Icom 208H Programing

[Ed403]

I am a newbie here to the programming of this 208H radio. I have the software and the cable to program it with. I got that much down. HAHAH..

The questions I have is this. There are 3 columns for "tones". 1 states "tone", 1 states "tone squelch" and the other states "DCTS". I know what the DCTS is and how that is worked. The problem I face is with column I would use for "tone" or "tone squelch". it appears that both columns pull down menu's using the CS-208 software have the same grids with the exact same numbers.

Here is an example of what I am looking at: Let's say I am using the frequency of 460.3000 with a tone of 123.3. If I look at "tone" column, I have that 123.3 in the pull down grid. If I look at "tone squelch" I also have 123.3 in that pull down menu as well. So which one would I use, or does it matter??

Second question. When programming VHF High frequencies, most of them are aren't the common DUP 5.0+ or - off for repeter operation. Let's say I want to program 155.745 with an input offset frequency of 153.7400. Would I put in 2.005 DUP- in the offset column or use the common 5.00 offset in the DUP -??

These 2 questions my have been answered somewhere on here, but I have not been able to find them. I an not a ham operator, just a newbiee on programming this radio for a friend of mine. Thanks in advance for any and all advice and you may email me direct at khp403@sbcglobal.net if anybody would prefer.

Thanks

Mike

 

[n1das]

Here is an example of what I am looking at: Let's say I am using the frequency of 460.3000 with a tone of 123.3. If I look at "tone" column, I have that 123.3 in the pull down grid. If I look at "tone squelch" I also have 123.3 in that pull down menu as well. So which one would I use, or does it matter??

Why are you trying to TRANSMIT on a non-HAM frequency (460.3000) with this HAM transceiver, in direct violation of FCC rules and federal law?

Second question. When programming VHF High frequencies, most of them are aren't the common DUP 5.0+ or - off for repeter operation. Let's say I want to program 155.745 with an input offset frequency of 153.7400. Would I put in 2.005 DUP- in the offset column or use the common 5.00 offset in the DUP -??

Again, why are trying to TRANSMIT on a non-HAM frequency (155.7450 and/or 153.7400) with this HAM transceiver, in direct violation of FCC rules and federal law?

I an not a ham operator, just a newbiee on programming this radio for a friend of mine.

You have no business helping your friend violate FCC rules and federal law.

 

[Ed403]

Why are you trying to TRANSMIT on a non-HAM frequency (460.3000) with this HAM transceiver, in direct violation of FCC rules and federal law?



Again, why are trying to TRANSMIT on a non-HAM frequency (155.7450 and/or 153.7400) with this HAM transceiver, in direct violation of FCC rules and federal law?



You have no business helping your friend violate FCC rules and federal law.

Sorry if I offended you or anybody else here. I was just asked questions. Furthermore I have an Icom radio capable of these frequencies in my POLICE vehicle. This radio was purchased with Mars Cap removed from an Icom dealer for this use. Again sorry I upset you and I will suggest the radio be returned to Icom for a refund I guess. I will also print off the information you posted and send it with them. Who knows, maybe Icom USA is violating FCC law by removing the Mars Cap.


Administor, please close thread, this will be nothing but a bashing session. Thanks

 

[n1das]

Sorry if I offended you or anybody else here. I was just asked questions. Furthermore I have an Icom radio capable of these frequencies in my POLICE vehicle. This radio was purchased with Mars Cap removed from an Icom dealer for this use. Again sorry I upset you and I will suggest the radio be returned to Icom for a refund I guess. I will also print off the information you posted and send it with them. Who knows, maybe Icom USA is violating FCC law by removing the Mars Cap.


Administor, please close thread, this will be nothing but a bashing session. Thanks

Hi,

I'm not intending to bash at all. This is a somewhat touchy subject and it comes up often. The problem with using this transceiver to transmit on those frequencies, even if licensed to transmit on those freqs, is that this transceiver is not FCC type-accepted for use in Part 90 radio services. It's simply unauthorized equipment for what you're trying to use it for. This transciever is only legal for transmitting on the HAM bands that it covers and the CAP/MARS mod is allowed for legitimate CAP/MARS use. Icom isn't violating any FCC rules. It's simply the wrong radio for your application.

I recommend using a commercial-grade VHF radio that's FCC type-accepted for Part 90 radio services to stay legal in terms of transmitting equipment used on those frequencies. Icom has a lot of good Part 90 radios including a new line of APCO-25 compliant (P25) digital mobiles and portables. Check out Icom's line of Land Mobile radios at http://www.icomamerica.com and click on the "Land Mobile" link on the homepage.

Good luck.

 

[loumaag]

No need to close the thread (yet), but I will echo what n1das says.

Using a ham transceiver in the MARS/CAP area of the band is authorized because it is not prohibited. It is prohibited to use a non-type accepted for Part 90 radio in the LMR portion of the spectrum.

Now to answer your question...the "Tone" column is for a the radio to transmit a sub-audible tone for opening the squelch of some other receiver (typically a repeater receiver). "Tone Squelch" is the tone that your radio must receive to open it's own squelch. Two sides of the same coin. Most hams, except in areas of high RFI or noise will set "Tone Squelch" to none (CSQ) and set the "Tone" to whatever is required to open the repeater. Another point to consider here is that some repeaters have different input and output tones.

Hope that answers the actual question you were asking.

 

[n4voxgill]

NTIA has also tightened the rules for using ham radios on MARS frequencies. Most of them do not meet the narrow band requirements now in effect for use on non-fcc government frequencies.

 

[loumaag]

NTIA has also tightened the rules for using ham radios on MARS frequencies. Most of them do not meet the narrow band requirements now in effect for use on non-fcc government frequencies.

A bit off topic, but worth commenting on I think. I was under the impression that those NTIA standards were not effective until January, 2008 and that MARS (at least Army MARS) had not yet implemented any changes in the rules.

IMHO, if in fact those stringent rules are applied to the MARS frequencies, the MARS network will cease to exist. The vast majority of the MARS network is amateur radio operators who use their own equipment and will not spend the necessary money to buy such specialized equipment. I am also aware of some VHF repeaters (networked), on MARS assigned frequencies, that are publicly owned and will go off the air without replacement if SNFM or P25 is dictated.

 

[Whistler]

Well for starters an ICOM 208 H is $300.00 and a comparable Commercial grade does not exist because of being dual band and the wide receive.

People spouting off rules need to check themselves first. Is all your equipment within FCC regulations? Do you always drive 55mph in a 55mph zone? Be careful pointing fingers. Well yes it is all illegal and then comes into play ethics. Well we all know some people lack that but we are not the ethics police. I can put any frequency in my radio HAM or Commercial and as long as I don't transmit the only violate I am in is the equipment mod. Which is either a fine or surrender your equipment (which is cheaper). And according to Part 90 during an emergency I can transmit on any frequency that I can access.

If we want to get into major finger pointing Federal law state that anything heard on a scanner or radio is private. No one may discuss what was heard unless they were involved in the incident or were together when it was heard. Well this whole site consists of "Man did you hear what happened at..." . I am a HAM and love it. Once you get your license Commercial radio is so boring once you find out what you can do with HAM.

How about lets help each other out where ever we can and if you have an issue with something don't pick apart their posts and tell them how righteous you are and terrible they are. Just advise them it is wrong and they should not do it. He probably doesn't really care what you think and will still continue to do what he wants. Bashing just puts them on the defense and they stop listening.

This site is too informative to scare people away.

 

[bezking]

And according to Part 90 during an emergency I can transmit on any frequency that I can access.

I thought that was if, and only if no other means of communication are available, but I could be wrong.

 

[CORTCHUBBY2007]

Why are you trying to TRANSMIT on a non-HAM frequency (460.3000) with this HAM transceiver, in direct violation of FCC rules and federal law?



Again, why are trying to TRANSMIT on a non-HAM frequency (155.7450 and/or 153.7400) with this HAM transceiver, in direct violation of FCC rules and federal law?



You have no business helping your friend violate FCC rules and federal law.

Yes you would put the -2.005 in the offset column.
And since this is HYPOTHETICAL I will answer any programming issues you may have and NOT chastize you since IM NOT the Radio Police.
If you are programming you need to bear in mind that there may be PL tones both on the input and the output frequencies. Im sorry that the other poster was ANAL about answering a simple hypothetical.
Also bear in mind that you cannot XMIT on these channels unless you are AUTHORIZED by the Municipality that licenses them.
If your "friend" has this type of equipment be very careful what you do with it.My suggestion is to program it for RECEIVE only and LOCK OUT the XMIT portion. That way you will keep the Almighty Hamsters off your back since like we all know THEY OWN THE AIRWAVES............

 

[CORTCHUBBY2007]

Well yes if you DECLARE the word "emergency" and there is IMMEDIATE THREAT TO YOUR LIFE SAFETY then yes according to Fed Law( not HAM law) you can do that.


Example: YOu are driving down a desolate stretch of highway and find a car upside down with an occupant that is knocked out. You have no cell phone or CB radio but you DO notice that the victim has a Ham HT radio on the floor of his car. You are then under those circumstances ALLOWED to XMIT emergency communications. There arent 12 people(except for the Almighty Hamsters) that would convict you of any wrong doing. As matter of fact, I used a Fire Department radio I had repaired to call in a building fire that resulted in the arrest of the arsonist. While Im sure there are Hamsters out here that will turn there noses up and look down empirically on that OH WELL.....The Chief of that Fire Department,and Extra Class Hamster, DIDNT SAY ONE WORD about it.
But before I digress for my "love" of Hamsters,play it safe and program the radio for RECEIVE ONLY.
Should some hamster see you with that radio Trust and believe the little RAT will be on the phone to the FCC before you even know it.

 

[KR4BD]

Just to add to this....

About a year or two ago, many of the Indianapolis Police were outfitting their patrol cars with modified HAM rigs on non-ham VHF frequencies for "car-to-car" use. They were intentionally trying to avoid using the MECA trunked system for car-to-car talk. Only problem was: NO HAM RIG CAN BE USED IN THE COMMERCIAL BANDS not to mention the fact that they were using unauthorized (unlicensed) frequencies in the maritime part of the spectrum (I believe). I know this because my son has a very close friend on IPD who asked me to program a radio for him to use in his car, so he could talk to the other officers. I advised that this was not legal. He never did install such a radio and it wasn't long after that when it all "HIT THE FAN" regarding this issue.

Bottom line: Local media got involved by reporting IPD's illegal radio use which brought an FCC crack-down on the IPD. The chief then ordered all such radios to be removed from the patrol cars.

I am sure the guys in Indy could expand on this...

 

[trace1]

Why are you trying to TRANSMIT on a non-HAM frequency (460.3000) with this HAM transceiver, in direct violation of FCC rules and federal law?



Again, why are trying to TRANSMIT on a non-HAM frequency (155.7450 and/or 153.7400) with this HAM transceiver, in direct violation of FCC rules and federal law?



You have no business helping your friend violate FCC rules and federal law.

Actually it wasn't stated that these frequencies would be used to transmit on, could be that they were only being programmed to receive and the question about the tones was asked as to block out any unwanted signals...