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CTCSS as "Caller ID"

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zerowatts

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If we have 10 radios all receiving on the same frequency, but all transmitting using a different CTCSS code, then I have a scanner with each CTCSS code programmed to a channel name (Susie, Jack, Mark etc.) when my scanner scans through these 10 channels, again all on the same frequency when someone transmits my scanner could see exactly who is transmitting correct?
 

rescue161

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That is correct, but you'd have to make sure that the radios are set up only to transmit the CTCSS tones and receive in CSQ.
 

zerowatts

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CSQ is what? I don't know that I have ever read that term. Sorry about the ignorance. :/
 

zerowatts

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Is it fair to say that CSQ is the opposite of CTCSS? Or anything transmitting with CTCSS would ideally be received with CSQ? Like peas and carrots.
 

rescue161

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CTCSS is a continuous "sub-audible" tone that is sent so that users can mute out unwanted signals.

Radios can be programmed for a transmit and/or a receive CTCSS or DCS tone. If you have your radios set to all transmit different tones, then nobody will be able to hear each other.

CSQ is transmitting no tone at all. So you'd program the receive frequency for CSQ to allow you to be able to hear anything on that frequency.

I saw your other post about making a repeater. It's pretty involved and costs a lot of money. Go to The Repeater Builder's Technical Information Page™ for more info.

Personnaly, I'd go with Nextel and only have PTT active - No cell usage.
 

zerowatts

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Nextel would be cool, it is turn key. However Nextel business plans force me to pay $30 per month, per unit. I am talking about 15 units at minimum.

Even at the overpriced quote from the radio vendor the service still runs only $13 per radio. I would imagine my own repeater would pay for itself the first year just not having to pay service charges. Or am I totally under estimating the costs?
 

rescue161

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Do you have access to a tower or a high-rise building? If not, you'll have to rent space, think $$$. Insurance is not cheap. Transmission line is very expensive. Duplexers aren't cheap. Setting it up can be a pain if you've never set one up before.

A cheap home-made repeater made out of mobile radios won't be type accepted, nor would it give you anywhere close to the service that you need.

A controller is needed to ID the repeater as well. The cheap mobile repeater adapters do not provide for a means for this.

You could easily exceed $10,000.00 with recurring expenses (insurance/rental site), so $13/month sounds pretty good. The whole, "You must use our radios and pay through the nose for them" is crap though.
 

SkipSanders

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If you're hoping for cheap, you won't get it this way.

All the 'cheap' bubblepacks do not allow transmitting, but not depending on for receive, tone squelch.

If it's transmitting tone, it won't receive unless the signal also has that tone.

Also, it's possible that after a few months, the GMRS rule rewrite now in process will not allow repeaters, anyway.
 
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