Note: No repeater panel on the planet is as easy to set up or as well thought out as the RP-176 !!
Repeater user input codes
Each of the 176 repeater input codes can cross to any of the 176 codes as an output for repeater operation. Or, any input can be disabled or put into reserve mode. Reserve is a special mode where the repeater behaves as programmed for the given input code.. but repeat audio is disabled. The primary use is to disable repeater usage for a specific user but to also maintain the input code active so it won't be grabbed by a neighboring co-channel repeater manager. An example of when to enable reserve is if you are having trouble collecting payment for repeater usage.
64 or 38 CTCSS Tones
Select 64 Tone mode if you need to use some of the non standard tones. Select 38 tone mode if you will only be using tones within the EIA 38 tone set. When you select 38 tone operation, many of the tones enjoy wider bandwidth which will improve the sensitivity of those tones (about 13) which were 'squeezed' to make room for addtional tones.
Barge In timer
Once a code has been decoded the Barge In timer starts. Once started the current code continuously reloads the Barge In timer as the mobile is talking, however until the timer expires the RP-176 will not acknowledge other codes thus preventing talk over. The Barge In timer is user programmable from 0 to 9.9 seconds thus discouraging barge-ins. When set to zero the Barge In feature is disabled.
Repeater Hangtimer
The total hangtime is actually the sum of three user programmable hangtimers: Hangtimer 1, Hangtimer 2 and Hangtimer 3. The scheme gives you ultimate control of how your repeater behaves..
Hangtimer 2: When Hangtimer 1 times out Hangtimer 2 begins. The repeater squelch is closed but continues to transmit the regenerated output code set for the input code that started Hangtimer 1. Hangtimer 2 is user programmable from .5 to 9.9 seconds.
Hangtimer 3: When Hangtimer 2 times out the repeater continues to transmit unmodulated carrier (no output code). When the output code ceases at the end of Hangtimer 2 the squelch in the mobile begins to close, however the unmodulated carrier maintained by Hangtimer 3 allows the mobile squelch to close with no "squelch tail noise" due to the repeater quieting the mobile. A setting of .5 - 1 second is sufficient. Some repeater operators may prefer to set Hangtimer 3 to a longer time to minimize repeater cycling and keep cooling fans in motion. Hangtimer 3 is user programmable from .5 to 9.9 seconds.
COS Hangtimer
Just in case the repeater receiver COS has a tendency to chop words, we've added a hangtimer to condition the repeater receiver's COS. This timer is usually set to minimum setting because adding hangtime to COS is normally not required. COS Hangtimer is user programmable from 2 to 99 milliseconds.
CTCSS Decode Sensitivity
No other panel has it! CTCSS Decode Sensitivity is user programmable from a setting of 2 to 8. A setting of 2 is most sensitive a setting of 8 is less sensitive (not much though). The default setting of 4 is likely the perfect setting for most systems.
Courtesy Tone
When the mobile unkeys, a pleasant 540 Hz beep can be set to occur a short time after unkey (courtesy tone delay) and last for a short time (courtesy tone duration). The courtesy tone tends to slow down mobile response long enough for another mobile with same code to interject. For some reason many radio users are so quick on the trigger they are nearly 'unbreakable'.
Stuck Mic Timer
For one reason or another mobiles occasionally transmit for a long time. This can be caused by a defect in the mobile radio or sometimes the problem is as simple as a driver sitting on the mic. The RP-176 will cease transmitting after a mobile transmission exceeds the stuck mic timer setting. Stuck Mic Timer is user programmable from .5 to 9.9 minutes.
SetUp Mode Access Code
The RP-176 must be in SetUp Mode to allow programming. An access code is required to initiate SetUp Mode when programming remotely. A dip switch setting determines whether an access code is required when programming locally or not. If required, the SetUp Access code is four digits preceded by *. e.g. *8947. The SetUp Mode Access Code is user programmable from a setting of *0000 to *9999.
CWID
CWID (morse code) is a FCC preferred method of identifying a repeater station callsign. The RP-176 allows you to program a message of up to 30 characters. The message is generally just the callsign, however the allowed message length allows you to add more information, e.g. KHY9940 MT WILSON or perhaps KRQ3756 555-235-7867 (contact phone number in case of trouble). The following morse characters are allowed: alphas, numbers, word space, period, comma, hyphen, question mark, forward slash and the following special CW abbreviations - AR, KN, SK, HI
DCS Decode Polarity
High or low side local oscillator, FM detector design etc can cause the detected DCS to be of either polarity. If the polarity is wrong the RP-176 will decode and display the inverse code. No problem, simply program the Decode Polarity for the opposite polarity.
DCS Encode Polarity
If the mobile received polarity is correct but the repeater output is sending the inverse code simply program the Encode Polarity for the opposite polarity.
COS Polarity
If the COS polarity is upside down (LCD says "Squelch OPEN" but it's really closed), simply put the COS invert dip switch in the opposite setting.
Penalty Programming
By popular demand we have added a user penalty feature (standard in RP-176's shipped after May 01, 2006.
The RP-176 provides an airtime monitoring scheme that allows the system operator to set a maximum allowed talk time and a penalty time for exceeding the maximum talk time. A Penalty makes the repeater inaccessable to the offending user that acquired the penalty. During an offenders penalty the repeater is free for others to use. And incidentally while it's penalizing last user it is monitoring the next users talk time for potential penalty. Unkeys between talk exchanges do not reset the allowed talk time unless the pause between communications is greater than the penalty reset pause time setting. The penalty feature is easy to use and with a little tuning you can optimize it for the users on your system. The following three parameters give you all the control you'll ever need:
Please click on "INSTRUCTION MANUAL" above for greater detail on all features.
To Enter SetUp Mode
When programming remotely an access code is required to enter SetUp Mode. A dip switch allows selecting whether an access code is needed for local programming or not. If needed the format is *aaaa . Where aaaa is the four digit access code. The LCD displays " In SetUp Mode " to acknowledge receipt of your correct access code. You may exit SetUp Mode at any time by sending *93#. The LCD will respond with "Exit SetUp Mode" . Or, do nothing and the microprocessor will self exit from SetUp mode four minutes after the last SetUp command. The repeater continues to function normally while in SetUp mode except that courtesy beeps are temporarily turned off.
If programming remotely from a DTMF equipped radio or service monitor obviously the LCD cannot be seen. Status beeps keep you informed. When you send a password to enter SetUp Mode the RP-176 suspends courtesy beeps to eliminate beep confusion. A short beep sounds every 12 seconds to let you know you are in SetUp Mode. When you send a command that is accepted the RP-176 responds with a long (one second) beep. If you send a command that is not useable (syntax error, specified data out of range, weak signal etc) the RP-176 responds with five short beeps indicating error. In fact any command that puts an error message on the LCD also causes the error beeps to be sent. Both of the later feedback messages are delayed 3 seconds so that you have time to stop transmitting and get back into receive to hear the feedback. It is recommended that you only do light programming remotely (like turning a user on or off) and save the more complex stuff for when you are at the site watching the LCD display.
User Programming
Once in SetUp mode you can alter any operating parameter and configure Repeater user input codes. For each of the 176 input codes there are 176 possible output codes plus reserve and disable. A leading zero must be added in each four digit code field if the code entered has only three digits.
Programming commands:
Command Description LCD Shows Result ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *aaaa SetUp Mode Access Code In SetUp Mode Can now perform unlimited user SetUp *iiiioooo Program a user code Rx iii.i Tx ooo.o See explanation below *90# All_Users_off All Off Disables all input codes *91# All_Users_0n All On Enables all input codes *93# Exit from SetUp Mode Exit SetUp Mode Manual exit rather than timeout exit *95# Listout active users Rx iii.i Tx ooo.o List all enabled input(i)and output(o)codes *97# Reset_to_Factory Fty RST Resets all params to defaults *99# Sends CWID for level setting CWID Level Test Sends CWID for test purposes *aa# View a parameter in memory *aa# RD: dd See explanation below *ddaa# Change a param in memory *ddaa# RD: dd See explanation below
Program a user code
To set up any user input and output code press * followed by the desired four digits of input code iiii followed by four digits of the desired output code oooo. Some examples will clear this up. The following are examples of what you wish to happen when the RP-176 decodes 131.8 on the input:
Entry Result ---------------------------------------------------------------------- *13180000 Four zeros selected as output code disables the named input code (131.8) *13181111 Four ones selected as output code sets the named input code into reserve mode *13181318 Enables 131.8 with output same as input. (No cross code) *13180885 Enables 131.8 with output crossed to 88.5. *13180315 Enables 131.8 with output crossed to DCS 315.
View a parameter in memory
If you would like to see how a particular parameter is currently set (without changing it) or to simply verify a curiosity, enter.. *aa# , Where aa is the parameter address. The LCD will show your input sequence followed by the data read from the non volatile EEProm. Example you wish to see what the present 'Stuck Mic Timeout' time is set to. Simply enter.. *10#. The LCD will show " *10# RD: 30 " the read data on the right came from the address you entered on the left. In this hypothetical case the setting of 30 = 3 minutes (.1 minute per step). Note: 10 is the address of the Stuck Mic Time parameter.
Change a parameter in memory
When changing the data value of a parameter, the parameter data is entered as a two digit data number followed by a two digit address. The format looks like this.. *ddaa# : Where dd is the two digit parameter data and aa is the two digit address. Example: you wish to change the 'Stuck Mic Timeout' time in the the previous example to five minutes. Simply enter *5010# (write data value of 50 to address 10). The LCD will show " *5010# RD: 50 " The LCD is showing your input command that indicates your desire to write a data value of 50 to address 10. The software then writes the data (50) to the appropriate EEProm address (10) and then reads back the data (from address 10) and displays as RD: 50. 50 = 5 minutes (.1 minute per step). This added step in software gives you 100% assurance that what you entered actually was written to EEProm because what you see on the LCD was read from the EEProm not direct from entered data. !!