I need some help with my MXT275 and Repeaters

[WSBB519]

OK, this is going to be a long post, so I hope some radio techs can bear through all the writing.  I will be as detailed as possible so you guys can hopefully trouble shoot me accurately.  I recently purchased a midland MXT275 and have it mounted in my truck.  I am currently using the antenna that came with it but bought the midland "ghost" antenna (MXTA25) and hood mount (MXTA27) and will be installing that this weekend.  I understand that the ghost antenna (that did get some pretty good reviews) has it's limitations but for my application it seems to be the best route currently.  I would like to have the ability to use repeaters though.

I have went into the menu, found Rp (repeater) and turned it on. Yes, I hit the lock button.  I can now see the channels (15-22?) with RP next to the channels. This is where things get confusing.  Everything that I have read and watched online that I can find on setting up repeater channels/ tones for this radio is a different than what my radio sample is showing and even in the manual.  As a matter of fact, I have now seen two different versions of this manual.  Both written in perfect English (LOL, notarubicon Randy, your videos are priceless!)

Let me explain.  Some videos that I have watched as well as some reading, have stated to go into the menu, turn the repeater channels on, then go to one of those repeater channels that correspond with the repeater. while on that channel, hit menu, scroll to Privacy Tone (PT), choose CT or DC, then type the channel that matches the frequency to the in/ out tones found on the repeater page on this site.  I have read that the MXT275 does not do split tones. So, obviously I was paying attention to repeaters that had the same in/out tones.  

So, on my radio, you if you are on a repeater channel and dive into the menu, the Privacy Tone (PT) is not even on the menu reel.  On non repeater channels, PT is an option on the reel.  Instead, what I have in replace of PT is two settings.  The first one is Transmit Privacy Tone/ Code (TC).  The second one is Receive Privacy Tone/ Code (RC). You can go into each of these settings like you would on PT and do the same thing.   So, I have questions based off of these findings.

1. Has Midland upgraded the MXT275 to be able to handle split tone repeaters?

2. LOL, how do I set this up?

I appreciate any help you folks can give me.

[Bkwdsman]

Hi. I have 4 of the mxt275 radios. It’s been awhile since I’ve programmed one, but If I recall correctly, after choosing the repeater channel that corresponds with the repeater frequency you want, use the instructions in your manual for selecting a “Privacy” code, except choose tC in step 2. 
Maybe this will get you going in the right direction.

[WSIF274]

On 2/29/2024 at 6:28 PM, Bkwdsman said:

except choose tC in step 2. 

Thank you!!
Your post saved me the other day. The manual fails to mention `tC` anywhere in it... 

[Socalgmrs]

Midland strikes again. 

[WSIF274]

I should also add (Gotta give back to the community): It looks like if the firmware is R9 (Enables Split Tones and I think wide-band). So now in the menu instead of "Pt" for Privacy Tone, they have "tC" for Transmit Tone, and "rT" for Receive Tone!

[Socalgmrs]

Man midlands are a lot of work for no benefit at all.   I’ve never once had to upgrade firmware on any radio  ever.  And all my radios work just fine.  But they aren’t gimmicky radios that use worlds like “privacy tones” to lie to people.  Midland….uugg 

[WSIF274]

No flashing required. Some early models had a few differences: USB-A and R8 firmware, and some USB-C models had the R8 firmware; so I specified to help whoever stumbles on this next. 

Could probably ship to Midland to flash. But you're right, at that point it's worth upgrading. But hey, gotta start somewhere!

 

[H8SPVMT]

With the Midland MXT-400 I have a similar question regarding the split tones.  Say for example, the repeater receives a TRANSMITTED Tone (RX) on the CH 19 of 123 and then transmits the message out to the world on (TX) tone 411.

 

It seems to me I could just set the RX tone to the input code (say channel Rp19) and do the same for the output channel 19. 

Of course I would only hear the output of the repeater and nothing transmitted simplex correct?

[CaptainSarcastic]

18 minutes ago, H8SPVMT said:

With the Midland MXT-400 I have a similar question regarding the split tones.  Say for example, the repeater receives a TRANSMITTED Tone (RX) on the CH 19 of 123 and then transmits the message out to the world on (TX) tone 411.

 

It seems to me I could just set the RX tone to the input code (say channel Rp19) and do the same for the output channel 19. 

Of course I would only hear the output of the repeater and nothing transmitted simplex correct?

If the repeater is using different tones for RX/TX (123/411), and you enter the input tone (123) in your radio for both TX and RX, your radio will not receive any audio from any station on that channel that isnt transmitting that tone (123) - you'll see the signal bars light up on your screen but no audio from the repeater.

 

 

***Just re-read your question and missed the whole (CH19/RPT19 part), and in short, yes you are correct - if you put tone 411 as receive on RPT19 and simplex channel 19, you will only hear traffic from stations sending the 411 code (ie, the repeater)

[nokones]

DCS code "123" is not a standard code nor is it in the MXT400 DCS table. DCS "125" code is in the table or you can select the decode DCS be "Off". The DCS "411" is a valid DCS code.

The MXT400 will do split tones or codes even a split combo of CTCSS/DCS.

If you want to set up a simplex channel to transmit on a specific channel directly to another radio device talking around the repeater, you would program your radio to transmit and receive the output freq of the repeater, in this case, the respective 462 MHz freq for that channel, with the same repeater output tone freq or DCS Code with your transmit freq. It isn't necessary to program a receive tone or code for you to have direct communication with another radio.