warthog74

Not sure if it’ll help, but i downloaded the rt97s software and drivers without issue from retevis’s official site, and put them on my google drive. Here’s the link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WbdCZIB1ilz64gNe8QtS6NG1gLHcsg-0?usp=sharing

How big is the ranch? One centrally located repeater with an antenna at 30’ or higher should easily cover 3-5 miles. If there is no power available in the middle of the ranch you could always set up a small solar powered repeater relatively cheap.

Not to be THAT guy, but hardly anybody is using a “legal” radio. I bet at least 65% or more of licensed GMRS users are using “illegal” rigs. Like it matters. The FCC botched it when they allowed bubble pack FRS radios to include GMRS freqs. It is now basically a free for all, or CB 2.0. They should be happy some of us even pay for a license.

I hit 2 repeaters at 34 miles and 55 miles that were both south of me using a n9tax slim jim antenna hung 30-40 feet up a tree a few years back. I’ve since moved a few miles west of where i was and can no longer hit them unfortunately.

It really didn’t take long to toss together once i had everything. Waiting for some of the parts to arrive from ebay / amazon took the longest and slowed the build down.

Update: The Anderson connectors worked out fine. Fit nice and snug and easy to connect / disconnect. I also managed to fit the solar controller, microphone, programming cable, and manuals so that the lid closes with everything i need inside. I used velcro to secure a zip lock bag to hold the manuals and programming cable to the lid. I also had an old fiberglass 102’ whip from my CB days laying around along with an old mirror mount, so i used its guts which got mounted to the lid. Then i zip tied my n9tax slim jim to the 102. Now wherever i put the ammo can repeater, the antenna is a “minimum” 9 feet off the ground. If i stick it on the roof of my truck, then 16-17 feet off the ground. All thats left is an external charging port for the solar panel and it’s done. Pretty happy with the result.

Thanks. I think i might have some of those laying around somewhere. Will have to do some digging.

This is a work in progress, but here’s what i have so far. Intended use will be for camping, fishing, power outages, and when SHTF. Ammo can $17 - 6ah lifepo4 battery $19 - 10w eco-worthy solar panel $21 - 30a mppt charge controller $12 - surecom sr-112 simplex repeater controller w/kenwood mobile plug $55 - leixen vv-898 10w uhf/vhf transceiver $67 - velcro $5 - so239 to so239 bulkhead connector $3 - n9tax murs/gmrs tuned slim jim antenna $33 - 2 cig plug sockets $8. Total = $240. I’d still like to change a few things, but it’s functional. Mainly i want to add an external power connector of some sort for solar charging so that i don't have to open it up to get to the other cig plug thats attached to the charge controller. I’m thinking about a marine grade water proof cig plug with dust cover and cutting another hole in the ammo can to mount it, but not sure yet. Also want to add some foam inserts to keep the battery in place. Everything else is either screwed down or held on by velcro. I also want something other than alligator clips on the battery that can be quick connect/disconnect. Inside the box i labeled i have the mic and some other goodies if i want to use it for comms rather than a repeater, or in case of an emergency. The radio is programmed in Bank A with just gmrs repeater freqs, Bank B is programmed with murs/frs/gmrs/marine (for emergency use)/2m calling (for emergency use) and noaa. The leixen only draws .3a idle/RX and 1.5a during TX, so the 6ah (72wh) battery should last for a few days without the solar panel attached if need be. Anyway, here is the functional, but not finished product. (and yes, i have to remove the box to close the lid. the charge controller fits in that spot. might look for a smaller charge controller so that it all fits inside.)

Awesome. Thanks.

That’s slick. I’m game. 3323 Kewaunee Rd. Bellevue, Wi 54311 30 feet 2-3db gain 25 watts (about 15w after duplexer and line loss) Thanks.

Nice. I went cheap also. Two 3/4” x 10’ chunks of EMT conduit with a coupler from Menards. Two cheap mounting brackets off E-Bay. Bolted the brackets to the garage. Cut a chunk of wood and mounted it to bird house's 4x4 post, then drilled a hole near the end to run some zip ties through attached to the mast. Helps eliminate some swaying. Height of antenna (gmrs tuned j-pole) is roughly 30 feet off the ground. Total cost was less than $50. Whatever works right?