I'm totally new to amateur radio, so this may seem like a stupid
question. Does the typical 2 meter or UHF repeater repeat DTMF
tones?

ICOM radios have an optional DTMF Decoder to control squelch, and I
was wondering if I could set the frequency to a local repeater and
only hear messages when the correct DTMF signal is sent. That way I
could use repeaters and still have the privacy like subtones, instead
of listening to everything that comes accross the repeater.


But, this cool functionality won't work if repeaters don't repeat
DTMF
sent to them.


Thanks in advance for you help.

wrote:
I'm totally new to amateur radio, so this may seem like a stupid
question. Does the typical 2 meter or UHF repeater repeat DTMF
tones?

ICOM radios have an optional DTMF Decoder to control squelch, and I
was wondering if I could set the frequency to a local repeater and
only hear messages when the correct DTMF signal is sent. That way I
could use repeaters and still have the privacy like subtones, instead
of listening to everything that comes accross the repeater.


But, this cool functionality won't work if repeaters don't repeat
DTMF
sent to them.


Thanks in advance for you help.


It depends on the repeater controller, most will repeat the DTMF tones,
some will regenerate the tones (improving the s/n ratio) and some will
strip the tones out. Still others will repeat the tones if you know the
correct digit(s) to add as a preamble.

--
Joe Leikhim K4SAT
"The RFI-EMI-GUY"©

"Treason doth never prosper: what's the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it treason."

"Follow The Money" ;-P

Most mute the transmitter audio when the first tone in the string is
detected. This prevents the tone from being repeated and disturbing all the
other users and for security. Some have a command option to allow tones to
pass. You really need to be asking the system owner about this. It is
normally not allowed except to those who know well the system capabilities
and the issues to look out for.

You aren't the first to find that the repeater that works the best, often
talks and talks and talks....

wrote in message
...
I'm totally new to amateur radio, so this may seem like a stupid
question. Does the typical 2 meter or UHF repeater repeat DTMF
tones?

ICOM radios have an optional DTMF Decoder to control squelch, and I
was wondering if I could set the frequency to a local repeater and
only hear messages when the correct DTMF signal is sent. That way I
could use repeaters and still have the privacy like subtones, instead
of listening to everything that comes accross the repeater.


But, this cool functionality won't work if repeaters don't repeat
DTMF
sent to them.


Thanks in advance for you help.

As an aside, the selective calling "features" are usually worthless for ham
radio. They are there as sales gimmicks, and because these radios are sold
in some countries for commercial radios. I have an idea that the engineers
may not have as much operating experience. They often come up with neat
ideas with glaring problems in actual operation. Ham radio is usually a
poor substitute for other services. I.E. If you didn't get the call, was it
because you weren't listening or because you were out of range of the
extremely expensive wide area network? If you need selective calling, get a
cell phone. If you need fleet dispatch, get radios that last all day on a
charge and don't need to be within 6" of your ear to hear. If you like to
mess around with radios and try different things, You ARE a ham. Have fun.

Thanks for asking the question. We need more like you. We should all seek
to learn from the mistakes and triumphs of those who went before.

What were you trying to do?

http://techinfo.awardspace.com



wrote in message
...
I'm totally new to amateur radio, so this may seem like a stupid
question. Does the typical 2 meter or UHF repeater repeat DTMF
tones?

ICOM radios have an optional DTMF Decoder to control squelch, and I
was wondering if I could set the frequency to a local repeater and
only hear messages when the correct DTMF signal is sent. That way I
could use repeaters and still have the privacy like subtones, instead
of listening to everything that comes accross the repeater.


But, this cool functionality won't work if repeaters don't repeat
DTMF
sent to them.


Thanks in advance for you help.

In article 5LYVj.56213$5Y1.20280@trnddc04, "JB"
wrote:

wrote in message
...
I'm totally new to amateur radio, so this may seem like a stupid
question. Does the typical 2 meter or UHF repeater repeat DTMF
tones?

ICOM radios have an optional DTMF Decoder to control squelch, and I
was wondering if I could set the frequency to a local repeater and
only hear messages when the correct DTMF signal is sent. That way I
could use repeaters and still have the privacy like subtones, instead
of listening to everything that comes accross the repeater.


But, this cool functionality won't work if repeaters don't repeat
DTMF
sent to them.

MrPace-

JB is correct. Although some may not, a repeater will commonly
filter-out received sub-audible tones. If a transmitted tone is needed,
it would normally be re-generated in the repeater transmitter.

This is the only way to ensure that the repeater transmits a good tone,
rather than repeating one that may be at the wrong level or slightly off
frequency. (It also provides an opportunity for the repeater to
transmit a different tone than it receives.)

Fred
K4DII