PMR GS'er channel?

[Smalesy]

Being new to GSing, I've got myself a PMR radio setup so I can talk to Lovely whilst we go out riding together.

I wondered if there is a standard radio frequency that GS'ers use. I've done a bit of searching on the forum but cannot find anything.

If there isn't a standard channel, perhaps it would be a really nice idea to have one. We could say Hi to one another on the road.

Of course at events etc. it would get congested so we'd need to use different channels but for day to day thrashing about it could be like a national hailing channel.

Perhaps it might be an idea to suggest a frequency as well as a preset for different makes of radios.

Go on, tell me it's allready been done.

Steve

 

[Gas'd Off]

Top idea that man. I suggest channel 7, 7 then? Chosen cos my radio was set to that when I got it
Whilst zooming through road works in Switzerland last year we had a "hello? Hello? who`zat then? with the workers as we went by, comedy moment
Anyone know if there is a standard emergency frequency for PMR radios?

 

[Smalesy]

So is that Wintec channel 7 which is 446.08125Mhz??

 

[LOLGEOFF]

That's a Brilliant idea.....

That would save a lot of those "Was it you on the A.........?" type threads, we could just ask "Who are you? Wot you doing on my turf?" as we pass.

 

[Gas'd Off]

Lost me there! all that meggerhurts n stuff. Channel 7 and code 07........

 

[Smalesy]

I'm not 100% but from what I gather, the different types of radios are preset differently so for EG Motorola 7 might be Wintec 3 etc. It might be worth checking in your radio's manual to see that 7 is 446.08125Mhz.

I don't think it's a s complicated as it sounds.

 

[Gas'd Off]

It might be worth checking in your radio's manual to see that 7 is 446.08125Mhz

Will do

 

[Greg Masters]

Nice idea, but it's absolutely no use quoting channel numbers.

You must quote Frequency and QT or DQT code(Quiet Talk and Digital Quiet Talk) (or what Icom refer to as Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System or Digital Tone Code Squelch).

For Tossers-on-Tour both this year and on previous years I have used 446.04375 MHz with DQT code 132N.

It is possible to use some radios without a QT/DQT code but there are two issues. Firstly, with a QT/DQT code, you may find youself talking with more taxis, security guards and Chinese restaurants that you would like. Secondly, the popular Kenwood TK3101 cannot be used without a QT or DQT code.

The final consideration is that range will be limited to the weakest link. A well installed 4w PMR radio may transmit several miles, but if the listener has a shrouded aerial on a ½watt radio, then the conversation may be just one-way!!

Greg

 

[Smalesy]

"For Tossers-on-Tour both this year and on previous years I have used 446.04375 MHz with DQT code 132N."

I've had a look in my Intaride (wintec) manual and it shows 446.04375 and I've found a CTCSS vs frequency preset 20 which is 131.8Hz, is the 131.8Hz bit the same as the 132DQT code you talk about or is it something completely different???? It might be best to use a previously tried and tested frequency, if only to show a bit of respect to the GS'ers who've been at it for years.

For info if I'm on the right tracks it's channel 4 - 20

I suppose if I can get it off the ground I'll need to do some kind of easy reference spreadsheet or table that will go on the Forum Stickys?

 

[Pukmeister]

Similarly, my Kenwood Funkey PMR446 radios are only 500mW RF output power and I can find no CTCSS settings in the manual, just a squelch on/off function. It does use group-modes though, from 67Hz through to 250.3 Hz in 38 selectable steps. When used in compatible frequencies with a mates TK3101 they work really well.

The intaride unit must be very similar to the Funkey as 446.04375 MHz and 131.8 Hz = Channel 4, group mode 20 also.

I presume I would need to keep a copy of the manual on the bike to determine what other riders TX/RX frequency and equivalent group-mode frequencies are??

 

[Smalesy]

Isn't the point that once an individual knows their UKGS'er channel for their personal setup, they'd just ride normally on this channel. EG all I need to know is that I need to be on 4 -20,,,,

 

[Greg Masters]

Firstly, without a QT/DQT code, you may find youself talking with more taxis, security guards and Chinese restaurants that you would like.

Fixed it myself!

Greg

 

[Greg Masters]

.... and I've found a CTCSS vs frequency preset 20 which is 131.8Hz, is the 131.8Hz bit the same as the 132DQT code you talk about or is it something completely different????

131.8Hz is one of 52 standard (Telecommuniscations Industry Association) analogue CTCSS/QT settings (actually No 22). You could use this value, but I prefer to use a digital setting.

Greg

 

[Smalesy]

ii'm sorry Greg, I don't understand the digital thing. Is 131.8Hz not the same as 132?

In short - if I've tuned 446.04375 MHz and 131.8 Hz , would I be able to speak with you on 446.04375 MHz with DQT code 132N??

Steve

 

[Gas'd Off]

Now we`ve done with the techno talk, what is the consensus on what frequency to use? Can someone post it and we can work it out from there.

 

[sn1p3r]

Excellent idea Smalesy!

Would it be an idea for some radio boffin to make a list of which radios use which simple codes and post it up as a sticky?

That way all us non radio boffs can just set our radio's to whatever the right codes are and use it? I know it sounds lazy but I simplicity will be the thing that drives uptake.

 

[Greg Masters]

ii'm sorry Greg, I don't understand the digital thing. Is 131.8Hz not the same as 132?

In short - if I've tuned 446.04375 MHz and 131.8 Hz , would I be able to speak with you on 446.04375 MHz with DQT code 132N??

Steve

Erm, no.

Have you closely read the manual? I'd be surprised if a modern 446 radio did not offer digital codes.

Greg

 

[MikeP]

I haven't got a radio.

Just so you know not to ask on your radio who I am when you see me, I will have an illuminated banner attached to my bike saying, "I have no radio, save your breath!"

 

[Smalesy]

I'm just plain confused now Greg,

The manual shows preset 4 as being 446.04375 MHz and a CTCSS code available preset 20 as being 131.8 Hz - the closest number to the 132 you mentioned.

Being a technophobe I really need help - seems like a well received idea but I just need someone who knows the score to tell us what to set our radios on.

Steve

 

[Greg Masters]

I'm just plain confused now Greg,

The manual shows preset 4 as being 446.04375 MHz and a CTCSS code available preset 20 as being 131.8 Hz - the closest number to the 132 you mentioned.

Steve

Steve

It's easy really.

There are 8 standard PMR frequencies. These are:

• 446.00625 MHz
• 446.01875 MHz
• 446.03125 MHz
• 446.04375 MHz
• 446.05625 MHz
• 446.06875 MHz
• 446.08125 MHz
• 446.09375 MHz

These frequencies may or may not correspond with your presets, or you might be able to alter the presets. Generally speaking, unless you have something like a Kenwood xx07, you have only have these frequencies to choose from.

The chosen frequency can be supplemented by an analogue tone or a digital code (not both). If a tone or code is used by the transmitting radio, the receiving radio must be set to the same code or else the message will not get through.

There are 51 different standard analogue tones ranging from 67.0 Hz to 270.4 Hz (plus no tone at all being the 52nd option).

And there are 83 different digital codes with values from 023 to 754. These are not interchangable with the analogue tones.

Not all PMR radios will offer all the tones and codes.

So to set your radio you must:

• choose one of the eight frequencies
• then chose either an analogue tone value OR a digital code OR neither.

Away you go!

Greg