Repeater Tone Clarification

[WSIK532]

Hello All

I am trying to connect to a few repeaters in CT area. I am not able to connect with the info provided. I am wondering if the Tone is with Offset + 5 ? 

I read somewhere that all repeaters have offset + 5 in order to use them. Is this correct?

[OffRoaderX]

All GMRS repeaters have a +5 offset from the receive frequency. So if the RX frequency is 462.575, the transmit (TX) will be 467.575.  (the receive frequency always starts with 462, the transmit frequency always starts with 467)

BUT - if you are using a GMRS radio, you dont need to worry about, or even think about that. Just find the correct pre-programmed "Repeater Channel" on the radio and enter the TRANSMIT (TX) tone..  You dont need the Receive (RX) tone for now because it is optional and it is only going to confuse you more.  Save that for when you know what you're doing.

If you are trying to do this on a non-GMRS radio, aka a H.A.M.s radios, then you bought the wrong radio.

[WSIK532]

ok thanks, now my other question is if you are using chirp to do your programming?  it Tone Mode has only  Tone, TSquelch. i chose TSq. and entered the provided tone. but not sure if i'm connecting or not. I  hear nothing.

yes, I am using a GMRS Radio UV-5G.

[OffRoaderX]

I only use CHIRP if i am adding a BUNCH of stuff, or i need to do something that can't be done directly on the radio because 1) i like to do it the manly way and 2) things like Tone and TSquelch are confusing..

You can put your radio on the correct Repeater-Channel, hit the menu button, select the CTCSS or DCT/DPL/DCS tone and save it, all faster than it takes your computer to boot up.  It should literally take no more than 15-20 seconds to program a repeater on a GMRS radio.. 30 seconds if you are fancy and add the optional RX tone.

[WSIK532]

I was going by the info given for a few GMRS Repeaters in CT Area Like Greater Hartford Repeater that one has Both input and output Tone at 192.8.   but it has in the notes Output is at 462.650 which is same as Freq.  that's where the confusion came in for me.

 

I did program my Ham UV-5g manually then went back and added all the Names in via CHIRP, so i am familiar with programming. its just how the info is listed in the database on here

[OffRoaderX]

10 minutes ago, WSIK532 said:

i am familiar with programming. its just how the info is listed in the database on here

Its confusing!

[LeoG]

37 minutes ago, WSIK532 said:

I was going by the info given for a few GMRS Repeaters in CT Area Like Greater Hartford Repeater that one has Both input and output Tone at 192.8.   but it has in the notes Output is at 462.650 which is same as Freq.  that's where the confusion came in for me.

 

I did program my Ham UV-5g manually then went back and added all the Names in via CHIRP, so i am familiar with programming. its just how the info is listed in the database on here

I tried the tones on that repeater and it didn't respond.  I went through the set and still nothing.  I don't think it's running anymore.  Said it was put into the database 16 years ago, so it may be defunked.

 

Looks like the owners GMRS license had expired in 2011

 

https://mygmrs.com/license/WQFG755

[WRYZ926]

43 minutes ago, WSIK532 said:

I was going by the info given for a few GMRS Repeaters in CT Area Like Greater Hartford Repeater that one has Both input and output Tone at 192.8.   but it has in the notes Output is at 462.650 which is same as Freq.  that's where the confusion came in for me.

 

I did program my Ham UV-5g manually then went back and added all the Names in via CHIRP, so i am familiar with programming. its just how the info is listed in the database on here

Let's see if I can clear any of this up for you. GMRS radios set to a repeater channel will always transmit (output) on 467 and receive on 462 (input). It will be just the opposite on a repeater. The repeater will transmit on 462 (output) and receive on 467 (input)

For your question on Tone vs Tone Squelch. Normally when Tone is selected, the tone is only set on your radio's transmit. Tone squelch will set the tone for both transmit and receive.

[WSIK532]

Thank you all for the assist.   I appreciate all the feedback. 

[WSIK532]

@OffRoaderX  WOW!  I'm a big fan of the channel! 

[AdmiralCochrane]

2 hours ago, WSIK532 said:

@OffRoaderX  WOW!  I'm a big fan of the channel! 

On YouTube he's a star . Around here, he's just another GMRS user.

[WSEZ864]

24 minutes ago, AdmiralCochrane said:

On YouTube he's a star . Around here, he's just another GMRS user.

Purportedly.

[OffRoaderX]

1 hour ago, AdmiralCochrane said:

On YouTube he's a star

You spelled SUPERStar wrong..

[AdmiralCochrane]

OK, OK, SUPERSTAR

[nokones]

19 hours ago, WSIK532 said:

@OffRoaderX  WOW!  I'm a big fan of the channel! 

And that will make you his favorite fan.

[WSIK532]

Welp it's come to my conclusion that there are no local repeaters on GMRS operating.... only chatter I hear is what appears to be on GMRS16 and RPT2 so they must be on their own repeater coded. I can't get a response out of anyone, or they just don't like new people trying to communicate...lol

 

Plus im using my 701g antenna and not sure if its getting out there or not... might try the included 15 inch extended antenna...

[SteveShannon]

@WSIK532 Channel 16 is the same receive frequency as RPT2. The difference is that the repeater input channel is 5.000 MHz higher. 
Without setting any receiver tones you’ll be able to hear the repeater but unless you have the transmit tone right they’ll never hear you. 

[WSIK532]

@SteveShannon I figured that much. oh well guess I better get to studying for the Ham test.

[Davichko5650]

On 6/9/2025 at 9:51 PM, AdmiralCochrane said:

OK, OK, SUPERSTAR

Wanna see Randolpho do that ala Molly Shannon!