Question 1

Communications through the repeater may be restricted based on content.

Accepted Answer

The first amendment affords a constitutional right to freedom of speech in a public venue, but that right does not supercede the rights of an amateur to restrict what communications are permitted to pass through his or her station, including repeater stations.  Repeater stations, just like any other amateur station such as a home station or a club station, is the private property its owner(s).  An amateur repeater station is not a public utility or common carrier.    The second amendment is the right to bear arms, and we support that one wholeheartedly.

Question 2

Use of the repeater may be restricted to certain stations.

Accepted Answer

Part 97 regulations, specifically §97.205(e), permit limiting or restricting the use of a repeater to certain stations.  Such restrictions may be imposed for any reason, or for no reason, regardless of whether the repeater is considered an "open" or "closed" repeater.  Limiting the use of the repeater may be accomplished by denying or revoking a specific station the privilege to use the repeater via simple written or verbal notification.

Question 3

Certain topics and language, including those that are offensive, controversial, or defamatory, are prohibited."

Accepted Answer

The following topics are in poor taste, are not permissible, and will not be tolerated:   “Off Color” comments, sexual innuendo, and double entendre.   Derogatory remarks directed at any specific ethnic, racial, religious, or sexual-orientation group.   Defamatory statements about any specific individual or group.   Discussion of illegal activities by or between those in communication.   Vulgar, offensive, indecent, or distasteful language.   Discussion or humor related to bodily functions.   Threats or discussion of violence, harassment, and others crimes against persons.   Retransmission of content or subject matter associated with other radio services including, but not limited to, citizens band radio, GMRS, FRS, National Weather Service, public safety, commercial/business radio systems, marine radio, and broadcast services.   The use of CB lingo, 10-codes, and radio slang not customarily used in the amateur radio service.   Any language other than English unless otherwise explicitly permitted by a control operator on duty who is fluent in the language.   Any form of ciphers, voice scrambling, "code words", or slang terms used to conceal or disguise subject matter, whether or not it is offensive, is not permitted and is a violation of FCC regulations.   Any activity that is in violation of FCC rules and/or any other federal, state or local laws.   Malicious interference including "jamming", making unidentified transmissions, transmitting on top of another station, transmitting music, etc., as well as discussion of, or acknowledgement of, the same.   Most one-way transmissions are prohibited by FCC regulations.  ALL one-way transmission are prohibited through the repeater with the exception of those required to establish communications.  This includes one-way announcements of weather reports and traffic conditions.

Question 4

Linking or crossbanding to/from the repeater is not permitted.

Accepted Answer

The repeater is for use by mobile, portable, and fixed amateur stations operating under local control only.  Linking to the repeater via any/all types of remote stations or networks, including, but not limited to, all forms of RF and RoIP linking (Echolink, IRLP, AllstarLink, etc.) is not permitted.  The use of crossband radios or extenders that retransmit the repeater output onto another frequency, and/or retransmit from another frequency to the repeater input frequency, are not permitted.

Question 5

Poor operating, including disregard of Repeater Operating Practices, is unwelcome."

Accepted Answer

Good operating practices beyond just the minimum required by regulation are not only encouraged, but are expected.  The Repeater Operating Practices document on this web site is considered part of these Uniform Repeater Rules and is incorporated by reference.

Question 6

Do not acknowledge, react to, or discuss unidentified transmissions, unlicensed operators, or malicious interference."

Accepted Answer

This should be both obvious and self-explanatory.  Discussion of transmissions from unidentified or unlicensed stations and incidents of malicious interference ("jamming") is not permitted.  In the event of unidentified transmissions or intentional interference, simply continue the conversation without acknowleding it.  Communicating with an unlicensed station is a violation of FCC regulations.

Question 7

Only speech is permitted through the repeater.

Accepted Answer

Signalling, identification, and paging tones or codes, including but not limited to MDC, ANI, MODAT, GE STAR, DTMF, 5/6 tone, etc. are not permitted.    "Roger beeps" and other sound effects are not permitted.    Digital modes including RTTY, AX.25 (including APRS), NBEMS, digital voice codecs, etc. are not permitted unless previously approved, and only for the purposes and duration for which permission was given.   Background noise from televisions, broadcast radios, two-way radios, scanners,  , computers, etc. must not be audible.   In short, unless otherwise approved, only human voice originating from a licensed amateur station under local control is permitted.

Question 8

Stations using the repeater must identify properly, including at the start of communications."

Accepted Answer

FCC regulations require that stations identify, in English, every ten minutes and at the conclusion of communications.  Additionally, users of the repeater are required to identify at the start of communications, including when joining a conversation in progress; interjecting comments without prior station identification is not permitted.  Identification should be made clearly, and each character of the callsign enunciated properly.  Phonetics are typically not necessary when identifying through a repeater, but may be used when clarification is necessary due to misinterpretation or poor signal conditions, or when so requested by another station.

Question 9

Emergency communications have priority.

Accepted Answer

At all times, regardless of affiliation or prior approval, the repeater is available for emergency communications without prior authority.  All emergency communications shall have priority over other traffic.  Stations not involved in the emergency communications shall stand by and not interrupt for the duration of the emergency traffic.  Stations participating in emergency traffic should make periodic announcements in the course of their communications stating the nature of the emergency, and ask that all other stations stand by.

Question 10

Use of the repeater for nets, drills, special events, and other scheduled or recurring activities is not permitted without prior authorization."

Accepted Answer

The repeater is made available for routine and emergency amateur communications.  Organized activities, whether or not recurring, such as nets, drills, club/group/agency activations, special events, and contests are not permitted on or through the repeater without prior authorization.

Question 11

The control operators have exclusive discretion and shall enforce these rules.

Accepted Answer

The control operators monitor the operation of, and the traffic through, the repeater to insure compliance with FCC regulations and these rules.  They have the duty and authority to prevent the continuation of any violative activity using a variety of means, including disabling the repeater, issuing formal and informal warnings to repeater users, and revoking the privilege to use the repeater either temporarily or permanently.   If a control operator witnesses a rule being violated or about to be violated, the policy they follow is to act first and ask questions later.  When such an event occurs, the immediate step taken is typically to shut down the repeater for a period of time.  A shutdown should be an obvious hint to those in conversation that one or more rules were being violated, or there was a flagrant disregard for good amateur operating practice. Shutdowns are often done in lieu of direct contact with the offending party.   Persons who violate rules may or may not receive a written warning.  In situations when a warning is warranted, the control operator will attempt to contact the offending party or parties off-the-air, typically via email.    If the violation was purposeful or egregious, or if the same or different violations recurs, the privilege to use the repeater will be revoked.  Note that the privilege to use the repeater may be revoked for any reason, or even for no reason, per these rules and 97.205(e).  Persons whose privilege to use the repeater has been revoked may be listed on one or more web sites, in newsletters, and in other public or semi-public publications or electronic forums. Recurring or willful violations of FCC regulations, including continued use of the repeater after revocation, will be reported to the FCC for enforcement action.   The control operators have no obligation to explain, discuss, debate, or negotiate the rules with anyone other than the repeater owner.  Likewise, they have no obligation to explain why enforcement actions were taken; there is no right to due process.

UNIFORM REPEATER RULES