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Community Note / Readers Added Context: To identify someone based on their callsign takes 10 seconds and can be done by anyone in the world with access to the internet. To identify someone based on their license plate number in most states takes a lot of work/knowing the right people/filling out the right forms/paying a lot of monies, IF it is even legal to do so in your state.

Going back to the original post. While it's true that using you call sign does in fact identify you, so do your license plates. And while I don't believe that most conversations are going to open you up to a situation that could be either dangerous or result in being robbed while you aren't home, a bit of operational security is always a good idea. Things like not discussing a vacation trip you are PLANNING to take with others prior to your departure and return. I would never tell anyone over the air that I was going on vacation for any amount of time, unless I am planning on staying home. I don't discuss any departure or arrival times for even going to work. Not that I don't trust the people I talk to on the radio, but I am NOT just talking to them. Anyone with a radio or scanner can hear what's being said, and can act on that information. I do have a tendency to discuss the security camera's at the house, and the fact that there are multiple DVR's and I get alerts on my phone when a camera is tripped due to motion. I don't discuss actual camera locations, overlaps of coverage or weaknesses. Any discussions are typically about adding additional camera's. Which is a deterrent alone. But 'opsec' which is operational security said in a real cool way, is really nothing more than sitting and considering what you can and can't say / advertise about your day to day life. And the dumb stuff like getting the mail and newspaper delivery stopped when out of town falls into that opsec stuff. And it's a good idea to have that conversation with your wife and kids. We can't block anyone and everyone from knowing our vacations and travel plans. The work place makes it really hard to keep all that quiet. The bosses will want to know what's happening, and while you can avoid saying much, saying too little can be detrimental as well. And telling them outright that you aren't going to discuss your travel plans will only put them on edge. Mostly because it's not 'normal' to not brag about taking a cruise or going to Disney or similar far away attraction. But don't concern yourself with the idea that criminals are sitting around a GMRS radio waiting on someone to announce they are going away on vacation to go rob their house.

I Called buytwowayradios.com about a few revision ideas, and they said a software or firmware update wasn't likely.

He's been a Jerk for so long, with his smarmy know-it-all attitude and poor advice for new operators, that it was about time he got his ass chewed !

Ok, that's what I thought. I misunderstood. Thank you.

No, if you program your radio with TSQL, you won’t hear anyone else unless they are transmitting using the RX tone or code you have programmed. Anyone listening using Tone will hear your transmissions. Squelch mode only affects your own radio reception.

Interesting. I did not know that. So if I program my HT's with T-sql, anyone on that frequency must have that same t-sql set or they won't hear us?

That makes sense. If three radials can provide a ground plane, expanded metal should work as well or better.

My radials are on the way from Comet. I hung it from a tree and ran a few tests using my improvised "mystery metal" radials. I think I'm going to like this antenna. I had a lot of work to do to get my deck ready to support the mast, but I think I have it ready now. I can raise the antenna as soon as the radials get here. Well, when I also have someone to help me. I can raise it with a rope using a tree branch as a pully, but I need someone to guide it and secure the clamps while I hold it up.

Depending on the alloy stainless steel can be highly magnetic or not. After being burnt, literally, by Chinese stainless steel that wasn't what it said it was my first quick check was a magnet. The alloy we used in chemical piping should not have been magnetic. After that incident, the piping came from an ISO manufacturer, I specified US or European manufacturer only. All Chinese metal is mystery metal as far as I'm concerned.

Karl, Although it was the voltage regulator that failed that’s probably just a symptom of a high current problem with the boards which draw from power from it. Repairing or replacing the power supply will be repetitively frustrating unless you find and fix the actual problem. I would recommend sending the repeater to Retevis after contacting them using the email address Gil provided above. Best wishes! Please let us know what you find.

Wow I’m sure he didn't think of contacting them first. Der

Might want to come to the conclusion that it’s a cheap throw away unit that is not ment for every day use. It will probably cost more to repair then to replace. If you’re using it that much you may want to invest in a better unit. Motorola repeaters can be had for less then the 97 and have a continuous use ability.

Have you tried contacting Retevis? They say they offer lifetime support. Here’s the email address for support. info@retevis.com

My Retevis RT97S repeater had been on-line continuously for just over 2 years serving my neighborhood when it failed. My inspection revealed that the voltage regulator chip on the PC board CD-900DYB was burned. I determined that the power supply was in good working order so I ordered and received a replacement PC board. I installed this new PC board and on power up, it to blew the voltage regulator chip in about 2 seconds. At this point I am looking for professional service on this unit that is just out of the warrantee period. So far in my search on the Internet, I am not finding any servicing provider. If I am unable to find service on this repeater, I will never purchase another Retevis repeater and this one will be sent to the scrap pile, reluctantly! Karl, in Warren, Michigan, USA

RT Systems is SO easy to use, a Caveman can do it !

I Failed as soon as I saw it !

I'm testing my will power. Timing how long I can go without laughing at @PRadio's Midland page . Well crap, that didn't last long.

I used my 220 radio twice today

Thanks all from South Louisiana Jeff

What? Rt systems and chirp are the most simple easy to use programming softwares out there. It’s just no one wants to learn. They are so easy my 10 year old grand kids use them all the time. It’s like saying driving a stick is hard but millions of people every day do it with no problem. Geesh some people are so lazy.

The RT Systems CPS is another "Less Than Simple" programming software application just as that "Less Than Simple" programming software application called Chirp. With Kenwood proprietary CPS, at least there are only two tone/code settings, one for receive (decode) and one transmit (encode) in the CPS. With Motorola, you have to tell it CSQ for no tone/code, PL, or DPL and then select the appropriate tone/code for receive (Decode); and and I believe it is None, PL, or DPL and then select the appropriate tone/DPL for transmit (Encode).

Turn it into Wouxun support. Maybe it’s unintentional and they’ll fix it in a firmware update.

IF you turn your volume all the way down, then make your area change you won't hear the beep, but otherwise it's engineered to be what it is. Using an earpiece during hunting or Stealth activity is a just a suggestion.

Those who Bully, receive it in return X10 !