Brand new to radios, brand new to GMRS

[SlowRacer218]

Hello folks

 

Dimitry from New Jersey here. Great forum and members, I've been lurking for a tiny bit. Just got my callsign and brand new gmrs v1 btech as a gift from my wife. What a cool little radio but I can honestly say it's a bit overwhelming for a total beginner. So far, I've only managed to tune into local noaa weather service and heard few spatters of transmission on few gmrs channels. Radio manual did not explain well what each of the functions are.

 

I guess what I am asking you all is where can I go and educate myself enough to be able to use this radio to the fullest? I've google searched and besides this forum I've struggled to find any additional legitimate sources.

 

Thanks

[Logan5]

Try search string, :programing 2 way radio for GMRS

 

Also try searching :common radio acronyms

 

Consider watching "Youtube" videos with the same or similar search strings.

[SlowRacer218]

Try search string, :programing 2 way radio for GMRS

 

Also try searching :common radio acronyms

 

Consider watching "Youtube" videos with the same or similar search strings.

Thanks for that. radios come preprogrammed I thought. What exactly needs to be programmed?

[Logan5]

frequency, PL/CTCSS or DSC/DPL tone, Offset +/-, MHZ of offset ie: +5000 for GMRS, There are many tone combinations for repeater access, the radio manufacture can not pre-program for every repeater possibility.

[WQXS544]

Hello folks

 

Dimitry from New Jersey here. Great forum and members, I've been lurking for a tiny bit. Just got my callsign and brand new gmrs v1 btech as a gift from my wife. What a cool little radio but I can honestly say it's a bit overwhelming for a total beginner. So far, I've only managed to tune into local noaa weather service and heard few spatters of transmission on few gmrs channels. Radio manual did not explain well what each of the functions are.

 

I guess what I am asking you all is where can I go and educate myself enough to be able to use this radio to the fullest? I've google searched and besides this forum I've struggled to find any additional legitimate sources.

 

Thanks

Hello Dimitry,

 

I have had a similar radio to your GMRS V-1 by BTech for some time now and what I have found that works for me is to purchase a programming cable from the manufacturer. (A word of caution, there does exist many after market programming cables that are somewhat cheaper but it is my advice to go with the cable sold by BTech or Baofeng.)

 

Once you get this programming cable, the next thing to do is go to Miklor.com and download their free CHIRP software and open it up. Once this is done, first thing to do is upload the firmware from the radio. Now you can make the necessary changes you want or need for your area and download it into the radio.

 

Another word of advice, I am sure you know by now that you can only receive outside the GMRS spectrum. I would highly recommend programming the seven NOAA weather radio frequencies and perhaps local ham radio repeaters BUT, be cautious about programming in public safety frequencies (police, fire, EMS, etc.). Laws vary from state to state and even within some communities as to whether or not it is legal to listen or monitor those frequencies while walking around or using your radio that way inside of a vehicle.

 

(There are legal ways to avoid having that problem, if it exists where you live or work, such as getting a ham radio license or joining your local CERT organization.)

 

Hope this helps you and enjoy your new radio.

 

Best wishes,

 

Joe, WQXS544/KB9LXH

 

Sent from my XT1049 using Tapatalk

[SlowRacer218]

frequency, PL/CTCSS or DSC/DPL tone, Offset +/-, MHZ of offset ie: +5000 for GMRS, There are many tone combinations for repeater access, the radio manufacture can not pre-program for every repeater possibility.

Guess I will need to start figuring all of this out one way or another.

[SlowRacer218]

Hello Dimitry,

I have had a similar radio to your GMRS V-1 by BTech for some time now and what I have found that works for me is to purchase a programming cable from the manufacturer. (A word of caution, there does exist many after market programming cables that are somewhat cheaper but it is my advice to go with the cable sold by BTech or Baofeng.)

Once you get this programming cable, the next thing to do is go to Miklor.com and download their free CHIRP software and open it up. Once this is done, first thing to do is upload the firmware from the radio. Now you can make the necessary changes you want or need for your area and download it into the radio.

Another word of advice, I am sure you know by now that you can only receive outside the GMRS spectrum. I would highly recommend programming the seven NOAA weather radio frequencies and perhaps local ham radio repeaters BUT, be cautious about programming in public safety frequencies (police, fire, EMS, etc.). Laws vary from state to state and even within some communities as to whether or not it is legal to listen or monitor those frequencies while walking around or using your radio that way inside of a vehicle.

(There are legal ways to avoid having that problem, if it exists where you live or work, such as getting a ham radio license or joining your local CERT organization.)

Hope this helps you and enjoy your new radio.

Best wishes,

Joe, WQXS544/KB9LXH

Sent from my XT1049 using Tapatalk

Thanks for detailed post Joe. I will look into ordering the programming cable from btech. Do you know of any Videos or study material on how to program the radio?

[WQXS544]

Thanks for detailed post Joe. I will look into ordering the programming cable from btech. Do you know of any Videos or study material on how to program the radio?

Hello,

 

To answer your question, I figured it out by trial and error although YouTube might have something. Just remember that using CHIRP software you are putting the receive frequency in the radio. If I happen to come across anything else, I will let you know.

 

Joe, WQXS544/KB9LXH

 

Sent from my XT1049 using Tapatalk

[Logan5]

Guess I will need to start figuring all of this out one way or another.

Search Youtube for videos, every video you will need should be there. Try different search strings.

[SlowRacer218]

Thank you both

[kmonroe99]

Hey Dimitry!

 

I'm just like you - brand new with a GMRS V-1 and a call sign.  I do have the CHIRP software and a (good) connection cable.  When I run the scan function (briefly), I don't hear anything.  Yes I can get the local NOAA station.

 

The repeater directory lists an open, free repeater about 10 miles away from me, but I'm not yet sure how to enter the settings.  The directory lists 462.675 (Out), 467.675 (In) and 141.3 Hz.  I'm not sure what the 141.3 setting is.

 

 

[SlowRacer218]

Hey Dimitry!

 

I'm just like you - brand new with a GMRS V-1 and a call sign.  I do have the CHIRP software and a (good) connection cable.  When I run the scan function (briefly), I don't hear anything.  Yes I can get the local NOAA station.

 

The repeater directory lists an open, free repeater about 10 miles away from me, but I'm not yet sure how to enter the settings.  The directory lists 462.675 (Out), 467.675 (In) and 141.3 Hz.  I'm not sure what the 141.3 setting is.

I've been busy with work this week so did not make much headway with my research but hopefully some more folks will chime in..... I will however order the programming cable since I will need it sooner or later

[GaDalek]

The 141.3 is the pl code for the repeater. With that programed in, when you key the mic you will hear a response from the repeater. If you hear the response you know everything is set up correctly and that you are also in range.

 

Sent from my VIVO XL using Tapatalk

[SlowRacer218]

The 141.3 is the pl code for the repeater. With that programed in, when you key the mic you will hear a response from the repeater. If you hear the response you know everything is set up correctly and that you are also in range.

Sent from my VIVO XL using Tapatalk

Can it be programmed without the cable or do I need chirp and cable to do it?

[GaDalek]

Can it be programmed without the cable or do I need chirp and cable to do it?

You don't need the cable to program it. Chirp makes it easier but you can do it manually. I don't have the radio with me at the moment but when I return home I will post how to do it. It may not be today but will today or tomorrow.

 

Sent from my VIVO XL using Tapatalk

[GaDalek]

I found this on the Milkor web site.

Adding a Transmit Tone

to a GMRS Channel

  

This example is for CTCSS Tone:  141.3Hz

 

1.   Select the desired GMRS channel

 

2.   Enter the CTCSS tone

        [Menu]   1 3   [Menu]   1 4 1 3   [Menu]   [Exit]

or

        [Menu]   1 3   [Menu]           [Menu]   [Exit

 

If that doesn't help let me known and I will try to help more. Good luck and I think you will enjoy your V-1. I know I enjoy using mine

 

Sent from my VIVO XL using Tapatalk

[SlowRacer218]

I found this on the Milkor web site.

Adding a Transmit Tone

to a GMRS Channel

  

This example is for CTCSS Tone:  141.3Hz

 

1.   Select the desired GMRS channel

2.   Enter the CTCSS tone

        [Menu]   1 3   [Menu]   1 4 1 3   [Menu]   [Exit]

or

        [Menu]   1 3   [Menu]           [Menu]   [Exit

If that doesn't help let me known and I will try to help more. Good luck and I think you will enjoy your V-1. I know I enjoy using mine

Sent from my VIVO XL using Tapatalk

I appreciate your help. Let me check out miklor and I will try programming using the menu. Thanks

[fodderia]

As another new license holder, I have seen a lot of conflicting information out on the internet. So my question is is there common frequency numbering? I have seen some radios were chan 1 is xxx.xxx and a different freq on another radio. Also is there a common travel frequency? Or better yet, is there a faq around here that I have not found? Any pointers would be appreciated.

 

Thanks,

John

WQZZ765

[Guest spd641]

frequency, PL/CTCSS or DSC/DPL tone, Offset +/-, MHZ of offset ie: +5000 for GMRS, There are many tone combinations for repeater access, the radio manufacture can not pre-program for every repeater possibility.

Logan,

The radio in question BTech GMRS V1 is already preprogrammed and certified for GMRS only in transmit you do not need software nor programming cable  the user only needs to know is how to manually change the CTCSS DCS tones which I do not without having one in my hands.I know this is a old thread but I just was reading through the comments and saw yours...William