[W3GV] 61 Jammer - Something has to be done!

[jjlis165 at gmail.com]

Dear Radio Association of Erie Members, 

I think it is time that the members of your organization need to start to
listen to the club repeaters a bit more and help get rid of the constant
jammer that is on the repeaters.  Many local hams  believe that a Foxhunt is
the way to go.  But with the current COVID 19 Virus, the FCC has other
things to deal with than a guy horsing around on the 61 repeater.  For those
that do not keep up with the ARES/RACES nets, during the last two Sundays,
the jammer was at his/her peak. The net controls who ran the nets did an
excellent job under the worst of conditions.  If we had a real disaster, we
would be up the creek. I think it is time for your organization to stand up
and do something about this ongoing problem before it gets worse. 

 Some people don't have any problems with the repeater controller spelling
certain words  because they do not have any kids.  I know that many members
have younger kids or grandkids who may be in the  Ham shack . I know that
some of them would not be too happy if their child or grandchild learned how
to spell a new word courtesy of the 61 repeater controller.  

I know this jammer problem can be taken care in multiple ways.  Even though
I am not club member for multiple reasons. I recommend that the organization
consider any/all of  these ideas to control the jammer:

1.	Contact someone who is familiar with programming the ARCOM RC-210
Controller and have them change the COMMAND for the DTMF PAD TEST.  This has
to be done through the RCP Programmer Software. To Change this code, it
under the Special Codes/Autopatch Tab in the RCP programmer.  
2.	Change the PL tone on the repeaters from 186.2 to a different PL
tone. Or switch to DCS like the Conneaut club did. 
3.	If none of these ideas are acceptable, I would recommend turning off
the repeater's 01 receiver for few hours until the jammer finally gets the
idea.

73,

John Lis

N3NKV