Yes, the QRZ-1 does DCS (not just CTCSS)

There has been talk that the Explorer QRZ-1 radio does not do DCS tone mode. Well, that is wrong. It does. You just cannot access it from the face of the radio. 

It can all be set up from the programmer that you received with the radio.

In the RT Systems programmer, you find these columns. In this article I will explain them all. 

Tone Mode:  This is the switch that turns on the function.  All the numbers in the columns that follow are used only relative to the option in this column. Those options are: 

• None - No tone is engaged on this channel.  
• Tone - A CTCSS that you set in the CTCSS column is sent to the repeater with your signal.  If you are given information about a tone on a repeater, use this option as your first choice... even if someone tells you it is Squelch or Tone Squelch. Using Tone will get you into the repeater and you will hear all the signals from the repeater. 
• TSQL - The CTCSS value in the CTCSS column is sent to the repeater AND the RX CTCSS value is used to BLOCK ALL INCOMING SIGNALS TO YOUR RADIO.  In other words, if you set this up wrong... YOU HEAR NOTHING.  That's why I said that if you are not sure, use Tone.  This option is being used today on repeaters that do analog and digital to block noise from the digital signals.... but again, if you are not sure, use Tone... what's a little noise between friends.  If the noise is a problem for you, you probably want to set up TSql but be sure you get the right value for Rx CTCSS or you will not only lose the noise, you will lose all the conversations you want to be a part of also. 
• DCS - This is just another type of tone system that is in use on some repeaters.  You will know to use DCS if 1) you are given a value for the "tone" that you find in the DCS column rather than in the CTCSS column. and 2) Someone tells you that it is DCS.  The value in the DCS column is transmitted to the repeater and the RX DCS value blocks the signal into your radio.
• D Code - This is the same as Tone just for DCS.  The DCS value in the DCS column is transmitted to the repeater and there is nothing on your radio that blocks incoming signals.  Again, this is the best one to use if you are given a DCS code and you don't know how the repeater is set up.  If the repeater is noisy when you unkey, you probably want to change back to DCS. 
• T DCS - This transmits a CTCSS tone and blocks incoming signals with DCS.  This combination has been around for about 20 years now, and I cannot remember a repeater ever using it.... although it is a great combination.  Again, this option can stop you from hearing everything if this is not how the repeater is set up. 
• D Tone - This transmits a DCS code and blocks incoming signals with a CTCSS tone.  Again, this combination has been around for about 20 years and I cannot remember a repeater ever using it.... although there may be some private ones.  Again, this option can stop you from hearing everything if this is not how the repeater is configured. 

When you select one of these options for Tone Mode, the programmer will activate the appropriate CTCSS or DCS columns.  If something cannot be accessed and changed, don't worry about it.  The value shown is not being used by the radio anyway... it's like a bulb in a lamp that is not turned on. Set the values you need for CTCSS or DCS from the lists provided.  If you DO NOT find your value in the list, you have been given wrong information.  The radio can do only those values in the list. 

One last thing... 

• DCS Polarity - This is a function that gives the DCS guys the ability to have over 1000 options rather than just the standard ones.  Again, this does not work if this option is not set as the repeater is configured.  If you are given nothing for this option, use Both N.  That is the default and again, I have not seen the others used in all the years I've been doing radio programming... but I could have missed something. 

One note...  The Repeater Book search sets lots of repeaters to TSQL in the information they make available to the programmers.  Unfortunately, not all these repeaters are using TSQL.  If you have trouble hearing conversation back from a repeater, change Tone Mode to Tone and try again.  I think you will be pleased with the results. 

That will get Tones set up for you so you can talk through the repeaters AND hear your friends.  

The best to you as you explore Ham radio. 

08/13/2023