Extreme

First, for repeater use, you want the channels with the RP suffix, on those the offset should be preset. If the channel is just XX, you're on the simplex channel. You do have to enable them in the menu, then the channels will count up to 22, then 15rp through 22rp.
Second, good catch WyoJoe....625 and .675 should be channels 18 and 20.
Third, it sounds like you got the codes set successfully before, it sets the tone for both tx and RX (as you mentioned, no separate setting means no split tones.), And you get the game of cross referencing the tone to midland's corresponding code. If .625 and .675 are the frequencies in use, set the tones on channels 18rp and 20rp and check again.

My first thought was ensuring you entered the repeater codes on the transmit side of the radio. If entered on the receive side, they will not open the squelch on the repeater.
On the Midland, I'm not sure what the menu settings are called, but it would be something along the lines of TXCTS vs. RXCTS.
That would be the first thing I would check.
The second thing that caught my attention is that you mention CH20 and CH21, which are sequential, and frequencies of .625 and .675, which are not.
.650 is between them, so are you sure you're using the correct channels?

I would advocate that you conduct simplex testing first to confirm you can communicate between your intended sites before investing in repeater specific gear. The results of those tests will be incredibly beneficial. If you achieve exceptional results doing simplex, then there is reasonable chance of success with a repeater.

I have considered hosting a repeater on my property, but have not yet chosen to do so. Even though my elevation is good (at or above everyone else for miles) I know from testing I would still need to get my antenna well above the trees (perhaps 100-120 feet or more AGL) to achieve reliable repeater coverage out to 8-9 miles and be suitable for reliable use with an HT. My range limitation is mostly foliage density (i.e. the trees are my enemy). The cost of the tower to achieve that elevation detracts me from moving forward.

If you are considering the Retevis repeater, it is only 5 watts, so your simplex testing would need to yield exceptional results using only 5 watts of power. I say exceptional, because the Retivis will not work as well as a simplex radio solution.

For my testing, I opted for a HD fiber glass pushup mast and high-gain collinear antenna on top. It was suitable for testing, and has found itself now semi-permanently installed next to the house.

Here is an image taken when i was doing my simplex testing. Top of antenna in this picture is 56’ AGL.



Bottom line, if you can’t simplex between the intended sites from your desired antenna elevations, using the intended amount of power, there is zero chance of repeater success. So, my advise is to keep your expectations realistic, do your testing first so that when you do decide to invest in a repeater your expectation bubble will not burst.


Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

Ya, already downloaded the software so will have my buddy bring his radios with him Saturday when we're having a Jeep "garage day" and give it a shot.
...since I already have Kenwood & Wouxun cables.

TDR is a double edge sword. It is great when you need to monitor multiple two frequencies or scan two ranges at the same time. But on an HT it can be bad when you find yourself talking on one side of the radio while audio is being received on the other. The audio from receive side gets picked up by the microphone and retransmitted on the other side, while is simultaneously distracts you, the talking operator.
 
While I really do like having TDR, I find I have to immediately disable now if I am going to use the radio for its intended purpose, two-way radio communications. I have been caught off guard multiple times in the middle a communications when suddenly the speaker starts reproducing audio from another channel. I wish my radios had the option that would enable muting of the second side when the PTT button is pressed. A user preference setting.

So, this is really embarrassing. . . It is the label on the side of the radio.
 
JG

If you do remove an NMO mounted antenna for safety while using the carwash, please do be sure to buy a screwon cap for the NMO mount...
 

I finally received my shiny new RT97 portable repeater yesterday. I chose to have them program it in the ham portion of the UHF band, since they don't charge extra for it, nor for tuning the duplexer. I do have the service equipment here in case I ever need to retune the duplexer.
 
So far I'm very pleased with it's performance even though currently it's connected to a tri-band NMO mag mount antenna on a 14' diameter pie pan. I was able to hit the repeater full quieting about 3 miles from my 40 watt mobile. 
 
I've read elsewhere that many (including our very own Rich!) have had problems getting the programming software configured properly. After several attempts, I finally discovered that Retevis only allows COM1 through COM20 in their software. On my development computer all COM ports 1 through 22 (save one) are already in use, so the system assigned COM23 to the Prolific programming cable!
 
I noted that COM2 was not already in use, so I had to use the Advance option to re-assign COM23 to COM2. Bingo! Now the darn thing will connect and will allow for read/write operations to take place.
 
I note that the RT97 has 16 channels that may be programmed. Evidently the duplexer they are using will allow +/- 500kHz to pass through adequate signal, so they have pre-programmed the other 15 channels accordingly! This has proved to be a blessing since my primary channel (#1) is 442.975/447.975. The closest repeater on that pair is in Attica, Indiana, nearly 120 air miles from me so I thought that was clearly enough separation to cause no problems, especially since I chose to use 141.3 CTCSS for the input/output tone. Unfortunately, Attica is a DMR repeater and the analog 'machine gun sound' has been coming in loud and clear! So I've moved up 12.5kHz (channel #2) to eliminate the nasty sound...
 
I am intending this portable repeater to be used primarily as part of our ARES group here in NW Indiana, and am anxious to get this outdoors for some range testing!
 

I am posting this for the benefit of newcomers to myGMRS. Folks entering the world of GMRS and repeaters often have early questions on this very subject and the question can often best be answered through the use graphics or video. I stumbled across the following video this morning that I found to be short, simple, and concise. So I post here for the benefit of new members of the myGMRS community.
 

 
Enjoy.
 
 
Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

That's real nice, but on this forum, we generally try not to recommend people doing illegal things.  Keep in mind that Baofeng UV-5 series and F8 series radios are not type accepted for use on GMRS, thus, you are in fact breaking the law.
 
If you were running a Part 95 accepted 25-40 Watt radio such as a Kenwood, Motorola, or even a Midland MXT400 with a quarter-wave antenna on your roof, you would be able to easily reach the back of your convoy at 3-5 Miles, legally.

I'm not trying to poke the bear with this question.  I would like to spend my money on American products where I can.  At least on a USA based company, preferred manufactured here too.  It is not the only decision factor but one that I try to include in my pros and cons list when weighing my purchase decisions.  If hypothetically, everything the same, I would pay a few extra dollars for something that I knew was based and made in the USA rather than all overseas.  I will still buy stuff from overseas if it is by far superior in every way and fits my needs.  I'm not brand loyal yet, since I am still very new to GMRS and I have not been about buying something for status since I was a freshman in high school LOL.
 
Thanks!

The FCC has stated they will shift to the new fees AFTER Congress has been notified of the changes AND the website has been updated. Each change will be handled individually.

No, not yet. So surprised too.
 
 
Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

heres my install on my jeep
 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OCo-kTqks-DXwjCmhmMgn2eruM0fEF0F/view?usp=sharing
 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1O52S2yl8rKX0OoaisNHeNHPzJNGr9-CR/view?usp=sharing
 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1N8DFM3ifyRxexGI9Qh7eCNPjvgGNCgrT/view?usp=sharing

This post reminded me of the mental exercise I did some time back... Like you I spend most of my time outside.  I have outside speakers driven by the RV stereo.  So if I got a call I had to go inside to respond.  Then I said what about just mounting a radio in outside entertainment center.  That lead to "can have access if I'm driving" (I have a motorhome).    
 
So I settled on getting a HT like a KG-805G as good quality, water resistant, and can use it everywhere.
 
Food for thought, IMHO.
 
Jack 
 
P.S.  I purchased a $400 repeater for RV and Ed Fong antenna attached to ladder.    

Couple ideas: use some form of adapter (3.5mm, bluetooth, etc) to send audio from the kenwood to the rv stereo, and let that power the outside speakers. This way no worries about the speaker impedance.
 
Alternately, if they're 4 ohm speakers (standard automotive), you could wire them in series to get an 8 ohm load to the radio, though only mono audio.

If your speakers were too high of an impedance you just wouldn't get much volume.
No harm would be done to the radio.
 
If the speakers Z was too low AND you really cranked it up loud maybe you could damage the radio from excessive current but pretty unlikely.
Most audio output chips are temperature protected anyhow.
 
You could just add 4 ohms in series which should satisfy the min Z requirement. 
 
Vince

I hope to not expire before my current license in 2027.  

Just completed a GMRS test between my Jeep and the significant other. We both have Midland MXT400 w/ 6db antenna mounted on her JK and my TJ.
Over 40 miles from Northern Colorado into Wyoming just south of Cheyenne.
My standing elevation was at 5K' and hers traveling maxed at 6.1K' with some moderate terrain signal shadowing along the way. Clear voice typically and 3 to 5 on RX.

https://www.nrs.com/product/28572/aquapac-small-vhf-classic-228

Whew. Done deal. Works as advertised. Programmed for area repeaters and simplex 'wheelin' channels + ham repeaters scan.- 3 zones. Clears the seat slide & I don't ford rivers so should be good. Kenwood TK-8180 with remote kit.
 
Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

Listening to the soundbite included in the post I can say for sure this is not the case. You can hear it is coming from the repeater as the static at times mixes with the audible beep.

Good Luck!
 
 
Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

840 vs 880 vs 8180: also consider software. I understand that software for 840 is DOS, while 880 and 8180 is served by Windows applications. If you are not afraid of dealing with DOS, then fine. 8180 also has a removable head, allowing better installation in tight spaces.

Guess I could have tried restore to factory but they were quick to request it back.  Only PF1 "SCAN" not working was my issue.  It's on it's way to BTWR now.