nokones

If your local radio shop is unable to program the radio because they no longer have an old DOS computer, I can program it if you send it to me. Just include a return prepaid shipping label in the box.

What are you using for a repeater station? Just curious.

Does anyone have experience with MTS2000 portable radios particularly the 900 MHz radios? I have CPS version 2 something and I'm getting some unusual errors that are related to communication with the radio that I haven't seen before. I have an UHF MTS2000 radio that doesn't give me any problems with programming but this 900 Meg radio does. Did Motorola use a different CPS version just for the 900 Meg freqs? On non-900 Meg radios I'm using an XP Laptop with an USB port and cable with an USB cable adapter and prolific driver to the RIB with no problems. Does anyone know? Any help would be most appreciated.

Repeater Tones = These tone freqs are in Hertz. A repeater tone is never used in the GMRS world. Some legacy public safety radio systems use repeater tones to select certain repeaters from a mobile or portable, and/or a dispatch control point. The user would select the appropriate repeater tone depending on his/her location based on what repeater provides the best coverage. This repeater tone is in addition to the channel protection CTCSS tone. These tones are also known as "Single Tones" "Signal Tones", or Burst Tones" usually for one-second in duration on each transmitter key up. Public Safety Agencies used this type of signaling because of the expense and/or the lack of the means for a remote control system (Microwave or Telco) between the remote repeater station(s) and the dispatch control point. This method of signaling is normally used in a multiple remote site system in a very large rural area. In some cases, these tones (Usually 1450, 1750, and 2100 Hz) can be constant for use as a function or system status purposes on a remote control system (microwave or telco RTO/Pieceout circuit), behind the scenes to the radio user, and will not be heard, normally if the control circuit doesn't malfunction. The 1000 Hz tone is normally used as a "Test Tone" for equipment repair and tuning/Alignments. PT-T ID = Is a signalling method to identify the radio user that is transmitting at that specific time. For the Dispatcher the code would translate to the Unit's radio call sign on a display in front of the dispatcher. A specific code is programed in each radio to identify the specific user. This specific code is audible to all users monitoring the channel. In the old days analog radios like the Saber Radios used by L.AP.D., it was a series of tone beeps heard upon each key up a.k.a. MDC signalling. In the Astro Digital days it became a squawk on each key up now known as PTT ID.

Surprisingly, the Midland antennae and magmounts are not too shabby. They even improved on the quality of the PL259 for the magmounts.

Try a Glass-Mount antenna. For UHF they work pretty good.

Ok, its on low simmering. Give me an advanced heads up when you're going to be in the area and lets see what we can make happen.

OMG, it's the internet, social media, and You Tube causing all this undermining and disorder of a civilized society of "GMRS People". I think "these people" that are causing all this movement may be driving Jeeps and Nissans to their secret society meetings.

And if that does happen, I'll send if back for a refund heartbeat and buy a non-CCR radio like I should have in the first place. This purchase was against my better judgement. All I need was a decent small receiver for use as a RDF receiver on the UHF band. If I have to pay more than I did for this CCR so be it. I think I'll consider looking at Yeasu or Icom portables. I almost came to that point yesterday. I was right on the edge to ask for a RMA number yesterday when I was wasting my time with the selling Dealer that couldn'f help me with the secret handshake procedure to unlock the factory lock. Oh well, moot point now. This CCR may serve its purpose well for my RDF investigations.

In the early GMRS years, the 462.675 MHz (GMRS Ch. 20) freq pair with CTCSS tone 141.3 Hz was designated as a nationwide emergency channel. In the subsequent years and as GMRS evolved, the same channel and tone was no longer restricted to just emergencies and became recognized as a nationwide travel channel and tone and GMRS organizations recognize and utilizes Ch. 20 as the standard travel channel. Yes, CB Ch. 19 was recognized as a nationwide truckers channel except for a very small part of California, and in Oregon and Washington State. Three other CB channels were used instead of Ch. 19. Ch. 19 was only used in the California desert traveling north and east from Barstow. I get it that "some people" would like to designate GMRS Ch. 19 as a travel channel just like CB Ch. 19 was recognized as a nationwide channel on the highways and byways decades ago. But, why change something that has been in play for many years before GMRS has exploded in popularity in the last couple years. Ch. 20 should remain the travelers channel tone 141.3 and lets not create unnecessary confusion among the newbie and longtime GMRS users. I kinda like the idea of designating Ch. 19 as a nationwide calling channel but a nationwide travelers channel and tone has already been decided way before most of the newbie users were born. Keep Ch. 20 and 141.3 Hz CTCSS as the travelers calling/monitoring channel as it has been recognized as such for more years than most GMRS users have been living.

Ok, I don't believe it. I some how magically unlocked the radio, please don't ask me how. I called the selling Dealer earlier this afternoon and they didn't know how to unlock it. They said, I needed to download the User's Manual from their website, which I did, prior to calling them. That was a hopeless cause calling them. Just a few minutes ago, I decided to tackle it again, I just couldn't leave it alone and give up. I started by just pushing a bunch of radio buttons and turning the channel selector in a sequence that I don't remember and walla, the radio unlocked and I was able to read the radio so I can custom program the radio. So, I now have the unlocked and I no longer need any Wouxun Radio help, at least for the moment. It's a done deal.

Yes, but the radio is factory programmed with about 15 Part 90 freqs and I needed to clear those out and add the 14 FRS freqs and the 16 462/467 GMRS freqs and turn off the CTCSS tones. I read some where that the factory locks it down because of the default Part 90 programming and the user is suppose to contact the selling dealer for the procedure to unlock. See my next post on this subject.

Since, the user's manual does not address the unlocking procedure and since I am a lowly internet user, I turned to the internet for information including watching the Jeep Dude's videos, I am unable to find any information on the subject radio. Has anyone experience this situation and can help I, the lowly internet user, so I can program the subject radio for my RDF Equipment Setup? I have the subject radio factory program installed on my computer and the "Red" USB Wouxun programming cable. Any help would be most appreciated.

Thanks Steve, that is very thoughtful of you to offer but thanks. Given my track record of getting pass the electrical questions section on the test, it would be best for me to pass on the offer. I don't have the education on any math beyond basic arithmetic, (i.e. fractions, decimal, multiplication, division, adding, and subtracting) or anything that adds letters ("X" & "Y" or any other math letters) to the equation. Word problems were ok and I know my limitations very well. Its a mental thing for me because I just don't see the greater need today to afford a humongous amount of my time in learning something that I more than likely will never have a need to have or use just to communicate on 2M, and 33 & 70 CMs bands. I know that knowledge would be very beneficial for me so I can get the full benefits of using my Antenna and Spectrum Analyzer Instruments but what I do know and for what I use those instruments for I get by very well and I do meet my needs today with my limited knowledge. At least I can impress my non-radio/technical friends, and sometimes myself. I do learn a couple things here and there along the way as I play with them with my radios and that is the fun part, and I don't mind affording my time with learning stuff like that. Every time, when I come across the electrical questions on the test, its such a big distraction for me and effects my concentration and I get this mental block where I can't remember the answers that I studied for, prior to the real test. Its my problem to deal with because I think its not necessary to have that knowledge for what my intentions are for having an Amateur Radio Service License and that is why I have moved on. The biggest reason why I want to get my Amateur Radio Service License is because I have a strong desire to dabble in the three aforementioned bands for some reason and also have an excuse to buy the appropriate XTL5000 mobile radios, or the APX series radios, to have in my Truck along with my existing UHF XTL5000 radio that I use for my licensed Part 90 freqs and GMRS when I travel to/from races throughout the US as something to tinker with to occupy my driving time. Maybe someday the HF stuff will interest me, today it does not, and then maybe I would be more motivated in trying to learn the electrical stuff. Thanks again in your willingness to help.

The short answer is I have considered and tried twice and I can't get pass the electrical stuff. The test does absolutely nothing to verify if I would be a good HAM operator or not. I've looked into attending in-person classes with various Club's and all they want to do is refer me to on-line sample tests, they no longer have in-person classes. I had a difficult time trying to remember the correct answers or if "All or None of the Above" was the correct answer or not, especially on the electrical stuff. I remember when there were Community College classes for learning amateur radio and they no longer exist. I also remember there used to be a lot of ham/radio hobby businesses and they no longer exist. Some do still exist but only with limited hours a day for only a couple of days a week. Why is it this way now, I wonder. I wasn't impressed by the various clubs on their willingness to help. A matter of fact, several didn't even return my telephone calls. They didn't leave me a good impression on a group that I wanted to be part of or want communicate with. I moved on. Also, I considered taking the test for a third time on-line with a certified test person and the hoops that was required to jump through to take an on-line test was more than I wanted to endure. Something is telling me this may not be not be worth my while any longer and I shouldn't waste my time on. Time is precious and there are more radio paths to take with less effort in being compliant with the rules set. I've had a GMRS license since the mid-90s when my license had a mobile license callsign and I was restricted to one repeater channel pair and 462.675 MHz was for emergency use. I have seen the growth of GMRS take off in the last couple of years and I think it is great especially with a couple of the Club's I am involved with. I just don't see things like such happening in the HAM radio world especially with the social aspect and the willingness to help and welcome others to the hobby. This is where they get a "F" in. I am one of the Ambassadors for one of my Repeater Club's. My job is to not only welcome new members to the Club but help them get started and make sure they understand the technical side insofar to ensure their radios are programmed correctly with the Club's repeaters. It's a fun job. As an Ambassador we are a Club resource for members to learn radio and also we learn more still along with the new members. It's great even at my age. I would hope that exists on the HAM side as well. I just never saw it or experience that effort.

No doubt, the radio will operate as designed. The question should be does the radio have the capacity to meet your growth needs insofar as number of channels and the features you desire. In my opinion, the XTL5000 will offer more than you need and maybe the best radio on the market today.

Why not have a "Restricted Operators License" (ROL) in the Amateur Radio Services (ARS) that restricts the use to just the 2m, 70cm, and 33cm bands within the United States, and only allow the subject licensee to operate only type-accepted equipment, maybe with voice emissions only, to prevent any accidental/inappropriate use outside of those bands. What harm would that cause to the ARS. I understand that existing ARS licensees would object because they went through the testing process in order to obtain a license and they feel that others should do the same because of the International rules and I get that. However, this would be a great way to promote/introduce people to the ARS so they can work their way up to the Technician Level just like people think that FRS is a way to GMRS. I also believe such a Restricted Operators License can be granted as stated above without the ITU involvement since those subject bands can be or are restricted to use only within the United States as a condition of the ROL.

Do away with the written test for the Technician Class license. Memorizing answers to test serves no real purpose for an entry level license. No one is going to remember what the answers were and cares. So, why have a test. It's a waste of time.

Ditto! My XTL5000 base radio and my Repeater Station also are not bothered by my other same proximity radios transmitting when receiving. That is not the case with the other same proximity radios receiving and the XTL5000 radios and/or repeater station transmitting.

I'm glad that I am in a well run/organized GMRS Repeater Club. The Club I belong to has training classes and exercises throughout the year and are involved in Community events. The Club is looking into having social functions for the members and their families that has nothing to do with radio. They also hold a couple Formal Nets every week, and two informal Nets for relaying Traffic and Weather Information on the weekdays. Also, the Club will be expanding their services with more involvement with community. I believe the membership is well over 400 and the Club has several Ambassadors to welcome the new members into the Club and help them with any programming and/or technical needs.

Are you transmitting on a repeater channel (467 MHz freq) to a repeater and listening on a 462 MHz freq on the other radio?

No, it's still on the air. Some repeater owners just don't want to advertise their repeaters on this site for some reason. This repeater does link with the SWCRS network with a special input tone for a couple weekly Nets.

I just sent a private message to the seller.

That radio is the A4 48 channel version. The A7 is the 160 Channel version with a front panel display. The 4th digit character in the model number designates the operating band. "K" for the 136-174 VHF, "R" 403-470 MHz UHF R1, "S" 450-520 MHz UHF R2, and "U" 800 MHz.

I heard some FRS traffic once for about a half mile on one of the interstitial 462 MHz channels in Blythe.