Dallas, TX - can’t get a radio check but hear everybody

[WSHE504]

I’m new to the GMRS world. I’ve been running CB since i was old enough to drive but recently picked up a Midland M275 15-watt.

I’ve scanned the channels without the repeater option on and off and hear lots of chatter but can’t get a single radio check.
I’ve enabled the repeater option and move to RP 20 still with no luck.  The details around who can use which repeaters is vague.

I’ve used this radio to communicate with our handheld GMRS radios on channel 20 with no issues.  

Anybody have a “welcome to GMRS, n00bie” manual to figure out what I’m doing wrong?

2024 Chevrolet Silverado
MicroMobile® GMRS 15-Watt Two-Way Radio - MXT275
MicroMobile® Antenna NMO Mag Mount - MXTA12
MicroMobile® Ghost 3dB Gain NMO Antenna - MXTA25

[OffRoaderX]

You need the specific tone required for the specific repeater you are trying to use, and you have to enter that in the correct channel (presumably CH20). Without that you will not be able to use the repeater - you can hear them, they will not hear you.

 

[WSHE504]

@OffRoaderX, that’s part of my confusion.

If I set it to non repeater 20, I still pickup the repeater 20 chatter?   

[OffRoaderX]

Just now, WSHE504 said:

@OffRoaderX, that’s part of my confusion.

If I set it to non repeater 20, I still pickup the repeater 20 chatter?   

Yes.. that's how it works.. I found this random video on youtube that explains it very well. The guy is kind of a jerk, and I heard he only says what his sponsors tell him to say, but the info you want is in there:

 

[WSHE504]

@OffRoaderX thanks, buddy.    

[Socalgmrs]

Are you close enough? Do you have line of sight?   Tones of coarse as well 

[WSHE504]

I see a few channel 20 repeaters in Dallas TX but one is restricted and the other is REACT.  

[gortex2]

Did you set the proper tone when you changed to RP20 ? Also are you sure they want to talk to you ? Contrary to popular belief alot of folks use GMRS for talking to friends. Not others. 

 

[WSEN940]

I don’t know what radio you are using, but I did a picture for a UV5G plus a while back that shows the programming sequence for that HT. 
if your using a different radio, it shows the relationship between the tx and rx frequencies and the tones. 

It ‘may’ be helpful…link below

Programming

[WRYZ926]

11 hours ago, OffRoaderX said:

Yes.. that's how it works.. I found this random video on youtube that explains it very well. The guy is kind of a jerk, and I heard he only says what his sponsors tell him to say, but the info you want is in there:

I agree that guy is a bit cranky at times. But he does give good information in his videos (most of the time) 

GMRS repeaters transmit on 462.XXX while receiving on 467.XXX. GMRS repeater transmit channels are the same as the corresponding simplex channels. So yes you can hear repeaters when on a simplex channel. You will also hear the corresponding simplex channel while your radio is on a repeater channel if you are not using a receive tone.

This just how things work with GMRS since there are only so many channels available.

We had one guy complaining about hearing a bunch of kids on the repeater when no one else was hearing the kids. The kids were on simplex and the guy did not have the receive PL Tone set on his radio.

[nokones]

The repeater on RP20 is part of the Texas GMRS Club and requires a specific CTCSS Tone or DCS Code and a Club membership to access the repeater.  The Texas GMRS Club has repeaters throughout Texas and it would be worth while for only about $24/year to be a member and get access to a lot of repeaters statewide.

The vehicle and radio equipment you're using is great for starting out. Just bare in mind that the MXT275 is a 15 watt radio and is limited in the number of custom programming channels. The MXT575 is essentially the same radio with the same channel limitation, but with 50 watts of output power. The MXT500 has 99 channels and also is a 50 watt radio.

You might want to try the Midland MXTA 26 antenna that may give you a few more farz in some cases. The Midland Antennae are great GMRS antennae and will give you good VSWRs on GMRS freqs.

That guy in the video drives a Nissan Grocery Getter with chrome wheels and moon hub caps and cruises Pico Rivera looking to chat with strangers on the radio, but his stuff in the videos is very informative and helpful.

[nokones]

Oh, I forgot to mention, although he doesn't drive around with Whitewall tires, but he does use a Tire Dressing on his tires to impress the chick's on the Whittier Boulevard.

[WSHI722]

How are you 504!  I'm Tony in Fort Worth and I just got my radio and I can totally understand your frustration lol no seriously' I'm new at this all the way.  Bought my radio for my security work and i wanted to chit chat on the off time.

To hopefully shed some light.  The basic thing you need to know is;

Frequency
Tone In/Out(PL Tone)
Offset(+/-...etc)
CTCSS(Transmit) and RXCTCSS(Receive)

I thought the exact same, you just fire it up and start introducing lol.  After hours on hours I ran into an old reddit post that helped me understand this isn't your jack in the box cracker jack radio, it actual requires you to put in some work first lol.

Try adding this into your radio, I will be home tomorrow(March 6th) around 12:00PM;
443.85000 -  No offset - FM Narrow - T Sql - CTCSS (110.9 on both)

Hit me up if you need me to step you through it I'll give you my number or so but otherwise set it up call me out, I'll have the freq on around that time tomorrow.  Can you message me on here?