Logan5

This would only add resale value to the property. Smart homes are in. and the wiring is the most important part.

If the repeater is on a high tower with reasonable LOS, even 2watts can effectively communicate 20+ miles. Yes repeaters often operate 30+ watt's but many could operate as effectively with just 10 to 20 watts, and in many cases even less. a quality antenna, feedline and height are far more important than High Power.

you won't need anything more powerful than a UV5r, unless you get a mobile or base. The UV5r is listed as 5 watt, but actually puts out more like 2.5 to 3 watts. Is about as much as you want for an HT. as far as effective communication, Height of antenna, quality feedline and connectors is far more important than watts of output. a 50 watt mobile is only more effective than a 5 watt HT, due to the ground plane of your automobile, 5 watt's will be nearly as effective with the same antenna and ground plane. by using High Power, when not applicable you only create a local RF mess, unless you have/find a high unobstructed location or a tower. (WQCN756) could be a repeater on a nice high tower for DX range like that.

I have a F9, not sure if V2. never had this problem. I manually change the frequency all the time for simplex and talk around. are you sure your in frequency mode? Not channel mode.

As i recall, "Scramble" is voice inversion and is not encrypted. BF888's are great simple non part 95 radios.

a 10 watt repeater at 100 feet, is 10X better than a 100 watt repeater at only 10 feet. Height is King.

No, you don't even need a GMRS license to run a GMRS repeater. You would need a license to use your GMRS repeater.

for that kind of coverage, antenna height is far more important than an expensive repeater. get your repeaters antenna up as high as you can. I and some other members have BridgeCom repeaters and they are very nice. about $1k not including cable, antenna and duplexor. They are part95 certified and put out 40 watts. you can get a usable two radio repeater for much less. but you get what you pay for.

Looks great, I have the same tripod mine peerless and on a flat roof though. Still waiting on permit for my tower. FAA and zoning already passed, but code has had the application for over 3 months. Local Hams have stepped in to help.

I would totally help if I were local.

you could use better feedline. and I would get that antenna at least 20' higher than your UHF TV antenna, Higher watts could damage your TV tuner.

press and hold the lock button, until the "key" disappears.

You are correct, I misstated the obligation of the repeater operator. Looks like I chased him away anyway. I personally keep a files on each user of my repeater asset, to prevent abuse of the station and or any of the licensed users, using it.

I have no experience with hardline yet. but I went with Times LMR600 and like it very much, however it has an even wider turning radius. I like your idea of switching cable at entry, something more flexible, but unsure of any issues it might cause. I think I would place the repeater and drill a hole in the wall directly behind it. so no bends at all. make sure you got a drip loop though.

Oh My Goodness!

I am no fan of bubble pak radios. not a bad place to start, but non-removable antenna, 1 watt power limit, no split tones. amoung other issues, make them unuseable on many repeaters. You can hear them because they are either using a powerful repeater or their HT puts out 2 to 4 watts. Your inability to talk back could be many issues. Power, improperly set DPL or pl tones, repeaters require an offset some bubble pak radios will not do. If you just purchased save your packaging and receipt and return them. You may be able to get a single part95 radio for about the same price, or a little more. I purchased the Motorola 350's they were repeater compatible, but at half the range of other radios. there are many UHF radios that will work on GMRS.

be patient. the databases take a lil longer to update as of late. a moderater will see this and help ASAP.

the BCR40 is not digital and digital is not legal on part95

manually change your radio from channel mode to frequency mode. Press "Menu" then use up and down arrow. once you change this you will figure the rest out on your own. keep tinkering...

I suspect damaged feedline or a connector.

how do you plan to power it up on the mountain?

understood, check for an off set - or + and a RX tone. those could interrupt your ability to hear in the open.

yea, I wouldn't keep keying up on an unauthorized frequency, even out in the sticks your are still not authorized to use that channel, 462.265 is not GMRS and could be your local police. I am not sure what you are trying to do and w/o a programming cable you can not change the 888, you need to find that cable or spend 6.99 for a new one and work your licensed channels. the radio that is not simplex is likely set for repeater off set or to RX tone.

is there a linux or rasberry pi version of this?

they make a 5' tripod, mine is made by EasyUp that can be mounted on straddling your peak with 9 lags. I have used with a 10' segment of 1 1/2" mast that can increase you by another 11 to 14', I have even used another product to overlap and piggy back another segment for 20+ feet. the second product makes it easy to drop it 8 to 9 feet in the event of high winds. both made by EasyUp. comparable to Rohn products by much better prices.