Which is an advantage of using a linked repeater network?

A linked repeater network allows multiple repeaters to be interconnected, which facilitates communication over much larger distances than a single repeater could achieve on its own. This is particularly valuable in amateur radio because it means that operators can access repeaters that are far away, thus extending their communication range significantly. As a result, users can communicate over a vast geographic area, which is beneficial for emergency communications, coordination, and reaching operators who might be out of range of their local repeater.

The other options, while they might possess merit, do not specifically highlight the primary advantage of a linked repeater network. For instance, improving clarity of communication is typically dependent on equipment and conditions rather than the network's linking. Increasing the number of users who can communicate simultaneously may result from a central repeater design but isn’t a direct result of linking repeaters. Reducing the need for private ownership addresses a different aspect of repeater usage rather than the core benefit offered by a linked system.