okay so i just got my tech license last month and ive been trying to use the local FM repeater but im not really sure whats going on with the tones. i programmed what i thought was the right CTCSS tone from the repeater directory but sometimes it works and sometimes it doesnt, and i honestly cant tell if im even hitting the repeater or if nobodys just around.

also a bigger question — when is it okay to just start talking? like do i wait for someone to call CQ or whatever, or do i just key up and say my callsign? i listened for like 20 minutes the other day and it was totally quiet. i dont want to be rude or step on anyone but i also want to actually use the thing. any help appreciated, still figuring all this out

Welcome to the hobby, dont stress too much about it. The CTCSS thing is pretty simple once it clicks — basically the repeater has a tone squelch on its input so it ignores signals that dont carry the right subaudible tone. If you have the wrong tone programmed on your radio, the repeater just wont open up at all. Most repeater directories are pretty accurate but sometimes they're out of date, so worth checking the repeater's own website or QRZ if it has a listing there.

As for when to talk — on a quiet repeater you literally just key up, say your callsign, and say youre listening or just say something like "W1XYZ monitoring" and let go. Totally normal. If the repeater gives you a courtesy beep or a tail after you unkey, thats usually a good sign youre getting in. Some repeaters also ID themselves every so often which helps confirm youre actually hitting it. You're not being rude by just calling out, thats exactly what the repeater is there for.

yeah i had the same confusion when i started. one thing that helped me was just listening for the repeater's own ID — mine does a CW ID every 10 minutes or so, so when i heard that i knew i was at least receiving it okay. then when i keyed up and heard the tail beep come back i knew i was getting into it. took me a few tries to get the tone right because the directory had an old value listed.

the etiquette stuff is pretty relaxed on most repeaters honestly, just dont kerchunk it constantly (keying up without saying anything) because that can be annoying to the trustee and some of the regulars. but saying your call and that youre listening is totally fine anytime.