Radio and channel organization

[MarkTheNewf]

How do you all set up your channels?  There's heaps more available than my MURS option.  My thought is that my radio will be outfitted with all the channels while the ones I give to other, such as my wife, I'd only put in a couple of GMRS channels, maybe the local NOAA channel, and perhaps a couple of FM radio channels.  All those will have easily identifiable names to the channels (ex. MAIN-01, BAKUP, etc.) that would be simple for anybody to use and recognize.

Just curious as how you keeners get things running slick.

[Socalgmrs]

Every radio gets set up the same way.   I need to be able to grab Amy radio and hand it to Amy one and have it work like every other radio.  It doesn’t matter if it’s a 7yr old, I hired hand, my wife my dad, a neighbor…… I have gmrs1-22 simplex then the named repeaters start.  I’ve never had a problem and I and my crew use them all day every day.  

[nokones]

I set up my channels in separate radio zones by creating Regions  i.e. Arizona East, Arizona South, Arizona West, Arizona Phoenix and I do the same thing for California, Nevada, New Mexico Texas, and Utah.  The regions will be grouped together within a State group. When I am traveling in that particular region, I switch my radio to that Region zone for the channels in that Region. If I am traveling to or in other states that I didn't list, I will create a different codeplug file for those States accordingly. My radios are programmed with almost 40 separate zones. Some Regions will have anywhere from about 20 to almost 40 channels programmed for the respective Region.

[Raybestos]

I have said this before, but will mention it again in case someone new to the forum might find it useful.

Whether a frequency agile ham/business radio, or a dedicated GMRS radio with channels 1-30 already programmed from the factory, I follow this pattern.  (Note:  This frequently can not be done with Midland, Radioddity, Retevis, and other brands where the design engineers figured you don't need any or many channels beyond the basic 1 thru 30.  For that reason, I avoid those brands.  This works well with Wouxuns and similar channel schemes.)

On the installed channels 1 thru 30, or if adding them to a non- GMRS specific radio, still in channels 1 thru 30, I have  GMRS Channels 1 thru 22 labeled as "GMRS-01, GMRS-02, GMRS-03, etc, coinciding with the channel number in the radio.  Each channel is set up to encode only, a 141.3 CTCSS tone.  Each channel also has no tone in its decoder, or is in carrier squelch (CSQ) mode.  Since 141.3 is the most commonly found tone used across the USA (aka the "travel tone") having it encoded may improve your chances of being heard at any given location, at least a little.  If you are running a GMRS Specific base or mobile radio, you can skip this process on channels 8 thru 14 as it will not transmit on them, anyway.  Having the receive decoder turned off will allow you to hear and converse with others who might be around, via simplex, the same as if you never added the tones in your encoder (or transmit).

Channels 23 thru 30, I label as RPT 15 thru RPT 22, respectively.  If using a non GMRS specific radio, you will need to ensure that you program each channel to receive its 462 MHz frequency same as its simplex counter part, and transmit on 467 MHz with the 141.3 PL also encoded only with Carrier Squelch (CSQ) on receive.

For instance:   GMRS-15 transmits and receives on 462.550 MHz.  RPT-15 will have to receive on 462.550 MHz with no tone on its decoder (or CSQ).  RPT-15 must transmit on 467.550 MHz and encode a 141.3 CTCSS tone.  It is important to leave the tone off on receive because for whatever reason, (too) many repeater owners out there just did not have the extra thirty seconds it would have taken them, to set their repeater up to encode a CTCSS tone on its output.  If you are hitting a repeater and keying it up, if it does not encode a tone on its output and your decoder is turned on, you will not be able to hear the repeater or anyone talking on it.  With your decoder off (or in CSQ mode), you will hear anything on the channel that is in range.

After Channel 30, feel free to put in whatever repeaters you use or anticipate using and if a repeater encodes a tone on its output, by all means feel free to set your radio's decoder for that repeater's tone.

The steps I described on channels 1 thru 30 do not guarantee you will hit a repeater or make a simplex contact everywhere you go, but they will statistically improve your odds of making contact should you need directions, help, or just conversation.

[WRUE951]

i've got mine set up in Zones. i.e.  GMRS Rptr - GMRS Smplx - WIN - HAM-1 - HAM-2 - Crowley - Sac - Ariz1 - Ariz 2 - Bullhead - Garlock.. etc..  

[MarkTheNewf]

Thanks, gang.  I think I'll put them all in as well as the NOAA channels but set those to not scan.

As this is my first foray into the GMRS and repeater forest, anybody have a recommended YouTube channel to look at for some edumakation?  I'd prefer GMRS-based non-HAM if possible.

[OffRoaderX]

1 minute ago, MarkTheNewf said:

anybody have a recommended YouTube channel to look at for some edumakation

There aren't really any good ones out there.

[nokones]

58 minutes ago, OffRoaderX said:

There aren't really any good ones out there.

Maybe that guy with the so-so You Tube channel can do a video on suggested ways to set up channel configurations in a GMRS radio.

[WRTC928]

16 hours ago, Socalgmrs said:

I have gmrs1-22 simplex then the named repeaters start. 

 

10 hours ago, nokones said:

I set up my channels in separate radio zones by creating Regions  i.e. Arizona East, Arizona South, Arizona West, Arizona Phoenix and I do the same thing for California, Nevada, New Mexico Texas, and Utah.  The regions will be grouped together within a State group. 

I do a little bit of both of these. I have GMRS 1-22 simplex, some "friends and family" channels, and then repeaters. The repeaters are grouped according to where they are geographically, generally based upon how far they are from my home and if they're on a route I travel quite a bit. 1-22 have no codes engaged, "friends and family" channels have codes to match whatever the person I expect to talk to has entered, then of course the repeaters have input codes I don't usually enter rx codes unless it's in a particularly busy area.

[WSHH887]

I too faced this. But being a rookie I left the factory programming as, for now. I am using the factory repeater channels but putting the closest one in the first position and naming it accordingly. Working out from there, geographically speaking. 
 

Wil it work out? Who knows. On the other hand reprogramming isn't a big deal. 
 

But along as I am here. Since you can, sometimes program power outputs, why would you ever select the lower setting?

[TDM827]

On our 5 Kenwood  handhelds I have changed the programing several times to match how we use them. All 5 are set up exactly the same so no matter who grabs one they know exactly what to expect. Despite being a commercial radio that is Part95 certified the TK-3170 / 3173s will easily push down to receiving to about 440. Since Ham and Municipal Channels are outside GMRS channels they are for monitoring only. Could also get someone in legal trouble if they are unwise enough to butt in local government channels. 
 
Bank One - All GMRS / FRS channels & In Rage Repeater Channels we plan to use. (I tell told the whole family to stay on this bank as it gives exactly what we need). Keep it                            simple. If they do change banks accidentally one of the buttons is programed to bring them back to this bank at the push of a button.
Bank Two - All repeater channels in range and to the immediate North, South, East and West for about 40 miles. For use locally or during local travel.
Bank Three - All GMRS Channels without the repeaters listed. Might change this in the future.
Bank Four - All surrounding Municipal Community and County Channels as Frequency and Digital / Non-Digital allows. Public Works, Highway, Schools, Water and Power and                       local government. Legally these are monitoring only. This and SDR monitoring is great for bad weather, power outages, emergencies, road closures etc...
Bank Five - All Ham / Amateur on 70cm of interested. Again only for monitoring. Includes ARES/Races and Skywarn.
Bank Six - All GMRS repeaters out of range to the North and South but and used for travelling outside the range of local repeaters. Extends out repeaters about 150 Miles. 
Bank Seven - All GMRS repeaters out of range to the East and West and used for travelling outside range of local repeaters. Extends out about 100 Miles.

I know it's a bit complicated, but it's made simple for those in the family that want to mainly stay on the main bank and simply push the button and talk. But for those interested in a lot more two-way GMRS communications capability, and extended HAM / Amateur and Municipal monitoring, it works great.  

[WRTC928]

2 hours ago, WSHH887 said:

Since you can, sometimes program power outputs, why would you ever select the lower setting?

Because most of the time, that's all you need. There's a GMRS repeater about 2 miles away from me; 1 watt will give me a good connection. There's a ham repeater 72 miles from me that I can usually use with 12 watts from my base unit, and can always use with 35 watts, so even though my base will do 50 watts, I never set it that high. The units in my vehicles can also generate 50 watts, but I usually have most frequencies set to 12 watts because that's all I need. The most significant limitation on radio communication is terrain, and if 12 watts won't do it, 50 usually won't either. There are a few exceptions, but you will figure them out with experience.

With regard to handheld radios, one good reason to keep the wattage as low as feasible is that higher wattage will use up your battery faster. Again, most of the time, more power won't allow you to reach a radio or repeater that you couldn't reach with 5 watts. 

Just from a standpoint of politeness, using more power has the potential to cause more interference with other people's signals. Trying to avoid that is just part of being a decent human. 

[WSHH887]

Thanks, good to know.

[MarkTheNewf]

16 hours ago, TDM827 said:

On our 5 Kenwood  handhelds I have changed the programing several times to match how we use them. All 5 are set up exactly the same so no matter who grabs one they know exactly what to expect. Despite being a commercial radio that is Part95 certified the TK-3170 / 3173s will easily push down to receiving to about 440. Since Ham and Municipal Channels are outside GMRS channels they are for monitoring only. Could also get someone in legal trouble if they are unwise enough to butt in local government channels. 
 
Bank One - All GMRS / FRS channels & In Rage Repeater Channels we plan to use. (I tell told the whole family to stay on this bank as it gives exactly what we need). Keep it                            simple. If they do change banks accidentally one of the buttons is programed to bring them back to this bank at the push of a button.
Bank Two - All repeater channels in range and to the immediate North, South, East and West for about 40 miles. For use locally or during local travel.
Bank Three - All GMRS Channels without the repeaters listed. Might change this in the future.
Bank Four - All surrounding Municipal Community and County Channels as Frequency and Digital / Non-Digital allows. Public Works, Highway, Schools, Water and Power and                       local government. Legally these are monitoring only. This and SDR monitoring is great for bad weather, power outages, emergencies, road closures etc...
Bank Five - All Ham / Amateur on 70cm of interested. Again only for monitoring. Includes ARES/Races and Skywarn.
Bank Six - All GMRS repeaters out of range to the North and South but and used for travelling outside the range of local repeaters. Extends out repeaters about 150 Miles. 
Bank Seven - All GMRS repeaters out of range to the East and West and used for travelling outside range of local repeaters. Extends out about 100 Miles.

I know it's a bit complicated, but it's made simple for those in the family that want to mainly stay on the main bank and simply push the button and talk. But for those interested in a lot more two-way GMRS communications capability, and extended HAM / Amateur and Municipal monitoring, it works great.  

This makes sense to me, but the TD-H3 doesn't have 'banks', so no way to separate them as far as I know.  That would be nice, though.