Repeater Usage Guidelines
Guidelines and Repeater Operating Practices
A General Guide for the Benton County Amateur Radio Repeaters
As a general rule, use the same common courtesy when in conversation with someone face to face and as if children were present. It’s much the same on a repeater with a few caveats.
When accessing the repeater (after ensuring you have set the proper frequencies and PL/CTCSS tone), LISTEN for a few seconds, and then LISTEN again to ensure the repeater is not already in use. “Kerchunking” or dead keying the repeater is poor operating practice and is discouraged, as it adds unnecessary wear and tear of repeater components.
If the repeater is not in use and you want to announce your availability for a conversation, then say” (Your call sign), listening.” If others are listening and want to engage you in a contact, they will respond with their call sign and possibly a greeting. If you want to call a specific station say their call sign followed by your call sign.
I.E., “KL7IWT from KC7DQY”
Wait a minute, and if there is no response, then repeat the call you just made. If again there is no response and you want to let others know you are available, then say “(your call)” and “listening” or “monitoring.” If you don’t want to remain on the repeater, then say, “(your call)” and “clear” off the repeater.
When in conversation and you have completed your thought, release the microphone and the repeater will give a courtesy tone. This is an indicator for the other party to continue in their part of the conversation after waiting a second or two in case there is someone with emergency traffic or someone wanting to make a quick call for another station. If the repeater is busy, you and your party should move to a simplex frequency if it’s possible for you to communicate reliably. This will free the repeater for others to use. Also, remember FCC rules require you to ID every 10 minutes.
Another reason to pause for a second or two between exchanges is if someone has emergency traffic. A person that needs to report an emergency should be able to use that second or two to say “Emergency” or “Emergency Traffic” and wait for a response. The use of the word “Break“ is not recommended as not all would understand why you are trying to get a response from someone on the repeater. Emergency traffic on the repeater should normally be handled by the first to respond and be supported (making phone calls, etc.) by any others that may be on frequency.
If there are any questions concerning repeater protocol, feel free to contact the trustee or consult the ARRL website for answers.
Social Media Policies and Community Standards
Benton County Radio Operators
Social Media Policy and Community Standards
Our Policies and Community Standards apply to everyone, all around the world, and to all types of content.
This document is an addition to the already published Facebook Community Standards and the YouTube Policies.
The Benton County Radio Operators is an Amateur Radio Club, and the Benton County Radio Operators is an Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) Affiliated club.
We will moderate the content on the following Internet platforms:
Benton County Radio Operators Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/769883457224506/about/
Benton County Radio Operators YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@bentoncountyradiooperators4699
Benton County Radio Operators Website: https://www.bcro.org/
The Benton County Radio Operators reserves the right to remove any content that does not meet the following guidelines:
1. The YouTube page will only consist of content that is specifically related to the Benton County Radio Operators or its members, Amateur Radio, or the ARRL. Anything else will be directly removed.
2. The Club Website will only consist of content that is specifically related to the Benton County Radio Operators or its members, Amateur Radio, or the ARRL. Anything else will be directly removed.
3. The Club Facebook policy realizes the opportunity to promote Amateur Radio to the general public. The Facebook page will allow content that may not be specifically related to the Benton County Radio Operators, its members, Amateur Radio, or the ARRL. Discussing politics, religion, or other controversial topics is considered inappropriate within the Amateur Radio community and should be avoided.
4. Any and/or All content which is contentious or divisive is NOT allowed and will be directly removed:
a. Religion.
b. Politics.
c. Business (you can talk about your profession, but you cannot advertise for your business).
d. Derogatory remarks directed at any group (ethnic, religious, racial, sexual etc.).
e. Bathroom humor: Keep jokes and/or satirical content family oriented, as if your children are present.
f. Any content that has no relation whatsoever with the radio hobby, and may do well elsewhere.
g. Any content that mocks or criticizes the Benton County Radio Operators or its members, Amateur Radio, or the ARRL.
5. Any and/or All content that might be considered ambiguous relative to the rules (i.e.: could be argued either way) would be voted on by the Board of Directors as to its disposition.
The Benton County Radio Operators provides an email address: bcro@bcro.org in order to allow comments or objections to this Policy and Community Standards Appendix. The club email address will forward to the club Board of Directors.
We want to promote the long-standing tradition of integrity and respect that has been the hallmark of the Amateur Radio Spirit the past century or so. We expect that people will respect the dignity of others and not harass or degrade others.