Telephone Autopatch

Licensed hams may access our telephone autopatch from anywhere in the "system" thru full repeaters. The patch does not work via the Sinuk Remote Base, the IRLP, or the stand-alone TAC repeater at Skookum. See our System Description for details.

This is a computer-controlled patch, and you give it commands to dial a particular number, or to hang up. A command to dial a number will result in the patch dialing that number. A command to hang up will result in the patch hanging up.

You must keep on transmitting when you send a command; if you drop your carrier by a brief interruption, the command ends and the computer will only do what you did until that point.

The command to dial out is *8number
and the command to hang up is #

Example: Dial 443-1234: *84431234
Example: Dial 304-9876: *83041234
Example: Hang up after: #

What will not work is to drop your carrier between the *8 and the number. You must not pause in your dialing to listen for a dial tone or catch your breath, because if you release the transmit button, the command ends.

For instance, you press ptt, dial *8, release ptt, listen for dial tone (which you will get), then dial 443-1234 which is meaningless to the autopatch because the "4431234" is a whole new instruction to the patch. So you just got a dial tone and no number went out.

In cases your signal is not to strong, and fading in and out at the repeater, this can cause problems. Stop your car, or stand still, and do your dialing deliberately.

You do not have to speed dial, take your time, just don't let go that transmit PTT key!

Timers

The autopatch has two timers: If it does not receive a signal from the mobile for 60 seconds, it will hang up thinking that you forgot to do so. Also, the overall call duration is limited to 4 minutes. Should you forget to hang up the autopatch, or if the person on the phone end give you a long monologue, the 60-second timer will hang up. Just clicking the mike key on the mobile will reset this timer and the 60 seconds starts over again.

Incoming Calls

The above explains how to make an outgoing call. What about incoming calls?

Although the equipment works for incoming calls, the FCC does not allow non-hams to cause a repeater to transmit. Thus, all incoming calls are required to be screened by a live operator. As this is impractical, the incoming autopatch has been disabled.

The phone line for repeater control is tied to the patch, so inadvertently a call *may* come in. These would be wrong numbers, or telemarketers. If you hear the phone ring, please do *not* pick up the line!

Using the Autopatch for Business

Using amateur radio to promote a Business is not allowed. However, you certainly can call a business to order a Pizza, ask about restaurant hours, check on parts availability for your vehicle, etc. This is because YOU are not the business, and are merely using the radio for your personal use.

Its a benefit ... don't abuse it!

The telephone autopatch is wonderful, but you should keep all calls short. Remember while you are on the patch, the entire radio audience is listening. Most people not involved in your affairs would find this annoying if it were lengthy or inappropate. Please keep your calls short and decorous.

AL7X