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Same here. I haven't heard anyone on FM.

I have an AM/FM CB. Had one for years. I've never heard a single random station on FM. I had two friends who also have one. They are the only reason I knkw the FM part of the radio work. Most of the time, we end up on SSB so we can use the 12w output, but AM is pretty much king. And that is only when we are in metro areas during the work day. The rest of the time, CB is dead.

There are very few repeaters that have a true 100% duty cycle, & the RT97L is not one of them. Most operate on a 100% / 50% (50 watt / 25 watt) duty cycle, meaning it will transmit at 100% rated power until the internal temperature rises to a set point then cuts back to 50% transmit power, or more, but does not shut off the repeater & it still works. Other 25 watt repeaters like the RT97L monitor internal temp also, & will power back if necessary. The Motorola MTR2000 & MTR3000 commercial grade repeaters for example, are true 100% duty cycle repeaters. They are designed to transmit continuously for 24hrs a day if necessary. They also have very large heat sinks on the chassis to help dissipate the heat during continuous transmitting. But even with the large heat sinks, they still will self preserve if internal temperature gets above a certain point due to ambient surrounding temperatures & will cut back on power output. The Kenwood NXR-810, another commercial grade repeater is only rated at a 100% / 50% duty cycle. It is in their specs, & unlike other radio manufactures don't sugar coat it by using the verbiage "light duty" to mislead that it is a true 100% duty cycle repeater. Ambient room temperature where the repeater is located also plays a huge roll on the internal temp monitoring system. That is why most all commercial radio sites have AC to compensate for the heat generated by several repeaters or transmitters. Heat Is The Enemy Of Transmitters......

My poor H8 has been a dust magnet, since I bought my Wouxun 935H

They ALL are, when you pick one and you're going somewhere !

Not sure but ours runs 24/7 for our ranch & firearms range since February with 4 to 20 radios on it with no problems.

I watched the YT video on the Retevis RT97L 25W repeater ( Thank you @OffRoaderX ! ). Unless I'm misunderstanding things, the video indicated that this repeater is intended for "lite use" and suggest that it may not have the duty cycle or capacity to serve as an open use general repeater. The spec sheet says it has a "Transmitters Duty Cycle of 100%". What does that really mean, and has anyone out there has done any serious real-world general use testing with this specific repeater?

Good question.

If you're transmitting on the output frequency then that's simplex operation on a repeater channel, which is legal, even if there is one but not currently in use. Doing so might be a poor practice. However you can ONLY transmit on a repeater input frequency when using a repeater. It's not for simplex operation.

It might seem pedantic, but if you’re on channel 19 on a 95E certified radios, you can’t transmit to the repeater. If you can’t transmit to the repeater it’s not a repeater channel.

Do you have an AM/FM CB and if so did you notice anyone using FM?

I get what you’re saying but it is fairly common (really common) for people who are new to GMRS to not realize they are in fact different and try and change all their settings to make the simplex channels talk to a repeaters when they’re not grasping the concept. I think @SteveShannon is just trying to avoid putting out info that is confusing and point out what may be obvious to some to those that don’t know.

Hey Y'all. Looking to connect with other owners so we can learn from each other and a start a 'family of friends' with the TID in common. I've had mine a year. Still trying to figure out all the functions and codes. I did a firmware update a few months ago and fried my unit.. TIDradio sent me a replacement unit.. That was nice of them. I just wish they would make a better belt clip that actually stays on the belt, suspender, pocket, etc. I create separate repeater channels and use the codes for tx and rx, yet still no reaching anyone. I'm in a town with a couple repeaters around, but no noise. Only when I'm close to a walmart or home depot will I hear it go off. I'm currently south of St. Louis, MO and Marion, IL. Later. Crazy WSDX 855

Channel != frequency. First day on the internet?

That was why I was puzzled. It's kinda splitting hairs to say 19 isn't a repeater channel when the repeater output is heard on that frequency. But I suppose if you want to be pedantic...

Nope, you're the Steve I was yacking to.

program one of your buttons for squelch defeat.. or Monitor

I've experienced the same kind of thing. The extra steps for this kind of thing sometimes makes it worthwhile to just keep a real Microsoft junker around

Just traveled thru 5 states in 4 days and heard 4 conversations on 19 along the way. One was 2 guys headed to the boat ramp, one was a traffic info request (info was abundant on CB 19) A truckload of frozen chickens was spread across the highway about 40 miles east of Memphis.

15-22 are the simplex channels. 23-30 are repeater channels, but some manufacturers call them RP15-RP22 because the simplex channels receive the same frequencies as the repeater channels. Only the repeater input frequencies (called 467 MHz Main Channels by the regulations) are different because of the offset needed for full duplex.

Ummm... What? Since when?

Ditto!

Thank you

I can't add much that hasn't already been stated except, welcome to the Forum!!!!

Canada has their own version of GMRS. https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/spectrum-management-telecommunications/en/official-publications/policies/spectrum-utilization-policies-sp/sp-462467-mhz-spectrum-utilization-policy-permit-licence-exempt-devices-land-mobile-frequency-sub