ctcss_adjustment

CTCSS Adjustment

    Adjusting the CTCSS transmission level is an importnat step in getting your converted radio to work properly inasmuch as the CTCSS feature is needed to access most of today's repeaters. The FM radios capable of conversion with this M/P all have separate deviation controls for the audible (voice) and sub-audible (CTCSS) transmission paths. If at all possible you should avoid adjusting these controls if the radio was working properly before the conversion.

    Shown below is a brief procedure that has always worked for me without the need for an FM deviation meter.

    a) Radio / CTCSS Working Properly Before the Conversion

    Connect the M/P to your radio and adjust R8 (TX TONE LEVEL ADJUST) until you can just access the repeater in question. Then, increase the setting by another quarter turn of the control until you can always make satisfactory transmissions. This way, you will probably not need to make any adjustments to the CTCSS and voice deviation controls within your radio. Make a contact or two to verify that the other station is receiving you 'loud and clear'. What you don't want to do is to increase the level of the CTCSS tone coming from the M/P board to the point where it affects the setting for the voice information.

    b) Radio Operation Uncertain Before the Conversion

    Connect the M/P to your radio and try to bring up a repeater. If you can, then follow the stsps above. If you can't, then increase the setting of R8 until the repeater responds. Once done, make a contact and ask the ham at the 'other end' to comment on the quality of his received audio. If acceptable, you are finished.

    If not, then you may have to make adjustments to the radio's voice deviation control. Make these adjustments slowly as you ask the ham with whom you are in QSO to comment as you do so. If he or she is patient and if you both have a few minutes, you can satisfactorily make this adjustment.

    c) Calibrating with an FM Deviation Meter

    If you have one or have access to one, simply follow the instructions in the service manual for your radio. It's that easy.

G.E.and the product names Phoenix, Delta, Rangr are trademarks of Ericsson General Electric Mobile Communications.

DISCLAIMER - - If you follow the steps outlined herein, you do so at your own risk. I cannot, nor will not, be responsible for any possible damage to radio equipment, personal property, to yourself or to others caused by modifications that you may make to the radio as a result of your reading this.

The M/P controls TRANSMITTING and receiving on many frequencies, suitable for a wide range of HF, VHF and UHF needs. In the USA, TRANSMIT operation requires a license issued by the FCC for the class of operation intended. Amateur radio licensees must maintain strict control over their equipment, preventing unlicensed operation within or outside of the amateur bands.