# The difference between CTCSS and DCS **URL:** \ **Category:** Radio 101\ **Created:** [April 10, 2024, 3:47pm UTC](https://www.twowayradioforum.com/t/the-difference-between-ctcss-and-dcs/11301 "2024-04-10T15:47:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rick](https://www.twowayradioforum.com/user_avatar/www.twowayradioforum.com/rick/32/410_2.png) [@Rick](https://www.twowayradioforum.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2024, 3:47pm UTC](https://www.twowayradioforum.com/t/the-difference-between-ctcss-and-dcs/11301/1 "2024-04-10T15:47:37Z")
In this episode of [Radio 101](https://www.buytwowayradios.com/blog/category/radio-101/), Tommy explains the difference between [CTCSS tones](https://www.buytwowayradios.com/blog/2022/10/chart-of-standard-ctcss-tones.html) and [DCS codes](https://www.buytwowayradios.com/blog/2022/11/chart-of-standard-dcs-codes.html) in a two way radio and how they work. [![](https://www.twowayradioforum.com/uploads/default/original/2X/1/173c25b1a76ab21efdf0ccc016f76e0f6b403eff.jpeg "What is the difference between CTCSS and DCS? | Radio 101") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGBFNu_fVeA) ---
**Author:** ![richsek64](https://www.twowayradioforum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/ecb155/32.png) [@richsek64](https://www.twowayradioforum.com/u/richsek64)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2024, 5:12pm UTC](https://www.twowayradioforum.com/t/the-difference-between-ctcss-and-dcs/11301/2 "2024-04-11T17:12:45Z")
I have a GMRS radio so i can only hear repeater traffic if i add the tones for that repeater? i assume out of the box i can hear any non repeater traffic that is in range of the radio? ---
**Author:** ![paulears](https://www.twowayradioforum.com/user_avatar/www.twowayradioforum.com/paulears/32/408_2.png) [@paulears](https://www.twowayradioforum.com/u/paulears)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2024, 6:31pm UTC](https://www.twowayradioforum.com/t/the-difference-between-ctcss-and-dcs/11301/3 "2024-04-11T18:31:03Z")
Yep - think of CTCSS as a gatekeeper - no tone, or wrong tone and your radio stays silent. ---
**Author:** ![sbsyncro](https://www.twowayradioforum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/6f9a4e/32.png) [@sbsyncro](https://www.twowayradioforum.com/u/sbsyncro)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 4:35pm UTC](https://www.twowayradioforum.com/t/the-difference-between-ctcss-and-dcs/11301/4 "2024-04-16T16:35:48Z")
Hmm… That video does not discuss the _difference_ between CTCSS and DCS - it just gives a very simplistic explanation of what the acronyms stand for and what they do. I was expecting a discussion of why one would use CTCSS versus DCS, but that was unfortunately lacking from this presentation. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://www.twowayradioforum.com/user_avatar/www.twowayradioforum.com/rick/32/410_2.png) [@Rick](https://www.twowayradioforum.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 5:11pm UTC](https://www.twowayradioforum.com/t/the-difference-between-ctcss-and-dcs/11301/5 "2024-04-16T17:11:05Z")
> [@sbsyncro](#): > > Hmm… That video does not discuss the _difference_ between CTCSS and DCS - it just gives a very simplistic explanation of what the acronyms stand for and what they do. I was expecting a discussion of why one would use CTCSS versus DCS, but that was unfortunately lacking from this presentation. That is because it is a simple difference. As explained in the video, they both perform the same function, except one does it using an analog tone and the other a digital code. The video was not intended to get into a long technical explanation for techs, but a quick, basic tutorial for general purpose users, hence the name _Radio 101_. Although there are technical reasons why someone like a repeater owner or hobbyist who is totally immersed in radio may prefer one over the other, that isn’t who the video is for. In day-to-day consumer use, whether one decides to use CTCSS or DCS is really a matter of preference. Most basic users don’t care how it works, they just want to know that it does, what it does and how to use it. We appreciate the feedback! ---
**Author:** ![sbsyncro](https://www.twowayradioforum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/6f9a4e/32.png) [@sbsyncro](https://www.twowayradioforum.com/u/sbsyncro)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 5:45pm UTC](https://www.twowayradioforum.com/t/the-difference-between-ctcss-and-dcs/11301/6 "2024-04-16T17:45:42Z")
Upon what would that “preference” be based? Why have both options if they both do “the same thing”? (these are questions I have as a relative newcomer to GMRS). I know what both CTCSS and DCS do (and how they work) but have wondered why both exist when they essentially do the same thing… ---
**Author:** ![paulears](https://www.twowayradioforum.com/user_avatar/www.twowayradioforum.com/paulears/32/408_2.png) [@paulears](https://www.twowayradioforum.com/u/paulears)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 6:05pm UTC](https://www.twowayradioforum.com/t/the-difference-between-ctcss-and-dcs/11301/7 "2024-04-16T18:05:41Z")
Low CTCSS tones can’t usually be heard in the background, but the higher ones often can - depends on the filtering of individual radio designs. Many repeaters ‘perk up’ when they detect the tone, but many will not immediately cut you off if the tone becomes undetectable during a quick drop in signal strength. DCS is a higher tone, and often heard because it’s a squarewave and the harmonics creep into the audio passband. The radios usually also immediately shut the squelch at the end of the transmission before the RF ceases - so you get a silent ending, not the usual ‘phutt’ noise. More possible digital codes than the CTCSS analogue ones, so if you look at both - DCS does the same things just a little more precisely. In practice, most people don’t notice a difference. The two signalling systems do pretty much the same thing, just differently. I doubt users even know which is in use. Just like we have USB and LSB, FM or AM, and all the variations in digital. I doubt most people can tell if it’s DMR or P25, or Nexedge or … either! ---
**Author:** ![namvet](https://www.twowayradioforum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/n/82dd89/32.png) [@namvet](https://www.twowayradioforum.com/u/namvet)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2024, 12:20pm UTC](https://www.twowayradioforum.com/t/the-difference-between-ctcss-and-dcs/11301/8 "2024-08-17T12:20:33Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > That is because it is a simple difference. As explained in the video, they both perform the same function, except one does it using an analog tone and the other a digital code Which one is analog and which one is digital ? We always used DCS on our hunting blister pack radios and can’t remember why we chose that system. The courious mind wants to learn more ! LOL ---
**Author:** ![namvet](https://www.twowayradioforum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/n/82dd89/32.png) [@namvet](https://www.twowayradioforum.com/u/namvet)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2024, 12:34pm UTC](https://www.twowayradioforum.com/t/the-difference-between-ctcss-and-dcs/11301/9 "2024-08-17T12:34:05Z")
Sorry I ask that question. I watched the video again and got the answer. Maybe we chose DCS because our uneducated mind thought Digital was better ! ---
**Author:** ![Dadlife](https://www.twowayradioforum.com/user_avatar/www.twowayradioforum.com/dadlife/32/2220_2.png) [@Dadlife](https://www.twowayradioforum.com/u/Dadlife)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 3:29pm UTC](https://www.twowayradioforum.com/t/the-difference-between-ctcss-and-dcs/11301/10 "2025-01-16T15:29:05Z")
But let us be clear, if you set your ctcss TX code to your chosen value yet leave your ctcss RX code off you will still hear all standard GMRS traffic on that channel still and be able to talk with all of it. All the pl codes, input tone, output tone, RX ctcss, tx ctcss, rx dcs, tx dcs gets kind of over whelming for novices. There is no private channels but these tones can be added into the RX part of ctcss which makes you not hear anyone else if they don’t have the same value rx ctcss. I’m not sure what dcs is used for other than the exact same thing ctcss is used for lol. But far as my research dcs isn’t often used. And when someone refers to pl codes or pl tones they are simply referring to the above mentioned dcs/ctcss values right? Pl is simply an abbreviation for private line which is anything but private. ---
**Author:** ![ipokebadgers](https://www.twowayradioforum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/i/45deac/32.png) [@ipokebadgers](https://www.twowayradioforum.com/u/ipokebadgers)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 3:52pm UTC](https://www.twowayradioforum.com/t/the-difference-between-ctcss-and-dcs/11301/11 "2025-01-16T15:52:57Z")
> [@Dadlife](#): > > And when someone refers to pl codes or pl tones they are simply referring to the above mentioned dcs/ctcss values right? Pl is simply an abbreviation for private line which is anything but private. That is correct. As long as all parties are using the same tone ctcss/dcs (or no codes) all is good.