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This article helps the new Ham to be more at home on repeaters. It contains a basic description of a ham radio repeater and how to properly use one. Though the examples are written for 2-meter repeaters, the principles and operating information applies to all amateur radio repeaters.

It focuses on practical repeater information in very non-technical language. It is practical learning material for new hams as well as a refresher for those with more experience. Thanks to Tom King, WK5DX for taking the time to provide this valuable reference material for all of us.

How to Use Repeaters by Tom S. King, WK5DX

This document is in PDF format. It will open in a new window.

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NARS has three co-ordinated repeater frequencies:

• VHF - 146.66/.06 PL100Hz
• UHF - 444.375/449.375 PL 100Hz
• UHF - 443.075/448.075 PL103.5Hz

As of March 2026, only the 444.375 UHF repeater is on the air from the Klein tower with the NARS HUB. AllStar Node 59847 and the EchoLink Node W5NC-R is attached to this repeater. This repeater iss located near Spring Cypress Road and TC Jester Road.

The VHF repeater is scheduled to be reinstalled in April at the new tower location (Gregson Tower) near the intersection if Hwy 249 and Spring Cypress Road. This repeater will operate on 146.66/.06 PL100Hz and will have AllStar and EchoLink connections. It will also be linked to the 444.375 repeater.

We plan to locate the second UHF on 443.075 +5MHz PL 103.5Hz at the downtown location when we receive approval from the building management.

In addition, we have access to a member-owned UHF repeater on 440.300 / 445.300 that is running DMR Color Code 3, Time Slot 1. This repeater is located on the same tower as our 444.375 repeater in Northwest Houston. It is linked full time to our W5NC HUB. This repeater has the NARS talk group TG3146211.

Our talk group can also be found on the Richmond repeater 443.750 +5MHz DMR Color Code 9, Time Slot 2.

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The following procedure is recommended for the weekly DMR net. The net control operator is free to make revisions at their discretion as long as the basic format is followed.

Approximately five minutes before the net start time, the net control operator should announce that the net will begin.

"The Harris County NARS Amateur Radio Society DMR net will begin in approximately 5 minutes. This is <your call>, net control operator for the evening."

At the appointed time, the net control operator begins net operations

"This is <your call> opening the Harris County Area NARS Weekly DMR Net on the Brandmeister network TG3146211 sponsored by the Northwest Amateur Radio Society.  This will be a directed net. Net control this evening is <your call>, and my name is <your name>."

  <<Break>>

"This net is conducted weekly on Tuesdays at 7:00 pm and during significant events affecting Harris County. This net will accept reports from any amateur radio operator licensed to operate on this frequency.  Tonight’s net is open to all amateurs, and discussion may include technical discussion or any subject of interest to amateur radio operators."

<<Break>>

"Any stations with emergency or other high-priority traffic please call net control now."

<<Log Emergency/High Priority Traffic>>

"We will now begin taking check-ins.  When checking in, please state your callsign, your name, your location and any traffic. After stations have checked in, each station will be called in order of check-in for comments or announcements.  Please call now – Alpha through Zulu."

<<Break>>

Any mobile stations or check-in-only stations, please call now.

<<Log and handle traffic for mobile or check-in stations.>>

We will now Call each operator in order of check in:

 <<Log and handle traffic/discussion for all stations>>

<<Make any announcements or weather briefings you may have (i.e. Hazardous Weather Outlook)>>

<<Ask for any late check-ins or comments>>

<<Net Closing Comments, thanks for checking in, etc.>>