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Hello Gentlemen, I'm a brand new GMRS user introducing myself from the Inner Banks of North Carolina. Also a Ham operator and just realized there is a GMRS repeater right here in town, so I decided to get my GMRS ticket as well. WRTS213 ~ Waterfront Radio Tranmitting Station 213 (The only way I can remember a 7-character call sign) Thanks for having me in your community. Anthony www.kd3y.com

If by "kid friendly" you mean something of the type sold in "bubble packs" -- take note that true FRS (what you most likely will find in local stores) do NOT do repeaters. Not even all GMRS bubble packs (if you find them) do repeaters. Granted, my information is a bit old, from units predating the 2017 reorganization of FRS vs GMRS. I have a pair of Midland units that reclassified as GMRS due to having three power levels, with the highest breaking the new 2W FRS limit, but does not do repeaters. I also have a pair of Motorola bubble pack which reclassified as GMRS because they DO have repeater mode. That Retevis sale looks intriguing -- but I've already spent nearly $2000 on radio gear in the last few months (BTech GMRS-V2, Icom ID52A, Icom ID-5100A -- and the ton of support/options needed to fit that into my rust bucket [come on... a 9ft power cable, but an 11 ft control head cable? It's 17 feet from where the box is mounted to the battery!, and 15 feet to where the control head is mounted]). Of the bundles -- the RB23 might qualify as the kid-friendly pair; water resistant, no front-panel programming -- configure them using computer software (set time-out timer so they don't just sit with PTT pressed and make noise at them -- you will have to change the channels to wide, the factory default is narrow (FRS compatible), and probably remove CTCSS tones from the basic channels; set desired tone for the repeater config/channel). The only thing they can do is change the channel, whatever you program the side button as [Monitor?], and PTT. I'd probably pick the RA85 bundle. That model provides 30 additional "channel" slots into which one could program multiple repeaters with their CTCSS tones, even if they are using the same frequency pair. Nicer than having to carry a listing of repeater/tone around and manually changing configuration via front panel. Three power levels. Still has the problem that factory setting is NFM, not (W)FM, and they filled all channel slots with variations of CTCSS and DCS combinations -- I'd clear the tones, set all to FM, and clear out 31-60 unless I have known repeaters to put in. The RB17 combo may be a bit perplexing for entry level... dual watch, front panel programming via a limited number of buttons. And Retevis NFM/tone combos preset... So I'd be clearing those out. I suspect these radios are designed primarily for Part 90 Land Mobile use which is probably mandated to be NFM.

2nd the RT-97.. Its portable, light, small, rugged, and it works great

This is a very good use for the Retevis RT-97, which is an all in one repeater and duplexer. Add an antenna and cable and you have a small low power repeater.

Is there any way to update a request for access to a repeater which has unlisted tones? I've had requests to two large repeaters for about three months with no response. One I am not so much concerned about as that trip has passed. The other is in an area I find myself often.

You can buy a “cheap” Chinese Radio, CCR, and program it for receive only. Typically the transmit function is disabled by leaving the field for the transmit frequency empty. They come lock to the Ham bands for transmitting, receive isn’t a problem. There is a very simple way to change that using an undocumented command in the programming software and password. I’ve been using a cheap TYT TH-350 tri-band radio as a scanner in the house to monitor local communications. I think it works better than the BTECH model and costs about the same. http://www.randl.com/shop/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=370&products_id=74359 The programming software works reasonably well.

Thank you...I bought that kit. Not worth the effort to source the materials when its only 30 bucks!

3rd. I know I have posted this around before...but this is my "throw down" repeater. It was originally a "proof of concept" for my solar repeater, so it's not the prettiest of construction. Hike this up a mountain in a backpack..."throw it down"...walk away. Coverage for 15,20, 30 miles depending on height.

Agreed! RA25, UV-5R, UV-9G x2, BF-T11 x6, LXT600PA x 2, and waiting to see what other deals I find hahaha

Here is what I did if you don't want to spend the funds on a Reteveis. (Altho if I had a travel trailer the Reteveis with a extendable mass antenna would be my ideal setup.) Now this isn't a epic high power repeater but is self contained and deployable while out camping. Hoist it into a tree, or set it up on a hill. It has run a couple days with moderate traffic. Worked decent for when people ventured out from where we camped surrounded by hills. HT to HT at camp would not hit through the hill. Plopped this little box on the top and was able to bounce up and over the hit back to camp. Its just a Baofeng, Surecom and a HF box with some random connectors. Runs completely on their own batteries. As long as you understand the Surecom takes and rebroadcast your transmission and everyone remembers to give a few seconds for the transmission. Think maybe I am into it around 100 bucks give or take.

On Ebay look up seller mre1032 and search through his offerings. He makes a plug and play for what you want. His instructions will include any programming info needed. He’s a very reliable seller and highly regarded in Motorola legacy user community. edit to add: This will do trick: https://www.ebay.com/itm/350576654026?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=2EZBpsHPQDa&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=GPyqobjPSYK&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=EMAIL