Section i. Preamble

Section 1. Definitions

Section 2. Administrative

Section 3. Financial

Section 4. Membership

Section 5. Trustee

Section 6. Operating Rules and Procedures

Section 7. User Command Procedures

Section 8. Technical Standards

This Policy Manual is written in accordance with the Bylaws of the Santa Clara Valley Repeater Society, hereinafter referred to as the "Society". It should be recognized by the Board of Directors and the membership that a spirit of cooperation in maintaining compliance with the Policies and Operating Rules and Procedures contained in this manual is essential to obtain the mutual benefit that we all desire. The following policies have been adopted by the Board of Directors. From time to time, these policies may be revised. Revisions will be made available to all members.  

As used in this manual, the terms in quotes shall have the meaning as described.

1.1

"Member" means full member as defined in section 4.

1.2

"WB60QS/R" means the repeater facilities of the Society located on Mt. Loma Prieta.

1.3

"The repeater" means the repeating communications facilities of the Society.

1.4

"WB60QS" means the Society's amateur radio station(s) not the Society's amateur radio repeater station(s).

1.5

"Without prejudice" means a condition in which a member or former member has no obligation to the Society in any form or manner, and the Board of Directors has acknowledged this status.

1.6

The nouns "he" and "him", etc. are used in this manual in their generic form. All such references imply both genders. For example, he/she, him/her.

2.1

Command privileges will not be given to nonmembers.

2.2

Board members having three (3) consecutive unexcused absences from board meetings may be replaced, as provided in the Bylaws.

2.3

Officers having three (3) consecutive unexcused absences from Board meetings may be replaced, as provided in the Bylaws.

2.4

All matters pertaining to the Society, other than those within the realm of the Board of Directors as set forth in the Bylaws, shall be acted upon by the membership at membership meetings.

2.5

The Society's name shell not be used in commercial projects without the prior approval of the Board of Directors.

2.6

All Board and Committee meetings shall be conducted in an orderly manner.

2.7

Any item pertaining to a legal question will be directed to the Legal Advisory Committee for consideration.

2.8

In the event of a vacancy on the Board of Directors, the President shall announce that a vacancy has occurred and ask that any member who wishes to be considered should contact any board member. The President can do this at a regular membership meeting, on the Monday night net, or in the newsletter. All names received will be up for vote. The voting will be by secret ballot by the Board of Directors.

2.9

Any member may resign from the Society or from a post within the Society at any time by submitting his resignation to the Board of Directors. Resignation from a post shall be without prejudice. Resignation from the Society shall be without prejudice if the member is fully paid up in his dues and assessments to date of resignation and hen returned all equipment of the Society in his possession in satisfactory condition.

2.10

All official scheduled meetings of the membership, Directors or Officers of the Society shall be announced during the preceding Monday night WB60QS/R net.

2.11

All unscheduled meetings of the Board of Directors, Officers or committees (except grievance) shall be announced as far in advance as possible through the Society's VHF repeater system. This announcement shall be made by the presiding Officer or an alternate and shall include a description of the agenda of the meeting.

2.12

The Secretary shall take minutes of all Membership and regular and special Board meetings, to be kept in a binder. Upon request, such minutes shall be made available for inspection by any member.

3.1

The Treasurer shall submit a budget for approval at the annual meeting of the Board of Directors.

3.2

The Board of Directors will approve an operating budget for the fiscal year, which shall include a non-floating $100.00 contingency fund. Any monies used from the contingency fund must be accounted for to the board at the following annual or special meeting of the Board of Directors.

3.3

All social functions shall be self supporting.

3.4

Initiation fee:

a.

The initiation fee for membership in the Society is $5.00, and shall accompany the membership application when submitted to the membership chairman or the Treasurer.

b.

Any change of the initiation fee shall be made in accordance with the Bylaws.

3.5

Dues:

a.

The annual membership dues for the Society are $24.00 and are due, in advance, on March 1st each year. Membership in the Society shall automatically be revoked for any member whose dues have not been paid by the following April 1st. During this grace period, the member shall lose his voting privileges.

b.

The annual membership dues for members of the Society who are 60 years of age or older and are retired are one half (1/2) the annual membership dues. Eligibility for retiree dues must be approved by the Board of Directors.

c.

The annual membership dues for each family member is one half (1/2) the annual membership dues.

d.

The dues for a new member are pro-rated monthly.

e.

The Society will not accept partial payment of dues. In the event a partial payment is received the Treasurer will return the partial payment with a letter of explanation. Dues must be paid in full in accordance with the Bylaws.

3.6

Autopatch

a.

All members making a call for which there is a charge shall notify the Treasurer or the Trustee giving the phone number called and the time and date of the call. The Treasurer will then notify the member of the amount of toll charges and the member shall reimburse the Society for all such calls. Wrong numbers shall likewise be reported.

b.

The `local' calling area is considered to be all of the 408 area code and those portions of the 415 area code within Santa Clara County and including the cities of Fremont and Los Altos.

c.

The annual autopatch fee is $6.00.

d.

The phone patch is an adjunct to the normal voice operations of the repeater system. It is not to be used excessively or for frivolous purposes. Use of the patch for emergency or other public service reasons is encouraged.

e.

The phone patch is not to be used for commercial purposes in any way. This not only includes the obvious exchange of business, but the everyday transactions of any business, whether or not money actually exchanges as a result of the communication.

f.

The patch is for the use of members. Use of the patch or others is encouraged only for emergency traffic and for visitors to the area who need help in contacting loca1 friends or relatives. When the patch is used for another, the command station should initiate both the control sequence to turn the patch on, and also enter the telephone number so that there is less confusion. An unknown number cannot be called, and no command information about the patch is to be released.

g.

All users of the autopatch are on the honor system in making toll or long distance calls. Each user of the patch making such a call is to notify the Treasurer or the Trustee of the number called and the time the call was made. The Treasurer will then notify the member of the amount of toll charges and the member shall reimburse the Society for all such calls. All wrong numbers called will also be similarly reported.

h.

Prior to bringing up the autopatch, users will make sure that no traffic is in progress and state the prefix of the number being called.

i.

Upon completion of autopatch traffic, the user will bring down the autopatch and announce that autopatch traffic is completed. State, for example, "WB6XYZ, autopatch clear.

4.1

There will be five (5) types of membership: Full, Charter, Absent, Honorary and Family Membership, defined as follows:

a.

Full Member: A licensed amateur radio operator elected to membership in the Society as provided in this section. Full members may vote and hold office. The term "Full Member" shall include those members who are also classified as family or charter members.

b.

Charter Member: Those persons who are full members of the Society, who were parties to the organization of the Society, and who were full members on or before April 9, 1965. Charter members have no addltional.rights and privileges over a full member.

c.

Absent Member: Members leaving the area or who wish to temporarily suspend their activities in the Society for valid reasons may request to be placed on an inactive status for a period of no less than three (3) months nor more than two (2) years. Favorable action by a simple majority of the full members present at a regular membership meeting will allow the individua1 to return to active status without again paying an initiation fee. Requests to become an absent member and to return to full member shall be made in writing to the Treasurer or Membership Chairman. The effective date of such requests shall be the first of the month following the request. The period of unexpired dues will be applied to the return to active status. No unexpired dues will be refunded. Absent members shall not have the right to vote or to hold office.

d.

Honorary Member: Honorary membership is granted by resolution of the Board of Directors without dues or assessments. Honorary members, unless also a full member, shall not have the rights of full members.

e.

Family Member: A licensed amateur radio operator who is the husband, wife, son, daughter, brother, sister, mother or father of a full member, and living at the same address as the full member. Family members have no additional rights or privileges over full members except that their annual membership dues are less, as provided in this manual.

4.2

There are no age requirements for membership in the Society.

4.3

Requests for membership applications shall be directed to any member of the Society. The completed application form, together with the initiation fee, annual membership dues, and a photocopy of the applicant's current Primary Amateur Radio Station License will be sent to the Treasurer or the Membership chairman.

4.4

The membership or rights and privileges of a member may be suspended or revoked in any of the following manners for the reasons given therein:

a.

The Board of Directors shall have the power to suspend for a definite period of time, not to exceed one (1) year, or revoke, the membership rights and privileges and membership itself of any member who has failed to abide by the Bylaws, Operating Rules and Procedures or Policies of the Society, upon hearing the matter at a regular or specia1 meeting of the Board of Directors. Any such hearing, and the procedures related thereto, shall give the accused member ample opportunity to show cause why his membership or membership rights and privileges should not be suspended or revoked.

b.

The Board of Directors shall have the power to suspend or revoke the membership of any member who is in arrears in payment of his assessments for a period exceeding sixty (60) days after due date.

c.

The Board of Directors shall have the power to suspend or revoke the membership of any member who fails to maintain a copy of his current Primary Amateur Radio Station License, or application therefore, with the Membership Chairman.,

d.

Upon suspension of membership, dues and assessments paid for the period of suspension shall be forfeited to the Society. Upon reinstatement, the member will be required to pay his account in full, if not already paid, for the period of suspension, but will not be required to pay an initiation fee. If the member fails to pay his dues and assessments for the period of suspension, his membership shall be revoked.

e.

Upon revocation of membership, the initiation fee and all dues and assessments paid by the member shall be forfeited to the Society.

4.5

Any member may resign from the Society or from a post within the Society at any time by submitting his resignation to the Society. Resignation from a post shall be without prejudice. Resignation from the Society shall be without prejudice if the member is fully paid up in his dues and assessments to date of resignation, and has returned all equipment of the Society in his possession in satisfactory condition.

4.6

Any person who has ceased to be a member by resignation may be reinstated by applying for membership and paying all outstanding dues and assessments incurred prior to his resignation (if any). If reinstated within a period of two (2) years from the date of resignation, no initiation fee will be required.

4.7

Reinstatement of a person on suspension shall be on such terms and conditions as set by the Board of Directors.

4.8

Former members, whose membership has been revoked, may reapply for membership in the Society in the same manner as any other prospective member, including payment of the current initiation fee and dues, along with any dues and assessments unpaid prior to his revocation of membership. Such former members, however, shall not be permitted to reapply for membership within a period of one (1) year from the date of revocation. The membership application of a previous member must state that it is a reapplication for membership. Reinstatement shall be on such terms and conditions as set by the Board of Directors.

4.9

All members shall have the right to vote, hold office, announce their membership in the Society and receive all notices and publications of the Society.' All members are authorized to operate the radio communication facilities of the Society in accordance with the Operating Rules and Procedures as set forth in this manual.

4.10

A member shall make all reasonable efforts to attend the regular membership meetings of the Society.

5.1

The Trustee is the licensee of all the Society's radio stations licensed by the Federal Communications Commission and shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

a.

Be responsible for complying with all Federal Communications Commission Rules and Regulations pertaining to the Society's equipment.

b.

Exercise authority over the equipment and operation of the Society's radio facilities and the operational activities of its member users as follows:

1).

He shall suspend operation of the Society's radio facilities if, in his opinion, or upon the direction of the President or Board of Directors, a malfunction or potential malfunction of the equipment or operational activity could cause a violation of Federal Communications Commission Rules and Regulations, cause damage to the equipment, or produce sub-standard operation of the facilities.

2).

He may suspend, for a period not to exceed 15 days, the user command privileges of any member who is in violation of the Federal Communication Commission Rules and Regulations or the Society's Operating Rules and Procedures in the operation of the Society's facilities. The Trustee shall notify the President within 12 hours of such suspension. A record of such suspension shall be recorded in the station log.

3).

Recommend to the Board of Directors the suspension or revocation of the user command and/or membership privileges of any member whose alleged violations' continue during suspension as provided under paragraph 5.1.b.2 above.

6.1

These operating rules and procedures have been compiled by the Operating Rules Committee composed of interested members of the Society. The Society has adopted these rules and procedures to ensure that the use of the repeater complies with FCC regulations and to facilitate communication for the benefit of its members. Operation of the repeater shall at all times comply with, but is not limited to, the applicable portions of Part 97 of the "Federal Communications Commission Rules and Regulations". Compliance with these rules and procedures is required of all members and guests. In any situation not specifically covered by these rules and procedures, the principles of good Judgment and courtesy will apply. Respect the rights of others. Any comments or suggestions are welcome and should be directed in writing to P.O. Box 2085, Sunnyvale, CA 94087.

6.2

The repeater is not to be used for commercial purposes in any way. This not only includes the obvious exchange of business, but the everyday transactions of any business, whether or not money actually exchanges as a result of the communication.

6.3

The repeater is intended to be used for communication between members and for the handling of emergency traffic. Formal third party traffic handling is discouraged and shall not interfere with genera1 usage.

6.4

The repeater is primarily for mobile use. When mobiles are in communication, base stations should limit their own transmissions and give preference to the mobiles. This should be especially observed during periods of heavy activity.

6.5

Reporting of emergencies is a valuable public service of the Society. First party emergency traffic shall take precedence over all other traffic.

a.

Any station reporting an emergency will be given a clear channel until he indicates that the traffic has been handled and normal communications can resume. It is the reporting station's responsibility to clear the emergency traffic condition as soon as possible.

b.

The reporting station should be SPECIFIC about the EXACT nature of the emergency and the EXACT location.

c.

If at all possible, remain at the scene unti1 the requested assistance arrives, and certainly unti1 the authorities have all the information they request.

d.

Use of the autopatch for the purpose of passing emergency traffic to improve communication with the authorities is encouraged and most desirable. Otherwise the messages are to be directed to a particular station for relay to the proper authorities, and that station will confirm that it has been passed.

e.

All other stations should stand by unless they can assist in expediting the traffic.

6.6

When already in a conversation and it is turned to you, allow the repeater carrier to drop off the air, which will allow other stations to enter and also reset the time-out timer.

6.7

When desiring to enter a conversation, state your complete call sign DURING the repeater carrier hang time. For non-emergency traffic, do not use the term "break break", which is a national standard callsign preface to indicate emergency traffic. There are four acceptable ways to break in:

a.

"WB6XYZ Emergency traffic" or "Break Break, WB6XYZ" when reporting accidents or for traffic of an emergency nature.

b.

WB6XYZ traffic" when the breaking station has traffic for a particular station (whether or not a current participant). This must be of short duration to allow the interrupted stations to continue their conversation.

c.

"WB6XYZ comment" when the breaking station has routine traffic for the group.

d.

"WB6XYZ" when the breaking station wishes to Join the current conversation.

For a. or b. above, or any break-in procedure not listed, the next station in line should immediately acknowledge the breaker and turn it to him unless traffic of the same or greater priority is being passed at the time.

For c. or d. above, the next station in line should acknowledge the breaker and turn it to him at the completion of his own transmission, along with the identification of the station that should transmit next.

If the repeater not in use, say "WB6XYZ" or "WB6XYZ on channel" etc. "WB6XYZ monitoring" or "WB6XYZ monitoring only" will be interpreted as not wishing to actively engage in conversation, but will accept traffic or priority traffic respectively.

6.8

Sign clear when you leave the repeater so that other stations do not attempt to turn it over to you.

6.9

When you complete a transmission, including when you sign clear, turn it over to a specific station or person.

6.10

Users are required to ID every ten minutes when active. To keep user ID time to a minimum, ID with only your callsign. You are not required, nor is it desirable, to identify other stations.

6.11

A timer will inhibit repeating if a repeatable carrier appears at the input for more than two minutes. The timer is reset at the expiration of the carrier hangtime. Keep your transmissions brief, particularly during periods of high activity, so that all stations may have an opportunity to participate.

6.12

To avoid unnecessary waiting, access the repeater during, and talk over, the repeater ID. The repeater timer is reset when a user's carrier drops, even though the repeater may stay on the air to send the repeater ID.

6.13

Mixed repeater/simplex communication is strongly discouraged due to the confusion caused by all repeater users not hearing the simplex station. This results in illegal simultaneous transmissions and the unnecessary generation of ill will.

6.14

Avoid testing transmitters on the repeater input or output frequencies. Always monitor the output when transmitting on the input. Proper identification procedures are to be followed when testing. When testing on the input, use a well shielded dummy load to minimize interference. Stations are welcome to use the repeater for testing, but only when the testing does not cause interference to communications through the repeater.

6.15

All member equipment used on the repeater must conform to the Technical Standards of the Society as specified in this manual. If your transmitted signal contains excessive noise, hash, hum, distortion, etc., refrain from using the repeater frequencies unti1 the problem is corrected.

6.16

If your signa1 is not strong enough to communicate through the repeater, wait until you are in.a better area. If you are not sure of the coverage area, keep your transmissions short.

6.17

When the phone patch is in use, all stations are to stand by unti1 the call is completed.

6.18

The repeater can be operated in two different access modes. The decision of which mode is used is the responsibility of the Control Operator. The modes are:

a.

COR, which means all users with a carrier will gain access.

b.

Guarded, which means users must have a subaudible tone to gain access. All entry tones will conform to the Society's current Technica1 Standards.

6.19

Command procedures are NEVER discussed over the air, or with other than stations authorized to use user commands. Direct any technical or operational questions, off the air, to the Trustee, a Control Operator, or a member of the Board of Directors.

6.20

Derogatory remarks concerning the Society shall not be made over the air. Such remarks may be stated at a membership or Board of Directors meeting.

6.21

Derogatory or maligning remarks addressed to, or about specific persons and/or groups shall not be made over the radio facilities of the Society.

6.22

It is the duty of all members of the Society to inform, in a friendly way, a user of his infraction(s) of the FCC Rules and Regulations and/or the Society's Operating Rules and Procedures.

6.23

In case of deliberate interference with, or unauthorized transmissions through the repeater, do not acknowledge the offender, as this will merely provide satisfaction to the offender. No member of the Society shall make any statement over the air to any person about interference during their or another person's communication. If totally ignoring the offender does not cause cessation of the undesired transmission, carry on a conversation with someone to reduce the effect to a minimum. As a last resort, contact the Trustee, a Control Operator, or a member of the Board of Directors. It is the responsibility of the Control Operators to deal with the problem.

6.24

In case of a radio facility malfunction, or any other situation not compatible with proper operation, contact the Trustee, a Control Operator, or a member of the Board of Directors.

6.25

A member should.submit a report of equipment malfunctions or repeated violations of FCC Rules and Regulations or the Society's Operating Rules and Procedures to the Trustee, either in writing or to the 24-hour `hotline' (408-24-SCVRS), stating: date, approximate time, type of malfunction or infraction, user involved if known, and any action taken.

6.26

If assistance from a Control Operator is required, call the person designated for the given day, as indicated in the following list. If that person cannot be contacted,' call the Trustee. In the event he cannot be reached, as a last resort call any of the other Control Operators.

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DAY of WEEK  CALL    NAME           HOME PHONE      WORK PHONE                 


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUNDAY       K6HLE   DOUG Macheel   (408) 252-1272  (415) 966-3451             

                                                    Sec./Pager (415) 966-3161  

MONDAY       WA6IXY  Steve Caserza  (408) 255-4163  (415) 324-8999             

TUESDAY                                                                        

WEDNESDAY    N6AKK   Carmen         (408) 629-4488  (408) 256-2657             

                     D'Agostino                                                

THURSDAY     KA6YMD  Wally Britten  (408) 293-3847  (408) 299-3320             

FRIDAY       WA6SZO  Bob Hill       (408) 779-2257  (408) 298-5400             

TRUSTEE      WA2IBM  BILL Walters   (408) 296-2697  (408) 284-7680             

SATURDAY                                                                       

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7.1

A command station is a member station who may exercise user commands. These include commands such as those used to activate the phone patch.

7.2

Becoming a command station is a privilege. This privilege is granted at the discretion of the Trustee, and is subject to suspension or revocation by the Trustee for failure to comply with these operating rules or other Trustee requirements.

7.3

Becoming a Command Station.

a.

The procedure to obtain command privileges is:

1).

The member must be currently paid-up and shall have paid the annual patch fee ($6.00/year, $.50/month prorated to March 1).

2).

The member shall have at least one radio fully operational for the patch system. This includes any CTCSS requirement and the radio having been checked by another member authorized to use the patch.

3).

The member then should contact the Trustee or a Control Operator preferably one who lives fairly close to the member. A mutually acceptable meeting time and place should be arranged with that Control Operator.

4).

The Control Operator will then instruct the member in the proper operation of the patch system, FCC rules, and in the club restrictions on use of the patch.

5).

The member will then be given the proper control information to use the command functions. Only the Trustee or a Control Operator is authorized to disseminate the command information.

6).

The member has read and agrees to abide by the operating and command station rules.

b.

New command stations shall be checked out by the Trustee, a Control Operator, or on an individual basis by another command station authorized by the Trustee for the occasion.

c.

Upon becoming an authorized command station, the member will receive the current command codes. They are to be treated as confidential information and are not to be discussed, except as directed by the Trustee.

d.

Command stations in good standing will receive written notices of the periodic changes in command codes, providing the address of record is accurate.

7.4

General Command Station Responsibilities

a.

All command information relating to the patch is CLUB CONFIDENTIAL and is to be treated as such. Only Control Operators are authorized to disseminate this information. Discussion of command sequences over the air is prohibited.

8.1

Operating frequencies, stability and access tone(s).

-------------------------------------------------------------

     output (MHz)  input (MHz)  stability          CTCSS (Hz)  

-------------------------------------------------------------

146  146.760       146.160      >.0005% (>730 Hz)  151.4       

220  224.260       222.660      >.0004% (>890 Hz)  123.0        

440  444.600       449.600      >.0002% (>900 Hz)  141.3       

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8.2

When input guard tone(s) are specified above and are required,' the CTCSS (PL) tone will be within 3 Hz of the proper frequency, and have a deviation level from 350 to 500 Hz.

8.3

Deviation on all user's equipment shall average 3.5 KHz and never peak greater than 5 KHz.

8.4

Modulation specification will conform to E.I.A. e.g., audio characteristics are to be within +1 to -3 db of 6 db per octave pre-emphasis characteristic; referenced to a 1 KHz modulating tone.

8.5

Transmitter audio response shall be 300 Hz to 3000 Hz.

8.6

Signals not adequately quieting the repeater should not be used.

8.7

When Touch-Tone(1) signaling is used for or through the repeater, the tones will:

a.

Conform to Bell System frequency specifications.

b.

Conform to other Bell System specifications with regard to permissible frequencies and levels.present at the same time as the signaling tones.

c.

Modulate the users transmitter such that a single tone will produce a deviation level between 800 Hz and 1.8 KHz, and a dual tone will produce a deviation level between 1.6 KHz and 3.6 KHz.