sjmahler

I have a shell script that you might enjoy. I am just putting my Node / Repeater in service. This was originally written for ham nodes. If you operate or debug using a console session (SHH, PUTTY, etc.) and you want to send the repeater a DTMF command you can pick up a radio or type a somewhat long command. Script "rpt" from the console makes it easy. Simulates sending DTMF command *3111 > rpt *3111 Simulates sending DTMF command *3222 generating the "*" for you > rpt 3222 Not a big deal but I use it all the time. rpt.txt

You have an interesting question about Cell Data being part of the PSTN. I leapt to PSTN being limited to voice channels. Early on the concept of the capacity needs for everyone having a modem connected, dial up style, was terrifying. Modems killed the PSTN usage / all trunks busy calculations that had been used for years. So the question is ... is cell data part of the PSTN. It is not carried on a voice channel. I believe cell data is on a totally isolated set of frequencies. I guess some research is in order !!

I wasn't considering a commercial hotspot. I was going to marry a type 95e radio to a raspberry pi, throw asterisk and allstar on it, and go from there.

Around here you could ask a LEO for a 10-21 and a Firefighter for a 10-21 ... one would call you, the other bring you a 2 1/2 inch hose. QSL?

I am in the process of putting up a home repeater and have a PI ready to add linking. I was thinking that a GMRS HotSpot in my car would be nice (there are no repeaters in the "county"). I have noticed some articles talking about no hotspots. I have noted a few reasons, but I can't be sure that I have seen all discussion or the newest discussion. My concept is a part 95 E radio, a radio interface and a little PI with WIFI. PI goes to the car WIFI, poof you have a link to the HOME Repeater. (It works, I do this with an OpenSpot.) One post talked about a problem with FRS radios. To mitigate this problem I would program the hotspot radio just like a repeater with the pair upside down. The HT in the car set to one of the normal repeater channels. Add an out of the way DCS tone to the system. Another post talked about level setting. I see this as a universal issue with FM repeaters from any radio service being linked. If the hotspot can be calibrated to meet deviation / level standards I don't see it as an issue. GMRS is certainly more appliance than ham radio. But, some do have the skills and equipment. So what's the word fellas, are we OK with carefully designed hotspots (or maybe better named a "half duplex node").

My review says channels 31 to 127 can be programmed with repeater channels (or simplex too). It does require editing the config xml file.

Thanks for answering !! Would you please provide the YT channel name or URL to the video.

I haven't found a definitive answer ... using the Baofeng UV-5G with the Baofeng CPS or CHIRP ... can memory 31 to 128 be programmed with a repeater pair? I need to have multiple tones for a single frequency. Thanks.

For those folks considering a Retevis RT-97S ... I have learned the following since purchase via mygmrs.com (Thanks Rich for your help!!) . 1) The label on outside of the box shows the frequency of Channel 1 for the default configuration file. 2) The duplexer has been tuned to the center of the 8 input channels and the 8 output channels. Untested, but I have been told at the low power level of a 97S it works. 3) The Retevis document in the box does not explain how the front panel controls actually work. There is nothing wrong with the change and it adds the ability to control volume out which could be very useful interfacing to a computer. 4) If your big windows computer has many "USB things" other than old fashion com ports, you might have to grab a laptop to do the programming. When the programming software can not display the 97S USB interface so you can pick it, but the port shows up in the device manager, this may be your problem. 5) The Retevis software to install the USB driver might throw you an error message while loading your driver (MS Visual C++ Runtime Library error). Check and see if it might have completed installation before it threw the error message. 6) I thought the RT-97 was an 8 channel device. I was surprised to see the RT-97S with 16 channels. 7) It would be nice if the programming software would print your channel information. I haven't found it and doing a screenshot to have the data printed. eight) In the programming software you can set two fields named "Embedded Message" ... apparently it places a string of text in the 97S configuration memory. I have decided to plant info that points to the owner and the version of the configuration file. 9) Untested, in the programming software "Tail Tone Eliminate" seems to be reverse CTCSS during repeater hang time (aka Chicken Burst). 10) Privacy codes (which should be "Listening Filters" or "Matching Filters") are supported. Split codes are also supported. And that's way too much for now. ...STeve

Feels and sounds like metal. I have seen a couple of teardown videos that show the TX / RX cage (appears very beefy) secured with a thermal paste to efficiently transfer heat to the exterior case. Might as well use that metal can and explains the ribbed exterior. I would imagine that line amps have the same issue. ...STeve

Sure ! I will try your suggestion again. Further information ... moved to Windows 7 laptop, it finds the Com Port but unable to do the read. It talks about a bad format. So, for fun I put the power supply on the 97. Display lights ... but the controls don't act like the manual that came with the unit. LONG press up / down is channel UP / DOWN. Short press UP/DOWN is VOLUME UP/DOWN (a surprise but maybe good because I have an old URIx and PI waiting). LONG PRESS UP AND DOWN to see the PL tones. Are we having fun yet ??? I must have firmware that doesn't match the PC app (ignoring the comm port issue). Dimensions (including things sticking out): 11.5 W X 8.25 H X 3.25 D let me know if you need additional info. Thanks for your suggestion! [Enjoy your vids !] ...STeve WRVM211 / KF5VH

Software Version ... RT97 Program Software Ver 1.05 Date 3/3/2019 I have also force the port number from 4 to 9 and 4 to 2 ... no joy.

Brand new 97S and cable from myGMRS. Windows 10 system. Plug programming cable into USB port (have tried USB 2 and 3). Windows device manager sees port. Software Version ... RT97 Program Software Ver 1.05 Date 3/3/2019 Start RT97 programming software ... RT97.exe. Attempt to set Com Port ... port is grayed out. Tried multiple usb slots. Tried updating driver, have current version. Have disabled/enabled Com port, have rebooted system, have tried to run RT97.exe as admin. NO JOY. Port remains greyed out in list. Started my exe for a UV5G ... it finds Com4 no problem. I have also force the comm port number from 4 to 9 and 4 to 2 .... no joy. Would appreciate any pointers or experiences you may have had with similar problems. Sigh. ...STeve