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Foundation Course Repeaters/CTCSS

Foundation Course Repeaters/CTCSS. EKRS Karl Davies. Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System or CTCSS. Repeaters - Introduction. Repeaters extend ranges across counties, over hills etc. Most useful for handheld and mobile users. The UK has over 300 Voice and 50 TV Repeaters

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Foundation Course Repeaters/CTCSS

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  1. Foundation CourseRepeaters/CTCSS EKRS Karl Davies Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System or CTCSS

  2. Repeaters - Introduction • Repeaters extend ranges across counties, over hills etc. • Most useful for handheld and mobile users. • The UK has over 300 Voice and 50 TV Repeaters • Some may also be linked via the internet Popular Voice Repeater bands are 145MHz (2m) and 430MHz (70cms)

  3. Repeaters • Foundation Syllabus requires only a limited knowledge of CTCSS and how to access an analogue FM repeater. • These slides enhance this as you will find Repeaters useful for extending range at VHF/UHF, especially when handheld/mobile. • All repeaters are run by volunteers under special permits/NoVs from Ofcom and coordinated by the RSGB-ETCC* • Repeater frequencies, listings and maps are in the RSGB Yearbook and on the ETCC Website at www.ukrepeater.net * RSGB Emerging Technology Coordination Committee

  4. 2m 6m Repeater Coverage • Coverage by 2m and 6m Repeaters • On 70cms there are lots ! • TV is mainly on 23cms • Same colours show how frequencies are re-used

  5. FM Repeater Basics • Repeaters have a frequency difference between Input and Output so they can transmit at the same time as receiving. For example: • 2m Repeaters transmit 600kHz above their input frequency • 70cms Repeaters transmit 1.6MHz or 7.6MHz below their inputs • The frequency offset direction varies with different bands - Up or Down - check the listings on the web or RSGB Yearbook • Repeaters have control ‘Logic’ to detect valid accesses, generate regular Morse idents, timeout lengthy overs etc • Audio tones control access so that the repeater does not accidentally re-transmit unwanted/interfering input signals • 1750Hz Toneburst or CTCSS will be needed

  6. Accessing Repeaters • Accessing a repeater requires radios to be set up for:- • Suitable RF frequency offset or ‘shift’ • Appropriate audio access tone (CTCSS or 1750Hz Toneburst) • Your Radio is nominally set to the repeater output and then applies an offset or shift when you transmit. Example:- • GB3KS located near Dover, Kent TX frequency: 145.625 MHz, RX Frequency: 145.025 MHz • This is a 600kHz offset • Users Radio is set to 145.625 with a -600kHz RF shift and a CTCSS audio tone to access it • Best to set Local Repeaters up in Radio Memories ! • It is good practice to give your callsign on most overs. • Repeaters time out and cut audio - keep overs to 2mins!

  7. Kent Repeaters • All the voice repeaters in Kent can be accessed by: • 1750 Hz tone of between 200 m/seconds and 1 second [Excluding EK] OR CTCSS tones of 103.5 Hz (except GB3SK) Followed by at least 3 seconds of audio This can be achieved by giving your own call sign twice To ensure the repeater is opened properly. • ALWAYS wait for the over signal, usually a ‘K’ or a ‘G’ between over’s before transmitting. The ‘G’ indicates access by CTCSS.

  8. Kent Repeaters – Call signs and Frequencies 7 Repeaters in all • GB3CK located near Charing, KentTX frequency: 433.000 – RX frequency: 434.600 • GB3EK located at Margate, KentTX frequency: 430.8875 MHz - RX Frequency: 438.4875 MHz • GB3KN located near Detling, KentTX frequency: 145.700 – RX frequency: 145.100 • GB3KS located near Dover, KentTX frequency: 145.625 MHz, RX Frequency: 145.025 MHz • GB3NK located near Erith, Kent TX frequency:  433.100 – RX frequency: 434.700 • GB3RE located near Detling, KentTX frequency: 433.275 RX frequency: 434.875 • GB3SK located near Canterbury, Kent TX frequency: 433.150 RX frequency: 434.750

  9. Repeaters In Essex • Repeaters in central Essex are run by Essex Repeater Group and sited around Danbury Hill to maximise coverage • FM: GB3DA - 2m, GB3ER - 70cms GB3ER, GB3DB - 6m • D-Star: GB7ZP -70cms ** • ERG website: http://www.essexrepeatergroup.org.uk/ • Repeaters are not funded by the RSGB, they are run by volunteers. Regular users are encouraged to subscribe to repeater groups to help pay running costs, insurance etc • Other Essex repeaters are at Clacton/Braintree and Hockley **D-Star - Digital Smart Technologies for Amateur Radio - GMSK Digital Voice not FM

  10. CTCSS • CTCSS - Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System • It is a more modern alternative to 1750Hz Audio Toneburst • CTCSS is mandatory on 6m systems and newer FM repeaters • CTCSS is a low frequency tone which is continuously transmitted as part of your Audio (almost sounds like faint mains hum) • A range of precise tone frequencies are defined and repeaters will only accept their official tone in order to block interference. • Repeaters also put CTCSS on their outputs, so users own radios can ignore unwanted signals or idents – Tone-Squelch

  11. CTCSS Frequencies • Each County in the UK nominally has a Tone allocated to it • Example: Essex is CTCSS Tone-H 110.9Hz, but do check as sometimes there are exceptions (eg in Clacton) Tone A = 67.0Hz Tone B = 71.9Hz Tone C = 77.0Hz Tone D = 82.5Hz Tone E = 88.5Hz Tone F = 94.8Hz Tone G = 103.5Hz Tone H = 110.9Hz Tone J = 118.8Hz NB: Echolink systems may also use this system

  12. CTCSS Map • These are the nominal CTCSS tone allocations:- • Remember, there are exceptions • Check Repeater Details on ETCC website or RSGB Yearbook

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