Alinco: What is the proper offset frequency on a walkie talkie channel?

[KJ7YTR]

I'm new on this thread and I have a question. I have an Alinco DR-605 installed in my car, when my family and I go on road trips we often find ourselves with no cellular connection. I give each of my family members a handheld ham radio that I lock on a walkie talkie frequency. When I go to the walkie talkie frequency on my radio in my car, I can hear them talking, but I can't talk, the radio just says "off" when I push the PTT button. I read the manual and it says that I don't have the proper offset programed in. My problem is that I don't know what offset frequency to set. Can someone please help.

Thank You

 

[AK9R]

I lock on a walkie talkie frequency

What is the frequency? If the frequency is outside the amateur radio bands, your Alinco radio may be blocked from transmitting out of band.

Also, I assume that you are trying to communicate using simplex (same frequency for receive and transmit). If that's the case, you don't need an offset.

 

[GlobalNorth]

I've not programmed an Alnico radio, but make certain a repeater [auto offset] button is not active. Make certain all CTCSS/PL tones are off or set to CSQ.

 

[dlwtrunked]

I'm new on this thread and I have a question. I have an Alinco DR-605 installed in my car, when my family and I go on road trips we often find ourselves with no cellular connection. I give each of my family members a handheld ham radio that I lock on a walkie talkie frequency. When I go to the walkie talkie frequency on my radio in my car, I can hear them talking, but I can't talk, the radio just says "off" when I push the PTT button. I read the manual and it says that I don't have the proper offset programed in. My problem is that I don't know what offset frequency to set. Can someone please help.

There is really no ham radio which is legal to use on "walkie talkie" frequencies. Some Chinese radios will, but they are not type accepted for doing that and using them to to so on FRS or GMRS is a violation. There is not onset. You Alinco is just keeping you legal.

 

[dlwtrunked]

There is really no ham radio which is legal to use on "walkie talkie" frequencies. Some Chinese radios will, but they are not type accepted for doing that and using them to to so on FRS or GMRS is a violation. There is not onset. You Alinco is just keeping you legal.

Meant "There is no offset."

 

[jwt873]

I think the offset is your problem. I see the Alinco DR-605 is a dual band radio that only transmits on the 2m and 70cm frequencies. Transmitting on any other frequency is disabled.

If you're on the top end of 2m or 70cm with a positive offset, then the transmit frequency will be out of band in the commercial frequencies and you'll get the OFF message to let you know.

For example: (147.500 + .600 = 148.100) .. 148.100 is not a ham frequency.

Same goes for the lower edge of either band. With a negative offset, then the same thing will happen. As suggested above, if you turn off the offset, you should be OK. But, what frequency are you trying to transmit on? You shouldn't be using simplex at the band edges.

There are band plans for 2m and 70cm. The upper ends of the bands are reserved for repeaters and the lower end for CW, SSB, Satellite, digital etc.

You should be using the agreed upon frequencies used for simplex. 146.40 to 146.52 on 2 meters (with 146.52 being the national calling frequency). On 70cm the national simplex calling frequency is 446.00 with simplex channels spaced 25 kHz above. (445.925, 445.950 ... ).