Category: Site Features

Hits: 7342

The Advanced Search is where the power is. Since the website is database-driven, we can basically create a search on any one of the database fields. This particular form should be seen as a series of filters. Look at it as starting with the entire database, some 20,000 repeaters, and entering criteria to slice away repeaters until you get the result you are looking for. A note to remember, all the fields are optional. You can enter as much or as little data as you choose to get the result.

The first slice is the choice of the state(s) and/or province(s) you wish to search. You can choose just one or many by holding down the Control button on your keyboard as you click additional state(s) and/or province(s). This is an inclusion filter, which means only the states or provinces you select are included in the search.

The next filter is by band or frequency. You would never select both! This field is completely optional, but entering something will filter down the results. An example is when you live in a Tri-state area, and you hear a repeater on a particular frequency. You may want to do a reverse search based on the frequency to determine which repeater it was. Just select the states you want to query along with the frequency with the repeater, and your answer will be within the results!

You could stop here, for example, if you just wanted to retrieve all of the 900 MHz repeaters out of Arizona, but there is still a lot more filtering you can do!

If you want to search for all the repeaters with a particular call sign, you can enter it here. If you leave all the fields blank, you will get all of the repeaters in the database with that call sign no matter what band or state/province they are in. Use the filters to narrow the search, if needed.

The features filter is minimal, by design. If you want to search for just repeaters with autopatch or emergency power, select one. If you want to search nationwide for repeaters with digital modes, use the Nationwide Search.

If you want to search only for repeaters that are known to have wide-area coverage, select the appropriate bullet under the Coverage category.

If you want to search only for repeaters that someone has confirmed as "on-air," select the appropriate bullet under the Operational Status category.

Finally, you can sort the results by frequency, state, or update date.

Happy Searching!

Category: Site Features

Hits: 7934

There are many search options on Repeaterbook.com. This particular post will describe how to use the pre-formatted "Quick" searches.

The default search type on this site is the Quick Search. When entering the site, the easiest way to get there is to click on the map of the USA and Canada. Clicking on a state or province will direct you immediately to the Quick Search for that state or province.

The page now displays several categories of searches. Each one is described in detail below:

Band

Band is the frequency band. Simply choose the band you want to view and all the repeaters on the band will be returned to you in a list sorted by frequency. All the popular VHF and UHF bands are included. But, not all states have repeaters on those bands.

Feature

A Feature Search is coded into the site and this search taps it's power with some pre-formatted search for some popular features, including

• Autopatch
• EchoLink
• IRLP
• WIRES
• MOTOTRBO
• NXDN
• Linked
• D-Star
• P25
• AllStar
• Wide Area coverage
• ATX

There are many other features that could be listed for a repeater, and there are additional features that can be searched on from the Feature Search and Free Text Searches. Again, this is just a quick search that will show you all repeaters on all bands with that feature.

Linking systems

Using a linked system can dramatically increase the range of your radio and increase the number of potential contact you can make. When traveling away from the QTH, linked systems may help you talk back to home from great distances. There are a number of advantages to using a linked system. Repeaterbook.com tags all repeaters within a system and can present the full list of the repeaters that are members of that system. Just choose the system name. There are a variety of features on the Search Results page, including an option to map the location and coverage of the repeaters. This can be very beneficial for those traveling on vacation.

Emergency Repeaters

Isn't the backbone of HAM radio providing communications when all else fails? No repeater directory would be complete without a quich search option for repeaters designated for emergency use:

• ARES
• RACES
• Weather Nets
• SKYWARN
• Emergency power equipped

Route coverage

We have been working hard to help travelers with trying to locate a good repeater when you are out of your home area and you want to make a contact. Sometimes you just want to chat to make the miles go faster or look for a good local restaurant to eat at. You may need directions or help with reporting an accident or other dangerous condition. When you are out of your area, what repeater should you try first? We try to do research here in advance for you. These repeaters have bene confirmed as on-air and have wide area coverage. When we get a good grouping of repeaters covering the same area, we begin to filter down further to the repeaters that are most likely monitored (heavier traffic repeaters). Every metro area seems to have their favorite repeaters. We'll try to guide you there.

To seach, just pick the icon of hte route you are traveling on and a list of repeaters will appear for you to choose from.

Location

This is a simple search for repeaters that are located at or near the listed location. All the locations listed will have at least one repeater assigned to it.

County (USA only)

Listing of all the repeaters within a particular county. All counties listed have a repeater assigned to it. If the county is not listed, there are no repeaters there.

Last updated date

We add the date the repeater was last updated so you know how fresh the data is. If you would like to keep up-to-date on changes to repeaters in your area, check this area. You can get a list of the repeaters that we updated in the last 30, 180, or 365 days. You can even get a list of the repeaters since the last time you logged in to the site.

Top 25 highest quality rated

If you are a registered user, you can rate a repeater on several criteria. We highly encourage this as it provides visitors from out of the area some local knowledge on the repeater. This may help you choose which repeater you would like to start a QSO on.

Top 25 highest travel rated

Travel ratings are also provided by our registered users. A future enhancement to the site will be to map these top repeaters. If one is near you, put your call out.