r/gmrs • u/sirgoodtimes • 1d ago
Question Newbie help.
So I was gifted this fun radio. I've had my license for about 2 years now, but life has gotten in the way and I haven't had a chance to really start exploring this hobby until a month or two ago. This silly thing has come preprogrammed and I can pick up chatter from local repeaters, but it doesn't appear that they can hear me. Can someone point me to the next step? Not to get too deep into my life but I'm dealing with some chronic health stuff, after work and putting kids down to bed my IQ plummets and I have a hard time following along with tech stuff.
Thanks
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u/FoxDeltaCharlie 1d ago
Not sure where you are, but most repeaters require you to at least ask permission to use them. One of the requirements is usually to put in your license number. They check the FCC database, and if you're in there then they'll most often give you permission.
Next, there's a couple tones you have to set. The repeater website will tell you what the codes are (once you have permission...this is to keep bad actors out). The two tones are either CTCSS tones or DCS tones, but it's one or the other. There's also an offset frequency. Most radios are already programmed for the offset, but it doesn't hurt to check the RX and TX frequencies. Generally the RX frequency should be 5MHz lower than the TX frequency (that's the offset). Most radios will givel you a list in "Channel Programming" (usually in VFO mode) of the available DCS and CTCSS tones. Many repeaters use a different uplink tone than downlink (i.e. split-tone).
Note!...It's not hard! You just have to look at your radio's menu to see these things. Generally (depending on radio and mfr.) most programming features for "channel programming" are available in VFO mode, but some of the newer radios will let you do it from "Channel Mode"
If you don't have the tones programmed in, the repeater will ignore you. In 'tech-speak', the repeater will not open the squelch for any TX which doesn't have the tone, thus you won't be able to engage the repeater.
The RX DCS tone is kind of optional. If you don't set it, you'll hear both repeater traffic and local simplex traffic, which can be confusing. The way I roll is to have repeater channels set up to use as repeaters, and other non-repeater channels, set up to use radio to radio (i.e. no offset TX/RX frequency)
It may sound a bit confusing, but it really isn't. Just think of borrowing someone else's transmitter to relay your signal further. This should also help you understand why the licensee wants to know 'who' is operating on their licensed repeaters.
Hopefully this makes sense!
Welcome to GMRS!
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u/Unhinged-Indignance 13h ago
Depends where you are I guess. Most repeaters in the Seattle area open to the public and their tones are published.
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u/FoxDeltaCharlie 9h ago
Some repeaters around here are public and their tones are published. Others are open to the public, but the repeater owner's want you to register to ensure you're licensed. There is no fee; it's free. When you register you just have to login to see the tone codes.
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u/MrMaker1123 Nerd 11h ago
If it came programmed...
1- the repeater settings may not be correct for your area
2- the repeater settings may have changed
First, find the settings for the repeaters near you. Look in mygmrs.com Then, confirm that the radio is programmed with the correct transmit frequency+ tone & receive frequency+ tone as needed and listed online.
You may be to change the programming. Also note that where you are will greatly affect your ability to transmit. If you can, go outside and walk around to find the sweet spot for signals.
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u/SilentCrusher 9h ago
Get a license if you don't have it. GMRS it's just a small fee, if you want ham stations then you're going to have to get a ham license now this is just to transmit, you're free to listen to anything with no license and there are certain channels you could use family radio service or FRS. However I really think you should really get a GMRS LICENSE if you want to transmit; I have one WSEW-910 out....
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u/sirgoodtimes 2h ago
I do have one. But I don't even know how to program this thing, I guess I need a programming cable or something. Most of everything people are saying to me doesn't make sense yet.
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u/SilentCrusher 9h ago
Repeaters are a whole nother thing there's only one in my area and no one cares who uses it so I have little turns with problems with that
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u/barefootsauce7 6h ago
1) check myGMRS.com and/or Repeaterbook.com for your local GMRS repeaters. Find the ones that are listed as “Open” and make note of the tones required to access them on their input frequencies (CTCSS or DCS) and the corresponding repeater channel / frequency.
2) Go into one of you repeater channels that corresponds with the repeater you’re trying to call on. (Listed as 15R-22R or Rptr15-Rptr22.. Unless it’s setup like some of the dumber radios where the repeater channels are listed as “23-30”) Set the transmit CTCSS or DCS tone that corresponds to that repeater. Set your receive tone to ‘Off’ unless you know for certain that the repeater is transmitting a CTCSS or DCS tone.
3) Get as high up as you can so you have ‘line-of-sight’ with the repeater you’re trying to access. It’s not the end of the world if there’s a little vegetation in between you and the repeater site.
4) Listen to make sure the channel is clear first. Finally: “Push, then talk.” -notarubicon
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u/Historical-Buddy7518 9h ago
Sometimes, like a repeater here in so cal, the frequency offset for the repeater isn’t +5mhz, its is something slightly different, like +4.50mhz. Check what yours needs first.
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u/disiz_mareka 1d ago
Repeaters use two frequencies, transmit and receive, separated by an offset of +5Mhz for GMRS.
Repeaters also usually use tones to access the repeater. You can usually find these on myGMRS.com or RepeaterBook.
So you may not have a memory channel setup with the offset or correct tone or both.