Well point one:
When you listen the frequency dial should read the output frequency
When you transmit, the display should read the input frequency
Make sure the offset shift is proper -- up or down, + or -


Point two. Some repeaters are "alligators" big mouth, little ears so to
speak. Thus easy to hear, difficult to get enough signal into the repeater
to key it up. I have a repeater here that is 40dB over S9, but I can't raise
it (90 miles away) it is way up in altitude on a Mt top.

Point three: Some repeaters are designated open -- meaning they are open to
all hams -- but they might require PL. Many here in So Calif are that way.

Point four. While at the Ham meeting -- see if another Ham can raise the
repeater with their HT

Point five -- connect your HT to an outdoor antenna -- a rubber duck is a
lousy antenna.

--
Caveat Lector (Reader Beware)
Help The New Hams
Someone Helped You
Or did You Forget That ?



"Eric Patterson" wrote in message
ink.net...
Hi all. I will send you an update on the issues I have had accessing
repeaters. Last Wednesday, I took my HT with me to the local amateur
radio
club. When the meeting was over, I had another radio operator check out
my
HT. Here's what we found:
1. The radio is transmitting ok. I was standing in the parking lot while
he was in his vehicle. I was able to use my HT to call him.
2. The repeater shift is ok. I made sure it was set to .6 MHZ for 2
meters. I don't think the problem has anything to do with tones because
the
problem occurs when trying to access open repeaters. Does anyone else
have
any recommendations? Thanks again.

Eric
"Dick" LeadWinger wrote in message
...
OK. I did a search out 50 miles from Portland using the 2005 version
of TravelPlus from ARRL. I don't see any 145.38 repeaters in that
area. I do see a 147.38 in Cedar Mill which is an open repeater.

The only 145.27 repeater within that 50-mile radius is in Forest
Grove, but it has a P/L of 107.2. Hope this helps.

Dick - W6CCD

On Sat, 29 Jan 2005 22:05:28 GMT, "Eric Patterson"
wrote:

Here's a point of clarification:
Beaverton is a suburb of Portland, Or and is located in Washington
County.
Gresham is also part of Portland, but is on the other side of town.
Here
are a couple of the repeaters I am trying to access are 145.27 and
147.38.
I hope this helps.

Eric

"Eric Patterson" wrote in message
ink.net...
Hi all. I will send you an update on the issues I have had accessing
repeaters. Last Wednesday, I took my HT with me to the local amateur
radio
club. When the meeting was over, I had another radio operator check out
my
HT. Here's what we found:
1. The radio is transmitting ok. I was standing in the parking lot while
he was in his vehicle. I was able to use my HT to call him.
2. The repeater shift is ok. I made sure it was set to .6 MHZ for 2
meters. I don't think the problem has anything to do with tones because
the
problem occurs when trying to access open repeaters. Does anyone else
have
any recommendations? Thanks again.



It may be that you are expecting too much trasnmitt range out of the HT.
Make sure the radio is on its highest power output. Then get next to
someone that can access a repeater with his HT and see if you can. Some 2
meter repeaters shift up .6 and some shift down .6 MHz.

If the ground is level or close to it you should be able to talk about 3
miles to a mobile unit on a direct frequency. YOu need to measuer the
output power. If you do not have a meter maybe you can get your hands on a
1/2 watt resistor from about 40 to 60 ohms. Put that on the rig instead of
the antenna. One lead to the center of the BNC connector and the other to
the outer part of the connector. The resistor should get very hot in 20
seconds or less. If it does not get hot then you may have a bad final
stage in the HT.

On Sat, 12 Feb 2005 20:25:47 GMT, "Ralph Mowery"
wrote:


It may be that you are expecting too much trasnmitt range out of the HT.
Make sure the radio is on its highest power output. Then get next to
someone that can access a repeater with his HT and see if you can.

I agree. It will save you a lot of time and wondering, if you just
stand next to another ham and try both HT's. If he can, but you can't
access, then start looking at your HT. If neither of you can, then
you need to change the game plan and realize that you are trying to do
something that can't be done with an HT.

Dick

On Sat, 12 Feb 2005 19:36:40 GMT, "Eric Patterson"
wrote:

Hi all. I will send you an update on the issues I have had accessing
repeaters. Last Wednesday, I took my HT with me to the local amateur radio
club. When the meeting was over, I had another radio operator check out my
HT. Here's what we found:
1. The radio is transmitting ok. I was standing in the parking lot while
he was in his vehicle. I was able to use my HT to call him.
2. The repeater shift is ok. I made sure it was set to .6 MHZ for 2
meters. I don't think the problem has anything to do with tones because the
problem occurs when trying to access open repeaters. Does anyone else have
any recommendations? Thanks again.

Try getting a better antenna than the stock rubber duck.

A 1/4 wave is necessary around here for reliable operation during PS
events.

If you know the physical location of the repeater, try from very
close.

Also, on repeaters with tone, make sure you have set your rig
correctly. BTW, open repeater usually means that it is available for
all, and it still may have a tone.

Happy trails,
Gary (net.yogi.bear)
------------------------------------------------
at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence

Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA
Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom