United Kingdom · Licence examHow do you use ham radio repeaters?
- Find one near you on the UK Repeaters lists or maps, and note its output frequency, its offset and its CTCSS tone.
- Set your radio to listen on the output and transmit on the input. On 2 m, for example, repeater channel RV48 transmits on 145.600 MHz and listens on 145.000 MHz.
- Set the CTCSS tone. Every new UK repeater since 2004 has needed CTCSS access, and the RSGB band plan says tone-burst access is being withdrawn, so don’t rely on a 1750 Hz tone.
- Listen first, and check the channel isn’t being used by another mode, such as digital voice on an FM repeater.
- Just give your call sign. The RSGB says there’s no need for CQ on a repeater: “M6XYZ listening through GB3UB” is enough.
- Keep overs short. Repeaters may have a time-out, and some use a reset tone.
Don’t use repeater channels for simplex contacts.
CTCSS tones
UK repeaters use a tone by area, named by letter on the UK Repeaters tone zone map:
| Letter | Tone (Hz) |
|---|---|
| A | 67.0 |
| B | 71.9 |
| C | 77.0 |
| D | 82.5 |
| E | 88.5 |
| F | 94.8 |
| G | 103.5 |
| H | 110.9 |
| J | 118.8 |
Some repeaters use 123.0, 136.5 or 141.3 Hz instead, so check the listing for the one you want.
Repeater channels on 2 m and 70 cm
UK repeaters on 70 cm use splits of 1.6, 5.0, 7.6 and 9 MHz. The main FM channels are:
| Band | Input (you transmit) | Output (you listen) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 m | 144.990-145.1935 MHz | 145.5935-145.7935 MHz | RV48-RV63, 12.5 kHz steps |
| 70 cm | 434.600-434.975 MHz | 433.000-433.375 MHz | RB0-RB15 |
| 2 m low power (5 W ERP) | 144.975 and 144.9875 MHz | 145.575 and 145.5875 MHz | Ad hoc repeaters |
| 70 cm low power (5 W ERP) | 430.1125 MHz | 439.1125 MHz | Ad hoc repeater |
Repeaters elsewhere in Europe may use different or reversed splits.
Digital voice repeaters
UK Repeaters also lists D-STAR, DMR, Fusion and NXDN repeaters, each with its own map. These systems don’t work with each other, so you need a radio for the one you want to use.
Who can run a repeater?
An Intermediate or Full licensee can run a repeater at up to 5 W ERP, and a Full licensee at up to 25 W ERP using a call sign the RSGB allocates. Repeaters can’t work below 28 MHz, the keeper must be able to shut one down within two hours if Ofcom asks, and anyone linking a gateway to a repeater needs the keeper’s written permission.
The ETCC, an RSGB committee, publishes the repeater lists, maps and vetting status.
Sources: UK Repeaters · RSGB and 6 more. Checked October 2026.
- UK Repeaters (RSGB ETCC) ↗
- UK Repeaters (RSGB ETCC): Accessing repeaters and CTCSS ↗
- RSGB: Beacons and repeaters ↗
- RSGB: Buying a new transceiver ↗
- RSGB: Band plan 2026, updated January 2026 (PDF) ↗
- RSGB: EX309 Full reference data, with the licence conditions booklet, February 2026 (PDF) ↗
- RSGB: Combined syllabus specification v1.6b, March 2026 (PDF) ↗
- RSGB: Good amateur radio operating practices (PDF) ↗
Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.