Simple HOW-TO I need a Dummies guide on how to operate these. I've read the manual set up each radio on the same channel and same CTCSS for each, but it does not tell me step by step how to start talking. Do I have to have the monitor button on? HELP!! :-)

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

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.

Hello,

What is the signal strength of the radio and is other similar radio able to communicate?

It could be that the signal antenna of your radio is faulty, maybe that is why it is not communicating with other radios. check if others are able to communicate with each other because the fault could be from the radio weather station.

I will advice you check the manual of your radio to get the procedure on how to reset it.

Take care.

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

Please don't touch any internal adjustments. It is like a 10 digit combination lock that is set to open. If you start changing the numbers, you will never get it open.
I think the problem is with your tone coded squelch (CTCSS). Your radio channel is like a telephone party line. If your CTCSS is not on, everytime you turn your radio on you will hear anyone on that channel that is close enough to hear.
If you are trying to use these radios for serious communications, that will drive you nuts to hear everybody else talking but not about what you need to hear. To try to mitigate this problem, CTCSS was created. There are 38 different codes. If you for example set your unit to operate on code 11 and your other unit is set to operate on code 12, you could not hear each other.
Now let's add a third unit set to not use CTCSS at all. Neither one of you will be able to hear this third unit but he can hear both of you. Now you set the second unit to code 11 like the first unit. Now you will be able to hear each other. The third unit will still be able to hear both of you but since he is not transmitting code 11, you still can't hear him.
If you are hearing some traffic, it is because they have their CTCSS set to the same code that you are set to. Look in you operators manual for CTCSS Privacy Codes. Set your radios accordingly and I think you will be in business. Let me know if this doesn't take care of you problem.

Hello dgbuhl,

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.)

In order for your radios to communicate with eachother all of the radios need to be on the same channel and have the same CTCSS / Privacy Code programmed (or the CTCSS feature must be disabled on all the radios). If CTCSS is enabled on one of the radios, but not the other, the situation you describe would occur.
Check your user's manual for more information on the Privacy Tones and how to set them.

Best Regards,
Ken
Go Ahead. Use Us.

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.

Hi,

It is possible that your Motorola FR60 though on the same channel/frequency have different CTCSS settings. CTSS is also known as Interference Eliminator Code or Coded squelch, Private-Line, PL, Quiet Call, Channel, Guard, etc. What needs to be done is to set both to the same code setting on the settings/menu. Turning the code/CTCSS OFF would also serve the same but allow other radios (without CTCSS) to be likewise received/heard.

If they are already on the same code setting and still no receive audio, it is possible a fault on the squelch, receive/audio circuitry or even the speaker itself which of course would require hands-on/in-shop service.

Hope that this be of some help/idea. Pls post back how things turned out or should you need additional information.

Good luck and kind regards.