Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is a repeater?
A. A repeater is a relatively simple idea of receiving a signal at one frequency and re-transmitting it at another.
Q. Why is it needed?
A. Repeaters are normally located at significant geographical locations to allow radio amateurs to communicate with one another when they are not able to communicate directly because of physical barriers such as hills or tall buildings.
Q. Who can use a repeater ?
A. Repeaters are primarily for radio amateurs but they also exist for the wider community during national emergencies when communications services are unable to cope with demand. In these circumstances amateur repeaters can be used by the police, ifre brigade or other emergency services.
Q. What is the Tyne Wear Repeater Group?
A. The group is really a flexible structure where local amateurs can help run the repeater. Originally in the 1970s the group had a formal membership system. However now the group relies on donations. Each year the group arranges an annual meeting in which all radio amateurs can attend, This meeting elects the principle officers who run the group. One member of the group holds the licence to run the repeaters.
Q. What is DSTAR and are your repeaters compatible with DSTAR
A. DSTAR is a new digital mode of amateur radio that transmits voice digitally as opposed to using analogue means, The digital mode allows options of internet linking and potentially international coverage from a local repeater. Although DSTAR has become a popular mode for repeaters, equipment remains expensive and TWRG believe that analogue repeaters remain the most cost effective means for local amateurs to use repeaters.