The 2-meter repeater is a Yaesu DR2X repeater installed in 2020. Coordinated at 145.43MHz, -.6 offset, CTCSS 162.2, operating in FM mode at 85 watts with coverage of the Western slopes of the Sierra Mountains and across the Sacramento Valley in Northern California. An Arcom RC210 controller integrates the DR2X with Allstarlink node # 56039 Echolink node # 4128, Wires-X W6EK-2M-Room # 62545 and Broadcastify, running on a Raspberry Pi 4+ and 3B+ and RA-40 interface.
Autopatch
The telephone autopatch feature allows the repeater RF user to connect outbound to any US telephone number using DTMF. The autopatch does not accept reverse telephone calls initiated from a telephone into the repeater. Caller ID will display the telephone number (530) 652-W6EK (9635).
Autopatch should be used only for short-duration personal and emergency calls. Listen for traffic, if clear, announce your call sign and that you are initiating a telephone autopatch. Dial *61 plus the 10-digit US telephone number then release the PTT. When the called party answers (it is extremely important if calling 911), inform the party that you are calling via an amateur radio repeater and that only one party can speak at a time. It is best practice to indicate the end each transmission by saying “over”. You are the control operator for this call and it is your responsibility to be sure the repeater is operated in compliance with FCC regulations. At the end of the call enter *0 to terminate the autopatch. Announce your call sign and that the telephone auto patch is disconnected.
Parties listening in on a 911 autopatch call should not interrupt unless it is necessary to provide a relay. Provide the 911 operator with the location of the emergency. The operator’s screen will display the repeater location and not your radio’s coordinates.
DTMF
Connect: *61nnnnnnnnnn (n = 10 digit telephone number)
In case of an EMERGENCY *6911
Disconnect: *0
Parrot
The parrot feature (record/playback) allows the RF repeater user use DTMF tones to record a test transmission and then hear a playback. To use the parrot mode: Listen for traffic, if clear, announce your call sign and that you are initiating an audio test. Enter 825 then release the PTT. The repeater will announce “Ready”. When the carrier drops, provide a short transmission. The repeater will then play back the recorded transmission.
Local Parrot: 825
Time and Date
12h mode: *81
24h mode: *82
AllStarLink / Echolink Inbound
Connect to the 2m repeater via AllStarLink from any ASL enabled repeater, node, computer or smartphone app. The W6EK 2-meter repeater’s ASL node number is 51018.
Connect to the 2m repeater via Echolink from any Echolink enabled repeater, node, computer or smartphone app. The W6EK 2-meter repeater’s Echolink node number is 4128.
AllStarLink / Echolink Outbound
Listen for traffic, if clear, announce your call sign and that you are initiating a connection to AllStarLink or Echolink node “xxxxx”.
To connect or disconnect the 2 meter repeater to another AllStarLink enabled repeater or node, enter the commands via DTMF keys on your radio.
ASL Connect: *3 then the node number. (I.E. *3nnnnn)
ASL Disconnect: *1 then the node number (I.E. *1nnnnn)
To connect or disconnect the 2-meter repeater to another EchoLink enabled repeater or node, enter the commands via DTMF keys on your radio.
Echolink Connect: *33 then the Echolink node padded out to six digits with zeros (I.E. *3300nnnn)
Echolink Disconnect: *1 then the Echolink node padded out to six digits with zeros (I.E. *100nnnn)
Wires-X
Inbound
Connect to the 2 meter repeater via Wires-X from a Wires-X enabled repeater, or personal node. The W6EK 2 meter repeater Wires-X room is:W6EK-2m-Room (62545). Note: To prevent interference, the W6EK 2m and 70cm Wires-X rooms cannot be linked.
Outbound
Connect from the 2-meter repeater via Wires-X to a Wires-X enabled repeater, or node. The 2-meter repeater is locked in analog mode and requires the operator to use DTMF commands to direct Wires-X connect and disconnect. If there is no activity on the connected room, the Wires-X connection will be returned to the default room. It is best practice to return the repeater back to the default room after your call is completed.
2 Meter Wires-X Outbound
From any FM 2 meter radio using DTMF commands- Listen for traffic, if clear, announce your call sign and that you are initiating a connection to Wire-X room or node “xxxxx”.
Wires-X Connect: #nnnn (node number)
Wires-X Disconnect: #99999
The Wires-X connection will terminate and return to the default W6EK-2M-Room (62545) room if no activity.
Broadcastify
Listen to repeater traffic through the Broadcastify.com website service or using a smart device with a scanner app. The repeater channel is: W6EK 145.4300 MHz Sierra Foothills ARC Repeater – https://m.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/32073