Midland mxt-275 using repeater with split tones?

[bobthetj03]

Newb here folks. Recently installed my mxt275 in my jeep. Purchased my license and got permissions to use a local repeater. I turned on my rp function to activate 15-22rp, set the TX frequency of the repeater to the channel on my radio, then the appropriate PL tone. I get a proper roger beep indicating the repeater is receiving my TX. The owner can hear me, but I can't RX him unless I turn on the monitor function. He has the repeater setup with split tones, so TX tone is different than RX tone. Do I need to enable the different tone on the standard 15-22 channels then set the other tone on the 15rp-22rp tone? or visa versa?  Or, is my unit not capable to do split tones? 

[jsouth]

Hello and welcome! Glad to have you on board. Unfortunately most midland radios are unable to do split tones. I learned this the hard way myself. The MXT400 will do split tones if you buy a programming cable and find software for it. Keep in mind that you only have seven slots available to make custom stations on the 400. If you do a search on this site, you’ll find many topics and discussions about this very topic.

[bobthetj03]

Hello and welcome! Glad to have you on board. Unfortunately most midland radios are unable to do split tones. I learned this the hard way myself. The MXT400 will do split tones if you buy a programming cable and find software for it. Keep in mind that you only have seven slots available to make custom stations on the 400. If you do a search on this site, you’ll find many topics and discussions about this very topic.

 

Thanks for the quick response jsouth. As I have feared, I should have done more research. the 275 just had the physical characteristics to fit in my jeep the way I wanted it, and was enticed by Midland's dumbing it down features and I'm a newb to all of this. Do you suppose I could TX to my party, then scroll to the other PL tone to receive? Yes, that would be a pain, and silly, but my only other option is to turn monitor function on and listen to static, but at least I can RX his transmission that way. 

[gortex2]

As others said the radio doesn't work well with split tones. I still have them in both my jeeps. There are many repeaters that do not use split toners and other than one location I have not had an issue.

[Citizen]

[snip] Do you suppose I could TX to my party, then scroll to the other PL tone to receive? Yes, that would be a pain, and silly, but my only other option is to turn monitor function on and listen to static, but at least I can RX his transmission that way. 

 

You could buy a cheap bubble-pack GMRS HT (~$20) for monitoring only, and set it to the correct frequency/PL tone for listening.  Battery would last a long time if you are only monitoring.  That way, you could keep the MXT275 on the repeater TX frequency/PL without having to change it, and still hear all the repeater return traffic on the HT.

 

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[jsouth]

In answer to your question, I agree with Citizen, it will be easier if you have another radio rather than changing channels. If it helps, I do like the Wouxun KG-805G as it receives a bit better than a less expensive radio but you will pay more.

[bobthetj03]

Interesting idea @Citizen and @jsouth. That might just work for the few situations where I come across a split tone repeater. I have a pair of Cobra MXT90's that I could experiment with. Do you think I would have any issues with the 2 radios being in close proximity to each other while I'm in my jeep? 

[Citizen]

That might just work for the few situations where I come across a split tone repeater. I have a pair of Cobra MXT90's that I could experiment with. Do you think I would have any issues with the 2 radios being in close proximity to each other while I'm in my jeep? 

 

 

Coming across a split tone repeater should be pretty rare.  And as I understand radio proximity, you should not have any trouble with an HT in the same vehicle as your vehicle mounted mobile.

 

When you say Cobra MXT90's, I believe the MXT90 is a micro-mobile and is from Midland.

 

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[Blackmar401]

Out of the like 15 repeaters in my area I think there were only 2 or 3 that were not split tone

[DanW]

What are some other cheap radios that would be able to receive?  The GMRS Wouxun looks nice but is pricey.  Would a cheap $26 Baofeng be able to do it?

[jsouth]

Recently purchased a Retevis RT76P. Programming is a bit buggy but it does work (split tones) and radio seems to be tough, as it seems to take a beating ok. I got mine off Amazon for $35. Read some of the recent activity on this site about it before purchasing to make sure you know what you’re getting.

[bobthetj03]

Coming across a split tone repeater should be pretty rare.  And as I understand radio proximity, you should not have any trouble with an HT in the same vehicle as your vehicle mounted mobile.

 

When you say Cobra MXT90's, I believe the MXT90 is a micro-mobile and is from Midland.

 

My bad. I meant Cobra CXT90. 

 

I've had them for several years, so they are old. They are not repeater capable, but have the 22 gmrs channels. 

[bobthetj03]

Well, I experimented with my hand held in the cab. Put the handheld on the rx tone and my MXT-275 on tx tone. I get horrible feedback when I try to transmit to the repeater. Guess that won't work. Just thought I'd update. On a good note, I used the radio on a jeep run recently, using another repeater with a single ctcss tx/rx tone with great results. Got to talk to a fellow from a good distance. Kind of was cheating since I was on a summit at 5000 feet elevation.