Programming listening frequencies

[cskeller07]

So i'm obviously very new. Bought a Baofeng UV-5RV2. Just trying to program in local frequencies for listening until I take my technicians class...

Trying not to be a nuisance but I have some simple questions...

Pulling my frequency information from RadioReference.com

155.56500 WQOM872 RM 445 DPL Norwalk PD Norwalk Police Dispatch FMN

So when programming that in chirp (only listening obviously) is it necessary to program in the tone mode?
This may seem like a silly question but are the Tones in radioref only if you're broadcasting?

Next question if and when will I ever need to adjust polarity?

 

[kc1ddh]

As for the tone, not if only listening. The tone on the transmit side is primarily for accessing a repeater, think security password. The tone for listening side is to block out any traffic that is not coming from the repeater (Interference, others using that frequency) but many of the repeaters around here do not actually use an outgoing tone.

As for "Polarity" do you mean the transmit offset ( + / - ), if that is what you mean than no, that is for transmit.

 

[cskeller07]

As for the tone, not if only listening. The tone on the transmit side is primarily for accessing a repeater, think security password. The tone for listening side is to block out any traffic that is not coming from the repeater (Interference, others using that frequency) but many of the repeaters around here do not actually use an outgoing tone.

As for "Polarity" do you mean the transmit offset ( + / - ), if that is what you mean than no, that is for transmit.

When I look at frequencies on the database. At least for Amateur radio frequencies it lists the tone in and tone out so no brainer there.

But when i'm looking at law enforcement and other. It just says "tone"

There are two settings i'm wondering about... One being "DTCS Pol" and I think duplex makes sense to me. Your either offsetting + for higher receive freq, or - for lower receive freq

 

[kc1ddh]

Almost all public services frequencies use the same tone for in & out so generally you will only see one listed that is meant for both.

 

[KC9HI]

So i'm obviously very new. Bought a Baofeng UV-5RV2. Just trying to program in local frequencies for listening until I take my technicians class...

Trying not to be a nuisance but I have some simple questions...

Pulling my frequency information from RadioReference.com

155.56500 WQOM872 RM 445 DPL Norwalk PD Norwalk Police Dispatch FMN

So when programming that in chirp (only listening obviously) is it necessary to program in the tone mode?
This may seem like a silly question but are the Tones in radioref only if you're broadcasting?

Next question if and when will I ever need to adjust polarity?

Receive CTCSS and receive DCS are each like a lock. Transmit CTCSS and transmit DCS are each like a key. When the key matches the lock, the lock opens.

You never have to use a receive CTCSS tone or received DCS code to listen. OFF always works (it is like removing the lock thus allowing any signal to enter).

Broadcasting is transmitting without an expectation of receiving a signal back. A TV station broadcasts. A commercial FM radio station broadcasts. The NOAA weather radio station broadcasts. Most services where two-way radios are used are specifically prohibited from broadcasting.

Jim KC9HI