BC246T: BC246T Question re CTCSS/DTS

[tsamarin55]

Hi,
I'm hoping someone here can give me a straightforward answer; I've been looking at user guides until my head is about to explode! Is it possible to know a PL code by using the Close Call feature? I am able to get a frequency but when I program the freq into my 2-way, I can receive but am not heard when I transmit. I'm thinking this must be due to the CTCSS feature on the other radios. The people who are renting these radios have no problem with me using my professional grade radios for the EMS staff, but do not know anything about how they are programmed. Before I go through the red tape of contacting the rental company, I wanted to try to use my scanner to get the programming information. I certainly appreciate any help that may be offered!

 

[dave3825]

To view the tone on a scanner, you want to enable Tone Search on the scanner.
From Marks Scanners

It does have some cool new features: Close Call, Dynamic Memory, an adjustable Hold (scan time) for each system, Search and Store (actually an old feature brought back), and the ability to hold about 1600 (tagged) channels. You can store up to 200 different systems (if there is enough memory). The 'quick keys' allow you to scan any combination of systems. There doesn't seem to be a limit to how many priority channels you can program. It has a very bright display and the sound quality is great for a 'mini' scanner. When 'tone search' is enabled for searching or for a channel, it will search for CTCSS and DCS tones, not just one or the other. You can program alerts for selected channels and Close Call hits with different alert sounds and adjustable volumes. The Close Call and Weather Alert features will run in the background while scanning or searching. I have also been able to enter partial IDs for Motorola (type I,IIi) and LTR systems, not just in EDACS systems. And, of course, computer upload/download/clone and control. An AC adapter, computer cable, and batteries come with the scanner. The firmware is supposed to be upgradeable for re-banding.

If its a repeated freq, there is a receive freq and an input freq (tx).

Have a read here to determine the offset. Or if the freq is listed here in the database, check the box that says "Show Repeater Inputs "

Offset - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

 

[n1chu]

Some repeaters have different input PL’s and output PL’s. As stated, learn the input and output frequencies and watch for the PL’s in the display of the scanner (if your scanner has the ability to “Search” PL’s). Or, list here the agencies you wish to use with whatever frequency info you have and we can look also.

 

[donc13]

Hi,
I'm hoping someone here can give me a straightforward answer; I've been looking at user guides until my head is about to explode! Is it possible to know a PL code by using the Close Call feature? I am able to get a frequency but when I program the freq into my 2-way, I can receive but am not heard when I transmit. I'm thinking this must be due to the CTCSS feature on the other radios. The people who are renting these radios have no problem with me using my professional grade radios for the EMS staff, but do not know anything about how they are programmed. Before I go through the red tape of contacting the rental company, I wanted to try to use my scanner to get the programming information. I certainly appreciate any help that may be offered!

This may seem like a strange question, but are you part of the EMS service? Are you permitted by the Agency (whoever has the license for the system) to operate on their radio system? Because whoever gave that permission should know exactly who to call to get your radio setup.

 

[JoeBearcat]

Are you permitted by the Agency (whoever has the license for the system) to operate on their radio system?

I will add there have been a lot of people cited by the FCC recently for unauthorized use.

 

[donc13]

I will add there have been a lot of people cited by the FCC recently for unauthorized use.

Agree... I know for one, Chicago PD had been having problems with unauthorized cheapo (BaoFang) radios on their channels.

 

[n1chu]

The FCC has what they call “FCC Type Acceptance”. It means if the radio wasn’t manufactured for the intended use, it’s unacceptable and if caught using it there are fines and penalties. And FCC fines tend to rather steep. But in this particular case, the radio seems to be designed for the intended use. In which case, the holder of the license may authorize the OP’s use.

I have knowledge of personnel of volunteer ambulance and fire companies utilizing certain portable ham radios, (designed for the amateur bands but could be “opened up” to transmit out of band with a simple snip of a lead on the circuit board, or in some cases, like the cheap Chinese radios, no mod at all!), to work on the public safety frequencies. While these radios do work, they do not meet the FCC Type Acceptance rule and even with permission of the license holder, they are not acceptable. That’s because (for one reason, there may be more such as splurious emissions) most (or all) are not intrinsically safe. The radio itself may become an ignition source if used in a volatile atmosphere, such as a propane leak… one push of the xmit button and boom!

My knowledge of this (historically, decades ago) relates to a town who uses both a volunteer ambulance service operating on the 450 MHz band and a Vol. Fire Dept operating on the VHF High Band, where personnel belonged to both agencies. The dual band ham portable radios sold for hundreds of dollars (or less) and the appropriate, proper commercial dual band portables sold for prices in the thousands of dollars. The town may still allow this practice, I don’t know… I never heard any gossip that it’s been discontinued… the town may have gone trunked or caught on to the concerns and disallowed the use of the ham portables. As I say, it’s a historical remembrance.