Help: How & When to use specific tones on repeaters

[WRTZ783]

Hello!

I am currently programming a few radios using Chirp, and so far, this website has proven to be an amazing resource. I've been a ham radio operator for many years, but our repeaters are pretty straightforward. The GMRS world has presented me with somewhat of a learning curve.

My question is what the use differences are when it comes to using a repeater that has essentially 3 different tone configurations. For example:
The Shaw Butte 725 repeater at https://mygmrs.com/repeater/4666

The main description shows an input tone of 100.0hz

Then, below in the details, it says, LOCAL USE TONE D377N, REPEATER ALSO HAS 141.3 ACTIVE FOR TRAVEL USES. 

What does this mean exactly? Can someone give me a scenario breakdown on what codes to use and when? If I'm using the 141.3 "travel" tone, am I still technically accessing the repeater, or is it simplex? Does the D377N "Local use" Tone mean it should only be used if I'm near the repeater? What is "Local"? Can I just put in the 100.0hz output and be fine?

Thanks in advance!

-Chad WRTZ783

[WRTZ783]

To add to the confusion, 377 is not a code that is available from the DTCS dropdown menu in chirp. AGH! 

[WRKC935]

Repeater controllers can be programmed to function differently based on the tone they receive.  

Now this takes some additional wiring, configuration and planning with regards to getting the repeater setup.  

What this MIGHT mean is the repeater is somehow linked to other repeaters.  And one of those tones will allow access to those other repeaters.

A second tone might be unlinked.  Meaning it's just working on the local repeater and not the other repeaters linked to it.

 

The 141.3 'traveler tone' is probably supported for that very reason.  At some point in history, the 141.3 tone was adopted / mandated / settled on as a universal repeater tone that anyone could use to access any public repeater on the air.  Using that tone could make the repeater ID change to something welcoming travelers, or just give them access. 

The other function that multiple tones can do is change the output tone generated by the repeater.  So if someone was coming through, the 141.3 tone would be present when the traveler was talking and the local tone would no be in play so the locals would NOT hear the traffic as it passed through.  The fact that the local tone is DPL and not PL, those two tones can exist on the same carrier however allowing the person passing through to communicate with the locals using the traveler tone but they would be hearing the DPL to open their squelch.  And travelers typically would NOT have access to the wide area linked repeater system and instead JUST the local repeater.

All of this of course is done by the repeater owner to suit his requirements.  

Repeaters can be simple.  Order a box with a repeater, antenna, feed line and be preprogrammed.  Put up said antenna, connect the repeater to it and plug it in.

Then there are fairly complex systems that have repeater controllers, possibly remote receive sites to extend coverage, and multiple functions.