SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/ham-reverse-function

What does the reverse function on a VHF/UHF radio let you do?

Listen on the repeater's input frequency.

  1. Listen on a repeater's output frequency
  2. Listen on a repeater's input frequency ✔
  3. Reduce power output

Why: Reverse swaps your transmit and receive frequencies, so you hear what goes into the repeater. If you can hear a station directly, you may be able to switch to simplex.

Huh, didn't know that: If you hear a repeater but cannot get in, check your offset and your CTCSS tone or DCS code.

The dad joke
Why did the ham hit the reverse button? He wanted to back up his signal.
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Sources

  1. NCVEC 2026-2030 Technician Question Pool (Element 2), errata Feb 19, 2026 https://www.ncvec.org/downloads/2026-2030%20Technician%20Pool%20and%20Syllabus%20Public%20Release%20Feb%2019%202026.pdf

Test yourself in the game

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