Programming a (Icom) ic-f621-2 tr for dtcs on gmrs repeater

[Jaybee]

Anyone with experience programming an (Icom) ic-f621-2 tr - or using the CS-f620tr software?

This is a commercial rig, and I am attempting to program it for a gmrs repeater.

I have the programming software, and programming cable and all of that is working great. For regular channels (non-repeater) everything is working fine with the programming and the operation. I can program it for all channels and test it with my ht.

When I attempt to program a repeater with a dtcs tone, I am able to hear them, but they are unable to hear me. It seems the tone is not "opening" the repeater.

For instance: (not actual data) sample line below

• 
  
• 
  

  Tx Freq 467.575

  
  
  
• 
  

  Rx Freq: 462.575

  
  
  
• 
  

  Tx tone: 031N

  
  
  
• 
  

  Rx tone: 031N

  
  
  

I am successful on the same repeater with an HT or another mobile, both of which are lower power, and in the case if the ht, a lessor antenna (and of course completely different programming software). It seems it might be specific to the radio/setup, with which I am a total noob. The frequency offsets and some of the other settings are a bit more manual than some of what I am used to, it is entirely probable I have screwed up something obvious.

It seems I may have similar issues with some other repeaters that use ctcss tones (makes me think it is my setup), but they are further away and reaching them is not a certainty.

I would be grateful to anyone with any experience, insights or obvious next steps.

thanks

Jim

[WRAK968]

Try putting 031N on the TX side. I believe Icom the <- should indicate it is using the same as the RX code. I see an option for Talkaround, check to see if you can select "Off" and see if that helps. Outside of all that, it would seem you have all of the information entered in correctly.

[gortex2]

Your programming looks right. If you leave RX tone blank and put 031N in TX it should be in CSQ on RX. What do you mean people hear you but you can't/ Are they hearing you on the repeater side ? I've programmed hundreds of ICOM units over the years. They are basic and simple. From the snipped your programming is correct but being i don't know what repeater your trying to access I can't say with 100%

[Jaybee]

Right now I have the tone on rx and tx. If I key the mike and transmit it does not appear I am being heard. I do however seem to hear other chatter on the repeater.

 

It seems the tone the repeater is transmitting are successfully "opening the squelch" on my unit, but the tones I am transmitting are not successful in opening the repeater.

 

On a different thread someone suggested that if the radio was set to narrowband, perhaps it was too narrow for the tones to work, but in the config I have it set to wide.

 

I am relived that at least it is not an obvious problem.

 

The tones in my example are artificial as I did not want to publish the actual tones to he repeater.

 

Any insights welcome.

 

Jim

[Shadow471]

Two possible issues.

I just checked my split tone setup on my ICOM CS-F33G for my IC-F43GTs.

 

1. Under "Scambler" set that to OFF, its set to inh/Inhibit in your image.

 

2.  if the repeater is using the same tone, you would have the <-- under the TX.

     If the repeater is using split tones, TX would have one tone and RX would have a different tone.

     i.e. TX is 100.0 and RX is 203.5.

     If your using DTCS, select DTCS from the tone list and then enter your tone, i.e. 031, the N should already be the for DTCS.

     if it shows an I, its an inverted tone.

 

But be sure that your repeater is not using split tones, one for TX and one for RX.

Also how far away are you from your repeater?

I'm 40 flat miles from my local repeater and can reach it and talk on a HT.

But I can hear talk out to over 50 miles, and can no longer reach it.

 

 

Good luck

73

[Jaybee]

I wanted to thank folks for their suggestions. I've tried/examined each of them.  I still don't have a working config, but knowing that it is not obvious makes me feel at least somewhat better.

 

I'm going to keep chasing this - and welcome any thoguhts.

 

Jim

[gortex2]

what are you using for a power supply ? Maybe its shuting down on TX. The programming looks correct. Do you know what kind of repeater they are running. There is DPL inverted but not used a lot. The icom is pretty basic so im confused your having issues. can you program it for simplex and talk to a radi othat hears the repeater ? 

[Jaybee]

Thanks for the reply.

 

I think the power supply (samlex sec-1235m) is ok - it is powering other, larger radios (not at the same time) via a rigrunner without an issue.

 

The repeater I am trying to hit is the rugged575 in naperville - yes I know in the sample the tones don't match. I did not want to publish the actual tones online. I can it it from my Btech HT, and my Midland mx115 without issue. In the case of the midland, using the same feedline and antenna, at much lower power (15w).

 

Ignoring the repeater settings, I can talk to other radios/other channels just fine. I have some other radios that will receive only on the transmit frequency (467.575) so I can see that it is transmitting and hear my audio. It does seem to come down to the repeater settings/tones.

 

Oddly, I expected some amount of fiddling to get the programming cable and software working - once I had those I assumed i was home-free. Pride before the fall.

 

The docs on the radio are a little sparse, but I think I finally have my hands on all the programming and tech documents, and am working my way through some of the more obscure settings to see if there is anything there.

 

Welcome thoughts.

 

Jim

[WREI871]

On 2/21/2021 at 2:16 PM, Jaybee said:

Thanks for the reply.

 

I think the power supply (samlex sec-1235m) is ok - it is powering other, larger radios (not at the same time) via a rigrunner without an issue.

 

The repeater I am trying to hit is the rugged575 in naperville - yes I know in the sample the tones don't match. I did not want to publish the actual tones online. I can it it from my Btech HT, and my Midland mx115 without issue. In the case of the midland, using the same feedline and antenna, at much lower power (15w).

 

Ignoring the repeater settings, I can talk to other radios/other channels just fine. I have some other radios that will receive only on the transmit frequency (467.575) so I can see that it is transmitting and hear my audio. It does seem to come down to the repeater settings/tones.

 

Oddly, I expected some amount of fiddling to get the programming cable and software working - once I had those I assumed i was home-free. Pride before the fall.

 

The docs on the radio are a little sparse, but I think I finally have my hands on all the programming and tech documents, and am working my way through some of the more obscure settings to see if there is anything there.

 

Welcome thoughts.

 

Jim

Did you ever get this figured out?

 

I am considering purchasing a few of these radios at the moment.

[Shadow471]

My IC-F43GT radios are working fine.

But I've really moved to Moto XPRs. As I'm working on my General HAM. and can do DMR HAM on the proper UHF1 XPRs.