KC4GZX Repeater Glossary

Here are a few definitions of the words and phrases commonly used as lingo on repeaters. This chart covers some of the basic "Repeater-Speak" and explains the terms heard on your local repeater.

Repeater Glossary
Autopatch	A device that interfaces the repeater system with the telephone system to extend ham communication over the telephone communication network.
Breaker	A ham who interjects his call sign during a QSO in an attempt to get a chance to communicate over a repeater.
Channel	The pair of frequencies (input and output) a repeater operates on.
Closed Repeater	A repeater whose use is limited to certain individuals. These are completely legal under FCC Rules.
Control Operator	An individual ham designated to "control" the repeater, as required by FCC regulations.
COR	Carrier-Operated-Relay, a device that, upon sensing a received signal, turns on the repeater's transmitter to repeat the received signal.
Courtesy Tone	A short tone sounded after each repeater transmission to permit other stations to gain access to the repeater before the tone sounds.
Coverage	The geographical area in which the repeater may be used for communication.
CTCSS	Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System, a subaudible tone system which operates the squelch (COR) of a repeater when the corresponding subaudible tone is present on a transmitted signal. The squelch on a repeater that uses CTCSS will not activate if the improper CTCSS tone, or if no tone, is transmitted.
Crossband	Communication to another frequency band by means of a link interfaced with the repeater.
Desense	Degradation of receiver sensitivity caused by strong unwanted signals reaching the receiver front end.
Duplexer	A device that permits the use of one antenna for both transmitting and receiving with minimal degradation to either the incoming or outgoing signals.
Frequency Synthesis	A scheme of frequency generation in modern transceivers using digital techniques.
Full Quieting	Signal strength in excess of the amount required to mask ambient noise.
Hand-Held	A portable FM transceiver that is small enough to use and carry in one hand.
Input	The frequency the repeater receiver is tuned to: The frequency that a repeater user transmits on.
Intermod	Interference caused by spurious signals generated by intermodulation distortion in a receiver front end or transmitter power amplifier stage.
Key-Up	Turning on a repeater by transmitting on its input frequency.
LiTZ	Long Tone Zero (LiTZ) Alerting system. Send DTMF zero (0) for at least three seconds to request emergency/urgent assistance.
Machine	The complete repeater system.
Mag-Mount	A mobile antenna with a magnetic base that permits quick installation and removal from the motor vehicle.
Offset	The spacing between a repeater's input and output frequency.
Omnidirectional	An antenna system that radiates equally in all directions.
Output	The frequency the repeater transmits on; the frequency that a repeater user receives on.
Picket-Fencing	Rapid flutter on a mobile signal as it travels past an obstruction.
Polarization	The plane an antenna system operates in; most repeaters are vertically polarized.
Reverse Autopatch	A device that interfaces the repeater with the telephone system and permits users of the phone system to call the repeater and converse with on-the-air repeater users.
RPT/R	Abbreviation used after repeater call signs to indicate that the callsign is being used for repeater operation.
Simplex	Communication on one frequency, not via a repeater.
Split Sites	The use of two locations for repeater operation (the receiver is at one site and the transmitter at another), and the two are linked by telephone or radio.
Squelch Tail	The short noise burst of unmodulated carrier following each repeater transmission.
Time-Out-Timer	A device that limits the length of a single repeater transmission (usally 3 minutes).
Tone Pad	A device that generates the standard telephone system tones (DTMF) used for controlling various repeater functions.

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