Do GMRS frequencies require tones to receive?

[KK7BIV]

I'm currently programming my handy-talkie ham radio to monitor GMRS frequencies, and I'm wondering if I need to program CTCSS or DCS tones to receive GMRS transmissions?
Thanks!

 

[kg6nlw]

Normally no. If you want to use a specific frequency/pair and have the GMRS license to do so, then you can put whatever PL/DCS you want on.

Regards,

-Frank C.

 

[mmckenna]

I'm currently programming my handy-talkie ham radio to monitor GMRS frequencies, and I'm wondering if I need to program CTCSS or DCS tones to receive GMRS transmissions?
Thanks!

If you just want to receive, then leave it set to carrier squelch. Setting CTCSS or DCS will block all traffic except those that have the correct code. That's probably not what you want.

 

[KK7BIV]

Frank,
Would the tones show up on a regular walkie-talkie (FRS) as a number? Say you were using channel 7 (462.7125) and it had a smaller number reading, say 51. Would that mean it's using a tone?

mmckenna,
Would I still receive stations that are using tones for transmitting?

 

[Hans13]

mmckenna, as is almost always the case, is spot on. If the intention is to monitor GMRS traffic, carrier squelch is the ticket. You will hear all FM traffic on a frequency regardless of what tone they transmit.

CTCSS and DCS are simply a means of squelch control. The receiving radio set to a CTCSS or DCS will only open its squelch if it recieves the tone it is programmed to listen for. When the recieving radio is set to no tone, then it will open for all FM signals on that frequency above your squelch threshold setting.

 

[nd5y]

Would the tones show up on a regular walkie-talkie (FRS) as a number? Say you were using channel 7 (462.7125) and it had a smaller number reading, say 51. Would that mean it's using a tone?

It depends on the radio model you have. Some some display a channel number and tone number and some don't.
What does the documentation say?

Would I still receive stations that are using tones for transmitting?

It depends on the radio model you have. Different radios have different tone modes.
If you have all transmit and receive tones disabled then you will receive everything on the channel (that is close enough or strong enough for you to receive). Some have the capability to scan or search for tones and display them.

 

[KK7BIV]

It depends on the radio model you have. Some some display a channel number and tone number and some don't.
What does the documentation say?

My ham radio is a TYT UV-88, which is just a handheld 5 watt transciever. I also have a couple of older Motorola walkie-talkies that use FRS. I don't think I have the instruction manual anymore. They have 22 channels and around 100 sub-channel thingamajigs that I'm assuming are the tone modes?

Hans13,
Ah, that makes sense. So it's just a method of blocking out unwanted signals?

 

[CaptDan]

A lot of smart people have offered up very intelligent answers.

From the simple side of the aisle here is my 2 cents.

The simple answer to your question is NO you do not need to program in any tones to receive GMRS transmissions.

While you will receive all transmissions on the frequency you are monitoring, if you were to try to reply or establish communication with them, you might not be able to if they are using a tone on their radio.

 

[Hans13]

...

Hans13,
Ah, that makes sense. So it's just a method of blocking out unwanted signals?

Yep. Tone squelch.

 

[mmckenna]

around 100 sub-channel thingamajigs that I'm assuming are the tone modes?

Those are CTCSS or DCS codes.

CTCSS codes are a subaudible tone that is superimposed on the audio path.
DCS codes are a digital data stream superimposed on the audio path.
Both are used to control squelch. The receivers can be setup to listen for the correct code and only open the audio path if it receives a matching code.

It's great for filtering out traffic you don't want to hear. It's also used to control access to a repeater, just like you'd find on a 2 meter or 70 centimeter repeater.

For purely listening, a CTCSS or DCS code is not required. Leaving the radio is carrier squelch mode will let you hear all the traffic on the channel.

 

[KK7BIV]

While you will receive all transmissions on the frequency you are monitoring, if you were to try to reply or establish communication with them, you might not be able to if they are using a tone on their radio.

Ahh...I believe I finally see the light. That makes sense.

I do know what CTCSS and DCS tones are– I recently got my ham radio license (KK7BIV) and have since been filling up the airwaves with my discordant rambling

Thanks guys– Franks_ham, mmckenna, Hans13, nd6y, and CaptDan!

 

[HavenBTS]

Ahh...I believe I finally see the light. That makes sense.

I do know what CTCSS and DCS tones are– I recently got my ham radio license (KK7BIV) and have since been filling up the airwaves with my discordant rambling

Thanks guys– Franks_ham, mmckenna, Hans13, nd6y, and CaptDan!

There is absolutely nothing discordant about your question!!!!

 

[ParanoidAndroid]

I put RX tones on my kid's radios so they only hear me. I leave my radio open so I hear everything. Obviously I TX with the tone my kid's radios are set to only RX with.

If you're using a GMRS repeater, you usually want TX and RX tones set so you only hear the repeater traffic and not other random people jumping on the output side. The problem with GMRS is the sheer amount of users and repeaters up in relation to the sliver of bandwidth allocated.

 

[03msc]

Ahh...I believe I finally see the light. That makes sense.

I do know what CTCSS and DCS tones are– I recently got my ham radio license (KK7BIV) and have since been filling up the airwaves with my discordant rambling

Thanks guys– Franks_ham, mmckenna, Hans13, nd6y, and CaptDan!

Welcome to the hobby (ham) and to GMRS (assuming you are licensed or operating accordingly). Ask away.

 

[W5GX]

I'm currently programming my handy-talkie ham radio to monitor GMRS frequencies, and I'm wondering if I need to program CTCSS or DCS tones to receive GMRS transmissions?
Thanks!

Congratulations on your recent ham ticket.

CTCSS and DCS have the exact same application in GMRS as ham radio. So, you'll want to bone up on the theory - this is repeater access 101.

Just as a note - to help with jargon - when one says "carrier squelch" - they mean to turn off CTCSS and DCS. That lets the carrier tone (the tone that is modulated to carry information) break the squelch unimpeded. It's sometimes abbreviated as "CS" in repeater listings.

 

[KK7BIV]

CTCSS and DCS have the exact same application in GMRS as ham radio. So, you'll want to bone up on the theory - this is repeater access 101.

Duh, I should've realized that. I'm very new to the world of ham radio and am still learning.

I think most of the repeaters in my area use CTCSS tones– I don't know of any that have carrier squelch.

Thanks guys!

 

[W5GX]

No worries. Like me - I could read theory until I'm blue in the face. But until I try it physically, sometimes it just doesn't click.

There are a few listed in the Houston area, but I doubt any are really active.

 

[HavenBTS]

No worries. Like me - I could read theory until I'm blue in the face. But until I try it physically, sometimes it just doesn't click.

There are a few listed in the Houston area, but I doubt any are really active.

Same here. Theory is the piece of chocolate cake with white icing and application is a fruit cake at Christmas!