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FM38 Repeater

Commonly asked/answered questions about the FM38 repeater network.

Questions

Answers

Question: Where does the name "FM38" come from?
Answer:  FM38 is derived from our main repeater frequency, 443.800 (3.8) and the fact that we of course use FM as our mode.
Question: Is FM38 a club?
Answer:  No, the FM38 repeater is owned and maintained by N9GMT and N9FBF. We also have affiliate repeaters that link to us via AllStar. There are many dedicated long time personnel that provide technical assistance, tower work, site maintenance, etc. In our experience we just get a heck of a lot more done when we aren't beholden to a "club" that can't decide if they should do this project or the other one and how to pay for it.
Question: I would like to donate some equipment and/or funds to support the system. How do I do that?
Answer:  If you have equipment to donate contact Emil N9FBF. If you would like to donate some funds to cover expenses there is a link below and also on the right side of our Home page. You can donate with PayPal or with a Credit Card. Thank You!!!

If you'd like to help out the FM38 network with a contribution just scan the QR code or click here to Donate Via PayPal.

QR Code 2

Question: Who can I direct specific questions to?
Answer:  Try sending email to Emil N9FBF good on QRZ or leave a Contact Us message. We will do our best to answer your questions.
Question: How many sites do you currently have?
Answer:  The 443.800 Milwaukee repeater has twelve (12) receive sites and five (5) simulcast transmit sites. There are an additional eleven (11) FM38 owned UHF repeaters throughout Wisconsin. There are also 8 repeaters linked to us on a semi permanent basis that are owned and maintained by other radio groups.
Question: Is FM38 an open or closed repeater?
Answer:  Open, of course be aware that you are using multiple repeaters and not a local simplex frequency. It is designed to provide wide area coverage for hams that normally would not be able to communicate. When possible QSY to a local repeater or simplex to minimize network traffic.
Question: Does FM38 support VOIP technology like AllStar, IRLP, Echolink?
Answer:  We use AllStar primarily for linking between repeaters that are too far for away a dedicated RF link. Anyone is welcome to connect to our AllStar Node (2495) if they so choose. If you have a need to connect to another repeater that supports AllStar call for a control operator and they can create the connection for you. Steve N9FSE and Emil N9FBF are good choices for these requests.
Question: What activities or Nets do you host?
Answer:  We have the "Sounds Good" net on Monday nights at 7PM CST, it's a net about music, audio, and audio equipment. Not the usual "ham" net but quite interesting.

Tuesday at 6PM CST we carry the "Absolute Tech Net" which normally has several hundred repeaters connected via AllStar from all over the world.
Question: What are the link or site ID's for the FM38 network?
Answer:  Milwaukee main site id courtesy beeps (most voted) Revised September 2024, in Morse code letters:

Low pitch tones:

  • W (dit dah dah) West/New Berlin
  • G (dah dah dit) Greenfield
  • N (dah dit) North/Slinger
  • S (di di dit) South/Kenosha-Racine
  • F (di dit dah dit) Franklin
  • B (dah dit dit dit) Brookfield
  • C (dah dit dah dit) Community site at 10/36 TV Tower
  • M (dah dah) Menomonee Falls
  • E (dit) Washington Heights
  • H (di di di dit) Central/West Allis (off line)
  • D (dah di dit) Delafield
  • Z (dah dah di dit) Near the Zoo in Wauwatosa

High pitch tones:


  • V (di di dit dah) (KA9VZD Trevor Repeater)
  • L (dit dah di dit) Lake Geneva Repeater
  • A (dit dah) Allenton Repeater
  • P (dit dah dah dit) Plymouth Area Repeater
  • F (dit dit dah dit) Fond du Lac Repeater
  • G (dah dah dit) Green Bay Repeater
  • R (dit dah dit) Ripon Repeater
  • O (dah dah dah) Oshkosh Repeater
  • B (dah dit dit dit) Baraboo

  • IM (dit dit dah dah) Internet connected Madison Repeater
  • IJ (dit dit dit dah dah dah) Internet connected Janesville Repeater
  • ID (dit dit dah dit dit) Internet connected Door County Repeater
  • II (dit dit dit dit) Internet connected Iola repeater
  • IW (dit dit dit dah dah) Internet connected Wisconsin Rapids repeater
  • IC (dit dit dah dit dah dit) Internet connected Chippewa Valley repeater
  • IS (dit dit dit dit dit) Internet connected Schaumburg IL repeater
  • IL (dit dit dit dah dit dit) Internet connected La Crosse repeater

Question: What repeaters are linked to the FM38 network?
Answer:  As of 11/22/2024

443.800+ Milwaukee, WI Simulcast in Racine, New Berlin, Slinger and Delafield.
442.350+ Allenton, WI Often referred to as F2 as it was the second repeater in our network.
444.600+ Fond du Lac, WI
443.625+ Oshkosh, WI
442.800+ Green Bay, WI
442.700+ Plymouth, WI
444.950+ Ripon, WI
444.500+ Baraboo, WI
444.475+ Madison, WI
441.525+ Lake Geneva, WI
444.475+ Sturgeon Bay, WI
443.625+ Janesville, WI

The FM-38 owned repeaters above require 123.0Hz CTCSS for access.

442.600+ ( 123.0 ) Trevor, WI * (WI/IL State Line Near I94) This system is owned and operated by Rick KA9VZD. Linked to FM38 from 7AM-10PM unless otherwise authorized by KA9VZD.

443.600+ ( 114.8 ) Iola, WI. This system is owned and operated by Chuck AC9F and Brian KB9ZPK. Linked via AllStar.

442.425+ ( 114.8 ) Wisconsin Rapids This system is owned and operated by W9MRA Mid-State Repeater Association. Linked via AllStar.

444.350+ (110.9) Chippewa Falls, WI. This is the W9CVA Chippewa Valley Amateur Radio Club repeater. Linked via AllStar.

442.300+ (131.8 ) La Crosse / Onalaska. The Trustee/Owner is Jim W9UUM connected via Allstar.

442.625+ ( 123.0 ) Rockford, IL This system is owned and operated by Ron W9FT. Linked via AllStar.

443.575+ ( 114.8 ) Schaumburg, IL. Owned by the Motorola Amateur's Radio Club. Linked via AllStar.

440.815+ ( 114.8) Ingleside, IL. Owned by K9AT Dave Holmgren. Linked via Allstar.

We also link to a repeater in Texas owned by Steve WB9STH (Former Cheese Head) via AllStar.

Many additional individual nodes are also connected via AllStar.
Question: Can I use my GMRS callsign on FM38?
Answer:  No, FM38 is a Amateur Radio repeater. Amateurs technician class and higher have access to FM38. To find testing information for Milwaukee, click here
5 months, 13 days and 22 hours until Hamvention 2025

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