Newbie Repeater Config Problems

[WSCU408]

I have been using my radios in simplex mode for about a year now with no issues.  I now have reason to use a local repeater that I have been granted access to.  To verify it is working I am using two radios ( a Wouxun KGS-88G and a Baofeng UV-9G).  These radios are used to talk to each other in simplex mode whenever we are out and about fishing or hiking.

I have tried using channel mode (Repeater 16) on both and entering the given DCS .  I have also tried Freq mode by entering 462.575 as wll as the DCS code for both Tx and Rx.

The 88G seems to transmit as I see the frequency change to 467.575 when I PTT the UV9G will indicate it has an Rx signal when monitoring 467.575 via frequency mode, but I hear nothing (squelched out?).  

What am I doing wrong?

[Davichko5650]

18 minutes ago, OffRoaderX said:

Your loyalty will be remembered and rewarded when the day comes...

The Queen is never wrong. Once we thought (s)he was, but she was mistaken!

[OffRoaderX]

1. You can't (should not be able to) transmit in "frequency mode" on either of those radios, so forget that idea*
2. Try removing the receive/RX tones/codes from both radios
3. Get the radios at least 50 feet apart when testing
4. Report back with your results 

*IF the radio has a full, numbered-keypad.

Edited 21 hours ago by OffRoaderX
Updated/corrected my misinformation to reduce confuckulations

[WSCU408]

I removed the Rx tones from both radios (leaving the Tx tones set on both). 

When I PTT on the Wouxun S88G,  I get a second of two of static on both radios, but the message itself is not heard. Nothing seems to happen whent talking on the Baofeng UV9G.

[OffRoaderX]

9 minutes ago, WSCU408 said:

I removed the Rx tones from both radios (leaving the Tx tones set on both). 

When I PTT on the Wouxun S88G,  I get a second of two of static on both radios, but the message itself is not heard. Nothing seems to happen whent talking on the Baofeng UV9G.

How far apart are the radios when you are testing?

[WSCU408]

About 75 feet.  

[OffRoaderX]

Just now, WSCU408 said:

About 75 feet.  

Try 100 feet and report back.

[WSCU408]

Went 100ft... Still a no go.  However, after transmitting on Wouxun S88G, both radios picked up Morse code tones (station ID?).  

[SteveShannon]

11 minutes ago, WSCU408 said:

Went 100ft... Still a no go.  However, after transmitting on Wouxun S88G, both radios picked up Morse code tones (station ID?).  

So the repeater heard your transmission and gave a call sign. 

[WSCU408]

Why would the other radio not receive my transmission? 

[SteveShannon]

10 minutes ago, WSCU408 said:

Why would the other radio not receive my transmission? 

Either because you have the wrong receive code (better to use none at first) or because your transmitter radio is causing the receiver radio to go deaf, which is called “desense.”

[WSCU408]

On 7/1/2025 at 9:58 PM, SteveShannon said:

So the repeater heard your transmission and gave a call sign. 

No.  It seems like these tones are just transmitted every 15 minutes.  I just happened to coincide with my test.   

[WSCU408]

On 7/1/2025 at 8:40 PM, OffRoaderX said:

1. You can't (should not be able to) transmit in "frequency mode" on either of those radios, so forget that idea
2. Try removing the receive/RX tones/codes from both radios
3. Get the radios at least 50 feet apart when testing
4. Report back with your results 

I actually can transmit in FREQ mode on the Wouxun, not on the Baofeng.

[OffRoaderX]

Just now, WSCU408 said:

I actually can transmit in FREQ mode on the Wouxun, not on the Baofeng.

I stand corrected and you are correct - I just realized the same thing with my KG-905G PLUS radio..

It seems there is some leeway in interpreting the FCCs rules on radios that do not have a full keypad.

[WSCU408]

Thanks for your help gents! I was able to hit the repeater last night on the Wouxun KGS-88G. I joined the repeaters weekly net to verify.  The repeater's owner told me that the Baofeng radios have two separate lists of DCS codes, one is "inverted" (don't know what that means, yet) and the repeater uses the non-inverted code.  I will test it out tonight on the local Skywatch net that uses the same repeater.

[WSCU408]

6 minutes ago, OffRoaderX said:

I stand corrected 

I was not trying to correct.  I know nothing (can't even connect to a repeater without help). You are, "The Queen of GMRS".  Love your content.

[OffRoaderX]

1 minute ago, WSCU408 said:

I was not trying to correct. ... You are, "The Queen of GMRS"....  Love your content.

Your loyalty will be remembered and rewarded when the day comes...

[SteveShannon]

48 minutes ago, WSCU408 said:

No.  It seems like these tones are just transmitted every 15 minutes.  I just happened to coincide with my test.   

Repeaters are required to transmit the call sign at the end of a conversation and every 15 minutes while in use. Most don’t transmit their call every 15 minutes when not in use because that would be annoying to anyone who monitors the repeater. 
So, after a repeater has been on standby for awhile and someone tries it or kerchunks it, many repeaters will issue their call sign. 
 

As far as what inverse and normal means, DCS is a digital code rather than a tone like CTCSS. So it’s really a series of 1s and 0s. For instance 5 is normally 00000101.  If you invert it, it’s 11111010.

Often, DCS codes are expressed with either an N or an I as part of the code to denote whether it’s Normal or Inverted. If neither is included most of us assume N for Normal. 

[WSCU408]

3 hours ago, OffRoaderX said:

 When it comes, I hope I am ready.

I tried hitting the repeater with both HTs again during the Sky-Watch net. It seems the Wouxun was able to reach the repeater, as I successfully checked in. The Baofeng, however, appears to be receiving some noise but doesn't seem able to transmit to the repeater. I tried switching the antennas, but that didn’t help. Both radios can communicate with each other on simplex just fine.

[BoxCar]

15 hours ago, SteveShannon said:

Repeaters are required to transmit the call sign at the end of a conversation and every 15 minutes while in use. Most don’t transmit their call every 15 minutes when not in use because that would be annoying to anyone who monitors the repeater. 
So, after a repeater has been on standby for awhile and someone tries it or kerchunks it, many repeaters will issue their call sign. 

Nit pick time - a private repeater that carries only traffic from the owner is not required to ID as long as the owner does.

[SteveShannon]

7 minutes ago, BoxCar said:

Nit pick time - a private repeater that carries only traffic from the owner is not required to ID as long as the owner does.

That’s true, the owner and those authorized to use the owner’s call sign, which is limited to the owner’s relatives except in an emergency.