GMRS repeater PL tones

[brownalan]

Just got my license and got a radio that should work with repeaters. The PC software that programs the radio has a space for PL encode and PL decode. I have found the frequencies and PL tones for some specific open repeaters.
My question is: Do I program the radio with PL tone for encode, decode, or both? The repeater database doesn't seem to indicate. What's the norm?

Thanks in advance!

 

[gewecke]

Just got my license and got a radio that should work with repeaters. The PC software that programs the radio has a space for PL encode and PL decode. I have found the frequencies and PL tones for some specific open repeaters.
My question is: Do I program the radio with PL tone for encode, decode, or both? The repeater database doesn't seem to indicate. What's the norm?

Thanks in advance!

Read the owners manual.


n9zas

 

[Dewey]

Normally it's both, both some repeater operators will actually have split tones (access tone and repeated tone are different) as a measure of making unauthorized access difficult. The bottom line for you is what tone is needed to access the repeater, and what tone does the repeater transmit? The point of the tone-in is to limit access to the repeater to that/those tone/s/. The point of tone-out (repeater tone out) is that you will not be bothered by other communications from other repeaters (or simplex) on the same frequency. If you want to learn more about the tones, just Google their proper name "CTCSS" (Continuous Tone Codes Squelch System... some say "Signal" instead of "System"), or "DCS" (Digital Coded Squelch). "PL" is the alias given to it by Motorola. GE calls it "CG" for channel guard, RCA called it "QC" for quiet channel, and there are other that I just can't remember right now.

Dewey

 

[brownalan]

Dewey, thanks for your response. That answered my question.

gewecke, you have a great day!

 

[WQFM513]

all i ever program into my radios is the encode or tx tones. im not to worried about hearing other radio traffic.

 

[hockeyshrink]

all i ever program into my radios is the encode or tx tones. im not to worried about hearing other radio traffic.

Sometimes its not just legitimate traffic....I get a lot of intermod in NYC from the gypsy cabs and livery cars, so I use decode (RX tone) to keep it out.

 

[PHOENIX_SCANNER]

The repeater owner will happily supply the needed information. You did get his permission to use his repeater I'm taking it, right?