The Chelsea Amateur Radio Club sponsors a net each Tuesday evening from 8:30PM Detroit local time. This is a directed net and is open to all licensed amateurs in the coverage area.
Rules Governing Use of Chelsea Amateur Radio Club WD8IEL Analog/C4FM Repeaters
WD8IEL Chelsea Repeater
Downlink: 145.450 MHz
Uplink: 144.850 MHz
Offset: -0.6 MHz
PL Tone: 100 Hz
The repeater itself is a Yaesu DR-2X C4FM fusion device and its antenna is located high atop the Chelsea water tower behind McDonalds. However, at this time we have it configured to run simple FM rather than C4FM Fusion. Please let us know if there is interest in running it in its digital C4FM mode.
Repeater trustee: Wesley Cardone, N8QM (n8qm@arrl.net)
All FCC regulations will be followed, including:
- All licensed operators are encouraged to use the repeaters.
- Operators will yield to emergency communications.
- ID with your complete call sign every 10 minutes and your final transmission must include your complete call sign.
- No political comments or discussion.
- No profanity of any type.
- No music during transmissions. Please turn your car radio down.
Chelsea Amateur Radio Club Repeater rules:
- During all QSOs, leave a 3-second space after the courtesy tone so that others may break in for emergency use or to make a contact.
- You are encouraged to yield to others needing the frequency during extended QSOs. Periodically pause and inquire if any others need to use the repeater.
- There is currently no maximum time limit if this rule is followed.
- Avoid a stuck microphone. Place your mic where it is secure from accidental transmission.
- No kerchunking allowed. Always announce yourself as testing, with your call sign. Otherwise, we might think there is something wrong with the repeater.
- Do not try to use the repeater if a QSO is taking place on the repeater using a different modulation mode. Example: If a party is holding a QSO in C4FM mode, wait for their QSO to complete before keying the repeater up in Analog mode.
Repeater Etiquette
The following information is a simple guide to courteous operations on repeaters. If you operate using these simple guidelines, you will make it more enjoyable for everyone operating on repeaters and set a good example for others. It never hurts to review the guidelines to make sure you are being a responsible amateur radio operator. Remember that repeaters are offered as a public service. General courtesy is expected of all.
- Take the time to listen to a repeater before you talk.
- Do not monopolize the repeater. Simplex may be more appropriate for lengthy conversations. Remember that repeaters are a shared resource and are available to a large community of users. A good operating practice is to use simplex for long conversations (rag chewing) if possible.
- Transmit your call sign when you first come on the air. Make sure you ID once every 10 minutes, but there is no need to identify too often. (47CFR § 97.119.a)
- Our repeaters normally have a 3 minute “timeout” setting. The 3-minute length is a maximum length, not a suggested one. While not required, it is considered good etiquette to keep your transmission length shorter than this.
- Some topics are like land mines – Religion, Politics, Sex, etc. Do not discuss these subjects over the air! It can be more interesting than discussing what you ate for lunch last Wednesday, or the weather conditions you experienced two days ago, or how bad your bunions are troubling you, but “land mine” conversations can sometimes descend into a shouting match and can cause people to become upset (even those listening and not part of the conversation).
- Do not belittle, berate, defame or speak ill of others….period. This includes individuals, groups, nations, aspect of the hobby, etc. Using words such as idiot, stupid, hate monger, etc. in reference to any person, entity or group should not be tolerated.
- Even ‘mild’ obscenities are not good operating practices. This includes suggestive phrases and suggestive phonetics. (47 CFR §97.113.a.4)
- Do not inject a comment into a conversation without saying your call sign. Part 97 of the Code of Federal Regulations, which governs our operations as amateur radio operators, requires that you identify with your callsign. (47 CFR § 97.119.a) Transmitting comments without identifying yourself is prohibited. Interrupting is no more polite on the radio than in the real world.
- Give a pause before keying the mic and speaking. Don’t start speaking as you key the mic. Repeaters have a short delay before transmitting. If you start speaking too soon, your first few words may not be heard. Make sure you have finished speaking before you un-key the mic.
- Pause periodically to see if anyone else would either like to join the conversation or use the repeater for a quick call that is not part of the ongoing conversation.
- When identifying, please say your call sign slowly and clearly. Call signs that are rattled off too fast can make the call sign totally unintelligible.
- Don’t forget that the FCC prohibits the transmission or retransmission of music (and almost anything else that is received over the airwaves; for specifics, see (47 CFR § 97.113.a.4). If you have a radio turned on (this is especially common for many mobile stations), make sure that it’s turned down before you transmit.
- When using “comment” or “break” to be recognized and you are acknowledged by net control or the folks using the frequency, then be sure to identify with your call sign.