Repeater Offsets:
2 Meter Amateur Radio repeaters work on duplex operation. That means that the repeater receives radio signals on one frequency and retransmits them on another frequency. The repeater takes in the input signal (this is the frequency that the Amateur Radio operator transmits on) and transmits it out at a higher power allowing an amateur radio operator with a low power radio transceiver to contact other operators at far greater distances than he or she would be able to without the aid of the repeater.
If you are only monitoring 2 Meter on a scanner, you need not be concerned with the repeater offset. The offset only applies to the Frequency the Amateur Radio Operator must use to transmit into the repeater. The output frequency is always the frequency that should be programmed into a scanner for monitoring.
On 2 Meter Repeaters, the standard offset is + or - .6 MHz.
PL Tones:
A PL Tone or CTCSS Tone (Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System) is a sub-audible tone that can be transmitted along with the signal from most 2 Meter Amateur Radios at the operator's discretion. Some repeaters will not allow an incoming signal (your transmitted signal) to be processed and retransmitted unless the signal carries the proper PL tone.
The PL tone is used to prevent unwanted signals from "keying" into the repeater. It is also used to prevent distant repeaters that may be operating on the same frequency from unintentionally interfering with the local repeater.
Back to Western PA 2 Meter Emergency Communications
Back to Western PA Situation Report page
Back to PA-SitRep.com main page