BoxCar

The letters designate if the code is normal or inverted. I haven't dug into DCS tones enough to understand the differences.

@AdmiralCochrane Many of their 12V supplies are adjustable to 13+ volts. Most of mine go to 13.6.

Personally, I use Mean Well (AKA Meanwell) power supplies I buy off Amazon. The Mean Wells are rated for medical use which translates to no measurable RF noise and constant output. Many public safety agencies also use the Mean Well supplies in their repeater sites.

Twp things, are you certain the battery is charged and do you have another battery you can use for a test? Otherwise, my recommendation is to go to a radio shop selling Motorola radios and ask them to check it out. You may have to pay a diagnostic fee but they will diagnose the problem.

With the PTT button not pressed it should show a frequency of 462.XXXXX. With the PTT pressed, it should show a 467XXXXX frequency. Wait, that's a 5 MHz offset isn't it?

The Tech license in amateur radio is limited almost exclusively to VHF/UHF frequencies however, there are so many different modes available you really don't mind the restriction. I'm Extra class but operate primarily in the Tech bands because its so much fun.

You also need to ensure you are on a repeater channel and not a simplex one.

The only method is to monitor the repeater's input or output. Optionally, you can connect a recorder.

Ahh, let the spending begin! The best hand held/mobile radio are the ones that meet your needs - and no, you don't need a repeater!

And be certain they aren't too tight as it chokes the functioning.

Between the ears

No, the signal being sent is only 20 KHz wide 125 KHz away.

Look at cell towers. The antennas on each tier (candelabra) are in an equilateral triangle 120 degrees apart. The antenna elements are highly directional with excellent F/B ratios. For your plan, I'd look into building Moxon antennas. The physical size is quite small with about a 12 dBb gain and 30 dB front to back.

As it's a DIY, perhaps you keyed in th receive frequency yourself. It's easy to make that error as some channels end in 25 while others are 50.

The BF-888s have been around for years. I picked up a pair about 6 years ago and gave them away. My thoughts, stay away.

May want to look at these as well https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088GQMX45/ref=sspa_dk_detail_5?pd_rd_i=B088GQMX45&pd_rd_w=r4YEl&content-id=amzn1.sym.8c2f9165-8e93-42a1-8313-73d3809141a2&pf_rd_p=8c2f9165-8e93-42a1-8313-73d3809141a2&pf_rd_r=3C3KC236XPPDDN7V1KMN&pd_rd_wg=Qc0NA&pd_rd_r=b398c3c2-7b4b-4606-a036-c1f7ada2134b&s=car&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWw&th=1

Sounds like a failing capacitor or Zener diode.

This won't be decided here if those frequencies are available above Line A or east of Line C. Kenny, why didn't you verify your point with the FCC before posting your interpretation of the rules?

But at least the conversation is semi-intelligent.

i believe you are dismissing the Shannon Effect in stating you need solid copper core coax. The Shannon Effect (not our Steve's notes) states the higher the frequency, the electrons move closer to the surface of the conductor. That's one reason some coax has steel or aluminum cores and just a copper shell. The key figure to check in the cable's specs is the velocity of propagation along with the cable's loss.

You'll want this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0842B1WFS/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B0842B1WFS&pd_rd_w=x2cE1&content-id=amzn1.sym.386c274b-4bfe-4421-9052-a1a56db557ab&pf_rd_p=386c274b-4bfe-4421-9052-a1a56db557ab&pf_rd_r=9YZT9E1TH5RETEYTT830&pd_rd_wg=YGa5N&pd_rd_r=342e6db3-d9e7-4982-9774-5635fddbabc5&s=aht&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWxfdGhlbWF0aWM

They are fine with the exception of the coax. I recommend https://thewireman.com/product/cq-rg8-low-loss-4xl-lmr400-equivalent/ for coax ($1.80 per foot). If you order from the Wireman, you will need 2 PL-259 connectors and 2 installations. The connectors are either $3 or $6 each and there is a $5 install charge for each. The Wireman also charges for shipping so that's an added cost. I use coax from this vendor for my own site.

You could also be getting a "Knife edge" as a sharp peak will deflect a signal toward the valley behind it.

@WSDS356 You do know TQSL puts the same tone on both transmit and receive, didn't you? If you only want to send the tone but be able to hear everything on the channel, go to set TONE MODE to TONE with the code in theTONE column.

They are all about the same. The fact about FM is that all radios using analog FM are compatible. Don't overpay, but don't skimp either. The Radioddity 20W is good along with any other in the price ($20) range is what I would recommend. The Radioddity brand was provided as only a start, not necessarily recommendation. You will need coax with PL-259 connectors, LMR-400 quality and an antenna. Your situation, where you're talking only a few miles requires just a J-Pole style and my recommendation here is not an Ed Fong but an https://www.jpole-antenna.com/shop/462-mhz-land-mobile-gmrs-j-pole-antenna/,