
Click Here For Sample
Covers the many sounds heard on a repeater, path noise, distortions,
alternator whine, ignition noise, capturing, picket
fencing,
Morse characters, hum, over and under
deviation, kerchunk, desense, motor
boating,
Station
is Calling - But No Beep,
Q-Signals,
CB talk & ten codes (a no no) etc.
Chapter 10. Cops and Jammers-
Click Here For Sample
When and when not to play repeater policeperson. How to deal with jammers and
interlopers
Chapter 11. Inside A Repeater -
Click Here For Sample
Detailed block diagrams of the elements of a repeater, receivers, transmitters. Plain language non- technical discussions of duplexers, limiters,
discriminators, deviation, bandwidth, channel spacing, modulation index, FM modulation
Chapter 12. IRLP, ILINK,ECHOLINK, WIRES IITM, CrossBand Repeating, Long Range Intertie Systems, - Click Here For Sample
Glossary and Jargon -- 16 pages of terms, slang, repeater speak - Click Here For Sample
Updated January 08, 2010