Programming the RPV599
Anyone who has ever programmed a Relm radio is familiar with the
routine
followed for programming. The original Relm mobile (then known as
Regency) set the pattern that has been followed to this day. The original
WHS-150 handheld, and later the MPV32 were all programmed in essentially
the same way. There are two important differences in the RPV599 (and the
RPU499, the UHF model).
The first major difference is that it is no longer necessary to get inside the
radio to move a jumper or flip a switch to get into the programming mode.
The second difference is that those troublesome special codes used by Relm
to designate CTCSS or DCS codes are no longer required. In the old days,
you had to have a
translation chart
to convert the Relm code designator to
the actual CTCSS or DCS tone required. Mercifully on the new RPV599 and
RPU499 series, the actual codes can be programmed.
Once you understand the sequence of programming, you will have no trouble
in making changes as required, or in an emergency to set up completely new
frequencies on the spot. Here is the sequence that is followed:
The first thing entered is ALWAYS the RECEIVE frequency, followed by the
RECEIVE SQUELCH MODE (CTCSS, DCS, or NONE), then the TRANSMIT
frequency, then the TRANSMIT SQUELCH MODE. For most applications,
these four parameters are all that will be required for typical programming.
However, there are some additional steps available. Most users just toggle
through them until the word END appears. At that point they either advance
to the next channel, using the CHANNEL selector knob, and continue
programming, or turn the radio OFF and back ON again to store the
programmed changes.
Entering the Program Mode
To enter the Program mode, proceed as follows:
1) With the radio OFF, press and hold the LAMP (middle button on the
left side of the radio) while simultaneously pressing and holding the
DIAL (second button from the right on the front of the radio).
2) With the LAMP and DIAL buttons pressed and held, turn the radio
ON. Continue to keep these buttons depressed for several seconds
until SEL appears on the LCD display. You may then release the
LAMP and DIAL buttons. Press the T/A button to display the active
channel (normally this will be CH 1).
Programming the Receive Frequency
1) Move the CHANNEL SELECTOR KNOB (Top center) to select the
desired channel for programming. Normally, we would assume that
you would start with Channel 1, but it can be any channel.
2) While in the Program mode, press and hold the LAMP button while
turning the CHANNEL SELECTOR KNOB until the second and third
digits (starting from the left) of your desired frequency. For example,
it you wanted to program the receive frequency of 155.0100, you
would turn the knob until the digits “55” appeared following the first
digit “1” which is fixed for VHF radios (It would be a “4” for UHF
radios). Release the LAMP button after you have made the desired
selection. This procedure is known as programming the
Megahertz
or MHz selection. In other words, the digits to the left of the “.” are
known as Megahertz. In this example, the frequency would be 155
Megahertz.
3) Next, you program the
Kilohertz
or kHz section to the right of the “.”
You will note that there are provisions for entering up to four digits.
In our example, we are programming the frequency of 155.01 MHz.
When there are no digits following the second digit, you ALWAYS
enter two zeros. In this example, your actual entry would be “0100”
or a complete frequency of 155.0100 MHz.
Some frequencies will actually have three digits followed by a last digit zero
such as “1250” and for narrow band (12.5 KHz) channels, there may be four
digits with the last digit ending in a “5”. An example would be 155.0125 MHz.
One important point to remember. ALL frequencies ALWAYS end in either a
zero (0) or a five (5). They NEVER end in any other number! Press the PTT
button (top button on the right hand side of the radio) to advance to the
programming selection for RECEIVE SQELCH MODE.
Programming the Receive Squelch Mode
You have three choices – No coded squelch to provide privacy from
interfering signals or page alerting capability, CTCSS (a series of analog
codes ranging from 67.0 to 233.5 Hz) for interference from co-channel users
(i.e. those who share the channel with you), DCS (a digital coding system
that provides essentially the same functions as CTCSS with a three digit
code assignment plan such as 023, 064 etc. or OFF (normally the default
setting). After pushing the PTT button when you finished inserting your
receive frequency, proceed as follows:
1) To select your desired receive squelch mode, press the LO power
button at the far right side of the radio front panel (underneath the
LCD). This will bring up a scroll down menu to allow selection of the
desired mode. The normal selection would be OFF. When finished
with making your selection, press the PTT button (top right on the
side of the radio) to advance to the next step – the TRANSMIT
FREQUENCY.