REPEATERS & GATEWAYS

The club repeaters are "open" repeaters. They can be used at any time by licensed amateur radio operators, EXCEPT when there is a scheduled net. During a scheduled net, the net control operator is in charge and control of the repeaters.

Band      Input       Output       Offset     Tone

2M   TX 146.475   RX 147.420 -0.945MHz PL 107.2 Status: Online - repair phase 1 of 3

1.25M TX 222.480 RX 224.080 -1.60MHz PL 107.2 Status: Online 

70CM TX 440.900 RX 445.900 -5.00MHz PL 107.2 Status: Online

Programming a Baofeng Radio for a Repeater

Learning to program a repeater into your radio is an important skill for every amateur radio operator. While every repeater has its own frequency and tone requirements, the programming process is generally the same. For this example, we will use our 2-meter repeater.

This guide uses the Baofeng UV-5R as an example, but it should also apply to many other handheld radios that share a similar menu structure and user interface. While the exact menu numbers, button functions, and setting names may differ between models, the information required to program a repeater remains the same. Regardless of the radio you are using, you will need to enter the correct frequency, offset, and tone settings. Refer to your radio's manual if the menu layout or terminology differs from the examples shown in this guide. 

Step 1: Enter Frequency Mode

1. Turn on your radio.

2. Press the VFO/MR button until the radio is in Frequency Mode (VFO).

3. Use the A/B button to select the upper display line.

Step 2: Enter the Repeater Frequency

Using the keypad, enter:

147.420

This is the repeater's output frequency and the frequency you will listen on.

Step 3: Program the Transmit Tone

Most repeaters require a CTCSS (PL) tone to activate the repeater.

1. Press MENU.

2. Navigate to Menu 13 (T-CTCS).

3. Press MENU again.

4. Select 107.2 Hz.

5. Press MENU to save.

6. Press EXIT.

Step 4: Set the Offset Direction

The offset tells the radio whether to transmit above or below the receive frequency.

1. Press MENU.

2. Navigate to Menu 25 (SFT-D).

3. Press MENU.

4. Select "-" (Minus).

5. Press MENU to save.

6. Press EXIT.

Step 5: Set the Offset Amount

The offset amount determines how far away your transmit frequency is from your receive frequency.

1. Press MENU.

2. Navigate to Menu 26 (OFFSET).

3. Press MENU.

4. Enter:

000.945

5. Press MENU to save.

6. Press EXIT.

Step 6: Save the Repeater to Memory

Once everything is programmed correctly, save it to a memory channel.

1. Press MENU.

2. Navigate to Menu 27 (MEM-CH).

3. Press MENU.

4. Select an empty channel.

5. Press MENU again to save.

6. Press EXIT.

Step 7: Test Your Programming

1. Press VFO/MR to switch to Memory Mode.

2. Select the channel you just programmed.

3. Listen for repeater activity.

4. When there is a break in traffic, briefly key up and announce your callsign.

If programmed correctly, your radio will:

• Receive on 147.420 MHz

• Transmit on 146.475 MHz

• Automatically send a 107.2 Hz PL tone

• Access the repeater when you press the PTT button

Understanding What You Just Did

Every repeater requires four pieces of information:

1. Receive Frequency – The frequency you listen on.

2. Transmit Frequency – The frequency your radio transmits on.

3. Offset Direction and Amount – How your radio calculates the transmit frequency from the receive frequency.

4. CTCSS (PL) Tone – A sub-audible tone used to access the repeater.

Once you understand these four settings, you'll be able to program nearly any repeater, whether you're entering the information manually or using programming software such as CHIRP.