Please remember “Rule 101”. Rule 101 refers to FCC part 97.101, but for our purposes it refers to intentional interference. Below is our official policy regarding interference, deliberate or otherwise. If someone on-air mentions “Rule 101”, they’re probably reminding you of these guidelines!
The CRA and other Colorado repeater groups have been most fortunate when it comes to deliberate and malicious interference. We suffer much less than in other states.
After a long study using various sources of information, a System for Interference has been developed for use on all CRA repeaters. Please use the following guidelines when dealing with deliberate and malicious interference.
1. Never ever acknowledge known deliberate interference. The person interfering is doing it to receive feedback. To remove the feedback is to remove the incentive! To let the person that you are speaking with know you understand that there is an interference problem, you may say something like “Do you know Rule 101?” and go on with your conversation. If the problem continues, just sign off using your callsign. Do not talk to the person, do not talk about the person (even if they don’t seem to be around). Do not acknowledge them at all.
2. Do not assume that all interference is deliberate. In fact, most or virtually all interference is unintentional. Be sure before you assume that it is intentional. Ask if there is a breaker or if someone else would like to use the repeater. Remember that our repeaters are, by philosophy, for rag-chew use and therefore expected to be busy with persons needing to interrupt to make calls. The interruptions should be greeted with welcome.
3. If you can continue your conversation through the interference, do so. Do not acknowledge it.
4. If the interference continues, be prepared to take the following simple steps:
- Note the date, time of day, and repeater that you are on.
- Note your location and check the input frequency to see if you can hear the interfering signal.
- Note any signal strength readings and direction of the signal while listening on the input frequency.
- Note any identifying sounds, background noise, hum (60 Hz or CTCSS), and if the signal is distorted.
- Note any ideas you have about the source of the signal. (We will hold all of this in strict confidence.) Nothing will happen without absolute proof.
Please communicate this information to the CRA via e-mail, or telephone. You do not need to identify yourself, but it is helpful if you do.
In past years, we have gathered much information regarding interference. Our database of information is growing as we receive input from other clubs. All reports are important; please send them to us.
The CRA repeaters will normally remain on-the-air even though experiencing interference. The directors and control operators believe that it is better to have some communication rather than none at all. Of course, if any of our repeaters are interfering with any other radio services, we will turn off our equipment immediately.
Thank you very much for your cooperation.