Holy smokes I just purchased a pair of Cobra Micro's and knew nothing about CTCSS and DCS but after watching this I feel like I knew everything so I went to my father and tried explaining how my Cobra Micro's work, He just looked me dead in the eye and laughed " Boy let me show you something" he pulls out an old black leather case from under the bed opened it up and BAM " Here's a real one son". He called it "The Brick" We spent almost 2 hours playing with it even eze dropped on the local police our bad. I just found out I was living under a rock !! I'm 37 years old what the heck. Great video thank sir.
I'm brand new to GRMS (still waiting on my call sign from the FCC and my radio in the mail) and trying to learn all I can. I really appreciate your explanation of CTCSS tones, It was informative and easy to understand.
Glad it was helpful! CTCSS is best when you don't need to use it, but when you do it helps to know how it works. Good luck, and welcome to the air! 73!
Question: I have a Uniden 9080 in my truck with a CTCSS button. Can I tune my truck CB to the hand held Two-Ways? Based on your video the two-ways are using CTCSS channels.
Glad it helped! The manufacturers calling them "privacy codes" is the big problem. It confuses people who don't already know how a squelch circuit works. Good luck on your Tech ticket!
If you're not a teacher already, please teach classes! I loved this format. Thank you very much for this video. This along with a few other useful videos helped me realize why my RMM2050 MURS radios weren't receiving anything from my other MURS radios. Turns off CTCSS and voila.
Very happy to have helped, and thanks for the kind words. I'm in the process of launching a new RU-vid Channel covering Disaster & Emergency Preparation, and it will include a lot of content on EmComm. I'll drop a note here when it goes live. MURS radios are great because so few people use those frequencies and you seldom encounter interference. If you find range becoming a problem the GMRS radios from Midland USA - the GXT1000VP4 - operate at a higher frequency in the UHF band and will get your signal out a bit farther, but at the cost of more traffic on the channels from other users. Good luck!
Fantastic explanation mate, just how I needed to be explained. Its a shame (perhaps borderline phoney) that these are advertised as privacy sub-channels, when they are essentially the opposite. Cheers for the Hunter Valley, NSW, Australia.
Yeah, all the manufacturers do that. Caveat Emptor, I guess. Same with the transmission distances. Only way you get 30 miles is from mountain peak to mountain peak. Glad it was helpful. Good luck!
Great explanation. One point though, FRS is legal for business use, as well as any "grandfathered" licensees from days gone by. This means that restaurants, retail stores, etc can use FRS. Would love to see some bandwidth set aside strictly for GMRS but it's probably not going to happen.
Thanks for this clarification. Yes, and if businesses limited themselves to 2w FRS power on Ch 1-7 it likely wouldn't cause much problem. In our community we have (mostly) construction and landscape crews using GMRS power on 1-7, and even some mobiles with higher power on 15-22. Based on what I hear I would guess some are even using Baofeng radios with illegal power levels. Plus, they are all using CTCSS codes so they can't hear the legal traffic they are stepping on. I never hear a GMRS call sign from any of them. Very frustrating, and I agree that GMRS only channels are unlikely. The same users would just keep operating illegally anyway. Business radios are also unreasonably expensive, which I suspect contributes to the numbers of illegal users.
Thank you for this video, this helped me a lot as I just got walkie talkies recently. I have one question though, if someone like me, just with a walkie talkie for personal use were to be driving around and receiving a incoming message from a truck driver say for example. what channel would they be most likely to use? I just want to know to maybe be able to talk to someone else through the radio!
Glad the vid was helpful! First of all, make sure you are NOT using CTCSS on your channels, and remember that other uses may be using CTCSS and will not hear you. Get a GMRS license from the FCC so you can use maximum power legally on your radio. One good way to catch random contacts is to scan all frequencies. Just keep in mind that the high power channels 15 - 22 can also have repeaters using them in your area, in which case you would hear their transmissions but they wouldn't hear you (because repeaters usually use CTCSS codes to limit access, and require an offset to the transmitting frequency to get into the repeater). People using repeaters are using radios such as base/mobile radios that are capable of offsets for repeater use, but handheld walkies don't have this feature - yet. I'm told Midland is developing Walkies that will be able to use repeaters. Most truckers will be using Citizen Band or Ham radios, and are less likely to turn up on the FRS/GMRS band. "Unofficial" road channels are 7 and 20 (Motorola Standard), and offroaders will sometimes use CH16 (because 4x4 = 16), but this is also unofficial. You can also do what Hams refer to as "calling CQ" which is to send out a transmission looking for others who are monitoring. Go one channel at a time and transmit your FCC call sign and ask if anyone is monitoring, or ask if anyone can give you a "radio check." Wait a few seconds, try again, then move to the next channel and repeat. Someone else nearby may be scanning the channels too. Of course the best thing is to talk your neighbors and nearby friends into getting their own radios, and then you have a reliable emergency communications network. This RU-vid channel was made for my local group which has over 80 households in an area of 2 sq miles. Good luck!
@@mrmobilegaming01 No, CTCSS is fine to use whether you are an unlicensed FRS user or a licensed GMRS user. The FCC requires a GMRS license and the use of your issued callsign only if you are using more than 2w of transmitting power. FRS radios are locked at 2w (and all FRS/GMRS radios are locked at 0.5w for channels 8 - 14), but GMRS radios have higher power available at 5w for Channels 1 - 7 and up to 50w for channels 15 -22. If you have the Midland GXT1000 radio, for example, and do not have a GMRS license, you can only legally use the low and medium power settings. Check this blog post at Midland for more on GMRS licensing: midlandusa.com/blogs/blog/why-do-i-need-a-gmrs-license-how-do-i-get-it
I believe you can operate business on FRS now. FCC lifted the rule sometime ago since FRS is used less (because cellphones took place of the need for FRS).
Yes, it is legal for businesses to use FRS frequencies *with FRS radios and power levels* only. The problem is that FRS and GMRS share some frequencies, and in my area, and many others, businesses use GMRS radios at high power without licenses to conduct their activities. I hear mostly construction and landscaping crews around my home. Without CTCSS on my radio I'd be listening to crews all day. The FCC simply does not have the manpower to enforce.
Hi Gi! Thanks for the support! This channel was really just set up for a local emergency comms group here in LA where I live, but a couple of the vids caught a wider audience. I am in the process of launching a new channel on disaster and emergency prep for city dwellers, and it will have more comms content. When the channel is live, which should be by the end of the year, I'll post a video about it here, or you can send an email to citiprep@gmail.com and I'll put you on the mail list. Thanks!
Nice video thanks! However I am wondering what happens if you have two different transmissions at the same time on the same channel but with different codes - do the receivers get both or nothing?
Hey Steve: Great question! That's the issue they don't advertise on the radio boxes. Once a receiving station opens squelch to your incoming CTCSS tone their radio is, well, open, and can pick up another nearby transmission on the same frequency even if the second transmission is using a different CTCSS tone. Whichever signal happens to be strongest will usually get through, but sometimes the two transmissions will "double" each other and you'll have to ask for a repeat from the operator you intend to receive. If the doubling persists it is often best to switch to a clear channel, so it is always a good idea to have a pre-planned secondary channel that you and your team know to switch to if this occurs. Bottom line: CTCSS codes are great for keeping out unwanted transmissions from others on the channel *when you are monitoring* but they are of less use when two groups are using the same channel in close proximity.
I simply don't even but scanners if no instant read sub tones like uniden many makes, the add sub tone into scanner o the freq and tag the user, a scanner withiyt ctcss dcs not been an option for me for30 years, so yes for tx for me and friends, but for listening to commercial business users, and evrn sone military for me in uk it's a must, now if course dmr and nexedge colour and ran coded
The fast food joint may have been illegally using the GMRS frequency, but the baby monitor should not ever be in that band. If you experience frequent interference on a channel you use applying a CTCSS code may help.
Hi Boss Lady: I have another video where I show the method of programming the CTCSS codes into the GXT 1000 from Midland: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-jypnstzMPrM.html The method for other brands is usually very similar. Good luck!
CTCSS or DCS tones have any performances in field? I mean which tone code work better when signal come weak? or both work in the same way in cases signals are weak? Thank you!
DCS uses more bandwidth, so it could be more prone to issues in a weak signal scenario. I stick with CTCSS and have had no problems, except with Baofeng radios trying to use the GMRS freqs. I find that these radios do not emit a reliable tone in the GMRS band, even when they work fine in the Amateur Radio bands. The are not approved by FCC for GMRS anyway, so keep it legal and use Midland FRS/GMRS radios, or another major brand that is FCC approved. I've used Midlands for 20 years and prefer them.
@@lcect OK, Thank you! for your reply, yes I'll use legal radios, in my case I'll use MURS, I already use FRS so now I'll take murs for testing. Ones again Thank you! and have great day!
Hello. I do not have direct experience with PoC radios. Our group is organized for emergency and disaster response, so we cannot depend on the cellular infrastructure being operable. For that reason we use GMRS and Amateur Radio bands which work radio to radio. PoC radios utilize the data portion of 2G 3G or 4G cellular networks and can be useful in many applications, and can offer much greater area coverage - limited only by the coverage of the network they are operating on. For emergency or disaster comms I strongly recommend GMRS & Ham radio.
FRS and GMRS share the same channel frequencies. The only difference is the transmitting power. FRS is capped at 2w while GMRS is at 5w. Both are limited to 0.5w for channels 8 thru 14. There is no such thing as privacy codes on FRS or GMRS. Anyone monitoring your frequency can hear your transmissions.
So, I have a radio I programmed to my fire dept I'm on for when we burn pastures, radio is in my side by side. When I talk they can here me fine no problem, but when they talk I don't hear anything, could this be why? Not set right?
Hi Chris: the situation you describe might occur if your radio has a CTCSS or DCS code programmed in, but theirs do not. Try doing a test where you transmit from as close to their radio location as possible, and check you radio for a CTCSS or DCS code. Confirm that the department is not using a code, and make sure you are not using one. Good luck!
@@lcect thank you, I forgot to mention. When I use my hand held fire dept radio close to my radio I just programmed it works both ways, however when I increase distance it does not, it seems when I talk at further distance from the side by side radio my hand held picks it up but when I am talked back to it either doesn't come through or is full of static just depends on distance, but I am going to check settings tomorrow and see if this is my issue
@@lcect 154.38500 is the frequency, antenna is Browning WSPBR1015 Enclosed Nmo 3/4 Hole Mount cable and Tram 140MHz-170MHz + 430MHz-470MHz Dual Band NMO Antenna (1181 This is what was frequently ordered when I got the radio off Amazon
It's probably just an issue of propagation when you are at a distance. Try moving to a higher elevation, or a spot with less disruption to line of sight (hills, trees, buildings, etc.) RF is weird. sometimes it just can't find it's way into certain spots. Increasing elevation is usually the best solution, but often just moving to a different location works.
You do not need an FCC license to use CTCSS or DCS. A GMRS license is required if you wish to use radios with higher transmitting power such as the Midland GXT1000 you see in the video. For FRS radios there is no license requirement at all. Good luck, and have fun!
@@lcect thank you I appreciate that! So, for example, I have a gtx1000 midland walkie talkie. Can I use frs channel 1-7 on any ctcss tone without a license? I’m just trying to use this pair of midland gtx1000s for my kids when they are running around the neighborhood with their friends.
@@Drum93bum The GXT 1000s are technically GMRS radios as they have up to 5w power. To be completely in compliance you need to use only the low and medium power settings without a license. Using CTCSS codes without a license is allowed. For the kids, their best bet is to use the FRS shared channels from 8 to 14. The radios are hardwired for low power on these channels per FCC rules. As long as they are not too far apart they should work fine, and it will have the additional benefit of using up the battery more slowly. If they need to use medium power to make contacts they can move to channels 1 thru 7. Avoid channels 15 thru 22 as they are the ones that allow GMRS licensees to use up to 50 watts, and also often have repeaters working in many areas. They are far more likely to encounter other traffic on channels 15 - 22, so best to just avoid them. Good luck!
@@lcect you are the best, man. I really appreciate your thorough response and overall knowledge that you provide me and those who view your videos! I am now a life time subscriber to your channel and really appreciate you. Have a good one!
Both CTCSS and DCS function in the same way, and most repeaters use CTCSS, but some radios may work better with the digital code of DCS. Might be worth a test on one of the repeaters.
Hi Tim. I made this channel for our local Radio Team, but it seems to have been picked up by a wider audience. I'll be launching a new channel soon, covering disaster & emergency preps, and will be going into much deeper dives on radio comms. I'll be sure to let you know when it goes live. Thanks for your support!
If a walkie-talkie doesn't have a dedicated on/off button it is usually combined with the volume knob so that turning the volume knob all the way down until it clicks will turn the radio off.
Hi Alphonso! The only reason to use CTCSS or DCS is if there is a lot of traffic on all available channels in your area, and you want to not have to hear traffic that isn't meant for you. If that isn't the case, I would not use any Code Squelch - just pick a channel and transmit. But if you need to silence your radio from unwanted traffic either CTCSS or DCS will work. They do the same thing. CTCSS uses a sub audible tone, while DCS uses a digital encoding. Remember, too, that all radios you want to be able to communicate with must be programmed with the same code. Important to note that when you use coded squelch everyone on that channel can still hear you. It is not private.
I swear i can only read half of what it is that you're saying so im still tryna to understand the other part is cut off ill try turning off my phone and turning it back hopefully that clears everything else 😓
What happen of you use 2 radios with the same channel and with (8) CTCSS and 2 radios with the same channel but with (9) as CTCSS? Im going to hear their conversation (same thing for the others people that are in a different CTCSS) or nobody is going to hear us?
I mean, if im in a channel (for example 2) with 6 of CTCSS and another person is in my same channel but with a different CTCSS, are we both going to hear us?
Good question! As long as both pairs of radios are not transmitting at the same time, the radios will not open squelch unless they hear the assigned CTCSS tone frequency, and you won't hear each other. But if both pairs of radios are using the same frequency at the same time, there may be interference, and you may receive the transmission from whichever radio is sending the strongest signal. Once the squelch opens up, the radio will receive anything on that frequency. This is where using the MON button helps. You can briefly open the squelch to check if anyone is using the frequency by long pressing the MON button. If you hear a transmission, wait until the frequency is clear before transmitting. If the other pair of radios are dominating the frequency and not sharing, it is easier to switch to a different frequency.
@@lcect oh hey! i just bought the radios today and i cant understand if somebody its in my channel, like i press ed the MON Button and i can hear the frequency but how do i know if someone its in my channel, thank you
@@ilcalabronedimartex5949 When you disable the carrier squelch by pressing the MON button you should hear the static noise of the frequency. Listen for any faint sounds of FM (frequency modulation) buried in the noise, which will usually be someone speaking if the frequency is in use near you. If all you hear is static then you can assume the frequency is not in use near you, and is open for you to use.
What I'm lost I'm a beginner and there's not one video that explains Ham radios every setting weather for what the put them on it's just like you need a degree in this
I'm lost it makes no sense at all can I send my ham radio to you I have no idea what you're talking about I am clueless there's not one video that explains this I mean seriously can I send it to you
Hi Michael: If you can tell me which radio you have (Brand & Model) and what problem you are having with the CTCSS codes I'll try to help.This video used GMRS walkies for the explanation, but the concept is the same on all two way radios. On the ham radio bands you will find CTCSS codes used on repeaters, but usually not on simplex frequencies.
@@lcect what would it cost to send these to you I have a uniden BC 125at bearcat, a tidewater td-uv5r which is a generic version of a Baofeng I am a single father I work constantly I'm not asking for sympathy I do not have access to a computer I am constantly working I would like to send these to you just tell me what it costs because nothing is free in this world
Hi MIchael: The Bearcat is a scanner, and the UV5R is a dual band ham radio. Unfortunately, they are difficult to program without a computer. There are two free programs that can be used to set them up if you can perhaps use a friend's computer. Send me an email at info@lcect.org and let me know where you live, what agencies you want to scan on the Bearcat, and whether or not you are a licenced ham or are just using the UV5R for listening. I'll help you out.
@@miijjk No need to toss them. They can both be programmed manually, it just tales more time. You can find all the frequencies you need at this site: www.radioreference.com Just use the manuals and enter the desired frewquencies manually on the radios. Good luck!
