Operating Rules for NoBARC Infrastructure
(These rules apply to all radio infrastructure owned or controlled by NoBARC, including coordinated frequencies and repeaters, analog or digital, for voice and/or data modes.)
The Northern Berkshire Amateur Radio Club has expended considerable time and money to establish and maintain several repeaters in our area. Most of them are atop Mount Greylock at 3500 feet of elevation, where access is severely limited for six months out of the year and severe weather takes a toll on everything.
We are happy to be able to keep our repeaters open and available for access to all, but we do have some rules and guidelines for their operation.
The following classes of radio traffic have priority, in this order:
- EMERGENCY traffic. This is where you are dealing with potential loss of life or injury.
- PRIORITY traffic. This includes actual activations of ARES/RACES/SKYWARN nets.
- COORDINATED traffic. This includes all nets and special events approved by NoBARC.
- ROUTINE traffic. This includes all other traffic.
Some of our repeaters may be linked to other systems, such as the New England Digital Emergency Communications Network and the NEAR-900 Network. When operating across those linked systems users should also follow the guidelines of those systems.