Tone Scanning: How To Find Repeater Tones & How To Scan For Security Tones & Codes For Ham or GMRS

In this video I explain how to find repeater tones or repeater codes (CTCSS or DCS) for both ham repeaters and GMRS repeaters. I also show you how to scan the airwaves to find "security codes" or "sub channels" (PL tones) if someone is using them nearby on GMRS or FRS walkie-talkie radios. As usual, I explain it all, step-by-step, in a very easy to understand way.
To do tone-scanning your GMRS radio or ham radio must do tone scanning - both the Wouxun KG-UV9G Pro and the KG0935G radios that I use in the video are able to scan both GMRS and ham channels and frequencies
--- You can get the Wouxun KG-935G GMRS radio here:
www.buytwowayradios.com/wouxu...
----You can get the Wouxun KG-UV9G Pro GMRS radio here:
bettersaferadio.com/wouxun-kg...
►Want to help support my channel?
---- JOIN and become a member for as low as $1.99/mo (cancel any time) - Click here for more info:
/ @thenotarubicon
►► Ask me anything! ► www.notarubicon.com/ask-randy/
--- Step-by-step guide to purchasing your GMRS license:
www.notarubicon.com/how-to-ge...
---- How to listen to/talk on my repeater from anywhere in the world using the Zello App: www.notarubicon.com/zello-gmr...
-------- Why did I delete your comment? Read this to find out why: www.notarubicon.com/what-does...
--- My equipment:
Camera: amzn.to/3vP0zk0
Lens: amzn.to/34MuP2W
Microphone: amzn.to/2XkvVm8
Mic boom-arm: amzn.to/2S6OuYO
NOTICE - The above links (and most other links on my channel) are affiliate links - if you use one of my affiliate links to make a purchase I may receive credit/payment/money/something of value in return.
Music by Stern Beats - You can find him here:
/ @sternbeatsmusic
#GMRS #HamRadio #CTCSS

[@wrxs1781]

Get to the point, you have the same tiresome intro, that ends in stupid.

[@TheNotaRubicon]

And yet, you keep coming back, AND you took the time to leave a comment.. Yah, there is some stupid here somewhere...

[@JohnnyG193]

For someone who doesn't like the channel, you sure come around and comment a lot. Are you just a sad ham by chance...? The rest of us hams love this channel.

[@scottsolinski8225]

Delta Hotel

[@ronv6360]

Sadd hamm biden/trump voter..

[@craigdavidson5463]

@@TheNotaRubicon I just went over and checked his youtube channel. He has TWO favorite viewers and you only have one. (of course you have 85,000 regulary ordinary viewers and he still has only two) Yet he is giving you nasty advice.... Now that's funny

[@tracyepeterson7817]

I love how you don’t waste my time as “your favorite viewer” and how you don’t feel the need to “beg me” to subscribe to this channel. Your intro is part of why I am subscribed to this channel. 👍

[@FosterFarmsOk]

words cannot express how much he doesnt care, but that stare does.

[@JohnnyG193]

We love this guy. Please stay exactly the way you are and never change.

[@donnaphen503]

I totally agree! Love the way this guy presents himself. The P.C. crowd must hate him. I wish he was POTUS. Let's Go Brandon LOL

[@duff8402]

You can scan tones with a UV-5R too. Took me a bit to figure it out, but you have to be in VFO mode, go to the CTCSS or DCS menu option, wait for a transmission to begin, then press the scan button. Can't remember if you have to short press or long press the scan, but either way. Works pretty well. It won't save the tones automatically, just stops on the right tone, and you do the rest.

[@squallywally]

I would like to see the UV-5R tone scan demonstration

[@JohnnyG193]

@@squallywally We tested the UV5R's tone scan feature back in the day. It wasn't anything impressive- they were slow and inaccurate. I'd be curious if anyone else tested them with different results. These units Randy tested definitely look solid and reliable. I know the Ham versions work nicely.

[@guilhermebrune]

Thanks man, it is slow but it does works. Only detail is that it doesn't work if the subtone option is in OFF mode. If it is you have to set any random tone then press MENU to confirm, press MENU again to re-enter the option and then press SCAN to start scanning.

[@itsFritz]

I didn't understand half of what you said, and the other half went over my head! On the brite side, I never had children!

[@bettersaferadio]

Hot Tip: On the KG-UV9G PRO, instead of manually using the VFO to enter the repeater input frequency in order to scan for the input tone, you can use the REVERSE function, which automatically flips the input and output frequencies of a programmed repeater channel temporarily, allowing you to listen to the input and transmit to the output, or in this case, scan for a tone on the input. This is done with a short-press on the *-SCAN key and will be indicated by a "R" next to the + offset indicator on the display. It's a great way to quickly flip to the input to see if you are in range of someone that's jamming, I mean talking, on a given repeater. ;)

[@the_mad_swimbaiter455]

Can this be done on the Mate as well?

[@just-another-guy]

You are fast becomming one of my favourite channels. It's the dryness of your humor that does it for me.

[@Tenacious-Tiger]

Although.... I "appreciate" you quickly getting to the point of your endless knowledge......( ?) I miss "the thought of the day, intro. (?) (as I do not have many thoughts of my own) 😆 (?) Note: I hope I'm still your favorite viewer, as I have included (?) marks to indicate questions rather than statements.🤞. (?)

[@michaelmorris8438]

You flat brighten my day and as a bonus I learn something every time I watch.

[@jakeylng]

*you* are my favorite radio education resource. The humor, apathy, knowledge sarcasm balance is perfect at 1.5x speed.

[@donnaphen503]

Love the way you present things .. honest and not afraid to offend the P.C. crowd. Fantastic all the way. Best wishes from Don, wb1o Greater Boston area.

[@dennishrusecky7549]

Excellent presentation as always. I just ordered a Baofeng 9g your video will be very helpful. Thank you very much

[@senrabnad]

San Bernardino here. I've talked to you before on the Boefang. That's how I found your channel. Great stuff man.

[@Aimsport-video]

Great video, again! A radio that supports creating a scan group(s) of toneless repeater output and input channels is very handy for this. Especially in case of emergency out of cell range where finding anybody that can hear you is critical. Hopefully this will be covered in a future video. PS: Oh how I wish one could request a scan before comms begin.

[@benwille6680]

Clear and concise. Thanks Randy

[@davidbachman2105]

Your knowledge is my power thanks for the info. Love the shirt

[@fm71450]

As always, sir, thank you! It will be necessary to re-view this video - when I gradjeeate to the “next level”

[@jeremychrist]

You did not waste my time. Very efficient, including no eye blinks!

[@andrewyoung-n8ary]

You’re becoming quite the expert. Nice job on this tutorial.

[@adrianflores776]

You are my sen.sei for the GMRS world. Enlighten us teacher.

[@edgardoramos6061]

Love your videos, informative and entertaining as well. You should teach high school students.

[@we7438]

Outstanding. Also love the Sig matt. I hope this channel is helping with your additions to your collection...

[@edwardsipes4031]

I like it when you get straight to the point

[@donaldoc]

Great and educational video, once again! 👌

[@mgoben6499]

Good stuff, Randy. Appreciate the work, the intel and the humor. New to the GMRS game and would like to learn more about what I'm actually listening to/receiving when the scan on the KG1000G. Installed in my truck and scan as I drive around to see what's "out there", Realize RFTM is the default response (Read The Fing Manual) but would be interested in the real world use and experience "driving around town and picking shit up". Thanks!

[@wendiig0]

Succinct and slathered with the viscous gravy of knowledge as always. Thank you, Mr. NotARubicon!

[@TheNotaRubicon]

At least someone enjoys my viscous gravy!

[@jrforsythe]

This was very helpful, thank you very much.

[@dougt.5438]

@NotaRubicon Productions, Thank you for your inspirational and mildly stimulating videos (affiliate link below). I'm leaving a comment for no apparent reason because leaving something specific would only set me up for a naysayer to debunk whatever I mention, and that might crush my little spirit. But then I remember my mom's great wisdom, "When someone makes fun of you, it's just because they're jealous". Also, I find it interesting that "Wouxun" and "Wouxun" are spelled the same way. Keep up the good work on the no-nonsense easy-to-follow videos.

[@notwrkn2mch]

Long time Listener and and that background music is perfect

[@cmerton]

Thank you very much for this information!

[@positivelyportugal]

Awesome explanation, thanks

[@jonaubuchon1040]

I enjoyed your presentation. I have been out of ham radio for 30 + years. Trying to get back into it, got license, and trying to get a station going at home. My tract has CCR’s. So struggling with a HF antenna.

[@1AXMRDR]

I like the shirt, and the content is always great too.

[@DanielHallmark]

Love the beautiful Holiday blinky light display in the background, but some of your viewers (not me since I'm your favorite) might be tempted to squirrel!

[@the_mad_swimbaiter455]

I don't always watch your videos, but when I do, I can't stop laughing and learning.

[@edp8218]

Hey, that was pretty cool barely getting into it now I gotta buy another radio because that makes sense traveling you can hook up to a variety of repeaters

[@hellomynameis2767]

I subscribed without him asking me to. Magic.

[@firstreactor8983]

Excellent job as usual. The only thing I don't understand is why there are so many comments if I'm your favorite viewer?

[@chad4853]

Get Connected-Fars with this video. Good s-plained. :) Thanks :)

[@jimkoroush231]

Best concise radio I've ever seen very detailed very refreshing

[@gveduccio]

Dude that worked like a champ between my Retevis RB26 five pack and the Radioddity GM-30...I could transmit Retevis -> Radioddity but couldn't answer back

[@spy8464BB]

Thanks!

[@cyber_farce]

keep it real bro

[@davidaix5771]

Thanks so much this helps me out with the These stuck up ham guys Is that have a local private GMRS repeater on a house somewhere😉 and want a membership for tone codes and from what it looks like are Is super douche to members on their forms If they don't like you for whatever reason

[@Kelvin-qx8pt]

Best!

[@Redmeredith]

I only just now checked my Btech 50x1 manual, it can do that too. Thanks

[@radiohobbyist13]

I seem to recall that those fancy digital scanners can instantly read the CTCSS and DCS codes, no scanning required. Wouxon needs to do that with the follow-up to the 935G.

[@timtaylor8557]

I was just thinking the same thing. Why does it need to 'scan'? If the tone is broadcast with the audio, shouldn't a radio just be able to 'detect' it..... Perhaps china hasn't stolen that idea yet. ;-)

[@SanDiegoHomeLoans4U]

Your videos are super helpful thank you! I bought a baofang uv 8 hp and have no idea how to use it or program it. Can you give me any advice on how to find someone to help me program it and teach me how to use it? I need it for a trip in a few weeks and am watching your videos, but am still a little confused. BTW, your videos are super helpful and are entertaining. Thank you!

[@jimphillips2301]

This is great as I am new to this and it’s confusing. So the initial scan I performed on my KG-935g is the Rx tone? After you direct input the Tx frequency, do you have to change it back to Rx frequency?

[@t.j.speakman7723]

As your favorite viewer I thought we should get together to discuss this. Should I get the same beer as last time or do you want that crap with a lime?

[@mre9593]

Randy, What radios that you have reviewed have the ctcs/dcs scanning ability? thanks.

[@richardwallace2590]

You have thumbs!

[@rabbi6225]

Great thumbnail.

[@thomasdwyer1654]

When setting up a channel for repeater use do you only enter the tx in the repeater bank or how does that work.

[@beftmip9085]

Hi and thanks for your video, how do I find a repeater frequency which does not show on radio reference?

[@TSGEnt]

How do I set this up in CHIRP? I'm using a UV-5R (jailbroken) For GMRS is it simply "Tone" and put in the frequency once I find it? I'm so confused. Not your fault. Im easily confused. I sometimes forget my name. I'm working on it. Sometimes I will hit send prmatur

[@rabbi6225]

Grats on the P365. Did you get an XL? I retired mine for a G43x.

[@Zerstore85]

Can you do a tutorial on how to scan with the btech gmrs pro ip67

[@nickmacq]

Love the videos. I’m just learning about GMRS, struggled with .gov to pay my radio privilege tax, WRPR798. Purchased a Wouxun935G, but really struggling to use it. When in channel scan mode I see many strong signals on the blue receiver strength bar. However when manually going through the channels I do not get any signals on any channels. I know that it’s probably something that I do not understand and not possibly a broken radio. Any help or suggestion or reference material would be welcomed. I already know how dumb I am, so no need to tell me. TY

[@rayvelez3736]

uv9rplus don't have (tone scan) that I can see, is there any other way on this unit? Tks

[@irvinyoung9947]

Cool

[@robertewbank1440]

No Chris on this episode.... I still come for the sad ham comments...

[@bstarkey54]

Looked through the manual and from the first page regarding the acronyms, which I don't know cuz I'm a newby, started to fry my itty bitty brain. Is there a source to get a definition of what all the acronyms mean. I've started putting together my own "dictionary" of terms but any suggestions would be helpful. I have the Baofeng GT-5R and just ordered a Wousun from your...pause for dramatic effect, affiliate link, that indeed was below. Thanks for the great and irreverent videos. Matches my personality.

[@MrSabram07]

You have to be in the proper frequency first, so you're going to have to know the frequency and then scan for the tones. Am I correct in assuming that?

[@Jeffersonian1975]

I understand how to scan for repeater tones on my btech 50v2. Where its gets confuckulated is when it asks me to select a "sub frequency" to search on. Which makes no sense since im looking for the tone on that peticular repeater channel. Answers would be appreciated, thanks.

[@joeyTheman1891]

I love when you call people dick heads!!!! I come back to watch more videos just to hear you talk shit. I love it. hahahahah keep up the good work!

[@MarcChavez915]

fourth!!!! its the new first!

[@chrissewell1608]

What do you do, if you clearly hear a repeater's audio, and it only requires a TONE, on the TX side, to open it up? But you are not close enough to anyone, transmitting to get their tone?

[@MikieLAX]

Take your tone-scanning HT (I bought the Pofung P15UV for $30 [a clone of the Radioddity GM-30] just to have this feature on an inexpensive portable HT) on a drive up as close to the repeater as you can get and you should be able to hear on the INPUT frequency, just about anyone whose signal is triggering the ability to gain access to that repeater! I recently did this for those Ham and GMRS repeaters located up on Chatsworth Peak and discovered two things: 1) My Chevy Bolt EV is NOT a jeep :) and 2) I subsequently watched the documentary In the Dark of the Valley and discovered how much radiation the Santa Susana Field Laboratory just below Chatsworth Peak has been giving off for years! Now that's one tone that Randy never mentioned!?! I did however find some interesting Ham and GMRS repeaters that now extend my home transmitting range into Western Ventura County.

[@jermsmit]

New guy here - seems that the radios I picked up on firmware (BFB298, HNR5RV0) no longer work for this scanning. Does anyone know of a workaround, if any?

[@josephcampbell1693]

DCS Codes what is the difference of Natural and Inverted BCS codes?

[@bradfordsimpkins1014]

Question: I have found a repeater on my 935 that only sporadically give off a Morse Code callsign - but nobody (as of yet) appears to be using it... Will this video's scanning method still work?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Yes. But you can only scan for the code while the repeater is transmitting, as mentioned in the video.

[@bradfordsimpkins1014]

@@TheNotaRubicon Thanks got it to work!

[@josephcampbell1693]

In DCS what is the difference of a natural and inverted code.

[@EmperorMingg]

Just noticed Kenneth Parcell in the background there

[@TheRealRenn]

Curious if one must use privacy tones when setting up a repeater? I have the little RT97s and it is just for our ranch and does not get much activity except for our own use.

[@TheNotaRubicon]

You dont have to use a tone, but using a tone will prevent the repeater from transmitting every time it hears anything on the input frequency. Its a good idea, but not a requirement in any way.

[@ferrisvlogs]

When are you going to open up the Delta repeater? It sounds awesome down here in the OC in Seal Beach.

[@TheNotaRubicon]

You can now request access via MyGMRS.com

[@full_metal2452]

Does “Channel Wizard” on kg-935g + now make it easier to configure the tones directly on radio as opposed to on pc software?

[@randykitchleburger2780]

I have the 935G, inputting DC is way easier than CT because you can easily type it in. Is it like that on the + too?

[@spy8464BB]

Hi. If you can hear the transmission coming off of the repeater then wouldn't that mean that there is no code necessary for receiving. If I'm wrong then how would you know to listen for the repeater If you couldn't receive an audible transmission? Here is the only possible answer I can think of. I'm going to try to answer my own question. You may not rear the transmission but you would see the blue transmission bar flashing on the 935G when talking is going on. Did I just answer my own question?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

No.. A recieve code is never "necessary" for receiving.. The receive code only blocks out all other traffic.. you will always hear the repeater, or other person talking with a "privacy code", no code needed on your radio.

[@budgetbasscovers]

Is that thumbnail from the movie Scanners? Excellent reference, lousy movie haha

[@Jeff97405]

What about doing this on the BOFANGS that youve been using for years??? thanks

[@TheNotaRubicon]

The UV-5R does not do tone-scanning.

[@squallywally]

Have you given up sipping coffee?

[@scottmorgan4169]

I think I have a stupid question... If you and a friend are on a Repeater Channel talking through the Repeater and it has Split Tones, and you leave the range of the Repeater, you two will not be able to talk on that channel anymore because his RX tone is not compatible with your TX tone and visaversa right? Unless you both remove your RX tone. And it's ok to talk on Repeater channels even when your not using a Repeater right?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

It has nothing to do with the tones. If you are talking to someone through a repeater, even if you are right next to each other, when you are no longer in range you will no longer be able to talk to each other via that repeater channel... SOME radios have what is called a "Talk Around" feature that will let you talk directly to each other, if you are within range by bypassing the repeater and talking direct radio to radio. Otherwise, when you are no longer within range of the repeater you will have to switch to a different repeater, or change to a regular channel to talk directly to each other. Agin, none of this has anything to do with the tones or type of tones the repeater uses.

[@andyprescott2750]

Just wondering if there is a website that gmrs users can visit to share repeater information in areas across the USA

[@TheNotaRubicon]

MyGMRS. com

[@andyprescott2750]

@@TheNotaRubicon Thank you.

[@Jeff97405]

Thanks again for your time....I am on a safety crew on a local dirt track. The track uses the following radio channel to talk within the crew,tower,staging....Freq # 456.175....The radio the track has is a Motorola CP200d. The picture I took of the serial number did not turn out. Will get one next Saturday. For the life of 2 of us that have BAOFENG RV5R...we can not transmitt on the above FREG...it would be great if you could give us a few minutes of your time. The motorolas cost the owner $500....thanks

[@TheNotaRubicon]

If you have a UV-5R that is "locked", it wont be able to transmit on many frequencies. SOME locked UV-5R radios can be very easily Unlocked.. i'm sure you can find a video on youtube about that.

[@Jeff97405]

@@TheNotaRubicon I have watched your videos, and unlocked the radios. Been told some Baofengs are old enough that they dont need to be unlocked...thanks for quick answer.....so no they still wont transmitt on the above freq...

[@TheNotaRubicon]

i just tried 3 of my UV-5R radios - 2 older ones that dont need to be unlocked and one newer one that I had to unlock. All 3 transmit just fine on that frequency. If yours are brand new, then it may be that they are UNlockable.. If they are older (pre 2021) then I dont know whats going on.

[@Jeff97405]

@@TheNotaRubicon last note....my newest is a UV-S9PLUS....thanks...still wont transmitt.....is there away to find the offset for the MOTOROLAS?

[@Jeff97405]

@@TheNotaRubicon did you try talking on the frequency with another BOAFENG? Cause yes we can talk to each other with Boafeng. The problem is talking to the track radio that has the Motorola CP200d.....thanks....

[@JP-tl8rr]

Hahahaha, Great T-Shirt…

[@MissingLinkMTB]

I'm sure if you had a fancy intro it would look something like the llama intro to Monty Python and the Holy Grail

[@jameshisself9324]

I think your thumbnail is that guy in the movie Scanners right before his head explodes. Amiright?

[@raerae1317]

I HAVE THE TIDRADIO H5 AND STILL HAVENT HIT A REPEATER. I WENT ON TO THE WEBSITE AND PUT THE TONES IN BUT STILL NO DICE

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Then there are only a few possibilities: 1) you did it wrong 2) the repeater is out of range of your walkie-talkie 3) the tones on the website are wrong 4) the repeater is down

[@christophersmith1155]

how to do this on a Baofeng somebody ?

[@dmwil1]

Will the KG-1000G do this?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

What does the manual say?

[@dmwil1]

@@TheNotaRubicon I don't know.

[@Goodie247]

@@dmwil1 You have to buy the KG1000G to see what’s in the manual. - Nancy Pelosi (probably)

[@timtaylor8557]

@@dmwil1 🤣

[@timj9350]

First

[@gone2dmtns]

Now, if I could only find a repeater to scan. I live in GMRS no man's land 😒

[@TheNotaRubicon]

There is only one solution - be a pillar of the community and put up the first repeater!

[@stevewarner8880]

Or take the test and become a sad ham!

[@N2YTA]

@@stevewarner8880 Oh no! Not that!

[@David-mj6zw]

No body can pick up our local marshals as we have listened to the fo for years and the freqs are the same at a loss it's kept us all safe at times knowing what's going on maybe it right there but can't figure it out

[@TheNotaRubicon]

They are probably using a digital/trunked and/or encrypted radio system. This makes it difficult if not impossible for anyone to listen in.

[@timtaylor8557]

So I was listening to this government frequency and followed your instructions. It worked but I didn't use it to transmit. The next morning two men in black suits with intimidating credentials showed up at my house and confiscated my radio. I didn’t realize how dangerous youtube can be. Lesson learned!

[@stevenemert837]

So... it sounds like it all boils down to RTFM.

[@rustyhaddock7954]

He said it 3 times! I was really expecting it at the very end too. 😆😆

[@a.k.3659]

@@rustyhaddock7954 affiliate link below

[@chrissewell1608]

How ever you do it, its a pain in the butt!

[@METALfanUSMC]

Nope, nope, nope! PL is a proprietary Motorola term! 🤣🤣🤣

[@MikieLAX]

It is a common Myth that Motorola has a trademark on the term "PL" -- Motorola has a trademark on the term "Private Line" When I use the term PL, I mean it as an abbreviation of the term: Please Listen!... which I am considering trademarking myself! 🤣🤣🤣

[@concernedpatriot9314]

😆😆😆😆😆 BLINK 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@bendeleted9155]

But wait! You didn't waste enough of my time this time. 😐

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Great Informative Video Randy Helps a ton on my KG-935G Plus and My KG-1000G Plus 9:50 @NotaRubicon Productions