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Well, I sent the duplexer out the other day to be tuned and low and behold, the duplexer wasn't even close to being properly tuned. As of now the duplexer is tunes 92dB from the TX and 82 dB from the RX. When it arrives on Monday I will do another test and see if there is much difference. I do want to thank everyone who commented. As I said before I am rather new with repeaters and I am learning quite a bit. I was told from a few pros that the LMR400 should be ok for the time being. The antenna I have set up should also be ok [though they said I should look into replacement eventually as it is not exactly set up for repeater service.] For now though, just getting everything online and working is the goal, Fine tuning and tweaking can come later

Thank you! I was like, so confused. I'd like a bit more than 5 watts on 220, I'll look at some other options.

The loop serves as an RF choke, and acts to reduce common mode current. This will assist in reducing the tendency of the coax to act as an active part of the antenna, which affects both transmission and reception. If you really want to get into the technical explanation, see this PDF article: http://audiosystemsgroup.com/NCDXACoaxChokesPPT.pdf As I use 1/2" heliax, I can't create a loop, but then heliax obviates the need for a common mode choke anyway. To see many images of such coax chokes in action, see here: https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=coax+loop+choke&id=2F362EF35CC88DA2316C4C069F5E278D0AA1C188&FORM=IQFRBA

Here is the canned response that you will likely receive: FCC Consumer Help Center (FCC Complaints) Feb 21, 3:15 PM EST Hi Greg Your complaint provides valuable information and is shared among FCC bureaus and offices to spot trends and practices that warrant investigation and enforcement action. If the FCC needs more information about your complaint, we will contact you directly. Each year, the Enforcement Bureau takes hundreds of actions on behalf of consumers that result in tens of millions of dollars in penalties. These actions encourage companies and individuals to abide by the law and reduce future misconduct. Thank you for your help in furthering the FCC’s mission on behalf of consumers.

Actually since the FCC is issuing call signs in strict alpha/numeric sequence still, "triple-seven" would not be out of possibility... ...numbers run from 100 to 999. Just to think that there are now potentially 899 folks with the WQWU prefixes is a lot of tongue-twisters out there!

The PA doesn't work on that frequency, so they just pass the exciter output to the antenna port.

Being realistic, there is minimal possibility of causing harmful interference and obviously the FCC won't be sending jack booted thugs thru the door the second you key up. But considering this is a GMRS forum, nobody here will help you use any radios in any illegal fashion, on GMRS or any other band. The bottom line is that there is no scenario where you can use those Retevis RT5 (re-branded Baofeng UV-5) radios on the GMRS band (with or without a license) and be in full FCC compliance, as the radios lack the proper FCC type certification.

The It’s because we have super secret thoughts and ideas here......and we had to put them away before new people found out!