Repeater Information

147.12 Repeater Features

Talking on a repeater can be a lot of fun. In addition to regular voice communications, there are a few extra features that our 147.12 VHF repeater provides.

Echo Test / Parrot

The K5RWK VHF repeater has an echo test mode that can be enabled using DTMF tones. To use this functionality:

• Send DTMF tones * 5 1 1 (star-5-1-1) and release the PTT button
• Wait for the repeater to play a the normal confirm tones followed by a flat “voicemail” beep tone
• Quickly key up and talk for a few (<10) seconds.
• Release your PTT
• The repeater will then give a S report and then replay your voice

Extended Signal Report Parrot

For an extended signal report, use * 5 1 2 (star-5-1-2) and the repeater will report:

• signal strength in dBm and corresponding S reading
• Noise floor at the repeater site in dBm and corresponding S reading
• signal to noise ratio of your signal in dBm
• then will replay your voice.

An example of the *512 feature is show here:

ARRL Audio News

The weekly ARRL Audio News broadcast is played every Friday evening at 7pm and again at 9pm. This short informative newscast contains the week’s latest Amateur Radio news stories.

Analog Repeater Features

Allstar Link

Our Allstar Link repeaters can be linked to other Allstar systems around the world. Allstar connections to these repeaters should come through our Allstar hub, 47841. This hub connects K5RWK VHF primary and backup repeater sites. When connecting to our repeaters through Allstar, please use this hub address instead of the individual node addresses.

Google Assistant

Find yourself somewhere in North DFW with no way to quickly find out the distance between the Earth and the Moon, but have an FM VHF radio handy? Never fear, there is a Google Assistant listening. Call in on the VHF repeater asking “OK Google…” and Google just might answer.

Digital Repeater Information

See below for specifics on how to use our DMR and Fusion digital repeaters.

DMR – 440.375 MHz

Use the following to access our DMR Repeater:

Color Code Access: CC1

Time Slot 1 (TS1) Talk Groups:	Time Slot 2 (TS2) Talk Groups:
Texas Statewide – TG3148 North America – TG3 (15min PTT) Worldwide English – TG13 (15min PTT) AMSAT – TG98006 (15min PTT)	Local – TG9 North Texas Wide – TG8205

The “15min PTT” means that you need to kerchunk the repeater to link it to this talkgroup. This tells the C-Bridge that someone is listening to this talkgroup, and the C-Bridge will then route it to the repeater.

The “Local” talkgroup, TG9, is not routed through the CBridge. TG9 on TS2 is a preferred way for locals to talk on a given repeater and not have it routed to other repeaters. We would highly suggest you program this in your radio, as some features may be added to link it to the 147.12 repeater when the net mode is active (this will come at a later date).

You can monitor the callwatch on the CBridge here – it’s a great way to see if your DMR signal is being received.

At this time, our DMR Repeater is not linkable from Brandmeister or TGIF (other DMR networks).

If you are looking for a starter codeplug (config file for a DMR radio) please visit the RWK DMR Codeplug Archive  – we have starter codeplugs for several popular DMR radios that include the K5RWK DMR repeater and many of the repeaters in the DFW metroplex . This is a good starting point for you to build your own codeplug. You can also check the DMRTexas.net codeplugs.

Fusion / WIRES-X – 444.725 MHz

Our Yaesu Fusion C4FM UHF repeater allows you to communicate with other Fusion-equipped hams in the local area. It is also linked to the WIRES-X network. The node number is 40372. Our WIRES-X connectivity allows an operator to link to any other WIRES-X node or room through the internet. This allows you with your HT or mobile station to communicate with people in other cities, states or indeed other countries. Our WIRES-X node is connected by default to Texas–Nexus, which is a wide variety of repeaters around the state, that gets visitors from all around the world.

So long as the repeater is not in use, feel free to link it to other nodes or rooms, make contacts in other countries. The room list is available here. It will return to its default configuration after a period of inactivity. Or, feel free to join us through WIRES-X, room 30372.