TO: ALL WOOD COUNTY ARES MEMBERS (OFFICIAL)
ALL ARES AND NON-ARES AMATEURS ANYWHERE (INFORMATION)
FROM: KEN HARRIS WA8LLM ARRL DISTRICT 3
EMERGENCY COORDINATOR WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INC.
WOOD COUNTY ARES BULLETIN NR 20.45 DATE: November 8, 2020
SUBJECT: WHY HAVE A TAIL?
I'm sure you've heard people talk about a repeater tail. The repeater tail is that short period in which the repeater remains transmitting after you have un-keyed your radio. Usually during that same period most repeaters transmit the courtesy beep.
No one seems to know why repeaters originally had a tail, but today they can e used for several functions. One of today’s reasons to have a repeater tail is to let a person using such repeater, know it is still in operation. They can key their radio, and when their radio is un-keyed the tail is there. Without a tail, it would be tough to know if the repeater is still working, unless someone would respond to your key up.
Another good reason, for the tail, is to keep scanners and scanning type radio's from beginning their search for another busy frequency before another operator can key his radio in response to the original transmission. I've used systems that un-key when you un-key, like the repeat functions on many of those dual band radio's. It is difficult to use. One never knows if it is functioning or not. Just something to think about the next time you key the repeater.
Also don't forget, The FCC Rules and Regulations requires you to identify your station even though just key up a repeater to see if it's operating
Ken Harris WA8LLM
WCEC
Wood County WV