00:00:00UTC
🏠 Home 🛣 Highway Finder 🏔 BRP Finder 🎪 Hamfests 📻 Radio Reference
📻 routersandrepeaters.net · On-The-Road Field Reference
Radio Field Guide
Tone scanning · Repeater programming · Memory organization · Priority scan · Reset procedures
Handheld & mobile VHF/UHF radios · Use VFO mode for initial setup unless noted.
Field Reference Guide — Steps shown are for common firmware configurations. Exact button sequences may vary by firmware version. Always check your radio's manual for your specific model. Software tools (CHIRP, RT Systems, CPS) greatly simplify programming — see the Highway Finder for CHIRP CSV export.
Tap any radio to expand · Tap a topic inside to see step-by-step instructions
Jump to topic:
Baofeng
UV-5R / BF-F8HP
▾
📡 Tone Scan Find PL/CTCSS tone automatically · MENU 11 or 13 ▾
  1. 1Enter VFO mode — press VFO/MR
  2. 2Tune to the repeater output frequency
  3. 3Press MENU → scroll to 11 (R-CTCS) for CTCSS or 13 (R-DCS) for DCS
  4. 4Press MENU
  5. 5Scroll UP to any starting tone (e.g. 67.0 Hz)
  6. 6Press *SCAN
  7. 7Wait for the repeater to key up — scan stops on the correct tone
⚠ Repeater must be active (someone transmitting) for tone lock to work
💾 Repeater Programming MENU 25/26 offset · MENU 13 tone · MENU 27 save ▾
  1. 1VFO mode → enter the repeater output frequency
  2. 2MENU → 25 (SFT-D) → set offset direction (+/−) → MENU → EXIT
  3. 3MENU → 26 (OFFSET) → enter offset (usually 0.600) → MENU → EXIT
  4. 4MENU → 13 (T-CTCS) → set transmit tone → MENU → EXIT
  5. 5MENU → 27 (MEM-CH) → select channel number → MENU → EXIT
💡 CHIRP software is much easier for batch programming — use the CHIRP CSV export from the Highway Finder
📂 Memory Organization & Scan 128 channels · number logically · CHIRP for skips ▾
  1. 1Organize — number channels logically (e.g. 001–050 for VHF, 051–100 for 70cm). 128 channels total.
  2. 2Scan — enter MR (memory) mode → hold SCAN
  3. 3Band scan — available in VFO mode
  4. 4Skip channels — use CHIRP to mark channels as "Skip" — not easily done from the radio keypad
⭐ Priority Scan Limited — use Dual Watch as workaround ▾
⚠ True priority scan is limited on the UV-5R. Use Dual Watch as a practical workaround.
  1. 1Dual Watch — MENU → 7 (TDR) → ON → EXIT
  2. 2Radio monitors A and B bands simultaneously — set one to 146.520 simplex, other to repeater
🔄 Reset Hold MENU while powering on — clears all memories ▾
⚠ Full reset clears all programmed channels. Back up via CHIRP before resetting.
  1. 1Power OFF the radio
  2. 2Hold MENU while pressing power ON
  3. 3Full factory reset
Yaesu
FT-65R / FT-60R
▾
📡Tone Scan Dedicated Tone Search via menu or key ▾
  1. 1Tune to the repeater frequency
  2. 2Set Tone or TSQL mode via menu
  3. 3Activate Tone Search — via menu or dedicated key (check your firmware)
  4. 4Monitor repeater traffic — search stops on detected tone
💾Repeater Programming VFO → shift/tone → hold MR → store ▾
  1. 1VFO mode → enter output frequency
  2. 2Set offset shift direction and amount via menu
  3. 3Set transmit tone via menu
  4. 4Hold MR → store to channel number
📂Memory Organization & Scan 10 Memory Banks · PMS for limits · menu skips ▾
  1. 1Banks — assign channels to one of 10 Memory Banks for organized scanning
  2. 2Scan — Memory mode → hold SCAN
  3. 3PMS — use Programmable Memory Scan for frequency range limits
  4. 4Skip — mark via menu to exclude channels from scan
⭐Priority Scan Set priority channel → enable in scan menu ▾
  1. 1Set the desired channel as Priority Channel via menu
  2. 2Enable priority scan in the scan menu
  3. 3Start scan — radio checks priority channel periodically
🔄Reset F + POWER on · or Set Mode reset ▾
⚠ Clears all memories. Back up first.
  1. 1Power OFF
  2. 2Hold F while pressing POWER — or use specific Set Mode reset sequence (check manual)
Anytone
AT-D878UVII Plus
▾
📡Tone Scan CDT Scan via menu or assigned PF key ▾
  1. 1Set an arbitrary RCDT value to enable the mode
  2. 2Menu → Scan → CDT Scan (or use assigned PF key if configured)
  3. 3Scan stops on detected tone automatically
💾Repeater Programming VFO → Menu → Chan Set → save to zone ▾
  1. 1VFO mode → enter output frequency
  2. 2Menu → Chan Set → configure offset and TCDT/RCDT tones
  3. 3Save to channel and assign to zone
💡 CPS (Computer Programming Software) strongly recommended for zone management
📂Memory Organization & Scan Zones + Scan Lists · select zone → start scan ▾
  1. 1Zones — organize channels into Zones (groups). Create a zone per region or corridor.
  2. 2Scan Lists — assign channels to Scan Lists for controlled scanning
  3. 3Select Zone or List → start scan from menu
⭐Priority Scan Designate Priority channel in Scan List ▾
  1. 1In Scan List, designate the Priority channel
  2. 2Start scan — interval is adjustable in settings
🔄Reset Menu → Settings → Reset · or CPS recommended ▾
⚠ Full reset via CPS recommended to preserve zone structure as a backup.
  1. 1Menu → Settings → Reset (or power-on key combo — check manual)
Kenwood
TH-D75A
▾
📡Tone Scan F then hold TONE (8) to start scan ▾
  1. 1Tune to the repeater frequency
  2. 2Press F then hold TONE (key 8) to start tone scan
  3. 3Scan stops on detected tone
💾Repeater Programming VFO → shift/tone → F + MR → store ▾
  1. 1VFO mode → enter output frequency
  2. 2Set offset shift and tone via menu
  3. 3Press F + MR → store to channel
📂Memory Organization & Scan 30 Groups · Group Links · Memory/Group scan ▾
  1. 1Groups — channels auto-group by number; manually edit groups and create Group Links
  2. 2Scan — Memory scan, Group scan, or Group Link scan available
⭐Priority Scan Enable Priority Scan in menu · integrates with groups ▾
  1. 1Enable Priority Scan in menu → select priority channel
  2. 2Integrates with Group scan for comprehensive monitoring
🔄Reset Menu → Reset options · or power-on combo ▾
  1. 1Menu → Reset options for partial or full reset
  2. 2Or use power-on key combination (check manual for exact sequence)
Yaesu
FT5DR
▾
📡Tone Scan F MENU → Signaling → TONE-SRCH ▾
  1. 1F MENU → Signaling → TONE-SRCH
  2. 2Activate — adjust mute/speed in menu as needed
  3. 3Scan stops on detected tone
💾Repeater Programming VFO → F MENU → Config/Signaling → write to memory ▾
  1. 1VFO mode → enter output frequency
  2. 2F MENU → Config or Signaling → set offset and tone
  3. 3Write to memory channel
📂Memory Organization & Scan Memory banks + tags · hold SCAN ▾
  1. 1Assign channels to Memory Banks and add tags for organization
  2. 2Hold SCAN to begin memory scan — programmable options available
⭐Priority Scan Set priority memory → enable during scan ▾
  1. 1Set the desired channel as Priority Memory
  2. 2Enable priority during scan startup
🔄Reset F MENU → Config → Reset options ▾
  1. 1F MENU → Config → Reset options — choose partial or full reset
Icom · Mobile
IC-2730A
▾
📡Tone Scan TONE button → Tone Scan via SCAN or menu ▾
  1. 1Tune to the repeater frequency
  2. 2Press TONE button
  3. 3Use Tone Scan via SCAN key or menu
💾Repeater Programming VFO → tone/offset → MW → store ▾
  1. 1VFO mode → enter output frequency
  2. 2Set tone and offset via menu
  3. 3Press MW → store to channel
📂Memory Organization & Scan Numbered memories · Memory scan + Dual Watch ▾
  1. 1Channels stored as numbered memories
  2. 2Memory scan + Dual Watch — strong dual-band monitoring for mobile use
⭐Priority Scan Set priority → start scan · strong with dual-watch ▾
  1. 1Set Priority channel via menu
  2. 2Start scan — works well in combination with Dual Watch for mobile operation
🔄Reset Power-on button combos · check manual for All Reset ▾
⚠ Check manual for the specific key combination — varies by firmware version.
  1. 1Power-on button combos for reset (check manual for exact sequence)
  2. 2Look for All Reset option to clear all memories and settings
Yaesu · Mobile
FTM-300DR / FTM-400XDR
▾
📡Tone Scan F → TONE → hold channel up/down on mic ▾
  1. 1Tune to the repeater frequency
  2. 2Press F → press TONE
  3. 3Hold channel up/down on the microphone to start tone scan
💾Repeater Programming VFO → F → shift/tone → MW → store ▾
  1. 1VFO mode → enter output frequency
  2. 2Press F → set shift direction and amount
  3. 3Set tone
  4. 4Press MW → store to channel
📂Memory Organization & Scan Memory banks · Memory/band scan ▾
  1. 1Organize into Memory Banks
  2. 2Memory scan or Band scan available from menu
⭐Priority Scan Set priority memory → enable in scan options ▾
  1. 1Set Priority Memory channel
  2. 2Enable in scan options menu
🔄Reset Menu or power-on reset sequence ▾
  1. 1Access reset via Menu or power-on key sequence (check manual for exact procedure)
Anytone · Mobile
AT-D578UV
▾
Same zone/scan list system as the AT-D878UVII Plus. All procedures below are identical.
📡Tone Scan CDT Scan via menu — same as D878 ▾
  1. 1Set arbitrary RCDT value
  2. 2Menu → Scan → CDT Scan
  3. 3Stops on detected tone
💾Repeater Programming Chan Set menu → save to zone — same as D878 ▾
  1. 1VFO mode → Menu → Chan Set → set offset and tones
  2. 2Save to channel and zone
📂Memory Organization & Scan Zones + Scan Lists — same as D878 ▾
  1. 1Create Zones and assign channels
  2. 2Assign to Scan Lists → start scan
⭐Priority Scan Priority channel in Scan List — same as D878 ▾
  1. 1Designate Priority channel in Scan List → start scan
🔄Reset Menu → Settings → Reset — same as D878 ▾
  1. 1Menu → Settings → Reset
💡
General Field Tips
Software, battery, and organization tips that apply to all radios
▾ show
✅Test after programming — always test on low power first to confirm offset, tone, and access before driving into a coverage area.
💻Use software — CHIRP, RT Systems, and manufacturer CPS greatly simplify organization, scan lists, and priority. Use the Highway Finder CHIRP export to download pre-formatted repeater data.
🔋Battery — scanning and priority monitoring use more power. Enable power-save features when not actively operating. Carry a charged spare or have a car charger ready.
📄Documentation — laminate key button combos or save this page on your phone. Before entering a dead zone, screenshot your repeater list and note the NOAA weather frequency.
📻146.520 MHz simplex — always program this into an easily-accessible memory. It's the national 2m calling frequency and your best option when repeaters aren't available.
🌩NOAA Weather Radio — program the nearest NOAA frequency (162.400–162.550 MHz, no tone) before entering rural or mountainous areas. Tap the NOAA WX filter on the Highway Finder to find the nearest frequency.