GMRS Repeater Programming

[Phkalish]

Good morning. New to GMRS, so bear with me. I purchased a couple of BFang UV-5X and am trying to understand how to program a repeater (once I find/get access to one). I watched a couple of videos from a highly informative (and sarcastic) youtuber that I am a fan of. First video said these radios are horrible, but then saw the updated video saying they fixed issues. Mine did come with repeater channels. Still some confusion on my part regarding repeaters. I assume the repeater channel (frequency) you choose, needs to match the pre-installed repeater frequency, correct? I know there is some relation to the GMRS channels (1-22) and the repeater. Or can you program any repeater channel (23-30) to whatever repeater you want? Then, if the repeater channel is programmed, that is the channel you would want both radios to use to talk to each other, not the GMRS channels (1-22), correct? One more step, the repeater channel that shares the frequency with channels 1-22, others would hear but could not transmit to our radios? I thank you for your help in advance, and your patience for the newbie.

[SteveShannon]

27 minutes ago, Phkalish said:

Good morning. New to GMRS, so bear with me. I purchased a couple of BFang UV-5X and am trying to understand how to program a repeater (once I find/get access to one). I watched a couple of videos from a highly informative (and sarcastic) youtuber that I am a fan of. First video said these radios are horrible, but then saw the updated video saying they fixed issues. Mine did come with repeater channels. Still some confusion on my part regarding repeaters. I assume the repeater channel (frequency) you choose, needs to match the pre-installed repeater frequency, correct? I know there is some relation to the GMRS channels (1-22) and the repeater. Or can you program any repeater channel (23-30) to whatever repeater you want? Then, if the repeater channel is programmed, that is the channel you would want both radios to use to talk to each other, not the GMRS channels (1-22), correct? One more step, the repeater channel that shares the frequency with channels 1-22, others would hear but could not transmit to our radios? I thank you for your help in advance, and your patience for the newbie.

If you’re talking to each other through a repeater, you will both tune to the same repeater channel (22-30). Each repeater channel is preset with a transmit (uplink)frequency (transmission from your radio to the repeater) which is in the 467 MHz range. 
You will need to match the CTCSS or DTCSS tone the repeater expects or your transmission will be ignored. 
The repeater relays what you transmit by transmitting it on a frequency that’s exactly 5 MHz lower, so if your uplink frequency is 467.550 MHz then the downlink will be 462.550 MHz. Using separate frequencies like that is necessary for full duplex operation, which is what a repeater does when relaying a message as it receives it. The repeater channels are already configured for the offset frequencies. 
Many repeaters list downlink tones, but a tone is not needed to hear them. 
 

If you just want to talk to your friend you would both tune to exactly the same frequency in the 462 MHz range (15-22) which are the simplex channels. 
15-22 channels receive and transmit on the same frequencies as the receiver channels for repeaters. 

[coderkid]

GMRS is allocated 30 frequency channels in the range of 462 MHz to 467 MHz, which are divided into 22 simplex channels (where you transmit and receive directly) and 8 repeater channels (where you transmit to a repeater, which receives and re-transmits your signal on a different channel).

Quote

A repeater is a device that receives a signal on one frequency and re-transmits it on another frequency, thereby extending the range of the signal.

Generally, when setting up a frequency channel on a radio, we transmit and receive signals on the same frequency. However, for GMRS repeater channels, we set up transmit and receive frequencies differently; the difference between these two frequencies is usually 5 MHz. In some cases, such as yours, these frequencies may already be pre-set.

However, most repeaters require that you transmit a specific tone (often called PL, CTCSS, QC or CG) before they listen to your transmission. Therefore, you may need to set the tone value for the repeater channel you want to use.

[WRWT868]

Here's an article which outline the step-by-step instruction to program a repeater into your radio.

Programming in a repeater

To find a repeater, use the home page on this site. At the top of that page you'll see a label "Map". Click it, then click the bubble nearest your location. When the bubble splits, click the one closest to your location. Repeat this process until a small antenna tower appears. Click on it, a box will appear giving you the information about the repeater. 

If you see a repeater in your area, click on the gear in the upper left of the map and ensure show stale repeaters is turned on.. 

You need the frequency and the input tone, enter that information into your radio as per the instructions outlined by the link.. Save the configured frequency to a channel. Out of the box, UV5Rs will not transmit on GMRS channels.. 

[SteveShannon]

7 hours ago, WRWT868 said:

Here's an article which outline the step-by-step instruction to program a repeater into your radio.

Programming in a repeater

To find a repeater, use the home page on this site. At the top of that page you'll see a label "Map". Click it, then click the bubble nearest your location. When the bubble splits, click the one closest to your location. Repeat this process until a small antenna tower appears. Click on it, a box will appear giving you the information about the repeater. 

If you see a repeater in your area, click on the gear in the upper left of the map and ensure show stale repeaters is turned on.. 

You need the frequency and the input tone, enter that information into your radio as per the instructions outlined by the link.. Save the configured frequency to a channel. Out of the box, UV5Rs will not transmit on GMRS channels.. 

Good points about finding repeaters!

The OP has the UV5X, the X is the factory configured version (type 95e certified) GMRS Baofeng.

[Lsfd353]

not sure if this is the correct place im trying to program my radio on GMRS and not sure if im doing this correct is any one able to help me 

[OffRoaderX]

6 minutes ago, Lsfd353 said:

not sure if this is the correct place im trying to program my radio on GMRS and not sure if im doing this correct is any one able to help me 

Yes

[Lsfd353]

18 minutes ago, OffRoaderX said:

Yes

i have a XTS 3000 a excel file export of my programming unless any one has the CPS for the xts3000 then i can send a saved fire of the programming for review thank you 

radio.csv

[OffRoaderX]

Should we guess what the trouble is, or will you let us in on the secret at some point?

[Lsfd353]

15 minutes ago, OffRoaderX said:

Should we guess what the trouble is, or will you let us in on the secret at some point?

I can transmit and everyone is able to hear me but I can’t seem to receive been playing with settings all day and no luck 

[OffRoaderX]

Remove all the RX tones from all channels and see how that goes.

[WRUU653]

54 minutes ago, OffRoaderX said:

Remove all the RX tones from all channels and see how that goes.

I just spit my soup I did not know if I should give this a like or a laughing emoji… they both both seemed appropriate. 

[nokones]

Send me the actual codeplug file and I'll take a look at it and I'll give it a try in one of my XTS3000 radios. My email is nokones@kenmitchell.com

[WRUU653]

I don’t think @OffRoaderX is wrong here. If they can hear you but you can’t hear them remove the RX tones from the offending programmed channel and you should be able to hear everything on said channel/frequency. It’s likely that tone is incorrect. 

[Lsfd353]

12 hours ago, OffRoaderX said:

10 hours ago, WRUU653 said:

I don’t think @OffRoaderX is wrong here. If they can hear you but you can’t hear them remove the RX tones from the offending programmed channel and you should be able to hear everything on said channel/frequency. It’s likely that tone is incorrect. 

thank you all for the help 

[nokones]

If it isn't the PL on the decode side the problem, it may be a scan feature setting.  I've seen this before.

[WSFY998]

I am new to this Forum and would appreciate any help from anyone on my Maxon GMRS 210+3 repeater frequency programming.  The radio has a total of 10 channels initially set as CH1 462.5625 MHz, CH2 462.5875 MHz, CH3 462.6125 MHz, CH4 462.6375 MHz, CH5 462.6625 MHz, CH6 462.6875 MHz, CH7 462.7125 MHz, CH8 (FCC Assigned Emergency / Safety) 462.675 MHz, CH9 (Repeater) 462.575 MHz, CH10 (Repeater) 462.625 MHz.  The radio channel band width is 25 kHz in 12.5 kHz steps.

I need help to program either of my CH9 or CH10 to 462.600 MHz which is my local repeater frequency. I pressed "F" (function) button and "Radio Config" button to enter the programming mode.  I then use the "Down" / "UP" button to get to "CC ___.____" option and then use the "Tune/M-CH" button to hopefully select the 462.600 MHz value.  Unfortunately, the radio only gave me the closest values of 462.5875 MHz or 462.6125 MHz (a gap in 25 kHz jumping over the 462.600 MHz).  

Upon further reading on the programming manual, it states that the frequency 462.600 MHz (along 462.550 MHz, 462.575 MHz, 462.625 MHz, 462.650 MHz, 462.675 MHz, 462.700 MHz, and 462.725 MHz) can be programmed by a radio communications dealer.  Since this is an old radio, I am not able to find any help so far and hope that I can find help in this Forum.

Thanks in Advance!

[BoxCar]

Have you reached out to Bridgecom Systems? They are a Maxon dealer and may have some guidance. Otherwise, I would check if there are any 2-way radio dealers close. The could possibly reprogram the repeater for you as well.

[WSFY998]

RE: "BoxCar: Have you reached out to Bridgecom Systems? They are a Maxon dealer and may have some guidance. Otherwise, I would check if there are any 2-way radio dealers close. The could possibly reprogram the repeater for you as well."

Thank you for your reply.  I called Bridgecom Systems and left a voice message and will update here once I find a resolution.

[WSFY998]

I was able to locate a local radio dealer (Adams Electronics 248 669 6800) who was kind enough to help me program the 462.600 MHz repeater frequency on my Maxon GMRS 210+3 radio. 

The steps involved are as below:

1. Turn off the radio
2. Open the back cover of the radio by removing four screws securing the back cover.
3. Press the "tack switch" switch (see attached picture) once which is located toward the left side on the circuit board
4. Turn on the radio
5. Use the UP or DOWN button to go to a desired repeater channel (9 or 10) on the radio
6. Press and hold the FUNCTION button on the radio and press the CONFIG button on the radio then release both buttons
7. Turn the TUNE/M-CH button to the 462.600 MHz display
8. Press the FUNTION button followed by the CLR button to save this setting
9. You may want to program CTCSS tones for Receive or Transmit if required by the repeater

Hope this helps anyone who might run into the same issue as mine.

GMRS210+3 Tack Switch.pdf