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When I use my HT for GMRS, I make sure I have an aluminum beer can in my other hand for counterpoise. Obviously, you have to empty it till you find that perfect resonance sweet spot. Sometimes it takes multiple tries to get it right.

For optimal performance I highly suggest using Bosch Platinum spark plugs with the gap at 0.038" for the HF bands. Spark gap transmitters can be fun. Brings back the good old days of radio.

I downloaded a codeplug from Miklor for the RT-4D and compared it to my codeplug. I made some adjustments to my codeplug and I still can't reach the repeater. When I keyed the HT next to my desktop computer I heard something like it WAS sending out a signal but I just don't think these little radios are powerful enough to make the 16 miles to the repeater in digital. In Analog yes, they reach it. I guess I need to do a power test on the radio and compare analog to digital and that would also confirm that a signal was getting out in digital mode.

I did find something else that looks like a mistake. In the Notes for the repeater it says the ID is 313402, but in the actual live data down below it says it is 310402 and that's a live link to RadioID that looks correct. I think the Notes section in RepeaterBook is incorrect where it says 313402. All of the AZ DMR IDs start with 3104... 313402 is a repeater in New Jersey if you look it up: https://radioid.net/database/view/dmr/repeater?id=313402 This is the one in AZ: https://radioid.net/database/view/dmr/repeater?id=313402 I've gotta go to bed before I turn into a pumpkin.

I think so. Of course this is a radio I haven't programmed before, so it's entirely possible I'm missing something, but for 3104 you have the correct Time Slot. For the repeater you have the correct Color Code and for the repeater you have the right frequency. I don't have the repeater DMR IDs programmed in any of my code plugs except maybe in a field in OpenGD77. Like I said, it's counter-intuitive. You're connecting through the repeater, not to it.

Ok, I'll give that a try. It does seem in the CPS that the repeater ID should go in that box but I'll try the talkgroup ID and see if it works. Did everything else look ok other than that.

You sir, are a true pillar of your community !

Okay, this might seem unintuitive, but on the Digital Channel information screen, where you have the DMR ID of the repeater: 310402, you need to have the Talk Group ID, so if you're trying to get into TG 3104 (AZ Statewide), that's the number there. Try that and let us know if that works better. But that Failure to Connect still has me worried. You might not be in range or maybe I am not seeing what's out of whack. The other thing is, put your radio into Promiscuous mode and just listen on the repeater channel, see if you can hear anything. In full Promiscuous mode everything transmitted by the repeater will come through your radio, regardless of color code or time slot. That's why I said that something sent to a Private TG can still be heard.

Thanks! I live in a GMRS vacuum near Fall Creek Falls state park in Tennessee and I have a difficult time hitting repeaters around me. I figured I would get the RT97L to help out the park and the community.

Yes, i've used all of them. They are all great portable repeaters. IMO the new RT97L gives the best bang for your monies because of the higher power which helps make up for loss in your coax compared to the low power ones. ..and unless things have changed, the Midland is much higher priced, but does not offer much more than the Retevis models.

I like to think of him as the Don Rickles of GMRS.

I've experimented a little with it on my HT and I can hit the repeater from my living room with the counterpoise ON, cannot with it off. The voice clarity is in my opinion, about 50% cleaner with it ON. I haven't tried it on Ham, but GMRS it's a game-changer for my HT

Has anyone used the Midland or the Retevis repeaters? Just curious...be gentle...

I downloaded 2 lists of simplex channels. They have different time slots listed but I also read that some radios will allow both time slots on simplex. Guess I need to look into that.

That’s right. And as you discovered there’s a list of simplex calling channels (frequencies). Sooner or later you’ll want a hotspot too.

Here's the CodePlug. Analog.4rdmf

You can have a custom welcome screen on the DB20G as well.

TalkGroup 99 Color Code 1

Not to totally change the subject but I understand I can also do digital simplex with a DMR radio. I even saw a channel list for it. I guess when funds allow I could get another radio and use my 2nd ID for it and talk digital simplex with them until I get the other stuff figured out.

Here's a link to the Repeater. https://www.repeaterbook.com/repeaters/details.php?state_id=04&ID=8513 I'll get the codeplug at halftime.

I’ll look at it when I get home and have some time but a copy of your codeplug and a link to the repeater would be much easier to diagnose.

Here's a video I made of the CPS settings. If anyone sees anything out of place or anything that should be different please let me know. DMR1.mkv

You just gave me a great idea! I want to try and hook up a spark plug to my 1 KW amplifier and see if the spark plug Sparks with the amplitudes! How Wild would that be?

Not exactly. The Kracken SDR has amazing selectivity. I've used mine literally at the base of the tower and was tracking a signal no problem.

See above But as my post continued RT Systems makes it less tedious and OpeGD77 removes the tedium completely.