[HCRA] Transmitting problems??

[Marc]

Eric,

I'm not familiar with the ICOM you have and you did
not mention if you were trying t use a repeater or
simplex but, 

It could simply be that they could not hear you
because:
1.  If they were on a repeater, you may have been
transmitting on the output freq of the repeater, not
the input.   Check your settings...
2.  You were not transmitting the access tone (if
required by the repeater).  The other stations will
not hear you if you are not transmitting the access
tone (PL tone). Check the repeater listings for PL
tones...  Do a search (Google) for "New England
Repeater Directory".
3.  You do not have a strong enough signal to the
repeater to be able to talk to someone eventhough you
can hear them.  Were you using the "rubber duck"
antenna from inside your house?  Depending on the
repeater, that is not going to work.  A better antenna
may be needed.
4.  What power setting do you have the HT set to?
Initially, I would set it to high power and see later
if you can lower the power and still maintain contact.

5.  If they were on a simplex frequency, they may not
hear you because of the low power typically from HTs. 
The other station may have been running a base station
with an outside antenna.

Remember, typically on 2 meters, just because you can
hear them does not mean they can hear you, especially
if you have an HT.  Using an HT with the stock
antenna, inside a car or house can be frustrating.

My suggestion:  Program in 146.940 with a negative
offset (-600 Khz) and try listening around 8 AM or
aorund evening commute time.  When you hear two people
talking, in between their transmissions just key up
and announce your callsign.  When they acknowledge
you, ask for a quick signal report, tell them you have
a new HT and what to know if you are making the
repeater ok.  If they 'ignore you', you are not making
the repeater with a strong enough signal.  

Also, there is no neeed to call CQ on the repeater
frequencies. It is generally considered bad form on
the repeaters.  Simply say your callsign and if you
want, say listening.  For instance, I would key up and
say "K1MZ listening".  This MAY or MAY not get me a
contact, but I should hear the repeater transmit for a
few seconds after I let go of the mic PTT indicating I
have accessed the repeater.

Good luck and keep trying,
Marc
K1MZ



--- Eric Richardson <sandmanofcs@earthlink.net> wrote:
> ______________________________________________
> -------Hampden County Radio Association-------
> -----------e-mail list (reflector)-------------
> ______________________________________________
> Never mind on the transmitting problems, I found
> that out by turning my
> scanner down while having it on the scan function,
> then transmitting. I am
> transmitting, it's just that nobody wants to talk to
> me :-(. 
> 



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