GMRS Repeater Programming

[jmwatts77]

I bought a repeater to use for GMRS.  I want to program it with the right frequencies to match up to a "Midland 40 Watt GMRS MicroMobile Two-Way Radio" and other handheld radios.  If I want to use GMRS channel 15 what frequencies would I use for Transmit and Receive on the repeater itself?  Also what frequencies is the "Midland 40 watt GMRS Microbomile" using to transmit and receive for channel 15?  They would be exact opposite right?

 

Repeater = RX 462.5500 TX 467.5500 

 

Midland 40 Watt MicroMobile or handheld radio = RX 467.5500 TX462.5500

 

Is this right or is it backwards?  

[Jones]

backwards.  Radio simplex is transmit and receive on 462.  When in repeater mode, the radio transmit is 467, still receives on 462.  The repeater listens on 467, and transmits on 462.

 

...and don't forget to set a CTCSS tone on both transmit and receive of your repeater that is compatible with your Midlands, and also set up your repeater for narrow-band operation for best compatibility with narrow band Midland radios.

[jmwatts77]

So in order for the repeater to work right with GMRS using channel 15, the repeater would need to be programmed

like this - Repeater = RX 467.550 TX 462.5500 ???  Then add in the CTCSS tones.  How many CTCSS tones are programmed in the Midland radios?

[PB30X]

REPEATER:

Receive RX 467.XXXX Tone/PL/DPL XXX.X

Transmit TX 462.XXXX Tone/PL/DPL XXX.X

 

HT/BASE/MOBILE:

Receive RX 462.XXXX Tone/PL/DPL XXX.X

Transmit TX 467.XXXX Tone/PL/DPL XXX.X

[Jones]

...How many CTCSS tones are programmed in the Midland radios?

Not all of them, but I think they have over 30 different tones available.  I do know the most common one is 141.3Hz, or Midland code 20.

 

You don't need to program in all of the tones, just pick one, and use it.  If it happens to be the same as another local repeater on channel 15, use a different code to prevent interference.

[jmwatts77]

Thank you for your help everyone.

[H8SPVMT]

Not all of them, but I think they have over 30 different tones available.  I do know the most common one is 141.3Hz, or Midland code 20.

 

You don't need to program in all of the tones, just pick one, and use it.  If it happens to be the same as another local repeater on channel 15, use a different code to prevent interference.

 

Midland code for CTCSS for 141.3 is #22 on their list with the MTX400.  I made that mistake already (hehe)  BUT I didn't need to program code number as the actual frequency appears on the screen as you roll thurogh them.

 

What I don't get is how to set the CTCSS code for BOTH the RX & XT freq.   When I set  the repeater selection to "Repeater ON" it automatically applies the code to both RX & TX as far as I can tell. The MXT400 then scrolls thru channels 1 - 7, 15 -22 & then rP channels 15 - 22.  

 

So I have to assume (ass/u/me) it applies the correct code 141.3 to TX & RX.

[wayoverthere]

So I have to assume (ass/u/me) it applies the correct code 141.3 to TX & RX.

that's correct; by default, midland applies the same code to both RX and TX.  This is why midlands generally aren't compatible with "split tones" (when the RX code is different from the TX code), and only the mxt400 has the ability to be reprogrammed to set the codes separately.

 

This can be a convenience to a new user, and a limitation in some scenarios.

[kb2ztx]

You didn't mention your programming of the repeater or what it was in regards to bandwidth. Using a repeater with midland radios you will want to set the repeater for narrow band (12.5) for best performance. Its still not ideal but will work much better than wide band.