3
$\begingroup$

I have no problem triggering GB3LW, and after I release PTT I get the strong burst from the repeater confirming that it "heard me".

But if I use two radios, the receive-only one will only hear that burst, with default settings, not me talking. If I hold down "monitor" on it, or set the SQL down to lowest setting, then I hear myself loud and clear.

I have also made contact over this repeater, so it should not be a matter of me having misconfigured both radios.

The baofeng UV-5RE lights up green if receiving, and activates the speaker if the tone is present. My talking doesn't light it up on the other radio (because SQL / signal strength), but the post-talking burst does.

It should therefore not be "trigger audio frequency not received, so not activating speaker".

So my question is: Why is "my talking" not being repeated as strongly enough to activate radio, but the post-talking burst is?

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
5
  • $\begingroup$ Check CTCSS settings for your radio. I suspect that they might be misconfigured. If you can, disable any receive CTCSS tones on the radio. $\endgroup$
    – AndrejaKo
    Commented May 5, 2017 at 13:47
  • $\begingroup$ @AndrejaKo like I said: 1) It works when I reduce SQL 2) I have made contacts with this repeater, so I can receive and send. 3) The radio lights up if receving even if the CTCSS doesn't match. $\endgroup$
    – Thomas
    Commented May 5, 2017 at 14:40
  • $\begingroup$ Unfortunately, I don't have a Baofeng, but usually, when you reduce the squelch to the lowest setting, the squelch is actually disabled. Also, some radios (perhaps your too) will allow you to have a different CTCSS for transmission and reception. In such case, if the receive CTCSS is wrong, then repeater will hear you fine, but you won't be able to hear the repeater. Also, many radios will light up, even if CTCSS doesn't match, but will not output the radio. That's why I thought that perhaps your receive CTCSS could be wrong. $\endgroup$
    – AndrejaKo
    Commented May 5, 2017 at 16:34
  • $\begingroup$ For example, on my KG-UV8D, everything you describe will happen if the TX CTCSS is correct, but the RX CTCSS is wrong. $\endgroup$
    – AndrejaKo
    Commented May 5, 2017 at 16:34
  • $\begingroup$ Well, I didn't set it to the lowest setting, since if I did it would "receive" and give me static the whole time. If the RX CTCSS is wrong with KG-UV8D, then you still get the post-send burst? Huh. Well, like I also said I have made contacts over the repeater, so the RX CTCSS is at least not completely wrong. $\endgroup$
    – Thomas
    Commented May 5, 2017 at 16:47

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
5
$\begingroup$

You are probably experiencing what is called "desense". The strong signal of your transmitting radio is getting into the receiver on the receiving radio and blocking its ability to receive the repeater even though they are on different frequencies. As soon as you stop transmitting, the desense is gone so your receive radio can now hear the squelch tail of the repeater.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
3
  • $\begingroup$ Thanks. I'll try having a friend listen from a distance to see if the problem goes away. $\endgroup$
    – Thomas
    Commented May 5, 2017 at 14:39
  • $\begingroup$ That was it. Simply moving away fixed it. Thank you for your correct and elaborate answer! $\endgroup$
    – Thomas
    Commented May 7, 2017 at 19:47
  • $\begingroup$ Glad you got it solved. Now you know why repeater hardware is so expensive... $\endgroup$
    – Glenn W9IQ
    Commented May 30, 2017 at 7:18

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .