Here’s a download of this post in PDF if you would like to print it.

Background Info.

Notice I have privacy codes in quotes. I want you to understand that these codes or tones will not make your conversations private! Anyone who is not using a code can still hear you! You just can not hear them.

This lack of privacy that only allows you to hear others with the same tone is why it is very important to monitor the channel before using it. Others may already be using the channel and you can’t hear them. You can do this by watching the signal strength bar graph on the screen. Any traffic can be seen here.

You can also use the radio’s monitor function to temporarily bypass the privacy code and listen for traffic on the channel. Press and hold the scan button, far right button with the speaker symbol on it. This will also bypass the squelch, so it can also be used to set the volume. When finished, just hold the button in again for about 3 seconds. Just tapping this button starts the scan function.

Besides “privacy”, tones are also used to open repeaters. A repeater will not repeat everything it hears, only transmissions that have the proper tone. And because this radio sets the same tone for transmit and receive, the repeater will only be heard if it is set to transmit the same tone. Some repeaters don’t use a transmit tone or they use two tones. This radio will not be compatible with those repeaters. NOTE: newer versions of this radio should now have dual tones, one to transmit and one for receive. These radios will work on dual tone repeaters. Check your manual!

This is why I find that changing codes is important enough to write this and make a quick guide to keep at the radio. Codes need changed when travelling and even between repeaters in a general area that may use the same channel. I just don’t do it enough to always remember it. So I’ll make a guide and charts to make it easy to do on the run.

Many times you will hear these codes called sub-audible tones.  They are not sub-audible.  Do an internet search for “tone generator,” and then set one to play a 141.3 hz tone. This is the “traveler’s tone.” Radio equipment is designed to remove these tones from the audio. If you ever hear something like this in the background of a transmission, there could be a problem somewhere.

Types of Codes

This radio uses CTCSS and DCS tones. CTCSS stands for continuous tone coded squelch system. DCS stands for digitally coded squelch. They both basically do the same thing, just by a different method. The CTCSS is represented on the screen by a sideways S, and the DCS is a square wave symbol. These are shown just to the right of the channel number. CTCSS is probably the most used of the two, and repeater listings will show what tone they use.

After selecting CTCSS or DCS you will have to select the actual code. There are 38 CTCSS codes and 104 DCS codes. There is a chart in the manual that shows what code number corresponds with which tone in hz. I will make a chart to go with my quick guide. I will only have a chart for the CTCSS tones, as they are the most commonly used.

CTCSS privacy code number 22 is the 141.3 hz tone we refer to as the “Traveler’s Tone.” It is sometimes used on open repeaters, for operators  just travelling through the area. To use the repeater regularly, please contact the owner for information. GMRS is not like ham radio with truly open repeaters. Permission is usually needed to use a GMRS repeater on a regular basis. Sometimes there will be a different tone for regular local use.

We will use the 141.3 traveler’s tone in my walk-through to set a tone.

After selecting the code, you must press the enter button (monitor/scan) or the code will not be saved.

Menu/Button Info.

To set the Privacy Codes, you have to enter the menu. This is the button on the left with the four squares.

Scrolling is done with the arrow buttons on top of the mic.

The enter button is the monitor/scan button on the right side.

Setting the 141.3 Traveller’s Tone

Newer versions of this radio should have the option for different tones for transmit and receive. Check your manual.

First pick a channel.

Make sure you’re on a repeater channel if you want to set this for a repeater. The little rp must be to the bottom right of the channel number. If it’s not there, you’re on a non-repeater channel.

>Up/down to select the channel you want to have this code.

Then to set the Privacy Code.

>Menu

>Up/down to find Pt to enter the Privacy Tone menu (the t part of pt looks like an E with the top line missing)

>Enter

Now you must select the code type, either CTCSS or DCS.

>Up/down to select CTCSS (sideways s)

>Enter

Now you have to select the tone.

>Up/down to find 22 which is the 141.3 hz tone.

>Enter

That’s it. The code is set to the channel you selected.

P.S. I will be posting a pdf version of this guide, as well as, a pdf file with a quick guide and CTCSS chart. The quick guide and chart should be small enough to print and laminate to keep near the radio. I think my biggest problem with programming this radio is the menu. All selections are on a two digit seven segment display and I have a hard time figuring out the letters for each menu item. Like the pt, the t looks like an E with the top line missing and that throws me off.

I hope this helps. Please leave comments about how to make the guide better or correct any mistakes I may have made.