OffRoaderX

have you checked that the Repeater/Base button is set for "Repeater"?

The RT97s I have right now is a loaner so I dont want to do anything to risk borking it.

If one moment its working normally, then the next, just beeping, then something has gone horribly wrong. I would try doing a factory-reset and if that does not help, I would recommend contacting TidRadio Support.

What kind of radio do you have? Have you made any changes to the radio recently? Have you tried turning the radio off/then back on?

"can it?" - Depends on the repeater "may it?" - yes, it is allowed by the GMRS rules. AFAIK, there are no rules/guidelines on what tones you can or cannot use, but there are standard ones, which inverted tones are. Further, there is no advantage (none that matters in the real world, for most people) to using inverted versus normal vs DTC vs CTC ..

When you google the user-manual for the radio, what does it say?

If you are referring to inverted DCS/DTC/DPL tones, then, yes - they are standard on virtually all GMRS radios. If you mean something else, then, i dunno.

When you can't transmit what happens? error tones? red light? Message on the screen? How do you get it to work again? Power-off and back on? It sounds like the radio is overheating or otherwise "getting tired", and if this is the case, no tips, tricks or programming it differently will help. Unless i'm way-off base, and unless someone has any better ideas, I think a call to TidRadio Support is in order, asking them to tell you how to fix it or to send you one that works.

Instead you got The Shining, Office Space and Emergency-51 !

If I listen to GMRS Live will i get to talk to Salton City Randy?

I suggest creating a new post/topic so as to not confuse/dilute/drive this entirely different question off topic.

That guy is just a shill for the Chinese manufacturers and will say whatever they pay them to say!!!1

I am guessing (hoping) that was a typo.

I am testing a new automatic RepeaterID device for the RT97s, and when installing the programming software for the RT97S i am getting this question - Did/does anyone else get this question when first running the install, and if so, what is the correct answer? Software was downloaded from the support-section of the Retevis.com website.

Without the specific tone you will hear everyone in range. The purpose of the tone is to blank-out everyone except for who is using that specific tone.

Not on GMRS you cant.

Based on my interpretation of the rules, yes. WARNING: I am not a lawyer, and I doubt anyone else that will leave a reply is either, so be wary of taking legal advice from strangers - we would hate to see you get a $10,000 fine.

You obviously have not used the Ai version of The Notarubicon - Yah, it says fars. Dont believe me, try chatting with it: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-lltaQJ8ro-learn-gmrs-with-the-notarubicon

I didnt know the answer, so I asked the Ai version of the Queen of all that is GMRS, and this was the answer (Experts, please grade the response):

no, he's just a social-retard and is incapable of expressing himself in a socially-acceptable way with other people.

Just when I think I've seen the most UN-helpful post ever, you come along and up the ante.

Assuming nothing is wrong with your current antenna, it is doubtful you will hear/notice much difference with a different antenna - and the kicker is that no-matter what anybody here says, no matter how many formulas they post, and now matter how many licenses they brag about having, the ONLY way to know for sure if it would make a difference is to buy the new antenna and try it. Stop over-thinking it and just use the damn thing.

Ok? Did you go to the CHIRP website and try downloading it?

That video is for the UV-5R which is a H.A.M. radio. Look for a video showing how to setup a repeater on a GMRS radio because the process is very different (MUCH easier on GMRS). Basic steps are: ID what repeater channel to use based on the frequency of the repeater enter the transmit tone (receive tone is optional) there is no 3.. you're done - the whole thing should take about 30 seconds.

I am going to go out on a limb and guess that I have probably used and owned more GMRS radios than anyone else here - and in my not humble opinion, the answer is "it depends" ... Usually, but not always, a higher priced radio will be better built, last longer and have more features than a less expensive one.. But not always. And, 50Watts is not necessarily the best - in most cases, for most people, usually, a 20W radio will give you just as many fars as a 50W radio when doing normal-people communications - your geography/terrain will usually limit your fars more than the watts, most of the time, on average, in most scenarios. For what you have indicated you want, I would say to check out the Wouxun XS20G or the KG-1000G .. If you want SUPER SIMPLE (but limited), look at one of the Midland 40 or 50W models. Based on my experience, and the experience of hundreds of personal friends (in my offroad/radio groups) and thousands of online 'friends', I would be cautious of the very cheap high-power mobile radios like the Btech, due to their high failure rate. Also keep in mind that EVERY manufacturer sells duds - so you will hear horror stories about ANY radio.. The thing to pay attention to is how often does that happen and to your point about customer support, how well does the company take care of them. Midland and Wouxun both have overall very good reputations of good support.