Squelch Mode - An option that cannot be ignored

Many... Many radios have in their memory channel programming an option for Squelch Mode.  This is in addition to Tone Mode that you have used for a long time.   The Squelch Mode setting controls the functionality of TSql (Tone Squelch) in Tone Mode. It you want the squelch side to work, you cannot ignore this setting.

The options for Squelch Mode include:  

• SQ - Carrier (the default) 
• CT - CTCSS/DCS  (TSql and DCS)
• Tone - Optional Signaling (DTMF, 2Tone and 5Tone)
• CT/Tone - CTCSS/DCS or OS (Tone Decode or Optional Signaling)
• CTC & Tone - CTCSS/DCS | OS (Tone Decode or Options Signaling)

Tone Decode (T Sql) and DCS work to mute incoming signals on your radio. Only those signals with a matching CTCSS frequency or DCS code will be heard.Squelch Mode must be set to CT for the radio to remain mute.

• SQ - Squelch Mode of SQ allows your radio to hear ALL incoming signals regardless of the settings for Tone Mode and the CTCSS/DCS values.   
• CT - Squelch Mode of CT engages the squelch side (the function that mutes the incoming signal) for CTCSS and DCS operations.
• Tone - The radio will open to let you hear a signal when the proper value from DTMF, 2Tone or 5Tone functions is received.
• CT/Tone - The radio will open to let you hear a signal when the proper value from CTCSS/DCS OR DTMF, 2Tone or 5Tone functions is received. In other words, either the proper CTCSS or DCS OR DTMF or 2Tone or 5Tone signal will open the radio to let you hear a signal. This option will allow a signal through with only CTCSS or DCS set for this channel.
• CTS & Tone - The radio will open to let you hear a signal when the proper value from CTCSS/DCS AND DTMF, 2Tone or 5Tone functions is received. In other words, BOTH the proper CTCSS or DCS AND DTMF or 2Tone or 5Tone signals must be received to open the radio to let you hear a signal.

Remember, your best testing is with another radio transmitting on the receive frequency of the radio in question with the CTCSS frequency set to match that of the radio being tested. Then to see T Sql work, change the CTCSS frequency on the transmitting radio and listen as the radio being tested ceases to hear the signal. This can all be done easily in VFO on the transmitting radio. If you are testing for repeater functions, be sure to reverse the Rx and TX frequencies on one of the radios (Make this radio the repeater.)

Testing of this function and these options are from the RuggedRadios G1 model. The functionality should be the same if this option is a part of other RuggedRadios models.

03/27/2025