After this month’s licensing exam, the VEs had two handouts. One was a printout with a bunch of useful info and links to ARRL-affiliated clubs, eHam.net, the FCC license manager, and QRZ’s Jumpstart program. (I actually wasn’t aware of the program until a little while after I’d passed my Technician exam; a friend happened to mention it on his blog. I may take advantage of the discount that puts the transceiver in my “I don’t have to care too much if I drop it in a lake or a dog eats it” price range. But GigaParts has been out of stock for a bit and not anticipating a shipment until next month, so I’d have ordered my Baofeng anyway.)
The other handout was Getting Started with Amateur Radio Repeaters by Ellwood Brem K3YV. This is a great handbook, written in 2023 and including a brief, complimentary introduction from Riley Hollingsworth K4ZDH. It’s 39 pages, 8.5 x 11 in with a side staple binding. It’s alternately subtitled “A handbook for repeater users” on the cover and “A handbook of Customs, Rules, and Equipment” on the inside, and the “customs” part is one of its strengths.
Brem writes in a chatty, informal manner, including personal opinion and asides. There are gestures to technical concerns, but no math or diagrams (and, as Brem comments, if you need more details about the third harmonic effect, “[you] can learn about it later in antenna school”). The focus is repeater etiquette, the way that it diverges from other ham contacts, and some broad outlines of the types of equipment and performance involved with using repeaters. The overall effect is being in the room with a helpful, experienced operator. Brem’s been there, done that, and wants to help you do it, too.
This isn’t the only source on repeater operation and etiquette, and I have no idea how expansive the informal distribution channels are. But if you can get your hands on a copy, I recommend this introductory handbook for new hams.