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Introduction

FM repeaters are the most popular part of ham radio.  Repeaters on mountaintops and high buildings allow small handheld transceivers to be linked together over great distances. While still a daunting and expensive challenge, many new hams are interested in building and installing their own machines.

Additional information on this subject and related topics can be found in back issues of QST and the following:

The ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications
The ARRL Operating Manual for Radio Amateurs
The ARRL Repeater Directory
TravelPlus for Repeaters
The ARRL FCC Rule Book

Articles

Note: Some of the following articles are in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) files. To view and print these files, you'll need a copy of Adobe's Acrobat Reader program. (Version 3.0 or later required). More information here.

• Once Upon a California Hilltop (389,649 bytes, PDF file)
  QST March 2004
  The story of repeater pioneer Art Gentry, W6MEP.
• Using 1/2-Inch 75-Ohm CATV Hardline (48,839 bytes, PDF file)
  QST January 2000, p. 91 (World Above 50 MHz)
  Consider using Hardline when planning a VHF/UHF repeater or even a home station.
• Repeaters -- what are they and how to use them (38,652 bytes, PDF file)
  
• Glossary of Repeater Terms (12,089 bytes, PDF file)
  
• Anatomy of a Repeater (1,566,634 bytes, PDF file)
  QST May 1995, pp. 69-71
  FM hamming wouldn't be the same without these clever devices.
  
• How Are You Controlling Your Repeater? (61,348 bytes, PDF file)
  QST December 1999, pp. 81-82
  
• Crossband-Repeater Operation (787,314 bytes, PDF file)
  QST March 1993, pp. 43-46
  Dual-band VHF/UHF rigs offer flexible operating capabilities.
  
• Selective Calling (24,461 bytes, PDF file)
  A collection of articles from QST on using CTCSS and DTMF for selective calling.
  
• VHF/UHF and Repeaters: The Basics (12,522 bytes, PDF file)
  QST April 1998, p. 93
  Some repeater rules and regulations
  
• A Repeater Controller Accessory: The RCA (428,198 bytes, PDF file)
  QST February 2000, pp. 37-45
  Although designed initially for use with repeaters, this flexible controller can be adapted to many other applications. Let your imagination be your guide!
  Feedback (6,279 bytes, PDF file)
  QST May 2000, p. 45
  
• Build a $60 Talking Repeater Controller (151,289 bytes, PDF file)
  QST February 1997, pp. 37-40
  This inexpensive programmable controller features stored voice, simplex or duplex repeater control and low power consumption.
  
• Decoding the Secrets of CTCSS (34,694 bytes, PDF file)
  QST December 1996, pp. 55-56
  While most rigs can send these low-frequency audio tones, decoding them is a handy trick, too!
  
• A Microprocessor-Controlled Repeater Voting System: The RVS-8 (977,729 bytes, PDF file)
  QST April 1996, pp. 38-43
  You can add this flexible voting system to virtually any repeater!
  Also see: RVS-8 Repeater Voter Audio-Amplifier IC Choice (15,757 bytes, PDF file)
  QST September 1996, p. 77, Technical Correspondence
  
• A Homebrew 2-meter Repeater (917,784 bytes, PDF file)
  QEX February 1996, pp. 12-18
  This design from the West Virginia Institute of Technology Amateur Radio Club uses off-the-shelf radios -- without modification.
  
• Beep... What Did That Repeater Say? (11,058 bytes, PDF file)
  QST September 1995, p. 75
  A single tone is often the only thing standing between us and chaos.
  
• Beeper Madness (132,971 bytes, PDF file)
  QST May 1994, pp.86-87 (Hints and Kinks)
  Here are two circuits for adding end-of-transmission beep to repeaters.
  
• Voice-Track--a Multifunctional, Talking Repeater Controller, Part 1 (270,926 bytes, PDF file)
  QST June 1995, pp. 27-32
  With the Voice-Track, you can transform your repeater from commonplace to extraordinary.
  
• Voice-Track--a Multifunctional, Talking Repeater Controller, Part 2 (87,218 bytes, PDF file)
  QST July 1995, pp. 33-36
  We wrap up our description of the Voice-Track. You'll learn about its programming mode, how to install Voice-Track in your repeater system and what to do to get it up and running.
  
• The RingMaster Ring Detector (1,042,111 bytes, PDF file)
  QST April 1994, pp. 40-42
  In some areas, Caller ID can mean reduced security for repeaters controlled by phone lines. This circuit keeps hackers out.
• A Homemade Duplexer for 2-Meter Repeaters (3,083,480 bytes, PDF file)
  QST July 1972, pp. 22-26, 47
  Build a six-cavity duplexer for use with a 2-meter repeater.
• I-Link, the .WAV of the Future (360,796 bytes, PDF file)
  QST march 2002, pp. 38-42
  Hardware and software solutions to working world-wide DX on VHF/UHF

Note:

Contact information for suppliers mentioned in the above articles should first be confirmed using TIS Address Database Search.

Bibliography (Members Only)

ARRL Periodicals Index Search - This database contains the QST index from 1915 to the present and the QEX index from 1981 to the present. For QST issues from 1970 to the present, and some selected articles back to 1922 (when construction articles featuring tubes began in earnest), identifying keywords have been added to the technical articles. By entering keywords (ANTENNA) or combinations of keywords (CONSTRUCTION ANTENNA VERTICAL HF) into the Title words: field, you may create dynamic bibliographies.
Technical article KEYWORD list. Hints for more successful searching

Suggested keywords for more articles like the ones on this page are: REPEATER

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