In many online findings, I read that, the CTCSS and TONE, are one and the same. I have read this manual almost from cover to cover (even though the English part only goes to page 67 or so) and I cannot find the explanation of the Tone Function. It does NOT tell you what the Tone function is for. Now, for the life of me, in this very nicely printed, somewhat nicely organised Kenwood manual, it only tells you HOW TO TURN THE TONE FUNCTION ON. I was always kinda lead to believe that, the CTCSS (Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System) is/was used to provide a sub-audible tone, along with your transmit frequency, that 'opens' a repeater so it will REPEAT, what you're transmitting. Since I'm not a veteran HAM, I'm still learning and thought I had some of this stuff down.

Then, if you cruise on over to the CTCSS page, page 46, it speaks about the CTCSS system and basically states that it's for allowing only calls from which you want to hear and not from folks using the same frequency. And it goes on to say that if the CTCSS has been enabled and you also use the 'TONE Function', the CTCSS will automatically be disabled.

But, on page 24 of the manual, in a small 'note' block, it clearly states, 'you cannot use the Tone Function AND the CTCSS at the same time'. But, I also programmed the CTCSS frequency for each and every repeater frequency. I programmed the 'T' for Tone Function in each and every frequency. Now, here's where it gets confusing/frustrating. Well, I figured out what buttons to push, at the correct time, and knobs to turn, also at the correct time, to what appears, to be, about 20 'correctly installed repeater frequencies. Well, it seems that, in not too long of time, I kind-a got the system down to where programming a repeater, and all needed parameters, wasn't too hard to get into this single celled brain of mine. Ok, I'm trying to learn how to MANUALLY program it and have the 1/2' thick manual in front of me. It's a simple, 2M single band radio and I knew that going in. I recently purchased a new, Kenwood TM-281A 144Mhz radio for use in our motorhome. Here's just one of a few reason I'm asking about all this. For some reason, I've developed some sort of mental block that's not allowing me to really decipher the difference between CTCSS and Tone Function. Well, to about 99.999% of you are gonna think, 'man, this boys missing some really basic steps/components/ideals of Amature radio here'.

Ctcss tone decoder