Programming Repeater on My Handheld

[WRWQ966]

Hi everyone, my name is Kyle. I’m new here and new to radios. I just got my GMRS call sign and now I’m looking to learn how to program a repeater into my handheld. My question is specific to the input and output tones listed for a repeater. For example: if a listed repeater has a input of 91.5 does that mean I program that number on the RX or TX side of my handheld? If this question has already been asked before I apologize I couldn’t find it. 

[WRQC527]

12 minutes ago, WRWQ966 said:

Hi everyone, my name is Kyle. I’m new here and new to radios. I just got my GMRS call sign and now I’m looking to learn how to program a repeater into my handheld. My question is specific to the input and output tones listed for a repeater. For example: if a listed repeater has a input of 91.5 does that mean I program that number on the RX or TX side of my handheld? If this question has already been asked before I apologize I couldn’t find it. 

Welcome to GMRS! The input should go on the TX side. Thats the tone that the repeater hears, telling it to open. The output should go on the RX side. If there's no output tone listed on that repeater, leave it blank on the RX side of your radio. 

[WRWQ966]

Thank you for the reply! This specific repeater only has a input tone listed and no output tone. I tried programming the 91.5 on the TX side yesterday and didn’t hear a beep or anything come back from the repeater when I tried doing a repeater check. Does that mean there is a output tone for this repeater as well? 

[Wannabe]

2 minutes ago, WRWQ966 said:

Thank you for the reply! This specific repeater only has an input tone listed and no output tone. I tried programming the 91.5 on the TX side yesterday and didn’t hear a beep or anything come back from the repeater when I tried doing a repeater check. Does that mean there is an output tone for this repeater as well? 

No, you don’t have to have a tone set for RX, you should still hear the entire frequency. The tone acts as a filter and without it it’s wide open. 

[WRWQ966]

Gotcha, thanks for the clarification!

[Smitty74]

If your repeater has a input tone, you need to be transmitting that tone in order to "wake up" (open squelch on) the repeater and use it. If your repeater has an output tone, what that does for you is if you set your radio up to require that tone, your radio will not wake up unless it hears that tone coming from the repeater.  setting your radio up to require the tone is optional, but if there is another repeater using the same frequency anywhere even slightly near to your repeater, you might here static or bits of conversation coming in from far away. I personally find that annoying, and if the repeater offers an output tone, I definitely take advantage of it.

[WRWQ966]

Thanks Smitty! Good to know about different repeaters using the same frequency and leaving the RX tone open. I will keep that in mind. 

[WRUU653]

59 minutes ago, WRWQ966 said:

Good to know about different repeaters using the same frequency and leaving the RX tone open. I will keep that in mind. 

It’s not just repeaters, by leaving the rx tones off you will hear everything on that frequency including simplex which can be useful to make sure you’re not stepping on someone else when you key up.

[WRWQ966]

Ok, so that brings up another question. Is there any reason to program in a TX tone if you plan to be using simplex with the RX tones turned off?

[SteveShannon]

22 minutes ago, WRWQ966 said:

Ok, so that brings up another question. Is there any reason to program in a TX tone if you plan to be using simplex with the RX tones turned off?

No