K4LKW REPEATER SYSTEM OPERATING RULES
(1) No communications are permitted with persons not holding a valid Amateur Radio license except for transmissions in compliance with FCC rules on third party traffic and control operator supervision. For an unlicensed person to key a transmitter on Amateur Radio bands, the immediate presence of a properly-licensed operator is required. This means that the control (licensed) operator is within a few feet and can observe the operation of the Amateur radio station.
(2) If an operator fails to identify with his or her Amateur Radio call, consider that person to be unlicensed. After a request for their call sign, do not communicate with or acknowledge any transmissions made by unidentified/unlicensed operators. If you hear someone with a questionable call, you can verify via http://www.qrz.com
(3) Do not discuss any details about jammers or jamming on the air at any time and do not acknowledge jammers in any manner. Use procedures shown below to assist in determining the location of an unidentified/unlicensed operator. When input from observers is sufficient to identify a source of illegal transmissions, details will be filed with the Federal Communications Commission and other agencies for enforcement action. Penalties for malicious transmissions can total thousands of dollars in fines and legal costs plus several years in prison.
(4) Communications must be non-commercial. Prohibitions have been relaxed by the FCC. One may order fast food or conduct some personal business. But an operator is not allowed to benefit financially from using Amateur Radio. One could not use ham radio to dispatch employees of a profit-making business (except as outlined by the FCC regarding hospitals and other commercial entities in time of emergency, or an emergency drill, when an employee of a particular entity is a duly licensed amateur radio operator on duty at their job) or to solicit customers. It is permissible to disseminate information on personal gear for sale or trade on nets and during conversations.
K4LKW REPEATER SYSTEM OPERATING TIPS
(1) The K4LKW Repeater System uses a courtesy beep and delay (hang time) at the end of each transmission. It is good procedure to pause between transmissions for a second or two so that other stations may call, and to give the repeater time to “drop” so it does not “time out” due to constant use without a break.
(2) Allow a second of lead time when you key your microphone before speaking. This allows equipment time to engage and “repeat” your transmission. PTT means “push-to-talk,” but on the repeater it also means “push then talk.”
(3) To join a conversation, simply announce your complete call or suffix of your call during a break. When joining a conversation and at all other times use your complete call sign.