====== Repeater Linking ======
Repeaters can be linked together by way of many different modes. This may include RF, EchoLink, AllStar, etc. This article is not intended for DMR linking.

Repeaters may be linked to a single repeater, multiple repeaters, or a simplex frequency. Repeaterbook tracks this linking and displays it back on a repeaters Detail page with links so that users can quickly navigate to the Detail pages of each of the repeaters and learn about the nature of the linking. If a repeater linking system has been created, clicking on the name of the linked system open a new search window that displays all of the repeaters in that system, including an option to map the system.

Admins and [[custodian|Repeater Record Custodians]] can manage the repeater linking information. Only repeaters that are linked routinely should be listed. This is not intended for dynamic links between repeaters, like a temporary link between to EchoLink repeaters. 

To add a link to a repeater, go to the repeater's Detail page and click the "SUBMIT UPDATE" menu item. Click the submenu item to "MANAGE LINKS". A pop-up window appears with three options to select from:

  * Link to Repeater
  * Link to System
  * Link to Simplex

===== Link to Repeater =====
This type of link is preferred when only two repeaters are linked together. You will need to enter the following information:

  - Persistence: This is the nature of the link. Is it full-time, part-time, linkable, or On-Demand? Choose "full-time" if the repeaters are always linked to each other. Select full-time of they are only linked part of the time, such as for nets. Select linkable if there is a pre-configured link that a repeater sysop can activate to link the repeater. Select On-Demand if the repeater linking can be completed by someone other than a sysop via a DTMF code, for example.
  - Reciprocity: Is the repeater transmitting and receiving the other repeater in full-duplex? If it is just listening to the other repeater, this is half-duplex and that option should be selected.
  - Internet-Linked: If the repeater is RF-linked, select No. It's helpful to know if the repeater is Internet-linked as those links tend to be more fragile during serious natural disasters. Internet links tend to be linking via IRLP, EchoLink, AllStar, and WIRES.
  - State/Province: Which state or province is the repeater be linked to assigned to? 
  - Repeater ID: is the repeater ID of the repeater. This can be located by searching for the repeater and viewing its Detail page. Under the menu is a header that includes the repeater's location and call sign in bold, large font. Under that is the "Repeater ID." This is a set of characters followed by a dash followed by numbers. The Repeater ID is the portion after the dash. For example 48-**12345**, the value 12345 is what is desired.
  - Display as: indicates how the link will be displayed on the Details page. Location, Frequency is preferred for a repeater in the United States. All other parts of the world tend to provide an independent call sign for a repeater and selecting "Call Sign, Frequency" may be the preferred display.

==== Link to System ====
When three or more repeaters are linked to each other, Repeaterbook refers to this as a system. It can be much easier to link multiple repeaters to a common system than it is to link all of the repeaters to each other. You will need to enter the following information:

  - Persistence: This is the nature of the link. Is it full-time, part-time, linkable, or On-Demand? Choose "full-time" if the repeaters are always linked to each other. Select full-time of they are only linked part of the time, such as for nets. Select linkable if there is a pre-configured link that a repeater sysop can activate to link the repeater. Select On-Demand if the repeater linking can be completed by someone other than a sysop via a DTMF code, for example.
  - Reciprocity: Is the repeater transmitting and receiving the other repeater in full-duplex? If it is just listening to the other repeater, this is half-duplex and that option should be selected.
  - Internet-Linked: If the repeater is RF-linked, select No. It's helpful to know if the repeater is Internet-linked as those links tend to be more fragile during serious natural disasters. Internet links tend to be linking via IRLP, EchoLink, AllStar, and WIRES.
  - Choose System. Use this to select a System that has already been established.
  - or New System. If the System is not in the drop-down menu under Choose System, you will need to create a new system. Enter the name of the system, but do not add the word "System" to the name. We will add that automatically. When you add the next repeater to that system, the system name will be in the "Choose System" drop-down box.
  - Limit to this state/province. Select "Yes" if the entire system is contained within one state or province. This helps to declutter the drop-down box by omitting linked systems belonging to other states and reducing confusion when two systems have the same name, but are not related to each other but are in different states or provinces. If the system crosses over state or provincial boundaries, select "No." 

==== Link to Simplex ====
A repeater may be linked to a simplex frequency and not another repeater at all. That link can be added by entering the following:

  - Persistence: This is the nature of the link. Is it full-time, part-time, linkable, or On-Demand? Choose "full-time" if the repeater is always linked to the frequency. Select full-time if it is only linked part of the time, such as for nets. Select linkable if there is a pre-configured link that a repeater sysop can activate to the frequency. Select On-Demand if the linking can be completed by someone other than a sysop via a DTMF code, for example.
  - Frequency: Enter the frequency the repeater is linked to.

This should not be used for repeaters with a frequency-agile remote base to list more than a frequency or two.