Just got my Technician license last month and I'm having trouble accessing some local repeaters. I can hear the output just fine, but when I try to transmit, nobody seems to hear me. Someone told me it's probably because I'm not programming the CTCSS tone properly - apparently this is a common issue for newcomers and I need to transmit the correct tone for the repeater to even recognize my signal.

I found the repeater directory shows a tone of 141.3 Hz, but I'm not sure how to set this up on my Baofeng UV-5R. The manual isn't very clear about the difference between TX tone and RX tone. Do I need to set both? Any help would be appreciated!

73,
KJ7ABC

You *must* enter the TX-CTCSS in order to open the repeater. You *can* enter the RX-CTCSS if there is one, but you don't have to - if you do, then your radio's squelch won't open unless that tone is received. For your Baofeng, look for the "T-CTCS" menu and set it to 141.3. Don't worry about receive tone for now.

I had the exact same problem when I got licensed! Even cheap $25 Baofengs can be set to use CTCSS tones, and most VHF/UHF radios built in the last three decades allow you to set them. On the UV-5R, press MENU, then find option 13 (T-CTCS). Set it to 141.3 and you should be good to go. Welcome to the hobby!

Repeaters use CTCSS tones because they often operate in environments with lots of interference - the sub-audible tone ensures the repeater only responds to signals that were definitely meant to be repeated. That 141.3 tone is very common - it's actually known as the "traveler tone" and used widely on GMRS and some amateur repeaters for easy access.