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Basic repeater instructions would be to program it to your intended frequencies (Transmit on the Lower frequency, Receive on the Higher frequency) - and for GMRS, make sure that the channel is set to 25kHz wideband. You would also need to let them know the specific Tone code (PL) or DPL that you plan to use. Now beyond that, there are tweaks and settings (as well as a tuning procedure specific to the MTR2000 that most hobbyists are NOT qualified to perform) - but if it's a used repeater, those functions should have already been set and tuned, and now the new frequencies just need to be programmed in, and then everything double checked on a Station Monitor. Used-Radios.com is more than capable of doing all of that, and doing it well. Unless you have some exotic use case beyond a simple repeater, there isn't all that much information to give them. Freq's along with your chosen PL/DPL, bandwidth, and your FCC call sign if you desire CWID.

First of all, congratulations!!! As I'm sure you've learned by now, the real lessons now begin and to whichever path you decide to take will in this hobby will present the opportunity for growth. That said, there are many facets of this hobby open to you, each having their rewards and challenges, so pace yourself. Try to find someone in your area that shares the same passion for the the radio world as you do, with significant experience and desire to share their knowledge, that you can learn from. However, they may not be that close to you or available much, and that's okay, do your own research, read and study about different aspects of the hobby and it's history (i.e., solar flares, propagation, spurious emissions, compositors, induction, etc.), get involved with Nets, meet others, text, email, ask questions...HAVE FUN, doing it. If it stops being fun and interesting to you, then you'll get bored and maybe bitter, feeling you wasted your time. I imagine by this time you've past that stage and have committed yourself to broadening your horizons (e.g., studying for the next level). In regards to passing the general exam, I'll share this, you've already got a huge advantage having recently passed your technicians exam. "You're in the zone" and much of what you learned transitions over into the general class. Don't overthink it, don't stress out over it (their not going to take your tech away if you don't pass), and don't spend money on lesson plans, classes, etc (save that for future radios and gear-you're gonna need it). If I may, keep it simple, the exam is only a step, once you clear that hurdle, then it that's when things get complicated and the real learning starts. In, other words limit the amount of resources you engage in while studying (it can get confusing quickly). For both my tech and general, I read the books from K4AI, and used Ham Radio Prep app on my phone. Once I completed the books, I focused on the app- at least 30-60 minutes a day, work through the sections, take the practice quiz, fail, repeat, fail a little less, repeat, failing less again, over and over, and pretty soon (if you stick with it) your memory muscle kicks in and that's what you want...because the same questions on the quizzes are the same on the exam- THAT THE ONLY INFORMATION YOU NEED TO REMEMBER AT THIS POINT. Good luck and 73, de WROA675/KN6SDM ps: a plan without a goal is just a dream.... Set a date, reserve your spot for the test, that will give you incentive and motivation to "get'er done!".

OK, seemed like you have been referring only to duplexers. MTR2000, being a commercial grade repeater, has limited internal options. To do some of the more 'hobbyist' features requires an external controller. Repeater Builder has many articles on this repeater and possible options. http://www.repeater-builder.com/rbtip/mojoindex.html

I have bought 2 radios and a repeater from them and i cant say nothing bad about them they have gone above and beyond in my case even when the mistake was my fault. As mentioned above, there's no need to program any other frequency on a repeater except what you will be using for the repeater. In my case my repeater also can be switched to act like a base radio so i did program a few repeaters in my area so i switch to base and i can transmit to those repeaters and when im done switch back to repeater mode. Being a MOTOROLA getting the software for yourself is a bit costly and to be honest Motorola software is not easy for a novice there's so many ways you can screw up your repeater. Ask them if they can send you the codeplug of the radio once they program it that way you have a virgin codeplug in case anything goes wrong with the repeater.

For me studying for an exam, including the amateur exams, is all about real knowledge acquisition. Some of that knowledge comes from memorizing simple facts, some from deep dives into particular topics, some from doing and learning the math. The memorization part is the hard for me. I used and recommend the ARRL’s official study guides for the exam as a starter (e.g. https://www.arrl.org/shop/ARRL-General-Class-License-Manual-9th-Edition-Spiral-Bound/ ) I read the books cover to cover at first, at least once. Then more and again as needed. I then leveraged the questions at the end of the book to guide where I needed more study. Every time I got something wrong or felt i was guessing, I would re-read the relative section of the book and use the internet to seek out more information. I did use the Kindle version of the ARRL’s books on my iPad. The hyperlinks and ToC of the book made navigating easier work. The book is structured to make is possible to hop to the questions relative to what you are studying, and possible to hop back from the questions to the area where the supporting information lives. While I never hear it talked about, the ARRL has their own sponsored website for practice testing. https://arrlexamreview.appspot.com. I did eventually leverage that site to test my preparedness, but again used it inform where I needed to study more. As just a point of note, some of the best written explanations of various topics I found on net during my studies I found here: https://www.hamradioschool.com. While some topics are not related to current exam question pools, the information is definitely relevant. Congrats on passing your Technician exam. Enjoy your journey moving forward. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

Thanks for all the suggestions. I ordered The ARRL General Class License Manual. Dave Casler did a series containing 38 videos which goes through the book. The videos are at the Arrl Learning Center website. I will also use HamStudy for test prep. So I think I am set.

I use Zetron 3010 ALI displays that were part of the 3200 series telephone "Call Taking" systems. They provide a line for "name" and another for "phone number" but also show landline address, or wireless cell phone tower lat/long, then if they get the second "rebid" from an ALI database, the lat/long of the cell phone GPS. They will also show which first response elements are responsible for the callers location: police, fire, ems (emergency medical services), and usually a line or two of notes. Cellular calls will have the carrier name: Verizon, ATT WRLS (American Telephone &Telegraph Wireless), etc. However, they are not stand alone in that respect......you need access to an ALI database or something for the 3010 to query from to display information. I have several and an older copy of a local database, but have also connected one to an alarm system and another just to a keyboard for messages (the one shown). Zetron had numbered product lines: 1000 was SCADA, 2000 Paging Systems (yes, they are still in use many places), 3000 Call Taking, 4000 (Radio) Dispatch, 5000 DFSI dispatch, numbered box products, and then MAX series, and highest end Acom Novus. For the first 30 years, most of this was connected to Motorola radios, until they were bought by the JVC/Kenwood Group, then sold last year to Codan of Australia. I would consider the 3000/4000 series to be the best gear for a 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Point, unless they can afford Acom Novus ($1 million plus cost). Zetron's hayday matched that of Motorola in my opinion, 1980-1990's. But, you do need more than the device to get expanded Caller ID....a connection to an ALI database, Internet access, old electronic phone book.....I have seen some creative uses.

>>How about a feature to automatically subscribe you to a thread you've posted on? yes, i'm looking for this feature too.