Doug, Two repeaters operating on the same frequency pair but with different PL tones is essentially a "community repeater" that will have the same disadvantages. A community repeater is fine for infrequent users in the agricultural, delivery, and towing services, for example. The chances for "collisions" are rare enough that the users simply wait several seconds and try again.
When such a community repeater is tied up for long periods by ragchewers, the other users quickly become annoyed. Each group claims "ownership" of the frequency, and how dare those windbags keep me from using "my" machine! Just a few hotheads in this scenario can create chaos. In my area of California's Central Coast, most areas are served by at least two 2m repeaters. This is done not just for better coverage of mountainous terrain, but also to keep a repeater open for general public use while the other repeater is tied up with ARES activity during emergencies or exercises. 73, Eric Lemmon WB6FLY -----Original Message----- From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Doug Dickinson Sent: Friday, December 28, 2007 10:20 AM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Stop the Madness I still don't understand why people object to two repeaters - properly designed - cannot share the same channel? With separate PL tones and limited hand time, they can complement each other. The use of a coordinator that "assigns" a channel based on antiquated criteria is still providing exclusive use of a channel to an amateur repeater. As such, I think it could be challenged. In reality, two properly designed and implemented repeaters with PL tones can share the same electromagnetic space and live nicely together - they just get used one at a time based on the initiator's communications need at that time. IMHO Doug KC0SDQ
