[HCRA] MTARA Posts Their "REPEATER ETIQUETTE & OPERATING PROCEDURES"

[n1kxr at comcast.net]

Greetings all,

The below is a quote from the MTARA's website. If you are an MTARA member and/or utilize any of the MTARA's repeaters, this webpage is a must read. It touches upon not only the rules as set by the FCC as they relate to the proper use of Amateur Radio repeaters, but, cover the MTARA's rules regarding what they permit , or do not permit, above and beyond those guidelines and rules st by the FCC.

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MTARA, the Mount Tom Amateur Repeater Association, Inc., is a not-for-profit corporation, formed to encourage and foster mutual interest in amateur radio communications and provide public service. MTARA provides emergency communication when required as a result of normal communication means being disrupted by natural or man made causes. 

MTARA operates radio repeater systems on VHF (146.670/146.070 MHz, 146.940/146.340 MHz, and 147.000/147.600 MHz on 2 Meters, and 223.82/222.22 MHz on upper VHF), and on UHF (443.200/448.200 MHz) to enhance the quality of communication available.  

The MTARA repeaters (W1TOM) are licensed by the Federal Communications Commission and the users of our repeaters MUST comply with ALL FCC mandated rules and regulations. Repeaters are part of amateur radio, and ham radio is a hobby and should be FUN, however, common sense requires that some basic guidelines be followed.  

Remember, repeaters are not a direct line. They are a “party line” over which your words are heard from the Vermont border to Long Island Sound, and from Pittsfield to Worcester. Other hams, governmental and local agencies, as well as TV and radio stations monitor our frequencies. Your comments are a reflection of you as a person and of ham radio in general.  

IN ADDITION to the FCC Regulations, the MTARA has established operating procedures beyond the minimum required by law, to optimize the use of the repeaters and to define a level of quality representative of the club.  

While not all-inclusive, the following procedures establish a baseline for all repeater users to follow. If you follow these few guidelines, you will be acting as a responsible member of the amateur community, and you will sound like you have been using repeaters for years!!

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To read this message in it's entirety, as well as to familiarize yourself  with the MTARA's "REPEATER ETIQUETTE & OPERATING PROCEDURES", please clink on this link: http://www.mtara.org/Repeater_Ettiquette.html

73
Richard H. Wheeler - N1KXR 
Amateur Radio Operator 
Western Massachusetts (USA)
http://www.qrz.com/callsign/N1KXR