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--- faq [2019/12/14 10:49] – [Do you list GMRS repeaters?] KD6KPC
+++ faq [2025/04/08 14:08] (current) – [Do you need help with the site?] kd6kpc
@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 ==== What is the purpose of this Web site? ====
-This Web site is a resource for amateur radio operators all around the world.
+RepeaterBook is a free, worldwide resource for amateur radio operators.
-The site includes repeater and club information. Other topics of Ham interest include a stolen gear registry and EchoLink status database. Reasonable efforts are made to validate the data, but the quality of the information cannot be guaranteed. We depend on visitors to the site and local admins to gather and verify information.
+Our site provides comprehensive information on repeaters, ham radio clubs, and other topics of interest to the amateur radio community.
+While we strive to ensure the accuracy of our data, we rely heavily on input from users and local admins to keep the information up to date. Your contributions help us maintain the quality and reliability of this valuable resource.
+We also work with frequency coordinators. If you are a frequency coordinator and interested in partnering, please contact us.
+==== Is Repeaterbook an official listing of repeaters? ====
+RepeaterBook is not an official listing from any repeater coordination authority. We do not coordinate repeaters and hold no authority in that regard. However, some coordination entities voluntarily share publicly available data with us to help improve the directory.
+Importantly, RepeaterBook is the official source of repeater data for the ARRL (American Radio Relay League), helping ensure our database supports national amateur radio initiatives.
 ===== Registration =====
 ==== Do I have to register? ====
-No. You are free to browse this site without registering. However, when you register you will find that you have access to more features and automation, for example, you must register to create export files for programming software and to create print lists.
+No, registration is not required to browse RepeaterBook. You're free to explore the site and access most features without creating an account.
-This is not a commercial Web site. Your information will never be sold or distributed to anyone.
+However, registering unlocks additional tools and conveniences—such as the ability to generate export files for programming your radio, create custom printable repeater lists, and save personalized settings.
 ==== Is there a fee to register? ====
-No. Membership and use are free.
+No, registration and use of RepeaterBook are completely free.
-It does cost money to run a site like this. Your help is greatly appreciated. Your [[https://www.paypal.com/donate/?token=6MHjB75ezUbG_WhcIgNX8rt-WWOFMpxN4g1tV-ZcIOj5fzRkzsYrDa9OjHcgqknDSjknrW|donations]] will help pay for server space, bandwidth, and programming.
+However, it does take time and money to operate and maintain a global resource like this. If you’d like to support the project and help fund ongoing development, please consider subscribing to RepeaterBook Plus. Your support helps keep the site running and free for everyone.
 ==== Do I have to use a call sign to register? ====
-Yes. This is an amateur radio web site and all regular users must have an FCC issued Part 97 call sign.
+**Yes**. RepeaterBook is a community resource for licensed amateur radio and GMRS operators. All registered users must have a valid, government-issued call sign for one of these services.
-This is an open community. We use our call signs whenever we transmit on the air. Anyone can look us up and see who we are. Often, the radio operators who seek anonymity are jammers and trouble-makers, who are not welcome here.
+Amateur radio is built on openness and accountability—we use our call signs on the air, and they’re publicly searchable. Maintaining that same level of transparency on RepeaterBook helps keep the community safe and free of abuse. Unfortunately, anonymous users are often the source of interference or misuse, and we actively discourage that behavior.
-There are those that are very interested in amateur radio but do not yet have a call sign. You are absolutely welcome here. What you are primarily missing are features that really only work if you are licensed and have a radio to use.
+If you’re interested in amateur radio or GMRS but don’t yet have a call sign, you’re absolutely welcome to explore the site! However, you won’t be able to register or access features reserved for licensed operators, such as submitting repeaters, making edits, or exporting programming files.
+Please note: The site administrator reserves the right to reject or revoke memberships at any time, with or without notice.
 The administrator reserves the right to reject or cancel memberships to this site at any time, with or without cause or notice.
-===== Repeater Data =====
+==== Proper Registration ====
-==== How does Repeaterbook obtain the repeater information on this site? ====
+If you hold both a U.S. Amateur Radio call sign and a GMRS call sign, please register using only your Amateur Radio call sign.
-The information on this site is taken from commonly available resources. The Internet and other HAMs are our best sources.
-We do not take information from sources like the ARRL's Repeater Directory. We have found that the information there tends to be stale. We do have many coordination councils that work with us directly and provide up to the minute information.
+Do not include any spaces, slashes, or suffixes (e.g., avoid using formats like KX9ABC /G or KX9ABC-A). Just enter your call sign exactly as issued—for example, KX9ABC.
-As visitors browse the site, they may find incomplete or incorrect information and submit it. The information is reviewed and any necessary changes are made.
+Keeping call signs standardized helps ensure that your account works correctly across all RepeaterBook features.
+===== Repeater Data =====
+==== How does RepeaterBook obtain the repeater information on this site? ====
+RepeaterBook compiles repeater data from a variety of trusted sources, including user contributions, repeater owners, coordination councils, and public records.
-Submitted updates are usually committed within 48 hours, but could take longer. The apps are typically updated every two weeks.
+We are proud to be the official source of repeater data for the ARRL (American Radio Relay League), and we work directly with many frequency coordination organizations that provide timely and accurate data for their regions.
-Everyone here is a volunteer, so please be patient with us. We appreciate your willingness to improve the data on the site.
+In addition, amateur radio operators around the world help keep the database current by submitting corrections, updates, and new repeater listings. Each submission is reviewed by a local or regional admin before being published. Most updates are processed within 48 hours, though it may occasionally take longer. Our apps are typically updated every two weeks to include the latest data.
-Thinking about the larger picture...there really is no central database in the US that a repeater owner must report their repeater to. It is not even required to report a repeater to a local coordination authority. This can make getting data elusive. If the government ran a repeater registration system, there may be a central database, but it doesn't. Not like the FCC ULS for call sign information. Getting this data, especially accurate data, is quite the process. The more help we get, the better the data is.
+Keep in mind that in the U.S., there is no central government registry for repeaters—reporting is not mandatory, and some systems are never officially coordinated. That makes community input essential. Your submissions and corrections are a key part of keeping RepeaterBook reliable and useful for all operators.
+Everyone on our team is a volunteer, and we deeply appreciate your help and patience as we continue improving the site.
 ==== How often is the online repeater database updated? ====
 The repeater database is updated constantly, all day, every day.
-==== How often are the Repeaterbook apps (Android, iPhone and Amazon) updated? ====
+==== How often are the RepeaterBook apps (Android, iPhone and Amazon) updated? ====
 We update the apps about every two weeks.
 ==== How do you obtain accuracy within your listings? ====
-We try not to claim accuracy and allow you to judge for yourself. It is extremely difficult to be 100% accurate all the time. Repeaters come and go and data sources and updates are limited. We depend on those with knowledge of the repeaters to submit the data. We also post who made the changes and what they changed so you can judge the accuracy yourself. obviously, timely updates from repeater owners and trustees would be considered the most trustworthy data.
+We try not to claim accuracy and allow you to judge for yourself. It is challenging to be 100% accurate all the time. Repeaters come and go, and data sources and updates are limited. We depend on those with knowledge of the repeaters to submit the data. We also post who made the changes and what they changed so you can judge the accuracy yourself. Obviously, timely updates from repeater owners and trustees would be considered the most trustworthy data.
-We also obtain some data by watching coordination council web sites. However, some  are better than others about sharing and updating information via the Web. We appreciate those councils that have taken a proactive role in assisting us with data gathering.
+We also obtain some data by watching coordination council web sites. However, some are better than others about sharing and updating information via the Web. We appreciate those councils that have taken a proactive role in assisting us with data gathering.
 We also look for other sources of information beyond what is available through coordinating councils. We search the Web for repeater Web sites, contact repeater users and trustees directly, test repeaters, and rely on you to assist with information verification.
 ==== Why does your database seem to have more information than other databases? ====
-When we obtain a repeater listing, we conduct a thorough search of the Internet for all available information on that repeater. Many times a repeater sponsor will post a lot of information on a Web site that is beneficial to the Ham community. We collect that data and provide it for you here.
+When we add a repeater to the RepeaterBook database, we go beyond the basics. Our team and volunteers conduct detailed research—often searching across the Internet and club websites for publicly available details about the repeater.
-==== As the owner or trustee of a repeater, why should I share my information with you? ====
+Many repeater sponsors and clubs share valuable information online, such as coverage areas, access tones, net schedules, usage guidelines, and technical features. We gather and include that information to make each listing as informative and helpful as possible.
-We are attempting to build an open-access and free database of useful information for all amateurs. The deployment of the information is designed to help those with a legitimate interest in amateur radio a reliable and central resource to gather repeater information. We do not require anyone to pay any fee for use of the site and openly seek accurate information. We believe this is in harmony with the concept of amateur radio as a service organization.
-Beyond all of that, we believe that this site can assist travelers and new HAMs with the information they need to confidently enter the hobby in the area served. Travelers appreciate the ability to program reliable repeater data into their radios to increase the safety and pleasure of their trips. New HAMs appreciate a quick way to get the information they need to program their radios and start socializing. In this spirit, we hope that you will share your repeater information with us.
+In addition to our own research, we rely heavily on the amateur radio community. Users are encouraged to submit updates and corrections when they spot missing or outdated information. These submissions are reviewed by our regional admins, who help ensure the accuracy of each listing.
-If you prefer not to allow other amateurs use of your repeater, simply request the repeater be listed as closed, as this is a sign to other HAMs that the repeater is not open to general use.
+We’re committed to offering the most comprehensive and up-to-date repeater directory available, and your participation plays a vital role in making that possible.
-Many repeater owners want their repeaters to be used. Listing your repeater on this site allows us to advertise the presence, features, and capabilities of your repeater for you.
+==== As the owner or trustee of a repeater, why should I share my information with RepeaterBook? ====
+RepeaterBook exists to provide a free, open-access directory of repeater information for the benefit of the amateur radio community. Our mission aligns with the spirit of amateur radio as a public service: helping licensed operators connect, communicate, and explore the hobby with confidence.
+By sharing your repeater’s information, you contribute to a reliable, centralized resource that serves:
+  * New operators looking for ways to get active in the hobby
+  * Travelers who rely on accurate repeater data to stay connected on the road
+  * Emergency communicators who may need quick access to regional repeater systems
+  * Fellow hams who want to socialize, test equipment, or learn more about their area
+We never charge for access to our site, and we make every effort to keep the data accurate and current. Many repeater owners want their systems to be used and appreciated—listing your repeater helps promote its availability, features, and value to the community.
+If your repeater is not open for general use, just let us know—we can mark it as closed, which respectfully signals to other operators that access is limited.
+We hope you'll consider contributing your repeater’s information to help support a stronger, more connected ham radio community.
+==== Does a repeater have to be coordinated to be listed with RepeaterBook? ====
+**In most cases, no**—a repeater does not need to be formally coordinated to be listed on RepeaterBook.
+However, we do have agreements with certain regional coordination authorities. In these areas, specific data must be provided directly by the coordination group. If you submit a request to add a repeater in one of these regions, your request may be placed on hold until the repeater is officially coordinated and the data is released to us.
+These agreements help ensure the accuracy and legitimacy of listings, as the data from coordination councils is typically vetted and up-to-date. This process helps us maintain the quality and reliability of the RepeaterBook database while respecting the work of coordination groups.
 ==== As the owner of a closed or private system, will you completely remove my repeater's listing? ====
-We are glad to list your repeater as closed or private and even provide a note in the comments field alerting potential users to this fact. We will also subdue the PL tone, exact coordinates, access codes, and features. However, if your intent is to "hide" your repeater from the would-be jammer, removing the listing from this database is not likely to accomplish this. There are several other publications, both Web and print, that display closed and private repeaters. Removing the entry from this database does not remove it from the Web.
+We’re happy to list your repeater as **closed** or **private**, and we can include a note in the comments section to inform potential users of its access restrictions. For added privacy, we will also suppress sensitive details such as **PL tones, exact coordinates, access codes**, and certain **features**.
-There are a couple of reasons why we hesitate to outright remove a listing from the database. One of those is because we provide a service to repeater owners. For potential repeater owners looking for a frequency, it is handy to know that a frequency is already in use. If there are repeater interference issues, a listing on this site provides an easy method to locate the potential source of the interference so that a remedy can be applied.
+However, if your goal is to completely "hide" your repeater from potential jammers or unauthorized users, **removing it from RepeaterBook is unlikely to achieve that**. Other online and printed directories often list closed or private systems as well, and modern scanning equipment can easily detect repeaters regardless of whether they’re published.
-We also believe with the advent of fast-scan radios and PL search, that there is no way to "hide" a repeater on the ham bands. Finding a repeater in the wild that is not listed on this site just makes other's curious. If you are attempting to avoid a jammer that preys on private systems, the more you try to hide, the more determined a jammer becomes and the more satisfaction he feels in his accomplishment. We believe the alternative approach of 'nothing to hide and nothing to fear' is a more effective way of quelling the competitive nature of a jammer.
+There are a few important reasons why we generally **do not delete listings outright**:
-Some owners of repeaters are concerned when they request that the repeater coordination authority for their repeater not publish information about their repeater yet is appears on RepeaterBook. We can assure you that your coordination authority is not the one to blame.
+  * **Frequency coordination visibility**: Our listings help other repeater owners and prospective builders identify existing activity on a given frequency or location, which can help prevent unintentional interference.
+  * **Troubleshooting interference**: When repeater conflicts occur, having even a basic public record can assist with identifying potential interference sources and resolving issues.
+  * **Transparency is better than secrecy**: In our experience, trying to hide a repeater often draws more attention from malicious operators. A visible, clearly marked "closed" listing typically discourages misuse more effectively than total omission.
-Please don't insult us by requesting that we remove the information if you post it on your own Web site. It's amazing, but that has happened!
+We also understand that some repeater owners request their coordination authority not to publish certain details—yet the repeater still appears on RepeaterBook. In such cases, please know: **your coordination authority is not responsible for this**. Our data often comes from multiple independent sources, including public club websites and user submissions.
-==== As the owner or trustee of I repeater, how can I request the information on my repeater be changed, obscured, or removed? ====
+And finally, please don’t ask us to remove your repeater **if you’ve already published its details on your own website**—yes, that does happen!
-Many Hams that work on the RepeaterBook project are repeater owners themselves, so we understand that owners have varying comfort levels regarding the amount of information that is publicly available about their machines. As a courtesy, we are happy to obscure the micro landmark location, PL tone, GPS coordinates, features, and functions of your repeater.
+==== As the owner or trustee of a repeater, how can I request changes to my repeater listing? ====
+Many of the volunteers who contribute to RepeaterBook are repeater owners themselves, so we understand that each operator has a different comfort level when it comes to sharing information about their systems.
-However, we will not obscure the frequency, city (or nearest city), county, or state the repeater resides in. We will publish the known operational status of the repeater, usage rights, contact e-mail, and Web site of the repeater if it was obtained from publicly available sources.
+As a courtesy, we’re happy to **obscure or withhold** certain sensitive details from public view upon request—such as:
-Occasionally, we receive some demanding and rude requests from repeater owners ordering the site to obscure more information than the site policy permits. The U.S. Constitution safeguards the first amendment right to publish this data on the Internet, along with exact coordinates of repeaters and PL tones, which trumps a repeater's "right" to privacy as a repeater site has no right to privacy. Furthermore, amateur radio repeaters reside on publicly available radio spectrum and no frequency is licensed to any person for exclusive use. The general public, and certainly the amateur radio community, have a right to know that a repeater is operating on a given frequency, even though usage of said repeater by the owner/trustee is prohibited.
+  * Precise GPS coordinates
+  * Micro-location landmarks
+  * PL tones
+  * Advanced feature settings or linking details
-Try pleading, begging, or a simple please and we will be more willing to work with you! Requests phrased any other way may be ignored.
+However, **we will not obscure** the following core information, which we believe is essential to the public and amateur radio community:
+  * Frequency
+  * City or nearest city
+  * County and state
+  * Operational status and usage rights
+  * Publicly available contact information or website
+RepeaterBook’s mission is to support a transparent and accurate resource for the amateur radio community. Amateur radio operates on public spectrum, and repeater systems—by nature—are publicly accessible and detectable. While we respect your concerns, the general public has a legitimate interest in knowing what is operating on shared frequencies.
+We occasionally receive strongly worded or combative demands to remove or obscure more information than our policy allows. Please understand that **the First Amendment protects the right to publish information that is publicly available**, including repeater locations and technical parameters. That said, we’re much more inclined to accommodate requests that are polite and respectful. We’re happy to work with you—just ask kindly!
+To request a change to your listing, please contact us or use the update form available on your repeater’s detail page.
+===== My repeater is listed on the website, but I don’t see it in the app. Why not? =====
+There are a couple of possible reasons, but the most common one is related to how the app works compared to the website.
+The **RepeaterBook app is not live-synced** with the online database. This is intentional—it allows the app to function **offline**, which is especially useful in emergencies when Internet access may not be available.
+Instead, the app contains a **snapshot** of the database that is updated approximately **every two weeks**. If your repeater was added or updated on the website **after** the most recent app update, it won’t appear in the app until the next release.
+To check the version of your app:
+  - Tap the menu (hamburger icon) in the top-left corner.
+  - Look under the RepeaterBook logo for a version number formatted like 2025.04.01.
+This number represents the year, month, and day the app was last updated.
+If your repeater was added **after** that date, you’ll see it in the next update. Updates aren’t fully automated, so they may occasionally be a few days early or late.
+To ensure you get the latest data, always keep your app up to date via the App Store or Google Play.
 ==== Do you list GMRS repeaters? ====
 Yes, we do.
@@ Line 95: / Line 162: @@
 ===== Contributing =====
 ==== Do you need help with the site? ====
-Absolutely. Every aspect of this Website needs your help to be the best. We need site admins in several states to collect and maintain data. We need users to contribute information.
+Absolutely! RepeaterBook is a volunteer-driven project, and we depend on the amateur radio community to help keep it accurate, up to date, and growing.
+There are several ways you can contribute:
+  * We’re always looking for state and regional admins to help collect, verify, and maintain repeater data.
+  * Even if you're not an admin, you can still help by submitting corrections, updates, or new listings whenever you spot something missing or incorrect.
+  * It's quick and easy to add or edit repeaters directly from the site.
+Every bit of help makes a difference—and we greatly appreciate your time and effort in supporting the ham radio community.
-Whether you are an admin or not, please add and/or correct any information you see on the site. It is especially easy to add or edit repeaters.
+Interested in volunteering? Contact us to learn more!
 ==== What if I found an inaccurate listing or I know of a repeater listing you don't have? ====
 Great! Send us the information. Share it with everyone. The only way to make this site the most complete and up-to-date site on repeaters, nets, and clubs on the Web is for users to send us updated information.
-We want the same thing everyone else wants...an accurate database to locate repeaters with. We try to do what we can to gather and validate information, but this is very hard. We welcome clean data from our users, but please be aware that the data we post cannot be guaranteed. We are sorry for that.
+We want the same thing everyone else wants...an accurate database to locate repeaters with. We try to do what we can to gather and validate information, but this is very hard. We welcome clean data from our users, but please know that the data we post cannot be guaranteed. We are sorry for that.
-We also will not purchase information from sources who would seek to sell it to us for profit. This is a free site and we simply can't afford to purchase data from local coordination councils.
+We also will not purchase information from sources who would seek to sell it to us for profit. This is a free site, and we simply can't afford to purchase data from local coordination councils.
-As a note, it is somewhat baffling to us when we see the occasional post on a forum somewhere about Repeaterbook listings not being accurate or missing your favorite repeater. It probably took more time to rant about that then it would have to simply send us the update. Some areas are extremely accurate and others not so much. This is directly proportional to the enthusiasm of the hams in that area to contribute to the site.
+As a note, it is somewhat baffling to us when we see the occasional post on a forum somewhere about Repeaterbook listings not being accurate or missing your favorite repeater. It probably took more time to rant about that, and then it would have to send us the update. Some areas are extremely accurate, and others not so much. This is directly proportional to the enthusiasm of the hams in that area to contribute to the site.
 For the number of posts that we see complaining about the data, there are 10 more that rave about it.
 ==== How do I submit a repeater to the database? ====
-First, conduct a search for the repeater in the database through the state or province it should be located in. If the search results do not include the repeater, select the 'New Repeater' link in the blue menu bar near the top of the page.
+First, search for the repeater in the database through the state or province it should be located in. If the search results do not include the repeater, select the 'New Repeater' link in the blue menu bar near the page's top.
 A notification of the request will add the repeater to the database. You will be notified when this happens. Most of the time, updates are completed within 48 hours.
 ==== What are the responsibilities of an admin (moderator)? ====
-Admins are assigned a state or province and they are generally responsible for the database information pertaining to that area. They will conduct research to locate repeaters and update information, handle requests from site visitors, and review submissions.
+Admins are assigned a state or province, and they are generally responsible for the database information about that area. They will research to locate repeaters and update information, handle requests from site visitors, and review submissions.
-Admins must be Ham radio operators with some knowledge of repeater operation (repeater owners preferred), some affinity to some basic web programming and attention to detail.
+Admins must be Ham radio operators with some knowledge of repeater operation (repeater owners preferred), some affinity to some basic web programming, and attention to detail.
 The time commitment is not very high. There is some front-end work getting the data entered and updated, but ongoing maintenance is low. The typical admin can spend just 15 minutes per week handling requests and doing some light research. Occasionally, more time is required for the bi-annual data reviews.
 ===== Exporting =====
-==== How can I export to the CHIRP, RT Systems, or G4HFQ programming software? ====
+==== How can I export to the CHIRP, RT Systems, Yaesu, Anytone, or G4HFQ programming software? ====
-Repeaterbook data exports have been certified by CHIRP, RT Systems, and G4HFQ. The recommended method for exporting the data is to use the corresponding Export menu option. This will create a file that you can import directly into the software.
+RepeaterBook data exports have been certified by CHIRP, RT Systems, and G4HFQ. The recommended method for exporting the data is to use the corresponding Export menu option. This will create a file that you can import directly into the software.
 The CHIRP and RT Systems software itself has an option to download directly from Repeaterbook.com.
@@ Line 136: / Line 211: @@
 First, search for the repeater listing you want. You should see 'Export' on the menu. Choose 'CSV' as that file type can be opened by Excel.
-==== Why are there sometimes a difference in the number of repeaters in the search result and export? ====
+==== Why is there sometimes a difference in the number of repeaters in the search result and export? ====
-Repeaterbook.com contains data on repeaters that operate on analog, digital, or both emission types. Not all radios are able to decode digital transmissions and not all programming software programs are capable of programming radios that can decode digital signals (ie, CHIRP). Using CHIRP as an example, CHIRP is not known to have the capability to program any DMR or D-STAR radios. For this reason, if the user attempts to download a list of repeaters where some are digital-only, they will be excluded from the CHIRP export to eliminate the need to weed these repeaters out of the list before programming a non-digital radio. If CHIRP later is capable of programming a digital radio, these repeaters can be added back in the export.
+Repeaterbook.com contains data on repeaters that operate on analog, digital, or both emission types. Not all radios can decode digital transmissions, and not all programming software programs are capable of programming radios that can decode digital signals (i.e., CHIRP). Using CHIRP as an example, CHIRP is not known to have the capability to program any DMR or D-STAR radios. For this reason, if the user attempts to download a list of repeaters where some are digital-only, they will be excluded from the CHIRP export to eliminate the need to weed these repeaters out of the list before programming a non-digital radio. If CHIRP later is capable of programming a digital radio, these repeaters can be added back in the export.
 ==== How do I export to the MCP-4A (Kenwood) programming software? ====
@@ Line 150: / Line 225: @@
 The TravelPlus tpe file export directly from TravelPlus will not work in CHIRP (as of the 20140124 daily build). The tpe file from RepeaterBook has been modified to allow the file to work.
-You may find that exporting a tpe file from TravelPlus and attempting to import into TravelPlus may produce errors. You should have a better experience with the RepeaterBook version of the tpe format. However, this formatting change does come at a cost as the data is more generic. We are working with CHIRP to correct errors so that we can return the RepeaterBook tpe export file to the same format the TravelPlus software produces.
+You may find that exporting a tpe file from TravelPlus and importing into TravelPlus may produce errors. You should have a better experience with the RepeaterBook version of the tpe format. However, this formatting change does come at a cost as the data is more generic. We are working with CHIRP to correct errors to return the RepeaterBook tpe export file to the same format the TravelPlus software produces.
 ===== Legal =====
 ==== If someone vandalizes a repeater site after finding the coordinates on your site, aren't you liable? ====
-Many of us are repeater owners and we always cringe when we hear about repeaters that are damaged or vandalized. We know that there are outdoor enthusiasts that come across repeaters and cause so much havoc for their own fun.
+Many of us are repeater owners, and we always cringe when we hear about repeaters that are damaged or vandalized. We know that outdoor enthusiasts come across repeaters and cause so much havoc for their own fun.
-We really would hope that Ham Radio operators are above using RepeaterBook to try to locate a repeater and inflict damage upon it. However, we know that it certainly can happen, but are we liable?
+We really hope that Ham Radio operators are above using RepeaterBook to locate a repeater and inflict damage upon it. However, we know that it certainly can happen, but are we liable?
 The short answer is no.
 ==== As a repeater owner, I demand that the listing of my repeater be completely removed. ====
-We understand your concerns and want to work with you but take a deep breath first. When we receive this request, invariably some right to privacy or copyright is claimed. An assertion that permission has not been granted to publish the data on this website and is therefore prohibited.
+We understand your concerns and want to work with you but take a deep breath first. When we receive this request, invariably, some right to privacy or copyright is claimed. An assertion that permission has not been granted to publish the data on this website is prohibited.
-Most people that make such a claim actually do not know how copyright and the fair use doctrine works. If they did, they would probably not make an uninformed legal argument. But because this method is employed from time to time, we opted to do some research for you.
+Most people who make such a claim actually do not know how copyright and the fair use doctrine work. If they did, they would probably not make an uninformed legal argument. But because this method is employed from time to time, we opted to do some research for you.
 Privacy Argument
-Consider for a moment that the repeater listing on Repeaterbook was similar to your home address being published on the Internet. It is nearly impossible to prevent as there are many website parsing data from multiple government and commercial entities publishing your information. In order to keep your address from print in the local phone directory, you must initiate a request to your local phone service provider. Notice they never ask for your permission to print your address, but in fact, charge you to obscure it. They may even offset their own costs by reselling the information to others.
+Consider for a moment that the repeater listing on RepeaterBook was similar to your home address being published on the Internet. It is nearly impossible to prevent as there are many website parsing data from multiple government and commercial entities publishing your information. To keep your address from print in the local phone directory, you must initiate a request to your local phone service provider. Notice they never ask for your permission to print your address, but in fact, charge you to obscure it. They may even offset their own costs by reselling the information to others.
-Your address information may sit in databases connected to tax records, property records, mortgage houses, voting records, DMV, financial institutions, court records, employers, cell phone providers, and other commercial entities. All making your address, email, and phone number available without your permission. (especially property records and court documents), utility companies, and credit card companies. There are no laws prohibiting these data collectors from publishing this information about you without your permission.
+Your address information may sit in databases connected to tax records, property records, mortgage houses, voting records, DMV, financial institutions, court records, employers, cell phone providers, and other commercial entities. All making your address, email, and phone number available without your permission. (especially property records and court documents), utility companies and credit card companies. There are no laws prohibiting these data collectors from publishing this information about you without your permission.
 Many people misunderstand what their "right to privacy" really is. While companies may be required to safeguard Personal Identifiable Information (PII) to protect your identity, your home address is not protected. Though many companies maintain privacy policies as a service to their customers, they are not legally required to do so. There are many laws restricting the government from indiscriminately collecting data about you, but not private individuals or companies. For more information about US Privacy laws, try http://www.rbs2.com/privacy.htm.
-How does this apply to a repeater? A repeater is not a person and has no privacy rights at all. Where it is, the mode it is using, frequency and PL tones used, call sign, DTMF commands etc, are not protected under any law. The FCC even prohibits amateur radio operators from using any sort of encryption to hide this information. Asserting privacy concerns to request the removal of a repeater entry is without merit and we are not required to act on it on that basis. The repeater is either transmitting or receiving information on the publicly available radio spectrum. The only spectrum with any type of protection is cellular.
+How does this apply to a repeater? A repeater is not a person and has no privacy rights at all. Where it is, the mode it is using, frequency and PL tones used, call sign, DTMF commands, etc., are not protected under any law. The FCC even prohibits amateur radio operators from using any sort of encryption to hide this information. Asserting privacy concerns to request the removal of a repeater entry is without merit and we are not required to act on it on that basis. The repeater is either transmitting or receiving information on the publicly available radio spectrum. The only spectrum with any type of protection is cellular.
 Copyright and Permission Required Argument
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 Most websites put Copyright notices on the footers of their pages. What is the legal effect of doing so?
-As far as copyright law and a database like this, many people believe incorrectly that they have some protection from their repeater's information from being published on Repeaterbook. Please take a moment to study Copyright protections on the US Copyright Office http://www.copyright.gov/ website.
+As far as copyright law and a database like this, many people believe incorrectly that they have some protection from their repeater's information from being published on RepeaterBook. Please take a moment to study Copyright protections on the US Copyright Office http://www.copyright.gov/ website.
-Specifically not protected is fact. Repeater data on this site is comprised of facts. The operating frequency, PL, offset, location, call sign, etc, is all fact. We do not violate copyright by copying or displaying elements of design that can be copyrighted. We don't reuse maps, charts, or images from a site without permission. Our formatting of the information is not borrowed from another site and is unique to our style.  A book that is a collection of facts can still be copyrighted. However, the facts contained within are not protected and can be re-published elsewhere. The protection is the book's format and the method for expressing the facts. Sentence structure, for example.
+Specifically not protected is fact. Repeater data on this site is comprised of facts. The operating frequency, PL, offset, location, call sign, etc., is all fact. We do not violate copyright by copying or displaying elements of design that can be copyrighted. We don't reuse maps, charts, or images from a site without permission. Our formatting of the information is not borrowed from another site and is unique to our style.  A book that is a collection of facts can still be copyrighted. However, the facts contained within are not protected and can be re-published elsewhere. The protection is the book's format and the method for expressing the facts. Sentence structure, for example.
-A specific example would be data published on a website controlled by the operator of a repeater. There is no legal protection of the information posted on the repeater that is factual in nature. Permission is not required to copy this data and enter into the Repeaterbook database. There is no set of words that could be placed on the website, or on printed material, to prevent factual information from being recorded and republished elsewhere. Period. If you are still confused about this, please return to the US Copyright Office link above.
+A specific example would be data published on a website controlled by the operator of a repeater. There is no legal protection of the information posted on the repeater that is factual in nature. Permission is not required to copy this data and enter it into the RepeaterBook database. No set of words could be placed on the website or printed material to prevent factual information from being recorded and republished elsewhere. Period. If you are still confused about this, please return to the US Copyright Office link above.
-We would rather work with you and not against you. We just want you to get over the idea that you have legal leverage when approaching us to remove information. We have no legal requirement to remove a repeater listing. Yelling, screaming, or threatening anything (including lawsuits) in an attempt to remove your repeater listing will be ignored. We prefer pleasant conversations with grown-ups who are able to discourse in a friendly manner.
+We would rather work with you and not against you. We just want you to get over the idea that you have legal leverage when approaching us to remove information. We have no legal requirement to remove a repeater listing. Yelling, screaming, or threatening anything (including lawsuits) in an attempt to remove your repeater listing will be ignored. We prefer pleasant conversations with grown-ups who can discourse in a friendly manner.
-We would like to point out that we would like to represent everything that is good about amateur radio. We do not wish to be argumentative about these points or debate them with you. We would prefer to embrace you as a fellow ham and work together in a spirit of cooperation to come to a mutually acceptable arrangement. While other repeater listing repositories attempt to make money on their products, there is no requirement on this site to pay money to receive any information. We are simply a collection point for publicly available information. We believe because of our operating practices, you may be most willing to share your information.
+We would like to point out that we would like to represent everything good about amateur radio. We do not wish to be argumentative about these points or debate them with you. We would prefer to embrace you as a fellow ham and work together in a spirit of cooperation to come to a mutually acceptable arrangement. While other repeater listing repositories attempt to make money on their products, there is no requirement on this site to pay money to receive any information. We are simply a collection point for publicly available information. We believe because of our operating practices, you may be most willing to share your information.
 We should also note that requests to remove data outside of PL tones, locations, and coordinates from the site are actually pretty rare.
-Case law can be found on this in regards to Web sites that publish the home addresses of police officers and abortion doctors. Recently, a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously said the activists could be held liable only if the material authorized or directly threatened violence. A Supreme Court ruling that said a threat must be explicit and likely to cause "imminent lawless action." Their right to publish this information is protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Even when common sense tells you that the posting of the information is to allow for the information to get to someone who would do harm to the individual, it is still protected. The poster of the information is not responsible for the actions of another individual. This all changes, however, if the poster encourages others to inflict harm upon the individual.
+Case law can be found on this regarding websites that publish police officers' home addresses and abortion doctors. Recently, a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously said the activists could be held liable only if the material authorized or directly threatened violence. A Supreme Court ruling said a threat must be explicit and likely to cause "imminent lawless action." Their right to publish this information is protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Even when common sense tells you that the posting of the information is to allow for the information to get to someone who would harm the individual, it is still protected. The poster of the information is not responsible for the actions of another individual. This all changes, however, if the poster encourages others to inflict harm upon the individual.
 Since the operators of this site do not wish harm to come to any repeater, in fact, the opposite, the site and its operators cannot be held liable for any actions taken by a third party with information gleaned from the site.
 ==== Do you obtain the permission of a repeater owner before publishing the information? ====
-We have over 30,000 repeaters in the database and that would be quite the chore. Considering the options, we thought it would be much too cumbersome and expensive to get consent from a repeater owner before posting any data about a repeater. It would be a non-starter.
+We have over 30,000 repeaters in the database, and that would be quite the chore. Considering the options, we thought it would be much too cumbersome and expensive to get consent from a repeater owner before posting any data about a repeater. It would be a non-starter.
-As many of us are repeater owners or board members of large clubs with repeaters, we decided that such a mailing would be expensive, overwhelming, difficult, and likely fruitless. If every administrator of a Web site attempted to gain the permission of the owner of a repeater, repeater owners would be so tired of receiving requests that they would likely ignore them.
+As many of us are repeater owners or board members of large clubs with repeaters, we decided that such a mailing would be expensive, overwhelming, difficult, and likely fruitless. If every administrator of a Web site attempted to gain the permission of a repeater owner, repeater owners would be so tired of receiving requests that they would likely ignore them.
 Cost is also a major factor. We figured the cost would be about $1.00 per mailing. Currently, we service more than 21,000 repeaters. For a free site, that cost is overwhelming.
-Finally, there are no legal or moral requirements to request permission to publish facts, especially when they are generally available from other sources. So for now, we will continue to gather information as we do and pledge to work with the concerns of repeater owners as they arise.
+Finally, there are no legal or moral requirements to request permission to publish facts, especially when they are generally available from other sources. So, for now, we will continue to gather information as we do and pledge to work with repeater owners' concerns as they arise.
 ===== Media =====
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 Yes, interviews can be arranged. Please use the contact form to reach the site admin/owner.
-==== Has Repeaterbook ever been showcased in the media before ====
+==== Has RepeaterBook ever been showcased in the media before ====
-Repeaterbook has been reviewed and showcased in 73 magazine.
+RepeaterBook has been reviewed and showcased in 73 magazine.