Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to the official Charlie Tango DX Group CB And Amateur Radio Forum. You are visiting the UK's biggest and most active CB Radio club.. We hope you enjoy your visit.

Charlie Tango DX is a group dedicated to Hobby Radio Users in all forms, whether CB, Amateur, PMR446, Scanning and Short Wave Listening.
We are a very active and friendly group that welcomes anyone from anywhere in the world who has an interest in Radio, regardless of their level of experience, their equipment, their location, or their radio preference. We have members varying from fully qualified operators on the Amateur Bands, to newcomers who have just bought a PMR446 set, and many CBers both old and new. All are equal on the Site.

The CT Site contains many reviews, tips and modifications within the forums, and we take pride that no sensible question is ever left unanswered, and nobody is ever belittled or mocked for asking an honest question, no matter how simple it may seem. We were all new to the hobby once.

You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join Charlie Tango you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, voting in polls, viewing modifications and more.

If you are not yet a member: Registration is simple, fast, and completely free. Simply CLICK HERE to start the Registration process. Your application will need to include your personal name and approximate location, it will require you to confirm your email, and then be signed-off by one of our Admin Staff, but this is usually completed within 24 hours (48 max)

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
2m/70cm repeaters
Topic Started: Saturday, 20. August 2016, 15:52 (1,062 Views)
Ranger
Member Avatar


Just wondered how many CTers licenced to use local repeaters actually use them?
I ran through about 30 last night checking access and was surprised to hit some more than 50 miles from my qth.
these were all standard analogue repeaters or GB3xx no digi modes.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Monster
Member Avatar
26 Charlie Tango 636

I use mine here in Lincoln Trevor, both 2 and 70, and also some further afield in Derbyshire and Yorkshire, but I have to say I do find them a very under used asset. I'm not sure why that should be so, but it is. Only yesterday I used my £20 to chat via IRLP to a mobile in Lincoln Nebraska, what's not to like about that? I think 2 and 70 in general is pretty quiet Trevor, probably something to do with the current licensing system giving access straight onto HF. It's a pity 'cos I can see us loosing chunks of the spectrum if it's seen as redundant.
They say hard work never killed anyone..........but why take the chance?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Nik Gnashers
Member Avatar
26 Charlie Tango 573

Only speaking for myself here :)

But, I just don't get the same buzz when talking through a repeater on any band. For me, I'm afraid, I have to know my signal has gone directly from my own antenna to somebody else's with nothing in between and no 'help'.
I know this is a bit daft, but that's how I feel about it, and maybe others feel the same as me and that's why the repeaters are a bit quiet ?
M6GFT ::: QRZ Page- http://www.qrz.com/db/M6GFT
[imgw=150]http://i.imgur.com/RJjZCOw.jpg[/imgw]
All CT members are expected to use good operating procedure, good manners, and be friendly...Please do not chat on any calling frequencies, or use bad language on air, thank you it is appreciated.
Online Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
razor36
Member Avatar

im into the 2/70 stuff since i got me new yaesu, the 2 repeaters near here are busy cr in north wales 433.150 and li in liverpool 433.250. also hear a few around manchester. i got a nov last week for my own gateway on 433.100 70cm digital on wires.

70 seems busier than 2m around here.
Edited by razor36, Saturday, 20. August 2016, 19:26.
M0LSG
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Red-Squirrel
Member Avatar
26 CT 730

first time I have had chance to sit in what I call the shack (corner of my living room encompassing most of my radio gear and a computer) and check CT

repeaters, yes I use them, they are there to be used, I usually use my local repeater quite often, whether I am at home or in the car, I can also hit GB3HG from here as well but not the next repeater north of me, GB3CD, unless I go to the top of the hill I live on in which case all three repeaters are in range, the attraction of GB3CD for me is it is a System Fusion repeater and I have suitable equipment to use the C4FM side, my local repeater, GB3IR, has Echolink and IRLP, and I certainly would miss repeaters if they were not there, especially as I can get international contacts on them as I have no access to any HF band that I can use from home at the moment.

My personal opinion is that they are a great asset to Amateur radio and with Echolink, IRLP and WIRES-X they allow for international contacts that some amateurs, especially the newly licensed, may not otherwise be able to get without an expensive HF set
26CT730

2E0EIJ

Member of the Colburn & Richmondshire District Amateur Radio Society
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Shortwave100
No Avatar


I agree with Monster that it's the easy access to HF that has killed 2m and 70cm.

And that those parts of the spectrum will be reallocated due to under usage. And that this will be a shame for a small and reducing number of people who have enjoyed it for many years.

I often carry a UHF/VHF portable with me on my travels walks around the country, and can confirm that there is little to zero activity in most of the places I have tried. People will come back at me quoting the odd place here and there where there is activity, ..fine...., I'm just saying that in my experience, in 90%+ of the places I have tried there is *nothing*. I'm happy to call it bad luck if you prefer.

For me too there is no fun in having help from a repeater. Maybe before mobile phones came along there was a buzz in having mobile comms, but not any more. If there's something between my antenna and the receiving antenna helping my signal along I might as well be on the phone or the internet.

All just my opinion. I know others have different views. And I know things were very different in years gone by.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
razor36
Member Avatar

all depends on what repeaters your hitting, the 2 i sometimes use are quite far away anyway so im still getting a fair distance using the radio. if i want to use my radio on its own i use hf, if i want a good clear chat with like minded radio ppl i use 2/70.
M0LSG
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Shortwave100
No Avatar


razor36
Wednesday, 31. August 2016, 22:34
all depends on what repeaters your hitting, the 2 i sometimes use are quite far away anyway so im still getting a fair distance using the radio. if i want to use my radio on its own i use hf, if i want a good clear chat with like minded radio ppl i use 2/70.
Just to explain/clarify...when I am out and about I am just scanning 2m and 70cm, both at the same time, the full band, for hours on end...and this is where I get largely nothing,...just the odd repeater beeping to itself maybe.

And I've heard the argument that everybody is listening and I should shout out....i get it...this is just a bit of a survey I have been doing as I go about my other business.

Just thinking though, maybe there is more activity closer to major cities, my travels tends to keep me away from there...so maybe that's where the hive of activity is.
Edited by Shortwave100, Wednesday, 31. August 2016, 22:43.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Tuco
Member Avatar
108 Charlie Tango 249

2m/70cm isn't all dead where I live but it could be more active....having said that I have only used HF at the radio club and have no interest in having it in the shack. I am lucky in having DMR and D-Star repeaters in my town and I make good use of both of them, especially to use the reflectors on D-star, and there are 2 fusion repeaters within the 10 miles bracket also so we are spolied for choice for digital in this area. The reflectors are jam packed at times with people but I do wish there was more action on the standard fm repeaters as I am able to hit some up to 50 miles away but can go for several hours some days without getting any replys from any of them.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Ranger
Member Avatar


Thank you all for your input & comments.
I too find the draw of hf most of the time but when I am out and about always try and keep a handy with me.
Maybe the use of 2way private PMR radio s at work all day long satisfies some of the vhf\uhf needs without thinking about it.
T.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
High Voltage
Member Avatar
108 Charlie Tango 054

Apart from the RSGB News each Sunday, I've only heard our local repeater used once since I became licensed in 2014.

I have to admit that I am a bit wary of 'cutting my teeth' on it as I have a feeling that if I unknowingly breach any protocol there will appear from nowhere
a queue of fuds poised and ready to strike! :cb: :D
[marq=left]Sorry sir, I've rolled the Land Rover over, over.........[/marq]

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
razor36
Member Avatar

if you dont call no one else will
M0LSG
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
DDC
Member Avatar
26 Charlie Tango 455
GB3IW on the Isle of White gets a fair bit of use down here.. I use it almost daily on my work commute along the M27.. As it's echolink connected we also get traffic from some far flung places!

Glynn is right, if you don't put a shout out nobody is going to come back... Just don't go shouting CQ,CQ over a repeater (yes I've heard it!) Just announce your call sign a couple of times and finish with "listening for any calls"
Edited by DDC, Sunday, 4. September 2016, 06:37.
Yaesu FT-991, FT-450D, FT-857D, FT-817ND, FTM100DE, Alinco DX-SR8, President Grant ll, Anytone AT-5555N, AT-6666, General Electric 3-5805A, Albrecht ae-6110, QYT KT 8900, QYT KT 8900D, Yaesu FT-60R, FT-1XDE, Icom IC-E7, Beofeng UV5s, BF-888s x 4, Pofung GT3 MK II, Retevis RT3, Inrico TM-7 Network Radio... I must stop buying handhelds!!!!!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
MostlyHarmless
Member Avatar
26 Charlie Tango 2011

I can see me using repeaters to start with.
10 w on a home made antenna fom a 1st floor flat and no garden :(
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Smudger
Member Avatar
26 Charlie Tango 1938

GB3EZ is a great repeater near me, its a good one to listen in on, normal people speaking normally, usually people on it daily, i would say its the only one i would be tempted to use, the chat on the others is more like a knowledge based radio pub quiz, of no interest to me others mileage may vary. Just one note to touch on though people say that the 2/70 is in decline i dont know if this is right or not but do you think that bringing out new tech's system fusion / digital modes is only diluting the repeater network ? Manufacturers driving on new techs is a good thing in some respects but in a round about way they are shooting themselves in the foot. They want sales, people buy into new tech that not all can afford to drop big bucks into and its not all compatible.
CT1938 / FOX INDIA 420
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
FakeJake
Member Avatar


I suppose its diluting it in a sense but I still monitor both the local FM and DMR repeaters at the same time. Some may forget about FM when they go digital, but I like both.
Jake
Monitoring 2m simplex, GB3CR & GB7HM(DMR)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
razor36
Member Avatar

i have a nov for a digital gateway mb6igh, but never really go on digital much i have the odd listen in.
M0LSG
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
commandosqueak
Member Avatar

Interesting both me and my buddy Rich (26CT1874) listen to the repeaters daily but not allowed to transmit yet. We both passed foundation on the 11th Dec and I got my certificate through today. At home we can only get GB3EH out near Banbury, although I thought I heard the Morse for GB3TD in Swindon so will keep an eye on that. We monitor all day and normally its very quiet. get the odd call from somebody as there driving through but it largely goes unanswered. There is however a small group that uses GB3EH that essentially only answers between themselves. 8/10 times they don't even bother with call signs. It has been heard on the net that its "their little repeater". They will have a rude awaking :shock: when we get our call signs as its the only repeater we can both get. We both live in council homes so are not able to put up massive HF antennas, so we will rely on the repeaters and our handy's. I have got a couple of books on the way, one is stealth antennas and the other small antennas for small spaces. Hopefully they will grant me the knowledge to build a discrete/small antenna for HF. If anyone can point me in the right direction that would be appreciated!

I agree with what some people have said though. It is declining especially seeing as you now have DMR, Echolink and D-Star and I think the biggest thing is direct access straight to the HF bands. Some repeaters/areas seem active whilst others not so much. I happen to live in a big dip so I'm too low to hit anything else despite them being closer. GB3UK on Cleeve Hill is half the distance of GB3EH (Edge Hill) but there is a hill in the way so can't get it. I would have to put up an antenna that's 100 odd meters high to get anything else. Obviously in a coucil house and an area of outstanding natural beauty that's not exactly feasible. When I go to University in Cheltenham I am then able to get GB3UK and the two in Gloucester GB3CG and GB3GH. Whilst monitoring them I have heard a bit of activity but not a massive amount, although I'm generally studying so not really scanning the repeaters.
26CT2489 / M6IGG
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · Amateur Radio (Public) Forums · Next Topic »
Add Reply



This Website, Name, Logos and Products Are Copyright To Charlie Tango DX Group Copyright © 2009 - 2017
All Rights Reserved - No Part Of This Site May Be Copied Without Prior Written Permission. CharlieTango.co.uk have a legal Common Law Trademark and Registered Copyright #S0RN-LTC9-8CXT-LZLU of the brand "Charlie Tango" since 2009 and related Copyrights in place for domain names, Logos, images, format and layout of this website and associated material. charlietango.co.uk & charlietango.uk
Copyrighted.com Registered & Protected




View My Stats



DOMAIN NAMES FOR SALE
ConspiracyEffect.com | V5Bid.com Auction | 041183.com | Hiya.Mobi | VR Portal.Net | TrainerSox.com | CoinStealth.com | ChoccyBox.com Domains | FlutterBets.com | CharlieTango.UK | HallmarkedGold.com | MozSubmit.com | HorizontalEarth.com
CharlieTango.co.uk contact email leewardill@gmail.com