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RepeaterBook App FAQ - 27th Feb 2025

Location

I can search for repeaters manually, and they seem to be correct. When I use gps, quite a few do not show up.

If your device does not have a strong GPS signal it will be using wifi/best guess, often not that accurate. The search list result is unfiltered. The dashboard list is filtered using the frequency, mode etc you have set on the Filter page.

How can I enter a location manually

Try searching using a town name or grid/locator. This will centre the results on the location entered.

The location search works from a built-in database, enabling it to work without an internet connection. Due to space requirements stored locations are limited to towns with a population greater than 5K.

GPS location not being found

Triple check the phone settings to ensure location permission has been granted to the RepeaterBook app.

Ensure the latest phone updates have been installed.

Remove the RepeaterBook app, completely power off the phone, then restart it. Install the app from the store.

Android Tablet gives a location unknown error

Android 7 is the current minimum version. Due to google support issues.

Some older tablets don't have GPS, or it is very slow, WIFI may eventually get some kind of fix. Another option is to use the search and search for a large nearby town, which can be used as your location.

Repeater List

Repeater Results

Based on distance from your current auto location or your last location search whichever was used last. Uses the filters and the sort order from settings.

None, or only a few repeaters show on the Repeater list.

Triple check the filter settings. Ensure none of the emergency net tick boxes are checked, as if they are only repeaters carrying at least one of those nets will be shown.

A Repeater is missing or needs updating, how can I update it.

In the app you can use the edit option on the repeater detail page to update it or the add menu option from the main menu. It will then be included in the next app release and help hams worldwide.

Can the repeater database be updated on demand, instead of waiting for the next app update?

The RepeaterBook app has well over a 100 thousand active installs. To support on demand updates would require considerable development and costly infrastructure. As a community volunteer project we do not have the resources to develop, maintain and fund this. Using the Google and Apple app update infrastructure provides a cost effective, scalable and rapid way of distributing the data and app - as most updates include app updates too. We now aim to do this about every 14 days. The very latest information can always be found on the RepeaterBook.com web site, but don't worry it will always be in the app very soon after!

A recently added repeater shows on the web site, but is missing from the app.

The app database is updated with each new release of the app, generally every two weeks.

How can I export to the CHIRP, RT Systems, or G4HFQ programming software?

You can export data in various formats from www.RepeaterBook.com The app does not support exports.

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.

You must be registered and logged into www.RepeaterBook.com to access the Export menus.

Is there a way to print out the search results or to export a text file that you could email yourself and print.

There are currently no export options from the app, they may be added in the future. RepeaterBook.com provides a more printer friendly output and export options that may help.


Search Results

Searches the entire GEO and RepeaterBook databases - without any filters - it just matches on your search. The filters or the sort order from settings are not used.

Starts from your current auto location or your location search whichever was used last. As the whole database is searched a search term could be found as a town, repeater location, town in a different area/state/country etc.

Sort order is by distance from current auto location or your location search whichever was used last.

When searching for distant repeaters the location search works, but the app would not retain that location, so I could not sort the repeaters I was interested in, VHF, FM only.

Use search to pick a town as your location, you will be returned to the main dashboard displaying a filtered (Band, Mode etc) list of repeaters near your chosen location. The GPS icon can then be used to switch between your live GPS location and the last searched for location.

How can I clear the Search History.

The last 20 search terms are stored, the oldest are overwritten as new ones are added. There is currently no way to clear the list. App reinstall will restore the example search term list.

Searching on my town name gives different results to auto location for my town.

A town name “Sterling” - auto location in the town and the location stored in the geo database of the town are likely to differ. For example Auto location - FM18HX. Geo database location FM19GA. Likely to return different results.


General

App fails to start.

First thing. Completely remove the app then reinstall it from the app store. Then what happens when you start the app?, blank screen, nothing, flash and crash? Please advise us and we will investigate

RepeaterBook app no longer runs on Google free devices (Aura app, some custom roms etc)

The new features developing for RepeaterBook, including RepeaterBook Connect (control a variety of radios directly from the repeaterbook app) require the use of Google services and installation from the Google Play Store. As the sole volunteer developer of the RepeaterBook app, with tens of thousands of users worldwide, I simply don't have the resources to make, maintain, update and support multiple disparate versions. The RepeaterBook.com web site may be of help, and we are looking at the possibilities of a web based app.


BlueCAT

Will BlueCat for Icom not only work with Android phones and RepeaterBook, but also with a Windows laptop and "Ham Radio Deluxe"

BlueCAT presents a standard Bluetooth 2 SPP interface. Although we can not warrant it with third party software over which we have no control, many people have successfully used it with different Android, PC, Linux and Mac (desktop only) apps.

Windows error in PC "Device manager" "The drivers for this device are not installed. (Code 28)

Your PC will need Bluetooth 2 hardware, either built in or a USB “dongle” and the correct PC driver for the Bluetooth hardware installed. Then you will be able to search for and connect to your BlueCAT module. BlueCAT presents a standard Bluetooth 2 SPP interface, and does not require a PC driver itself.

Does BlueCAT work with Apple iPhone?

BlueCAT does not currently work with Apple iPhone/iPad devices due to restrictions by Apple.

BlueCAT Baud rates?

For a while now the Yaesu BlueCATS have been supplied set to 4800 baud, this was done for compatibility with LDG tuners and as ICOM radios cannot do the Yaesu (odd) default of 38400 baud it also enables the BlueCAT Yaesu to ICOM adapter to work. If you have any questions about baud rates and compatibility just ask.

FTM 100/300/400 support for BlueCAT?

Sorry not at the moment. These radios do not have a documented CAT style (Direct control of the VFO) programming interface. Sadly Yaesu does not publish any programming information for them, making even clone style programming (Writing all the memories at once) very hard.

991A support for BlueCAT?

Sorry not at the moment. The 991a does not have the same CAT connector as the BlueCAT 857.

Baofeng etc support for BlueCAT?

We would like to add programming Chinese radios to the Repeater book app, unfortunately most do not have a documented programming interface. There are also many different firmware/versions to deal with.

Any plans to add other radios to the RepeaterBook compatibility list?

See RepeaterBook Connect


Comments or Suggestions?

Please contact us if you have any comments or suggestions. RepeaterBook has developed as the result of feedback from keen Hams worldwide. Thanks!

Any thoughts or questions on RepeaterBook? Please consider rating and reviewing RepeaterBook on the app store.

© ZBM2 Software 2025

repeaterbookfaq.txt · Last modified: 2025/03/19 12:06 by m1hog

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