Summary:

• Open Autopatch
• Ames & ISU toll-free calling area
• Ames 911 Police / Fire / Ambulance  -- Repeater access code 911 (NOT *911 !)
• Iowa State University DPS Police -- Repeater access code 811 (NOT *811 !)

Autopatch instructions:

1. Monitor...

• Monitor repeater for activity.  Initiate autopatch only after repeater is idle for one minute or more.  Repeater use priority first goes to emergency traffic of any type (including emergency autopatch), organized net operation, normal amateur radio communications, then non-emergency autopatch usage.

2. Announce your request to use the autopatch...

• Transmit saying "[CALLSIGN] request autopatch"
• Let repeater tail to drop, wait 5 seconds for emergency traffic, then dial.

3. Dial the autopatch...

• Key your transmitter and keep it keyed
• Press * (The star key)
• Dial 7-digit telephone number to dial for all calls.  (For example: 294-5566)
• Unkey transmitter NOTES:
  • If you make a mistake dialing and have not dialed the whole telephone number, unkeying will cancel the autopatch.  Otherwise, follow step 6 to hang up the call.
  • The autopatch will only allow 7-digit telephone numbers beginning with 294-, 572-, 296-, 232-, 233-, 268-, and 451-.  Special numbers like 411 and 555-1212 are blocked.

4. Ringing...

• The repeater will begin to beep several times (like a busy signal on a telephone), but this is NORMAL operation for the repeater, don't let it catch you off guard.  At this point the controller is connecting your call to the telephone line. When the beeps stop you will hear the phone line ring.  The repeater is now connected to the phone line.  Your transmissions will now go through the phone line as well as the repeater transmitter.

5. Talk...

• When the phone line is answered, advise the person you are "Talking on your radio" to avoid  them making any inappropriate comments and so they know they need to pause a moment after you speak so you can hear them.
• NOTES:
  • If the person you called says something inappropriate, key up to avoid their voice from being transmitted out the repeater.  Remember, YOU, the autopatch user, are responsible for everything said while using the autopatch.
  • Normal autopatch calls up to 3 minutes are allowed.  A warning message of three beeps will be sent to the repeater and phone line when 30 seconds is left,  two beeps indicate 20 seconds is left, and a final warning beep will occur with 10 seconds left.  If the call timer is exceeded, the repeater will automatically hang up the autopatch and send "APF" in CW.
  • The repeater will pass DTMF tones from the repeater to the phone line.  However, it is not recommended to be used for checking answering machine messages because of FCC rules.

7. Hang-up...

• Say goodbye to the called party as normal.
• Key up,  press # (the pound key), and immediately unkey.
• The repeater will transmit in CW "APF" (AutoPatch oFf) to the repeater and phone line and hang-up the phone.

8. Clear from Autopatch...

• Allow the repeater tail to drop.
• Key up and say "[CALLSIGN] Clear Autopatch."
• The repeater is now available for regular use.

EMERGENCY autopatch procedure:

Emergency traffic takes priority on the system to other repeater activities.  Emergency traffic is generally where life or serious property damage may occur unless IMMEDIATE action is taken.  Emergency traffic does NOT include non-life threatening injuries nor routine day-to-day problems like running out of gas.

1. Know your situation...

• Part of being a good emergency communicator is being concise and knowing what needs to be reported.
• Know your location.  Cross streets are good references.  i.e.:  "1 block north of Lincoln way and Grand" or "2 miles north of Highway 30 on county line road"
• Know the situation.  i.e.: "A red minivan is on fire", "A bicyclist has been struck by a car."  DON'T give opinions.  DON'T say: "We need an ambulance." or "I need a ladder fire truck."  Let the dispatcher make that determination.
• Be prepared to stay at the scene until emergency personnel arrive.
• Be prepared to give your name and/or home telephone number.  If you don't want to give out that information, offer the dispatcher your driver's license number.

2. Get access to the repeater...

• If there is current activity on the repeater, transmit over the courtesy tone saying "EMERGENCY BREAK"
• The other amateurs on the repeater should acknowledge you with "Go ahead with your Emergency traffic."  At this point all other traffic should stay off of the repeater, emergencies override all other traffic, including having the other user's id.

3. Announce your emergency autopatch...

• Transmit saying "[CALLSIGN] request EMERGENCY autopatch"
• Unkey

4. Dial the autopatch...

• Key your transmitter and keep it keyed
• Press Emergency access code (do NOT press '*')
  • 911 -- Ames Police / Fire / Ambulance
  • 811 -- ISU Division of Public Safety (DPS) Police
• Unkey transmitter

5. Ringing...

• The repeater will begin to beep several times (like a busy signal on a telephone), but this is NORMAL operation for the repeater, don't let it catch you off guard.  At this point the controller is connecting your call to the telephone line. When the beeps stop you will hear the phone line ring.  The repeater is now connected to the phone line.  Your transmissions will now go through the phone line as well as the repeater transmitter.

6. Talk...

When the dispatcher answers:
• State you are a mobile station -- "I am a mobile station half a block west of  Main and Duff".  Don't worry about telling them you are an amateur radio operator and don't give them your callsign --  It will only confuse them.
• Clearly state the emergency.  "A woman has passed out on the street and I can't revive her."
• Answer any questions the dispatcher may have.

7. Hang-up...

• Wait until the dispatcher hang up first.
• Press the # (pound) key to hang up the phone.

8. Clear from Autopatch...

• Key up and say "[CALLSIGN] Clear EMERGENCY Autopatch."
• Attend to the emergency situation on site.
• At your convenience, report the emergency autopatch use to a CARC cabinet member.