Noob question...

[BlueFJ]

Ok, so my Yaesu VX-170 arrived yesterday. I'm going to try and listen in on tomorrow night's net (I know I can't broadcast yet as I don't have my license yet, going to take the tech test on the 27th). Anyhoo, what does the second part (+ PL: 146.2)(- PL: 103.5) of the repeater frequency mean? Also, what kind of frequncy is that last one (445.760- PL: 156.7)? BTW, below are the frequecies for the net I am refering to...
Repeaters
146.385+ PL: 146.2 Keller Peak (Echolink Equipped)
146.610- PL: 103.5 Sierra Peak
445.760- PL: 156.7 Sierra Peak

[taugust]

Ok, so my Yaesu VX-170 arrived yesterday. I'm going to try and listen in on tomorrow night's net (I know I can't broadcast yet as I don't have my license yet, going to take the tech test on the 27th). Anyhoo, what does the second part (+ PL: 146.2)(- PL: 103.5) of the repeater frequency mean? Also, what kind of frequncy is that last one (445.760- PL: 156.7)? BTW, below are the frequecies for the net I am refering to...
Repeaters
146.385+ PL: 146.2 Keller Peak (Echolink Equipped)
146.610- PL: 103.5 Sierra Peak
445.760- PL: 156.7 Sierra Peak

Good luck on the test.

All the info given is necessary to program your radio to access a repeater. For simplex operation, you transmit and receive on the same frequency, speaking directly between two (or more) radios. For repeater operation, you are transmitting on one frequency (the repeater input) and receiving on another (the repeater output). The frequency given is the receive frequency. Most modern radios have a automatic repeater operation built in. Each band has a standard repeater offset and certain repeater frequency ranges within the band are defined as positive or negative offset (from the receive frequency). For the 2 meter band, the standard offset is .6 Mhz. That means that, for Keller Peak, the repeater input frequency is 146.385 + 0.6 = 146.985 Mhz. Your radio does the math for you, so when you key up, the transmitter automagically switches to 146.985 and the repeater will hear you and retransmit out on 146.385.

The PL stands for Private Line and is a Motorola trademark. It basically is a key to access the repeater which prevents interference from other repeaters nearby (or far) that may share the same frequency pair (146.385/146.985 for Keller Peak). It is a subaudible tone (you can't hear it) that your radio transmits when you key up, along with your voice, to open the repeater.

Lots of words to describe something that is very simple in practice. To program your radio, enter the receive frequency. The radio will probably automatically enter the correct offset direction. Find the menu option to select the PL tone frequency from the list. These are predefined so you can't just enter any old frequency. Finally, you must turn "tone operation" ON. Usually there is a TONE button, multiple presses will cycle through several options. The first one is usually what you want. You display will then show the receive frequency, a "+" sign, and the word TONE, or a musical note. You should then be able to access the repeater. After you program a couple of repeaters, the sequence becomes automatic. Be sure and save each repeater to a memory location before moving on to another one.

I hope this long explanation helps.

As for the last frequency in the list, that is on the 70cm band (UHF) and you can't transmit (I don't know about receive, it might) on your VX-170. You need a radio built to transmit on that band.

[BlueFJ]

Hey Tim,
Thanks for great explanation, but I need a little clarification. Am I correct to assume that if I just want to listen to the Keller Peak repeater, I just have to enter 146.385 into my radio, but if I want to transmit using the repeater I have to program the PL tone frequency?

[DaveK]

Hey Tim,
Thanks for great explanation, but I need a little clarification. Am I correct to assume that if I just want to listen to the Keller Peak repeater, I just have to enter 146.385 into my radio, but if I want to transmit using the repeater I have to program the PL tone frequency?

At the risk of speaking for Tim, the answer is yes. Just dial in the frequency and you are there. PM me and we will give you a courtesy check-in.

[BlueFJ]

At the risk of speaking for Tim, the answer is yes. Just dial in the frequency and you are there. PM me and we will give you a courtesy check-in.

Thanks Dave,
Like I said in my first post, I don't have my license yet so I can't broadcast. Then again, I'm not really sure what a "courtesy check-in" consists of, being as green to HAM radio as I am...

[sdnative]

I'm not really sure what a "courtesy check-in" consists of, being as green to HAM radio as I am...

Congrats on your radio. You're going to have fun with it.

At the beginning of the net, people will give their name and call to indicate they are involved in the net. Since you cant transmit, someone else will check you in so everyone knows you're there listening. I am guessing that's what a courtesy check-in is. I could be wrong.

Post up your call when you get it. We'll listen for you.

[BlueFJ]

Not sure if I'll be able to catch tonight's net right at 7:30. Sue made dinner reservations for 6:30 so I may or may not get back in time. I'll PM Dave K when I get in...

[DaveK]

I'm not really sure what a "courtesy check-in" consists of, being as green to HAM radio as I am...

Congrats on your radio. You're going to have fun with it.

At the beginning of the net, people will give their name and call to indicate they are involved in the net. Since you cant transmit, someone else will check you in so everyone knows you're there listening. I am guessing that's what a courtesy check-in is. I could be wrong.

Post up your call when you get it. We'll listen for you.

sdnative, you nailed it.

[BlueFJ]

Well, I got to listen to the net last night. Unfortunately, I didn't get home until 8:40 so only caught the last part of it. I was able to pickup Keller Peak fairly well but got nothing from Sierra Peak using just the rubber duck antenna on my Yaesu VX-170. I'd like to get better reception without having to keep my radio in a certain area of the house to get good reception, can anybody recommend a good antenna or a way to make a home-brewed antenna for the VX-170?

[DaveK]

Hey Craig:

I'm glad that you at least got a chance to catch part of the net. Sierra Peak is not up and running quite yet. We think they should be up in a few weeks. We will be adding other repeaters however and will announce that shortly. On the antenna issue, you could always hook your HT up to a mag mount in your vehicle or mount something on your roof. Both are going to require additional equipment. HRO probably has a solution.