Suggested Settings For Down Repeaters
What do we do when the Bear Creek 725 and/or the other repeaters go down in bad weather? We will need to rely on simplex. Many of our radios have dual VFO’s that can monitor two channels at once. So why not monitor both the repeater and simplex channel 22 GMRS? For example, the photo below shows the screen of my Wouxun UV9px HT. You will notice the top channel, (GMRSr22), the r for repeater. The bottom channel 22, no r, is the simplex channel. Both are set to receive on 462.725. On simplex the bottom channel also transmits on the same frequency. The top repeater channel transmits on the repeater input frequency of 467.725 and receives on the 462.725 channel. In addition the repeater is set up with tone codes. When the repeater transmits you will hear it on both channels. When you transmit on the simplex frequency it is on the 462.725 so it will not ping the repeater.
So when the repeater is down if we all have this set up and we switch to the simplex side we can possibly stay in contact by relaying messages. We will only reach other stations that are close enough to pick up our signal. This is part of the reason for the map we have put up on our website. So we can see where we each are located. If we all know what frequency to go to and we have all of us on the same channel we could use a relay method to stay in contact. Those of us that have base radios and antennas will have greater reach. Granted some will fall in the gaps but in time maybe we can have enough members to create this relay network. If you are not on the map and want to be send me a FB message and we will get you on there. Just send your name, call sign and location.