I will disagree with your opening statement. Repeaters are NOT open unless the trustee decides they are open. Unlike 146.52, a repeater pair is assigned to a particular person or group in a certain geographical area by a recognized frequency coordinating council. At that point in time, not only is the repeater, but the frequency belongs to the person or group. He may decide to only allow certain club members access that repeater. It is his choice. In my opinion, not a good way to run a repeater, but that’s not the point. As trustee of several repeaters for our club, I make the decision to allow or disallow someone use of our machines. Like you said, not only is the club’s license on the line, but mine as well. I will not hesitate to ban or suspend someone from using one of our machines if they are operating in a manner I deem detrimental to the club or our license. Hopefully a friendly warning will suffice.?
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On Jan 5, 2025, at 12:05?PM, Michael Robinson via groups.io <mlrobinson1953@...> wrote:
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Good Day, All.
In the U.S., all repeaters are "supposedly" open.? All owners of 47CFR97 controlled systems are "trustees" under the rules and regs of the CFR.? As trustees, you are responsible for proper operation and conduct of use of your (or a club's equipment, in my case) repeater system.? If a user shows misconduct, you may ask him to not use the equipment (make sure that you document it and have a witness) if he is unwilling to change his conduct.? If he/she refuses, and claims that the repeater is "open" for all to use, you should inform him/her that such is the case as long as the rules (FCC) and observed and followed.? Should they argue the point, again document the incident and ask that the repeater not be used.? Temporary restraints (PL tones, DCM, CC, etc) can be implemented, but it is just a matter of time before he/she discovers the changes and is back after it again.? This now becomes malicious, aberrant behavior and is not in sync with Amateur Radio Codes of Conduct (the unwritten rules to keep the peace in radio arenas) and expected observance of the rules and regs.? Time to locate your District FCC Field Office and ask the Director for possible solutions and possible enforcement actions against said violators.
In my case(s), I shut down the repeater so the violator has no access.? What usually happens next is the stream of phone calls from the locals who use the repeater wondering why the repeater is down.? I then explain the reason(s) and allow the locals to assist in dealing (legally, of course) with the offender(s).? Most of the time, it solves the problem and I don't need to make the phone call to the Director of the District FCC Field Office.
I have no problem with calling in the OO's.? I'm not filling the trustee position to win any popularity contests.? My license is tied to the Club's call sign and if activity begins to threaten my license, I do what is necessary for it's preservation.
As usual, this is just my $0.02 worth.? Best Regards,
Michael L Robinson, KC0TA
