Where to find the ctcss function - Kenwood FreeTalk XL TK-3101 (15 Channels) 2-Way Radio

The dealer programs it into a function key

CTCSS is a subaudio (<300Hz) tone that is broadcast when you transmit on a radio. If another radio is set to receive that tone, then the squelch will open and he will hear your transmission. Having said that, any other radio that does not have CTCSS set at all will also hear your transmission, so all it does is for the receiver to hear less of others talking. DCS is the same except that CTCSS sends out a continuous tone, DCS sends out a string of tones. This allows more "channels" to be allocated, but still ,everyone is using the same frequency

see:
CTCSS DCS

It would help to know what radio you're having trouble with. There's usually either a way to turn CTCSS on and off, or you cycle through all of the CTCSS tone frequency options until you find the one labeled "none".

Is the CTCSS code set to the same value on both? They may both be transmitting, but can't hear each other because of different CTCSS values. One quick check would be to turn off CTCSS on both.

In what way. Does it never receive? If that's the case, chances are the CTCSS (Tone Squelch) is on. If it never mutes the speaker, the squelch circuit may be defective.

check this link at page 21 or see below

CTCSS PRIVACY CODES FREQUENCY CHART (Hz) Code Freq. Code Freq. Code Freq. Code Freq. Code Freq. 1 67.0 9 91.5 17 118.8 25 156.7 33 210.7 2 71.9 10 94.8 18 123.0 26 162.2 34 218.1 3 74.4 11 97.4 19 127.3 27 167.9 35 225.7 4 77.0 12 100.0 20 131.8 28 173.8 36 233.6 5 79.7 13 103.5 21 136.5 29 179.9 37 241.8 6 82.5 14 107.2 22 141.3 30 186.2 38 250.3 7 85.4 15 110.9 23 146.2 31 192.8 8 88.5 16 114.8 24 151.4 32 203.5 * Channel 8,9 and 10 are designated Canadian Marine Frequencies * Channels 8~14 are low-power FRS license free channels Note: Privacy codes can be programmed for use on Channels 1~22 only

I have the same walkie talkies and on mine I can hold down the mode/lock button and it will come off of the Rx mode. Also, you should be able to press the talk button and it will come off of the Rx mode.

Hello rixonsusu,

In situations where one radio cannot talk to another radio the problem is often caused by improper setting of the radio's Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System (CTCSS), which Motorola calls "Privacy Codes." (Other manufacturers might use different names, such as Kenwood calling this feature "Quiet Tones.")

When CTCSS is activated your radio's receiver will be muted unless the radio receives a signal from another radio using the required Privacy Code. This prevents you from having to listen to other user's conversations on what can be busy channels with a lot of activity.

In one of your radios has CTCSS enabled and the other does not, or if the other radio is set to the wrong CTCSS tone, the situation you describe will occur: one radio will be able to talk to the other, but that radio will not be able to talk back.
Make sure both of your radios are set to the same CTCSS privacy code or that CTCSS is turned off on both radios.
Best Regards,

Agent Ken
Go Ahead. Use Us.

Hello Blindmaster,

Check the Continuous Tone Coded Squelch (CTCSS) settings on all the radios. (Note that some manufacturers refer to this feature as a “Privacy Code” or “Quiet Code.” The actual name of the feature may vary.) This feature encodes a low-frequency signal on your radio transmission. This signal is below the range of human hearing but can be detected by other radios. When the CTCSS feature is active your radio will ignore any signal that it receives that does not have the proper tone encoded on it.

In order for these radios to communicate, all of the radios need to be on the same channel and have the same CTCSS code programmed or the CTCSS feature must be disabled.

I suspect that CTCSS is activated on your T5530s but is not enabled on your T5320. This would result in the situation you describe.

Also take note that when using different brands / models of radios to communicate with one another that the CTCSS code numbering scheme may not necessarily be the same from radio to radio. For instance, CTCSS code “4” on the Motorola TalkAbout series actually corresponds to code “A” on the Motorola Sport models.

Best Regards,

Agent Ken
Go Ahead. Use Us.

Hello jayhawkrx,

Check the Continuous Tone Coded Squelch (CTCSS) settings on all the radios. (Note that some manufacturers refer to this feature as a Privacy Code or Quiet Code. The actual name of the feature may vary.) This feature encodes a low-frequency signal on your radio transmission. This signal is below the range of human hearing but can be detected by other radios. When the CTCSS feature is active your radio will ignore any signal that it receives that does not have the proper tone encoded on it.

In order for these radios to communicate, all of the radios need to be on the same channel and have the same CTCSS code programmed or the CTCSS feature must be disabled.

I suspect that CTCSS is activated on one of your radios but not on the other. This would result in the situation you describe.

Also take note that when using different brands / models of radios to communicate with one another that the CTCSS code numbering scheme may not necessarily be the same from radio to radio. For instance, CTCSS code 4 on the Motorola TalkAbout series actually corresponds to code A on the Motorola Sport models.

Best Regards,

Agent Ken
Go Ahead. Use Us.