Have you have tried to use the 145.210 autopatch lately?  If so, you probably have noticed a change or two.  For one, it works!  That's because we retired the old Kendecom after many years of good service and replaced it with Motorola Micor radio components and a Link Communications autopatch controller.  There are a few differences in how certain functions are used.  Here's the line up.

NOTE:  Please ID slowly and clearly before using ANY function on the 5.21 repeater.  Failure to do this will get the numbers you attempt to dial blocked! 

1:  All auto dial numbers have been changed by -500. E.g.: if your number was 820, it is now 320. (Editor's Note: Your NEW autodial number is on the mailing label of your copy of RACK Panels; it is the 3-digit number starting with a "1" or "2" on the top line.)

2:  To use your autodial number: ID, enter a "*", and your 3 digit number without unkeying the repeater.

3:  To manually dial a number: ID, enter a "*", and dial the number without unkeying the repeater.  Numbers that start with #, 1, or 0, have over 7 digits, or have less than 7 digits, will give you "ERROR 212" (more on errors later).  This means you entered an invalid number, so ID and try again. Entering "501" (like for the old repeater) will give you a reminder to use the new "*" command.

4:  To end a patch call: enter either a "#"or "#51" then ID. 

5:  To get the current time: ID and enter "509" (same as before).

6:  To get the current temperature: ID and enter "510" (same as before).

7:  To check your own signal into the repeater for audio quality, fading, nasal intonation, accent, etc.: ID and enter "520", unkey and listen for the courtesy beep (K in cw), speak for about 5 seconds, unkey and listen to your audio.

8:  To check your DTMF keypad: ID and enter "535", enter any DTMF keys you want to test, then unkey and listen.  The repeater will read back any valid DTMF character it COULD decode properly, excepting "D", which is used internally by the machine and can't be tested.   

9:  Errors: When entering DTMF from a distant mobile or a hand held, it's easy for the machine to misinterpret what you sent.  If you get an error message announcement, just ID and try again.  Here are some of the errors you may encounter:

Error 200 - Invalid command received
Error 201 - Too few digits received
Error 202 - Too many digits received
Error 205 - Invalid command received
Error 211 - Invalid command received
Error 212 - Bad autopatch number received
Error 213 - General autopatch error

I want to encourage all members to test their autodial numbers and let KA4LEO or myself know about any problems you encounter.  The new repeater should work much better and be much more dependable, so USE IT!

73 de David, AC4JF