PEARL Repeater Operating Policy

PEARL OPERATING POLICIES
The following are some operating procedures and policies that PEARL has instituted on its repeater facilities.

1. Monitor the repeater to become familiar with its practices. During non-emergency type operation, PEARL has a rather informal, comfortable format of operation. Users come and go and make their comments when they wish. Just drop your call in to join a QSO in progress. If you wish to make a call, simply say "call, please" and you should be given the repeater. Please be brief. When you first turn on your radio, listen for a couple of minutes to be sure the machine is not in use. When the repeater is in formal mode, listen and wait to be called. If you should have an emergency, then simply say "EMERGENCY." Control operators are generally around to handle these situations.

2. Do not engage in conversations with or acknowledge jammers or people that come on with malicious intent. They are there to get a reaction from you. Ignore and talk over them. This also applies to noises or transmissions of unknown origin. Let the control operators handle these problems. Just carry on with your conversation if you can.

3. Since this repeater is partially sponsored by County government, it is not in our best interest to negatively discuss our local politicians or local government.

4. Along the same lines, since we work closely with some of the police agencies, we do not disclose the location of radar traps, road blocks, nor make any negative comments about them.

5. For reasons discussed above and because we have many young hams and a very large listening audience, absolutely no swearing or indecent language is permitted on the repeater.

6. No business communication is permitted. Any communication that aids either you or your boss in doing business or making money is off limits.

7. Don't be a repeater hog. Don't forget - this is a wide coverage repeater and there are lots of folks that want to use it. Use common sense as to how long you're going to tie it up with one-to-one conversation. Use simplex when possible. If you can complete your QSO on a simplex frequency, there is no reason to tie up the repeater.

8. Wait for the courtesy beep between transmissions. It allows time for emergency calls to go through and allows time for the time-out timer to reset.

9. Identify your station when you key up the repeater or first come on. You must identify at least once every 10 minutes while signed in to a QSO. Give your call when you sign off.

10. Use the minimum amount of power necessary to maintain communications. This reduces interference to neighboring repeaters on the same frequency.

11. Many listeners including non-hams hear your transmissions. We strive to maintain an image of radio professionals in the amateur fraternity and to set a good example. Leave the CB lingo for 11 meters and don't use phrases such as "my first personal is" or "you're making a great trip."

12. If you have any questions about operating procedure or what to do, you can always feel free to call upon any officer of the club for help. Call on the phone if you don't wish to do it on the air.

13. Do not be critical of other groups, individuals, repeaters or organizations.

14. During inclement weather, the repeater may be placed in formal mode for SKYWARN nets. National Traffic System (NTS) stations may occasionally pass traffic on the PEARL repeaters. Please allow them primary use the repeater, as they have schedules to make.

HAPPY OPERATING!

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