Need help with Programming a DB40-G

[Ramblermanamc]

Hello,

 

I m new to Programming this radio. First issue is I own a MAC and can not program the radio without windows. Their tech support didn't help. Also are there any detailed instuuctions on how to manually set up the channels and frequencies. I am just getting started and need to learn what to do Thank you Scott

[SteveShannon]

25 minutes ago, Ramblermanamc said:

Hello,

 

I m new to Programming this radio. First issue is I own a MAC and can not program the radio without windows. Their tech support didn't help. Also are there any detailed instuuctions on how to manually set up the channels and frequencies. I am just getting started and need to learn what to do Thank you Scott

Welcome, Scott!

First, your radio is already programmed for the 30 established GMRS channels.  What you will need to do is figure out how to configure those channels so you can hear and talk to whoever you want.  Do you have specific repeaters you want to use?  Do you have friends or family members with radios or are you interested in listening to whatever random traffic exists in your area and joining in to meet people?

Second, you’ll need to either learn to program the radio from the front panel or you’ll need to get Parallels so you can run Windows on your Mac. Front panel programming can be a life saving art, but using a computer is much easier.  There are probably some videos on YouTube for the exact model.  For your radio you have two choices: factory software or software made by RT Systems.  Personally I like RT Systems software, but it’s not free like the factory software.  Chirp is not available for your model yet.

There are many posts on this forum that explain the basics of programming radios.  Once you have Parallels set up and the software installed you will want to read from the radio to back up the initial configuration.  Do not skip this step.  Save the backup somewhere where you won’t accidentally overwrite it or delete it, then save it again with a new name.  That will be your working file.  Change the name to reflect your revisions so you always have a file to go back to if you make a mistake.  Don’t get discouraged if you do make an occasional mistake.  It happens to many of us.

At the most basic you will simply be setting the CTCSS tone or DCS code for transmitting. You can leave the receive tone out if you want.  If you leave it out you will hear everything on that channel.  If you set a tone it must match the signal being transmitted.

Channels 1-22 are for simplex communications, meaning you are transmitting and receiving on the same frequency.  The next eight, which might be numbered 23-30 or might be named something like RP15 - RP22, receive on the same frequency as 15-22 but transmit on frequencies that are 5 MHz higher.  That separation of frequencies allows the repeater to operate in full duplex, simultaneously transmitting whatever it receives.

Feel free to ask more specific questions as you get going.

 

[WRUU653]

Hello Scott. I don’t have too much to add to the excellent info @SteveShannon has already posted. I have an old Windows laptop should I need it but like you I’m also a Mac guy so I tend to look for radios that are supported by Chirp or RT Systems for Mac.  RT Systems at this time only has this radio software for Windows but they do add Mac support sometimes so it may be worth keeping an eye on their website and it can’t hurt to reach out to them so they know that potential customers are interested in a Mac version for your radio. 

[WRYS709]

I use Windows in Parallels on my Mac to ptogram my non-Chirp radios

I have the DB25-D and understand the programming is similar. 

Mine came with David’s CPEditor (MM7DBT) which is much easier to use than the Radioddity CPS 3.3 that also came with mine

[Ramblermanamc]

Thanks for the responses. I am really new to all this I'm a novice. I am not sure what or how to parallel a Mac and windows. I do have 2 hand held radios to go with the DB40-G. There is a repeater 10 miles from me I would like to hit with the DB40-G at high power if possible and use the hand helds for family communications with DB40-G. I'm hoping for long range high power. I saw a video on YouTube that helped a little. I need to change to the bandwidth from narrow to wide on the channels but haven't found any instructions on how to. I'm at a loss here thanks again Scott 

[OffRoaderX]

5 minutes ago, Ramblermanamc said:

I need to change to the bandwidth from narrow to wide on the channels but haven't found any instructions on how to.

Section "6.12 Menu Options" of your user-manual tells you how to change bandwidth from narrow to wide.

[WRYS709]

10 minutes ago, OffRoaderX said:

Section "6.12 Menu Options" of your user-manual tells you how to change bandwidth from narrow to wide.

You're in good hands now...  WITH Randy!

[SteveShannon]

1 hour ago, Ramblermanamc said:

Thanks for the responses. I am really new to all this I'm a novice. I am not sure what or how to parallel a Mac and windows. I do have 2 hand held radios to go with the DB40-G. There is a repeater 10 miles from me I would like to hit with the DB40-G at high power if possible and use the hand helds for family communications with DB40-G. I'm hoping for long range high power. I saw a video on YouTube that helped a little. I need to change to the bandwidth from narrow to wide on the channels but haven't found any instructions on how to. I'm at a loss here thanks again Scott 

Set your db40g to 1-7 or 15-22. Your mobile radio should not transmit on 8-14.
Set your handheld radios to the same channel. 
Make sure all radios use the same tone or no tone at all. 
Get a block or two away from each other. Take turns pushing the PTT and talking. 

[Ramblermanamc]

ok I have been making some progress I was able to set to power to high manually for each channel and a few other settings. I am reading what CDCSN setting is should it be on? is it better on or off. Also DCS bi understand they are subaudible tones? If they are not set to on will I hear anything when I scan or transmit? I found a local repeater I picked up on channel 24 and want to set my DB40-G to hit that repeater when transmitting. I have the hand helds set to channel 30 frequency and DB40 set to high power but what to hit the repeater and use the han helds for emergency communicatuions Thans Scott

[SteveShannon]

1 hour ago, Ramblermanamc said:

ok I have been making some progress I was able to set to power to high manually for each channel and a few other settings. I am reading what CDCSN setting is should it be on? is it better on or off. Also DCS bi understand they are subaudible tones? If they are not set to on will I hear anything when I scan or transmit? I found a local repeater I picked up on channel 24 and want to set my DB40-G to hit that repeater when transmitting. I have the hand helds set to channel 30 frequency and DB40 set to high power but what to hit the repeater and use the han helds for emergency communicatuions Thans Scott

CTCSS and DCS are two slightly different ways of filtering out transmissions. CTCSS uses tones.  DCS uses a digital code. Stations often use one or the other, but not both at once. It’s up to you to discover which one they use.
When you are transmitting, if the station you are attempting to transmit to has one of these filters set, you must have the same tone or code set or they will never hear you.  That’s how most repeaters attempt to control access. 
However, you also asked about hearing stations when you scan. If you have your station set to receive without CTCSS tones or DCS codes, your radio will reproduce everything that it receives. For scanning, trying to hear everything, that’s what I would suggest. On the other hand, if you’re trying to hear just one specific signal and you know that station is being sent with either CTCSS or DCS you will want to have the same filter set to reduce interruptions.

As far as setting your handhelds to channel 30, on most GMRS radios 23-30 are used for talking to repeaters. If you want to transmit from one radio directly to another you are better off using channels 15-22.