ARRL Technician Practice Exam

What describes the common meaning of the term "repeater offset"?

1. The time delay in the repeater's signal

2. The frequency ratio of the repeater's channels

3. The difference between the repeater's transmit and receive frequencies

4. The bandwidth of the repeater's signal

The correct answer is: The difference between the repeater's transmit and receive frequencies

The term "repeater offset" refers to the difference between the frequencies at which a repeater transmits and receives signals. In amateur radio, repeaters are typically set up to receive a signal on one frequency and retransmit it on another frequency. This differentiation allows for clear communication, avoiding interference between the incoming and outgoing signals. The offset is usually standardized for specific bands in amateur radio to facilitate easier operation across various repeaters. For example, on the 2-meter band, the most common offset is 600 kHz, meaning if a repeater transmits on frequency X, it will receive signals on frequency X minus or plus 600 kHz, depending on whether it is a minus or plus offset. Understanding this concept is crucial for successful and efficient communication through a repeater, ensuring that operators tune their radios to the correct frequencies.