Exactly, just like T and TSQ. One is encode only the other is encode/decode for CTCSS. The GME doesn't seem to be able to do the encode only as it was designed and sold to do.
GME making a move
- Thread starter Datsun Man
- Start date
DaveInDenver
Middle Income Semi-Redneck
CTCSS is continuous tone-coded squelch system and DCS is digital code squelch. They can be single transmit or receive or both on TX and RX. The difference is CTCSS is analog (and is the same thing as PL Tone, which is Privacy Line, a Motorola trademark) and DCS is digital codes instead of a sub-audible tone.
Split tone just means you have a different tone or signal on TX than RX. That's not unusual on repeaters because a listener can scan for the tone being used on the output that you hear and if you use the same tone on input they can maybe sneak in unauthorized. By using a different tone on input you can prevent this. To get into the repeater someone would have to try all possible CTCSS/PL/DCS. Tedious at least.
Having a tone on the output of a repeater is only for courtesy, you will always hear the output tone or not. If you use a tone to open your squelch on RX it's usually because you have interference so it's double step to prevent static. You only really need to be able to add a tone or DCS to your TX signal if the repeater is set to require it.
Split tone just means you have a different tone or signal on TX than RX. That's not unusual on repeaters because a listener can scan for the tone being used on the output that you hear and if you use the same tone on input they can maybe sneak in unauthorized. By using a different tone on input you can prevent this. To get into the repeater someone would have to try all possible CTCSS/PL/DCS. Tedious at least.
Having a tone on the output of a repeater is only for courtesy, you will always hear the output tone or not. If you use a tone to open your squelch on RX it's usually because you have interference so it's double step to prevent static. You only really need to be able to add a tone or DCS to your TX signal if the repeater is set to require it.
Yep, pretty simple. Problem that I came across was I set the global to 156.7 TX only for the local repeaters. Went to the next county over and went to use one that is CSQ only (dumb actually but that's a different story) and tried it. Saw the speaker light up on the radio but no audio when the RX side was set to off. Turned off the TX tone and only then could the repeater be heard. The hard part is getting GME to understand it doesn't work correctly. They are probably great engineers, just not end users that understand how radio works.
Datsun Man2
Member
More or less yes. With my experience with the MXT275(15 Watt) and the MXT575(50 Watt), the range was there, but the sound quality wasn't. With my GME I won't argue that the Range isn't as much especially with the 2.1Dbi Antenna, but the Sound Quality is Fantastic! I also like the Volume Control on the GME over Midland. On Midland you have 1-9 and I had trouble hearing at 9 most of the time. For GME you have 1-31 and I can respectively have it set around 14 and hear just fine.
Thanks! I plan on using their ~6db antenna, so that will help the "power" factor some with a ~4x boost in radiated power. Since I'm only reaching out to my handsets, that should be a good overall solution.
And thanks for clarifying the sound quality and volume improvements over your previous Midland radios.
Datsun Man2
Member
Regardless if you have the Medium Duty or Heavy Duty Antenna, I would recommend having both the 2.1 Dbi and 6.6 Dbi Antenna. You will find both to have their place and it's easy to change on the road