LeoG

What is it that you do like?

Definitely agree with how loud they can get. Wish my Wouxun mobile would get this loud. Sound quality of the Wouxun is far better but that doesn't do it in a loud environment like on the highway with the windows down.

Cheap chynese Radio. Must be horrible. And people have had problems with them that the company has resolved quickly. How horrible. Might as well spend 4 to 5 times as much and get a quality radio with many less features that you can only program with a computer instead of the keyboard on the fly.

I'm just waiting for the cable to arrive so I can install the mic update. Looks like you have to do that before the 1.008R update. At least that's what it said to do in the instructions. My Wouxun cable for whatever reason won't work even though it has the right chip. I'm assuming I'll have difficulty with the new cable but can't know until I get it. I have a Win7 and Win10 computer and neither seems to connect to the repeater properly with the settings they've said to use. In the bottom left hand corner of the CMD screen it says Offlin and the baud rate of 115200 and some other things that are cut off. I assume Offlin means it's not connected.

Can the CW ID be setup to stay silent during repeater inactivity and ID only when active. Does it wait for talking to stop before IDing? Or is that still the same with ID after every unkey or just timed based to infinity.

I have over a dozen of the H3s and one Baofeng UV-26

Ahhh, I see. Well so far my update is a no go.

After watching your video. And next time please exclude the woman in the blue bathing suit... I see you still need to update the firmware yourself. It does not come factory updated. I find that disappointing because all new stuff should be at the current update unless you get it during the crossover period. I am having the issue of not getting the menu to show when in the CMD screen on the computer so I can't choose 1 (or 2, 3 or 5) because the command screen is blank other than the fluorescent green cursor. So I am waiting patiently for the cord they sent me to arrive.

I think you said that you picked up another RPT50 to try, is that correct Randy? I was wondering if you got the V1.008R version which has the microphone activated for use as a base station. I got the update for the Mic Update and can't get my computer to interface with the repeater through the RJ45 jack using a USB to RJ45 bridge adapter. They said they would send me one but I found that I had one for my Wouxun radio to program it. Pretty sure they are the same thing as I checked in the Device Manager in Windows and it looks exactly like they describe it in the instructions. So now I'm waiting for their cable to come on Friday to see if mine is the issue or it's another problems to solve. Just curious if the newer versions are coming out updated from the factory.

BTECH GMRS-RPT50 Repeater 1.008R Release New Features and Improvements in 1.008R Release Date: 02/26/25 1. Hand Microphone Full Transmit/Receive Functionality: With firmware 1.008R, the hand microphone is no longer limited to just configuration tasks—it can now be used for both transmitting and receiving, effectively allowing the GMRS-RPT50 to function as a base station in addition to its role as a repeater. This means users can key up and communicate directly through the repeater without needing an external radio, making it more versatile for base station operation in home, emergency, or mobile setups. Whether monitoring local traffic or coordinating with other stations, this feature adds convenience and flexibility to the repeater’s capabilities. 2. Streamlined Menu: The firmware’s menu system has been refined to remove unused, redundant, or rarely accessed items. This decluttering makes it quicker to navigate the settings you actually need, reducing the likelihood of user confusion or misconfiguration. 3. CW ID On/Off: CW ID is the Morse code identifier that can be sent automatically to comply with identification requirements. Firmware 1.008R lets you decide whether to turn this ID feature on or off, giving you the flexibility to manage IDs exactly how you prefer—either automated via CW, or handled manually or by external logic. 4. Adjustable Squelch Level: You can now more precisely set how sensitive the repeater is to incoming signals. This is helpful if you live in an area prone to weak signals or noisy RF environments. By raising or lowering the squelch threshold, you can reduce unwanted static triggers while still allowing legitimate signals to pass. 5. Carrier Squelch RX/TX Mode: Previously, many repeaters required a CTCSS or DCS tone to activate transmit or open the squelch. With 1.008R, you have the option of pure carrier-based operation, ignoring any sub-audible tones on both receive (RX) and transmit (TX). This is especially handy for simple or wide-area repeater setups where tone-based access isn’t required or desired. 6. CTCSS/DCS Transmission with Identifier: Firmware 1.008R introduces a new configuration option that allows the CW ID to be transmitted either with or without the CTCSS/DCS tone used by the repeater. This gives users the flexibility to choose whether the station ID follows the same tone settings as regular transmissions (for systems requiring a uniform tone policy) or if it is sent without a tone, which is the standard practice for identification. This option ensures compatibility with different repeater setups while maintaining compliance with identification requirements. 7. Password Disable Option: For those who prefer seamless operation, the password feature can now be turned off entirely. This option removes the prompt that appears when configuration changes, ideal for shared stations in secure locations where password protection isn’t needed.

I just checked, there is a new update. No idea what's in it though. Last update was 003R BTECH GMRS-RPT50 Firmware Update and CPS Package (V1.008R)

No updates to the repeater other than to fix the digital tone. I don't use the IDer because it's my personal family based repeater. No one else has access to it with my permission.

Any Tidradio that was defective was replaced within days of me complaining. They never ask for the old radio either so no hassle with returning it. Although I think the quality control could be a lot better, the service I get from them is just fine. And they seem to stand behind their radios. If you are complaining about a $25-30 radio that comes with antennas, battery, charger, instruction booklet, USB power pack and cord you really need to think about what a great value that is for someone who isn't looking to spend $200+ per radio just for quality. When you get a good one it stays that way, well... so far.

Just looked up my own license and put it in correctly and it bumped it up by 2 digits and gave me someone elses info. So I went back and indeed I had entered it correctly and then pressed seach again and it came up with me. Using this URL https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/searchGmrs.jsp I went to the FCC login for registration and FRN stuff and it took 3 minutes before I got a response from the server.

No. That is up to the repeater operator. I have 3 repeaters that send out morse code IDs and one of them comes through and the other 2 don't. And I see in mine there is a choice to let the code have a tone or not.

I know for a fact that on the TD-H3 the transmit bar will show output whether or not the radio is actually transmitting. It's basically a hardwired feature and not an actually power measuring meter.

That's not necessarily true. I had my 1st set of TD-H3s come in with one radio that was transmitting low enough my SW-102 registered zero output yet I could over 1/3 mile with the bad radio but not be able to open up any repeater in my area.

I second the SW-102

Chatting is an activity.

That's why I leave the radio on 24/7, so I can listen to strangers. But most of them are really people I know and have talked to because of the nets.

Sounds like something you would do.

How about no thank you. The frequencies can get pretty busy in some areas and all you need is one yahoo jabber jawing for hours on end to destroy a whole bandwidth.

Or just plain old don't feel the need to go onto "bigger and better things". I got the GMRS so I could communicate with my wife and family either during an emergency or just because. I have no inkling to take a test so I can go out and spend thousands more to talk to people that I don't know. Maybe when I'm retired and bored I might pursue it but for now I'm happy with only having the family license to talk with family and some other acquaintances I meet along the way.

Yep, that's the only problem with RX tones is you might interfere with someone else's conversation and not even know it. Most radios will light up when receiving even if the tone is blocking the squelch. That way you can go to monitor and wait your turn.

Not exactly camping if you have full power, now is it?