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A simple first call on a local repeater. A repeater up on a hill hears your handheld and passes your signal on, so you reach much farther. Your first contact is usually short and friendly.
- Find a repeater. Look up a local repeater, then program its frequency, offset and tone into your radio.
- Listen first. Listen for a minute to make sure nobody is using it, and get a feel for the timing.
- Make your call. Press the push-to-talk button, wait a beat, then say your call sign and that you’re listening.
- Reply and sign off. If someone answers, trade names and a signal report, then sign off with your call sign.
In the pictures
- A radio’s list of local repeaters: 146.940, −600, PL 100.0 · 147.120, +600, PL 103.5 · 444.875, +5.0, PL 100.0.
- The call: “KJ5LQM, listening.”
- An answer: “KJ5LQM, this is W1DEMO. Welcome!”
- Signing off: “Thanks! 73, KJ5LQM.”
Key terms
- Repeater: a hilltop station that re-transmits your signal.
- Offset: the gap between where a repeater listens and where it transmits.
- Tone: a low tone (CTCSS) many repeaters need before they relay you.
- PTT: the push-to-talk button on the side of your radio.
Good to know
- Wait a moment after pressing PTT so your first word isn’t cut off.
- Say your call sign every 10 minutes and at the end of a contact.
- Keep each turn short and friendly.
- Emergency traffic always comes first. Stand by if you hear it.
In short: Pick a repeater, listen first, call with your call sign, and keep it short and friendly.
W1DEMO is a made-up call sign.
Checked October 2026 against FCC Part 97 and the ARRL band plan.
