Programming Multiple DCS/CTCSS Codes

[jsurles]

I'm trying to find a handheld GMRS radio that will allow programming / saving / labelling channels using the same frequency, and allow TX on them as well as RX.

For instance I wanted to create something along the lines of:

family1 - 462.5500 (ch15) - DCS 116

family2 - 462.5500 (ch15) - DCS 423

family3 - 462.6750 (ch20) - DCS 223

family4 - 462.6750 (ch20) - DCS 743

 

This would be for the idea of if we are getting interference from another radio user, we could "switch to family4".  This would mean everyone could change the channel easily without being lost on how to change the PL codes.

This would also be useful for setting up repeaters in an instance where you may pass multiple repeaters on the same frequencies.  You could plan and preprogram ahead of the trip.

 

My first set of radios were BTECH GMRS-v1 handhelds, and I thought I had this.. but those additional channels programmed in were RX only.. no TX. :/

Any radios that do this, or am I just in dreamland?
 

[axorlov]

Pretty much any radio other than Btech-Baofeng would do that. All Part 95/Part 90 commercial radios certainly can be programmed that way. Not sure about Wouxun 805G, but owners would chime in and clarify that.

[mbrun]

Good Day.

 

All of the Wouxun models support this. Handheld and mobile units alike. These include the KG-805G, KG-905G, KG-1000G.

 

Regards,

 

I'm trying to find a handheld GMRS radio that will allow programming / saving / labelling channels using the same frequency, and allow TX on them as well as RX.

 

For instance I wanted to create something along the lines of:

 

family1 - 462.5500 (ch15) - DCS 116

family2 - 462.5500 (ch15) - DCS 423

family3 - 462.6750 (ch20) - DCS 223

family4 - 462.6750 (ch20) - DCS 743

 

This would be for the idea of if we are getting interference from another radio user, we could "switch to family4". This would mean everyone could change the channel easily without being lost on how to change the PL codes.

 

This would also be useful for setting up repeaters in an instance where you may pass multiple repeaters on the same frequencies. You could plan and preprogram ahead of the trip.

 

My first set of radios were BTECH GMRS-v1 handhelds, and I thought I had this.. but those additional channels programmed in were RX only.. no TX. :/

 

Any radios that do this, or am I just in dreamland?

 

 

Michael

WRHS965

KE8PLM

[jdgilkey]

Does anyone know what mobile radios do this?  I travel two places, each with a repeater on the same frequency but different access tone.  Looking for a mobile radio in the 20-25watt range.  Something I can power from an 12vdc accessory plug.

[WRUU653]

37 minutes ago, jdgilkey said:

Does anyone know what mobile radios do this?  I travel two places, each with a repeater on the same frequency but different access tone.  Looking for a mobile radio in the 20-25watt range.  Something I can power from an 12vdc accessory plug.

I don’t know about Midlands but most others do. Take a look at the recommendations from @WRYZ926 below. 

Edited January 28 by WRUU653
I miss read the question - fixed it 😀

[WRYZ926]

@jdgilkey what is your budget?

Retevis and Wouxun both make a 20 watt mobile. There is the Retevis RB86 and Wouxun KG-XS20G that will fit your needs. I have the Wouxun KG-XS20G and it works great. Yes Baofeng and Midland also make 20 or 25 watt mobiles. Most will tell you to get the Retevic or Wouxun over both of those though.

Just now, WRUU653 said:

I don’t know about Midlands but most others do. Take a look at the Wouxun KG-1000. 

The KG-1000G is a 50 watt radio that will need to be wired directly to the battery.

[WRUU653]

23 minutes ago, WRYZ926 said:

The KG-1000G is a 50 watt radio that will need to be wired directly to the battery

You’re are correct. Note to self, drink coffee before responding. Thanks for the catch.️

[WRYZ926]

1 hour ago, WRUU653 said:

You’re are correct. Note to self, drink coffee before responding. Thanks for the catch.️

It's all good.  I know what it's like to have too much blood in the caffeine system. And we all make mistakes from time to time. What matters is that we realize we do. 

[SteveShannon]

Several of us also have and enjoy the Radioddity db20g. 

[WRYZ926]

I always seem to forget about the Radioddity DB20G. That's another good choice.

[WRYS709]

18 hours ago, WRYZ926 said:

I always seem to forget about the Radioddity DB20G. That's another good choice.

a/k/a Anytone AT-779UV

[WRXB215]

As @WRYS709 pointed out, it's also sold as the AnyTone AT-779UV. I'm using the AT-778UV which is basically a sibling of the 779. It's not a high dollar radio but it's very nice for the price.

[Socalgmrs]

On 1/28/2024 at 6:55 AM, jdgilkey said:

Does anyone know what mobile radios do this?  I travel two places, each with a repeater on the same frequency but different access tone.  Looking for a mobile radio in the 20-25watt range.  Something I can power from an 12vdc accessory plug.

I’ve been running the tyt th8600 for a while now as a home base station.  With a comet 712 does 200 miles from the desert of California to Las Vegas.  And I’m starting to our them in my trucks since it’s water proof and that’s something I need.  It has many different repeaters on the same frequency with different tones.  As will as simplex with “family” toned channels.  But then again so do all my boofwangs 

[WRYS709]

4 hours ago, WRXB215 said:

As @WRYS709 pointed out, it's also sold as the AnyTone AT-779UV. I'm using the AT-778UV which is basically a sibling of the 779. It's not a high dollar radio but it's very nice for the price.

Only a sibling in manufacturing name and nearby model number only.Completely different look and feel and many tell me they cannot open the 778 to Ham 2 meter/70 cm bands.

[WRXB215]

2 minutes ago, WRYS709 said:

many tell me they cannot open the 778 to Ham 2 meter/70 cm bands

That's strange. I had no problem at all with mine. 

[WRYS709]

12 minutes ago, WRXB215 said:

That's strange. I had no problem at all with mine. 

Oh, really? That's good news for the 778 owners.

Can you publish a link?

Still a very different radio though

[WRXB215]

1 hour ago, WRYS709 said:

Can you publish a link?

A link to where I bought it? Here.

In the AnyTone software, select Model and then select Band2.

 

I did not find a place to do this in CHIRP but you can do everything else in CHIRP.

BTW, this is the latest "VOX" version of the radio and programming software. Strange name but that is what they call it. Maybe the previous version didn't have VOX.

Also, I'm pretty sure you can do this on the radio I just chose to use the software to do it and now I use CHIRP for everything else.

Here it is in CHIRP:

Edited January 29 by WRXB215
Added info.

[WRYZ926]

8 hours ago, WRXP381 said:

I’ve been running the tyt th8600 for a while now as a home base station.

I have actually been considering getting the TH-8600 for my SxS so I can run GMRS and 2m/70cm. I know the Comet 2x4SR antenna on the buggy works well on GMRS with my Wouxun KG-XS20G.

[WRYS709]

7 hours ago, WRXB215 said:

A link to where I bought it? Here.

Thank you for all that information.

No, I meant a link to how to open it for use on Ham bands, and I guess you answered that as well; by using the software to select Band 2?

I will let those who ask me, know about how to open these radios now.

[WRYZ926]

From what I have found, a lot of GMRS certified radios are very hard to impossible to unlock for use on HAM bands. You will have better luck buying a radio that operates on 2/70cm and unlocking it for use on GMRS frequencies/channels.

The link that @WRXB215 provided is for a dual band 2m/70cm radio. I haven't messed with bygone dual band radios so I don't know how hard they are to unlock.

[WRYS709]

27 minutes ago, WRYZ926 said:

From what I have found, a lot of GMRS certified radios are very hard to impossible to unlock for use on HAM bands. You will have better luck buying a radio that operates on 2/70cm and unlocking it for use on GMRS frequencies/channels.

The link that @WRXB215 provided is for a dual band 2m/70cm radio. I haven't messed with bygone dual band radios so I don't know how hard they are to unlock.

Good point; as I have no experience with the 778; so indeed, it appears to be a ham radio that can open to GMRS (usually called MARS/CAPS mod).

But the radio I do have much experience with, the AT-779UV a/k/a Radioddity DB20-G, is indeed a Part 95E certified GMRS radio that can be easily opened to 2 meters and 70 cm Ham and even MURS; although I am sure that many here will argue that when in the "open" condition, it is no longer certified to be able to use GMRS concurrently.

Since it uses code plugs, it does have the ability to be "open" for ham radio and then returned back to "closed" for certified use on GMRS.

[WRYZ926]

Yes that gets discussed a bit and you are correct that a GMRS radio that has been opened up for amateur bands is no longer Part 95 certified. Unlocking/MARS Mods are done on a regular basis and no one will say anything as long as one doesn't get stupid on the air.

And thanks for the info on the AT-779UV/Radioddity DB20-G