Text-Only Bullet Table (Frequency / Offset / Tone or DCS / Coverage)
- 146.700 MHz (-0.600) / CTCSS 103.5 Hz – Covers central metro area, reliable for downtown to suburban commutes.
- 146.820 MHz (-0.600) / CTCSS 100.0 Hz – Northern corridor, strong highway coverage, extends to rural northern towns.
- 147.060 MHz (+0.600) / DCS 023 – Coastal region coverage, effective along shoreline and ferry terminals.
- 147.120 MHz (+0.600) / CTCSS 110.9 Hz – East valley and agricultural belt, robust mobile coverage.
- 443.100 MHz (+5.000) / CTCSS 114.8 Hz – High-level UHF site, wide-area footprint, supports portable coverage in dense areas.
- 444.725 MHz (+5.000) / DCS 125 – Southern foothills and interstate corridor, excellent for mobile traffic south of the metro.
All repeaters are open for licensed amateur use. When in doubt, listen first and confirm the tone and offset before keying up.
When to Use Which Repeater
Each repeater has its strengths, and choosing the right one keeps traffic efficient.
- Daily Commute – Use the metro or corridor repeaters (146.700, 146.820, 444.725) for consistent mobile coverage.
- Emergency Situations – Prioritize the wide-area or high-level repeaters (443.100, 147.060) for maximum reach. These are monitored by control operators during severe weather or local incidents.
- Community Events – For marathons, parades, or field activities, the east valley or foothill machines (147.120, 444.725) often provide the most consistent localized coverage without overloading metro traffic.
- Specialized Operations – Nets and training events may assign a designated machine. Always check the weekly schedule.
Net Schedule
Regular nets provide structure, training, and fellowship. Below is the typical schedule (all times local).
Weekly Nets Timetable:
- Monday 19:00 – Technical & Troubleshooting Net (146.700)
- Tuesday 20:00 – Digital Operations Net (147.060, with link to digital gateways)
- Wednesday 19:30 – Training & Preparedness Net (147.120)
- Thursday 21:00 – Regional Coordination Net (443.100, linked to corridor repeaters)
- Saturday 10:00 – Weekend Coffee Net (146.820)
- Sunday 20:00 – Open Check-in and Swap Net (444.725)
Nets are open to all licensed operators. Guests are welcome to check in and practice net control skills under supervision.
Repeater Etiquette
Good operating practices keep the network functional for everyone.
- Station Identification – ID with your call sign every 10 minutes and at the end of a contact.
- Pause Between Transmissions – Leave a few seconds for others to break in, preventing “doubles.”
- Priority Traffic – Always yield to emergency or priority calls. State “break, priority” if needed.
- Simplex Hand-off – If you and another station are in strong range, consider moving off the repeater to a simplex frequency to free the machine for others.
- Courtesy Tones – Pay attention to courtesy tones or reset timers; long key-downs may disable the repeater.
Linking & Interoperability Concepts
Some TFMCS repeaters are linked full-time, while others may be temporarily connected for nets or events. Linking ensures broader coverage when required but is used selectively to manage traffic.
- Analog Linking – Traditional RF links tie repeaters together during storms, exercises, or special nets.
- Internet-Linked Gateways – Protocols such as IRLP or D-Star may be engaged on specific machines. They extend reach beyond the region, but require disciplined use and net control oversight.
- Selective Activation – Control operators decide when to bring links online. Everyday casual traffic is usually local, while coordinated nets may activate regional or global links.
- User Consideration – Treat linked systems with extra courtesy. Long ragchews may tie up distant repeaters unnecessarily.
Reporting Issues
If you notice a technical problem, report it promptly and clearly. Useful details include:
- Date and time of the problem.
- Repeater frequency and tone in use.
- Nature of the issue (no audio, stuck transmitter, distorted signal, intermittent coverage).
- Your station location and equipment at the time (handheld, mobile, base).
- Any observed patterns (e.g., issue only during heavy rain, or only when linked).
Reports can be sent through the club’s official contact channels. Clear, consistent feedback helps the technical team keep the system reliable.
Quick Start Checklist
- ✔️ Know the frequency, offset, and tone before transmitting.
- ✔️ Listen first; ensure the repeater is clear.
- ✔️ Identify with call sign every 10 minutes and at closing.
- ✔️ Leave pauses between transmissions to allow break-ins.
- ✔️ Move to simplex when practical.
- ✔️ Respect net schedules and yield to priority traffic.
- ✔️ Report issues with clear details.
Calls to Action
- Check Net Schedule – Stay connected and practice regularly.
- Report a Technical Issue – Help maintain system reliability.
Become a Member – Support the repeaters and keep them on the air.