Some of the newer Icom Amateur handhelds have two CTCSS (subaudible tones) tone frequencies in the set mode menu. Why, and how do I use them?
Newer Icom handhelds, such as IC-T8A, IC-T81A, IC-W32A, IC-T7A, IC-T7H, IC-Q7A can be set up with separate receive CTCSS tone for tone squelch feature (known as decoding), and transmit CTCSS tone for repeater access (encoding). Transmit CTCSS tone for repeater access is labeled RT (for Repeater Tone) in radio’s set mode. The receive CTCSS tone frequency used for tone squelch is labeled CT. You need to set the RT value to the desired CTCSS frequency if you are trying to access repeaters. Keep in mind that these handhelds cannot actually have separate CTCSS tones for encoding and decoding in the same memory channel, or the VFO. When the repeater tone is activated (symbol T on the display), CTCSS tone labeled RT is used for encoding. When the tone squelch is activated (symbol T-SQL on the display), set mode CTCSS tone labeled CT will be used for encode (repeater access, etc.) and decode (tone squelch).
