2m Ham real world uses.....

[taugust]

A couple of suggestions on use while traveling. I agree with the previous posts about pre-programming for the areas you will be traveling through. This allows you to quickly make a contact. If you can't or haven't done that, an alternate method is to call on the 146.520 and ask a local for active repeaters in the area. Then program and off you go. Another way is to learn how to scan through the band (scan edges) and locate active repeaters that way. A scan edge is where you define to upper and lower freqs. and the radio scans between them. Then you will need to do a tone scan to find the PL tone for the repeater. Practice beforehand and know the basic button sequence to do these and it can be done easily while traveling. They are simple sequences, but not often used, so practice a couple times.

The few times I have tried a repeater guide, I have been unsuccessful with actually opening the repeater, so they are not 100% reliable, even when current.

As for real world uses, I have joined an emergency communications group, RACES, that volunteers during disasters and events. It's a great way to get training and practice and help the community.

I also came upon a motorcycle accident in the mountains with no cell service. I tried several repeaters that I knew the locations. Was able to contact a station in San Diego who called 911. Paramedics were on the scene in 10 minutes. He was airlifted out a short time later.

So having ALL local repeaters programmed is a huge benefit. In an emergency (or disaster) there is no time to look up in your repeater guide and program the radio to get help.

 

[xtatik]

The few times I have tried a repeater guide, I have been unsuccessful with actually opening the repeater, so they are not 100% reliable, even when current.

Agreed! This is why I posted a file earlier in this thread of actual living-breathing repeaters for So Cal mountain and desert areas.
Been there, done that with the repeater guides.

edit: Another tip.....For those who have Navi software and spare time....keeping a map of repeater placements is a good idea. There are several locations here in So Cal where multiple repeaters are planted, such as Santiago PK, Sunset Ridge, Sugarlump, Palomar, Mt Laguna, Chuckwalla, Potosi (upper and lower) Mazourka Pk, Silver Pk, etc. I'm sure it's a similar case elsewhere and there are many isolated installations as well. This tool helps you know where you are in relation to the repeaters.

 

[LXRACR]

Thanks!

Thanks for the input! I just ordered a"nifty" guide for my radio (Yaesu FT2900)....I'm already confuse about it's operation! I need to sit down with someone with this radio and get a 1 on 1 class! (slow learner here)! but, I'll get there!

 

[cellularsteve2]

edit: Another tip.....For those who have Navi software and spare time....keeping a map of repeater placements is a good idea. There are several locations here in So Cal where multiple repeaters are planted, such as Santiago PK, Sunset Ridge, Sugarlump, Palomar, Mt Laguna, Chuckwalla, Potosi (upper and lower) Mazourka Pk, Silver Pk, etc. I'm sure it's a similar case elsewhere and there are many isolated installations as well. This tool helps you know where you are in relation to the repeaters.

Randy, Thanks for posting up your Excel file of repeaters. Much appreciated.
Do you happen to have a list of where they are located or GPS coordinates? I understand a lot of your abbreviations but not all since I don't know all the areas. Also, are you able to use this excel document to upload directly into your radio?

Thanks again!!!
steve

 

[xtatik]

Randy, Thanks for posting up your Excel file of repeaters. Much appreciated.
Do you happen to have a list of where they are located or GPS coordinates? I understand a lot of your abbreviations but not all since I don't know all the areas. Also, are you able to use this excel document to upload directly into your radio?

Thanks again!!!
steve

Well, I have a ton of the repeaters plotted in maps for Nat Geo TOPO.
Problem is, they would be scattered on different maps from different trips made in the past along with whatever other waypoints or points of interest encountered on that trip. I really need to take the time and combine them on one map....Perhaps a Southern California desert and mountain region map, and then maybe a Death Valley, Inyo and Sierra mtn map for starters. I'll look into this and see how big a job it might be.
The file was actually converted to Excel from the RT Systems software I use to program the FT-60. I'm not sure if it's possible to convert them back for upload/programming purposes. I have the same maker software for the 857 as well, and even these two programs won't jive. So, I wouldn't expect it would work for all brands or makes even if it were possible.
Since it is an Excel file, what I might do is just clarify the abbreviations and drop in some comments as to their rough locations and areas served. Once I've done that, it wouldn't be hard for someone to create their own maps in whatever navi software they're using.
In the meantime, if you need explanation of the abbreviations just PM me with a list.

 

[cellularsteve2]

Since it is an Excel file, what I might do is just clarify the abbreviations and drop in some comments as to their rough locations and areas served. Once I've done that, it wouldn't be hard for someone to create their own maps in whatever navi software they're using.
In the meantime, if you need explanation of the abbreviations just PM me with a list.

Thanks Randy. I have no immediate trip so I will hit you up late in the year before I either do the Mojave Road or Death Valley. If you do update the Excel let me know via PM or post up here. Again, it is greatly appreciated.

73's

steve

 

[Sanfordfire]

http://k5ehx.net/repeaters/qrepeater.php?state=90623

This link is pretty handy I just found it. If you click on the Repeater Frequency and then click again it will show its true coverage area (mountian shaddows etc.)

 

[CanuckMariner/Nomad]

Here is a good link for repeaters for USA and Canada. You can search via state and then via band or feature or route and location. This might help you out. it also allows one to download the info into a file compatible with software to program various radios.

If you search the comm section on this forum you will many posts/threads about how people program their hams for use. I posted one to use my memory 20 banks and 50 memory slots for each state/region and then added them to my GPS as way points so it would alarm me when within range of a repeater. As Lance (1leglance) said, makes for good company when travelling the highways getting to your off road area.

I use 146.46 simplex as the main freq to use while trailing with friends, a lot of clubs in AZ and elsewhere use it as well. Easy to catch someone on it when in popular places like Mojave, etc.

I always thought that the 146.52 simplex freq was used primarily for emergencies and not a general hailing freq?:costumed-smiley-007

 

[xtatik]

The repeater directories, whether from the web or from print, are one way to find some active repeaters. But, you have to understand that these directories are not always well maintained for accuracy.
In most cases, the repeater info makes its way into these directories because a repeater owner, be it an individual or club, made contact with the directory and made them aware of it. This could have happened this year or ten years ago. Rarely do these directories make inquiries with all of the repeater owners in order to update the information. The directory publishers simply regurgitate the same information every year, unless told there was a change. A change could be made to the frequencies, offsets, PL's....or worse, is planted on a different mountaintop or doesn't exist at all anymore! If the repeater owner is responsible enough to keep the publisher of the directory well informed you could assume it to be accurate. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case.

What I've done in the past is use a number of methods.
One is to visit the amateur radio club websites for areas I plan to visit. This has singularly been the most accurate way to gather repeater info.

Second to that, is keep a directory, or better...two. I usually keep the ARRL mini-directory in the truck, but there is also another locally printed directory distributed here in So Cal at HRO.

Third thing I do, is keep the programming software and interface cord in the truck. When I get to an area I'll kerchunk the repeater to see if it plays (I know, I know...bad practice). If it does, it gets to stay in the radio and program. If it doesn't, it gets the boot.

I can't count the number of repeaters I have programmed from directories that ultimately turn out to be duds. So be careful, and program redundantly for every area you plan to visit.
I use Nat Geo TOPO for navi on my trips and usually have the repeater locations mapped. TOPO will allow you to create an elevation map between your location and the repeater. Knowing the rules for line of sight signals it will give you a good idea of how useful it will be from a given location.

 

[Sanfordfire]

I took Xtatiks link and turned turnd it into a file that is compatible with Kenwood MCP-2A program.

Email me the link since i cant attach it here (odd ball file type.)

Also i have it in the form if you use the software Travel Plus (from ARRL)

Kylehasafiretruck@gmail.com

 

[PhulesAU]

Another info site

http://www.artscipub.com/repeaters/states/Texas.asp This is just the Texas page, you can navigate at will.

 

[ldivinag]

another ham saves the day story:

http://www.arrl.org/news/california-hams-help-coordinate-off-road-rescue

 

[Fish]

Agreed! This is why I posted a file earlier in this thread of actual living-breathing repeaters for So Cal mountain and desert areas.
Been there, done that with the repeater guides.

edit: Another tip.....For those who have Navi software and spare time....keeping a map of repeater placements is a good idea. There are several locations here in So Cal where multiple repeaters are planted, such as Santiago PK, Sunset Ridge, Sugarlump, Palomar, Mt Laguna, Chuckwalla, Potosi (upper and lower) Mazourka Pk, Silver Pk, etc. I'm sure it's a similar case elsewhere and there are many isolated installations as well. This tool helps you know where you are in relation to the repeaters.

I just put a repeater location Points of Interestfile in my Garmin 1490T. It doesn't give the exact location of the repeater, but if you use the find closest is shows the closest repeaters and freq.

http://www.poi-factory.com/taxonomy/term/40

 

[Ghost65]

Randy- thanks for the Excel repeater sheet, much appreciated. Are you able to make the SCCX run out to Fish Creek/Sandstone Wash on November 20th??

another ham saves the day story:

http://www.arrl.org/news/california-hams-help-coordinate-off-road-rescue

Great story ^^^

As for 2m uses, I was traveling out in the desert years ago, after getting my no-code tech ticket, and came upon a motorcycle accident much like one of the aforementioned posts. Single rider, broken leg (compound fracture). Several cars had stopped, but cell phones did not work. I was able to link up to the Imperial Valley fire department through the ECRA 147.240 repeater and help arrived shortly thereafter. It was funny, because the CHP officer that arrived later (who was based out of El Centro, and was driving a unit with a plethora of antennas) commented that he had heard me checking in and monitoring all day.

It was a great feeling to help in a situation like that.