About SANDRA

SANDRA, Inc. ver. 1.7; updated 02/22/2023

The San Diego Repeater Association respects your privacy and will not release or share your personal information, including names, addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, etc., to others without your permission. This information would only be shared in the event that it is required by law.

Introduction

There are times when guidelines for doing various things in life must be established in order to keep things running smoothly. No one is perfect and we all need an occasional reminder!

The San Diego Repeater Association (SANDRA) has established procedures to be used when operating SANDRA repeaters. These procedures were written to establish maximum service for the greatest number of amateurs. The repeaters must be usable and listenable in order to have stations that are willing to monitor. Otherwise, we lose the opportunity to enjoy this part of amateur radio.

Setting An Example

From time to time, some of us unknowingly slip into some poor operating habits. Maybe it's time we all take a few moments to think of what we say and how we say it. Some become lazy and comfortable with sloppy procedures and don't even realize it.

Many non-hams monitor amateur radio frequencies with scanners. Watch your language and your manners. Please don't bring disrepute on the Amateur Radio Service.

The Meaning Of "Break"

The word "Break" has several different and very specific meanings in amateur radio:

• Break — Used to terminate a message with one station and start a message to another during the same transmission
• Break — Can be utilized to interrupt an ongoing conversation with traffic of a higher priority
• Break, break, break / Break emergency — Indicates emergency traffic. All other stations must release the frequency immediately

Break should never be used when you simply want to join a conversation in progress. Use your call sign for that.

General Responsibilities

• Use proper ethics of amateur radio when operating
• Know and adhere to all applicable FCC and SANDRA rules, regulations, procedures and guidelines
• Be a courteous operator and lead others by your positive example
• Use your full call sign as per FCC regulations
• Wait for the courtesy tone before transmitting
• Do not monopolize the repeaters
• SANDRA discourages joking around or horseplay on its repeaters
• Do not operate the radio if intoxicated
• Membership dues pay for repeater maintenance — please support us by joining

Using Repeaters

• Listen on the frequency for more than a few seconds before initiating a call
• Identify yourself at the beginning and end of a contact, and every 10 minutes during the contact
• Give mobile stations priority over base stations, especially during rush hour
• Acknowledge and yield to emergency traffic immediately
• Don't break into a contact unless you have something to add
• Wait for a "squelch-tail" or "go-ahead tone" after each transmission
• Profane or obscene language is not permitted and will not be tolerated

Note: We co-channel / share repeater frequency pairs with other clubs and individuals throughout Southern California, Arizona and Mexico. Be considerate of our co-channel users and always use the minimum power necessary to access our repeaters.