If you need any help programming these repeaters into your handheld of mobile UHF/VHF radio, we recommend CHIRP, a free multi-platform open source application for programing memories and settings on many radios. CHIRP can even download all the frequencies and offset codes from the RepeaterBook website, greatly simplifying the programming of handhelds. 

There also may exists a basic ‘equitique’ when using our club repeaters. Here are the basics when using repeaters:

1. Always LISTEN before transmitting. Take 30 seconds or so to see if there is already some traffic on the repeater before keying up. 
2. Announce your intentions. Say your callsign and ‘monitoring’ so others might know you are available to chat, or if you are looking to strike up a conversation with anyone listening, say something like, “W6ZZK monitoring, anyone free to chat?” replacing our club call with your own callsign. If you wish to talk with a specific person, say something like, “KE6SEL this is KM6MWO, are you around?”
3. Pause for a moment. Someone might be listening, but not have the mic in their hand. Let them walk around the bench, or make that turn before repeating your request.
4. If someone breaks into a transmission or steps in between speakers, acknowledge the new call before continuing your conversation. They might have an emergency or need to get a short message out on the repeater.
5. Remember, you must transmit your call every 10 minutes, but it isn’t required to say it on every key down. It’s also not advised to say “break” as it has several conflicting meanings. 
6. Finally, remember that the repeaters are for everyone and many people might be listening. If you plan on having an extended conversation about something, agree to go simplex on a nearby frequency. 

If you are looking for other local traffic, 146.52 MHz is the national calling frequency for 2 meters in the US. There is often hams in vehicles or in traffic on that frequency, so if you see a car or truck with a large antenna on it or perhaps a callsign license plate, try calling to them on this frequency and see if they respond!  Also, 432.10 MHz is the calling frequency for 70cm. Calling Frequencies are routinely monitored by any number of radio amateurs and is likely to result in a response when calling CQ, Mayday, or SOS. Become a vital part of the community, just by including the national calling frequencies (search for ‘calling’) in your scan frequencies of your radio.