Repeater access

[WSDT531]

I have permission to access a local GMRS repeater that seems to indicate an input tone only.  No other tones or settings indicated .  Is the input tone really the only thing i need to program into my GMRS radio.

[SteveShannon]

5 minutes ago, WSDT531 said:

I have permission to access a local GMRS repeater that seems to indicate an input tone only.  No other tones or settings indicated .  Is the input tone really the only thing i need to program into my GMRS radio.

Yes, an output tone is always optional. If the repeater has one and you program it into your radio you’ll only hear the repeater or other radios transmitting on the same frequency using the same tone. 
If you leave the tone empty (or use Tone Mode = “TONE” then you’ll hear everything transmitted on that frequency. 

[Raybestos]

Yes.  Even if it had an input AND an output tone, you could get away with programming your radio to only encode the tone on transmit.

For reasons I will never grasp, an awful lot of ham and GMRS repeater owners just don't have that extra thirty seconds it would have taken them to program their repeaters to encode a tone on the output.  While the repeater still works that way, it deprives the end users of being able to program a receive (decode) tone in their radio, meaning they will likely have to listen to kids playing with FRS radios, computer hash, and other noises, when using that repeater.

[Guest]

Yes.  Don’t over think it.  

[GeauxGreddy]

My local repeater is the same (Input tone listed only) and the owner happens to be in my Jeep Club, which I learned when I asked for permission.  But, I digress.  My radio automatically copies the output tone to be the same as the input tone when you enter said input tone.  Super cool radio functionality.  I hear it brings all the milkshake to the yard. I see all the moms side eyeing my big antenna when I slow roll the carpool line.  They can't help it, its genetic.  Sorry, off topic again.

So, is that ok or do I need to go back and REMOVE the output tone so that it is blank?  I think i need to remove it.  But, I'm probably overthinking it.  

[Guest]

4 minutes ago, GeauxGreddy said:

My local repeater is the same (Input tone listed only) and the owner happens to be in my Jeep Club, which I learned when I asked for permission.  But, I digress.  My radio automatically copies the output tone to be the same as the input tone when you enter said input tone.  Super cool radio functionality.  I hear it brings all the milkshake to the yard. I see all the moms side eyeing my big antenna when I slow roll the carpool line.  They can't help it, its genetic.  Sorry, off topic again.

So, is that ok or do I need to go back and REMOVE the output tone so that it is blank?  I think i need to remove it.  But, I'm probably overthinking it.  

If you have an out put tone programed into your radio and the repeater isn’t sending one your radio will not open squelch.  So yes it needs to be removed to if the repeater does not  send it.