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 Previous: League Recommends Closer FCC-NTIA Spectrum Management Cooperation |  Next: The Amateur Amateur: Discovering the Junkosphere |
By Murray Green, K3BEQ
March 24, 2004
Whether directly or automatically, control operators provide a necessary service for FM repeater users.
Most hams who use Amateur Radio repeaters typically operate while driving to and from work for short periods of time, and from home when not involved in raising kids, doing taxes and performing household chores. Repeater licensees, trustees and control operators, however, follow a different path. As volunteers, they monitor their respective repeaters most of the day and throughout the night. This is not as easy as one might think because they are placed in a unique position of having to hear everything that occurs on the repeater, including interference. Sometimes this gets taken for granted and some are not fully aware of what is involved in this daily volunteer service.
 Mike Gregory, KB3IYQ, is one of approximately 10 volunteer control operators who unselfishly monitor one of the two Green Mountain Repeater Association VHF repeaters. [Mike Gregory, KB3IYQ, photo] |
Some may think that there is a certain prestigious aspect to being a control operator for a repeater; it requires a lot of patience, time and discretion. Control operators, by virtue of continuous monitoring, become very attuned to subtle changes in the repeater's operation, a definite plus for those maintaining the equipment. They also listen to all types of exchanges and have to make decisions on illegal and poor operating practices. Sanctions, if required, must be diplomatically applied by a control operator, while making certain that they are not censuring speech or causing ill feelings.
As a control operator, the last thing one wants to do is create an atmosphere of self-importance or come down too hard on a fellow ham. That's the way to lose a member or potential club member, and create an atmosphere of unfriendliness that is not in the best interests of a repeater organization. Hams like to talk and word gets around! Control operators must have that rare combination of being assertive, straightforward, sensitive to the feelings of others and sincere in wanting to help. Not everyone is suited for that, so control operators must be selected wisely.
No "Off" Switch
Monitoring repeaters can be a frustrating and irritating exercise when one has to continuously listen to all sorts of interference that the average operator does not experience or has the option of turning off. A control operator has to stick it out. Some of the interference is of short duration, attributable to conditions or simply inexplicable, while others--such as open microphones or extended interference from unknown sources--require coordination and corrective action. Add that to the equation and it's easy to see how difficult the job can be. Call it dedication, a strong desire to help, to be involved, to want "their repeater" and its users to be the best, or just plain old stick-to-it-iveness. In any event, control operators get the job done. But, they do have some help from the FCC.
Part 97 of Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations, the section that defines the rules for the Amateur Radio Service, provides for three types of controls for repeaters--local, remote and automatic--and latter gives some form of temporary relief for the control operators. Part 97 defines Automatic Control as The use of devices and procedures for control of a station when it is transmitting so that compliance with the FCC Rules is achieved without the control operator being present at a control point (97.3(a)(6)). I believe that the FCC rule makers, in their wisdom, realized that it is unrealistic to monitor a repeater every hour of every day continuously. However, there must be a responsible control operator available to bring the station into compliance with FCC rules, even if that means he or she is woken up at 3 AM!
Minding the Store
".....Automatic control must cease upon notification by an FCC District Director that the station is transmitting improperly or causing harmful interference to other stations..." (97.109(d)). The FCC is not bashful about issuing this notification. Why? Because in certain instances, the abuse most likely extended to a repeater operating without any designated control operators or control operators who did not monitor for lengthy, unacceptable periods of time. Essentially, no one was minding the store, and user exchanges or interference got out of hand with no corrective action taken. Still, the number of issued notifications is minimal when compared to the large number of repeaters in the US, most used in a manner that reflects the highest standard of amateur operating practices.
A final note on a control operator's dedication: every repeater has a station licensee or trustee (for repeaters using club call signs) who is the principal party responsible for the proper operation of the repeater. If the FCC calls a trustee to task for a violation, the control operator shares the responsibility with the trustee. It takes a special level of commitment to assume that kind of responsibility.
The next time you talk to a repeater control operator on the air, thank him or her for their work, or send an e-mail. Most repeater clubs list their names, call signs and e-mail in newsletters or Web pages, or simply ask a club officer. It's the right thing to do.
Murray Green, K3BEQ, has been involved as a control
operator with repeaters owned and operated by The Green Mountain Repeater
Association, serving the Washington, DC area, since 1971. He is also an ARRL
Official Observer. Green resides in Maryland near Washington, DC and can be
reached at k3beq@arrl.net.
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