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Thinking about setting up a GMRS repeater. Seems to be many paths, but any opinions on the following: Seems one relatively simple “off the shelf” parts could be: RT-FDR1 Controller RT-CWID1 Identifier (Or ID-O-Matic? Or Even a Raspberry Pi approach?) I’ll be getting a six cavity Duplexer and tuning it for 462.725/467.725. Radios: Likeky will get a TK-8180 for TX, but for RX, have a couple TH-9800’s that could be used. Antenna: Already have a GMRS 1/4 wave antenna masted at 45’. Cables: Seen that connection cables are available for the RT-FDR1 for both the TH-9800 and TK-8180. Thought about this for a little while and even consider getting a Bridgecom repeater system and Duplexer, but of course looking at less cost. TH-9800/TK-8180 obviously isn’t as nice as a Bridgecom repeater System, but also at least isn’t just a couple of cheap HT’s thrown up in a tree either. TH-9800 isn’t the best RX radios, but figured since have a spare could try it out. Opinions on the RT-FDR1+RT-CWID1 combo? Also, may be linking this with Asterisk_rpt (HamVoIP) to a GMRS network, so a RPi will be in play. Perhaps just use that for ID’ing? Total cost for this project, I’m thinking will be just around $500 to $600, I’m thinking. That’s do-able... Thanks

No, actually I never used the incorrect 000 500 offset. I caught the error before programming it. So basically I went from no offset 000 000 to the correct offset of 005 000. So technically I was broadcasting my callsign on the repeaters output frequency so no FCC improprieties were executed on this very fine day...LOL. However; You make a good observation sir! So basically I was Simplexing with myself, which is kind of like talking to yourself with radios! As long as you don’t answer back, YOU’RE GOOD!

Just made contact on the Sassafras Mountain repeater to a gentleman in Ellijay, GA so I would like to thank all of you for your assistance and patience with me in solving my startup issues. I can't say enough positive things about this group and the organization. I look forward to tuning in to the next NET meeting.

BTW, my avatar image is borrowed humor from a post I saw on here in the General Forum (I think) and I saw a discussion on radio testing and the comment was "test...test..." and it had a link to a video on youtube that showed a Baofeng being set on fire as a "test" and I laughed so hard I almost fell out of my chair. So I made an image of the burnt radio from a screen capture image. So I wanted to make sure to not take credit for thinking up that joke. I hope that user doesn't mind...haha...

The old GE Phoenix rigs do have a hot receiver, and have all the needed aux pins out the back, with COR, PTT and audio signals. I have a friend who still uses a Phoenix as a UHF link radio on his VHF ham repeater. I'll contact him, and see if he has a programmer available. NOTE: I am personally not too familiar with these rigs, but they are so old, they may be crystal controlled.

I had posted this as a response in another forum topic and wanted to see what others thought. How do you run your system and have you had any issues running it the way you do? I decided long ago to list my repeaters as open with no CW ID running and stating "It is your responsibility to ID as required by FCC rules and regulations". I figure what good is a repeater if it sits idle most of the time, I built my last machine to cover a huge recreational area and I want people to use it. Unless I get complaints I wont change a thing. I have listened to people tell me about repeaters that sat Idle 95% of the time until they failed, what a waste of money. I rather see it burn up knowing it served people well then die a slow painful death idle in a shack.