quarterwave

https://midlandusa.com/new-extended-range-and-ultra-slim-midland-mxt100-micromobile-gmrs-2-way-radio-allows-you-to-stay-connected-to-everyone/?avad=55963_c911208a

Update. I did swap to a M120...and I run about 8 watts to hit the repeater from my house. It tests and alerts for my area (FIPS/SAME coded) reliably for a couple of months now. I am limiting the TX to 45 seconds now which give you time to hear the core of the message if it's a severe alert. 
 
Still pondering making a base out of it at the tower site...just make it go out on 675 rather than be on one of the repeaters. 
 
I guess the big takeaway is the very simple setup using a minimum of equipment works well. 

It could be a licensee, or some rougue radio dealer that setup and unsuspecting customer with SCADA-like or simple remote controlling hardware, it could very well be simplex. You can use DTMF encoder/decoders to kick on relays for various things, setup/knockdown repeaters, etc. The receiver radio basically has an output that drives a relay and then things that can be done are many...high and low voltage switching. It could also be a trigger of some sort sending the DTMF, and the receiver just goes into alarm to signify something happened....could be an alarm, alert, water level, power out, door that opened...etc. Those are some more elaborate examples, but in the radio biz I setup a fire departments' big siren on the roof of the FD to blow by remote, also setup thier garage doors to go up when a certain code was used, and a real cool one...gas pumps active for 15 minutes after a code was put through. 
 
If you are hearing a rapid string, it is pre-programmed and is likely intentional. Legit use of the freq? Probably not. 

Yep...I've built several, but that little thing is cute...if it works, could be useful in the right situation. I remember working on a FBI style suitcase repeater once, it was basically a couple of Motorola HT's in a briefcase with a battery and little duplexer. I think the portables were HT90 guts....VHF. I also remember some older repeaters for industrial use that were 2 and 4 watt, I think Motorola and Ritron had one...like late 80's early 90's. Motorola had that SYSTEL which was a UHF 2 watt box with interconnect. When I worked at the M shop I interconnected our AT&T phone system to an interconnect on a 5 watt base so our guys could take or make calls from their vans if they were parked outside or close by the shop. It was handy. We also used it to receive a DTMF that triggered one of the overhead doors to open...it was easier and cheaper than buying a dozen $150 remotes! 
 
What gets me on these repeaters are these goof balls on ebay hacking together some old used mobiles or portables in what looks like a spaghetti nightmare and calling it a repeater...mostly for GMRS, but some guy has one he demo's as cross band....146 in 467 out....now he knows just about enough to be dangerous.

If transmissions aren't being properly IDed, then the repeater needs an IDer. So if everyone properly ID's, then one is not required. Which is what makes GMRS repeaters so much easier (and cheaper) to build.
 
The only real reason I'd put an IDer on a GMRS repeater, is for a private repeater used by those covered under a single license. I'm actually working on a repeater for my family and one for my friend's (who happens to have a family run farm). Those will have IDer's on them.

I thought it may be because public safety, etc is public information, HAM is an open "hobby", but GMRS and likewise a "business" repeater or base, are more of a private deal. Not private in a "protected" sense or under some guise of privacy from listeners, but the type of communication is really not in the spirit of "action" most scanner peeps are after. 

I figure it's like the GMRS rules, where we, the licensees mainly keep the hobby in check. With MURS, no one going to even know how or that they should complain....not many people could/would even realize someone is using 5 watts versus 2, and probably wouldn't care anyway. Can't imagine the FCC caring at all, since they don't tend to want to keep FRS-ers off of GMRS for us. 
 
I'm in a semi rural area, used to hear more on .600 and .570 than I do now. I think alot of drive through's have switched to digital systems, seemed to be alot of them using these freqs in years past.
 
I know that one business around here used to have .600 in their 45 watt mobiles. When they converted to narrow for the rest of their system, .600 came out of the programming and a newly licensed itinerant went in it's place, so they are legal now. They never had a license for .600 anyway, my source said they started using it in portables many years ago to coordinate with a contractor and just never stopped...ended up in mobiles...and through changing people overseeing radio for them, the upkeep and legalities got lost in the shuffle. They are square now, but it just shows how things get forgotten about and companies end up getting fined...all because people changed jobs, left, ball got dropped, no one paying attention. And for every one that gets fixed, there is probably 10 more not.
 
I worked for a radio shop years ago, so I learned the right way.....follow the rules, and it's no one's fault but your own if you don't. 

I figure it's like the GMRS rules, where we, the licensees mainly keep the hobby in check. With MURS, no one going to even know how or that they should complain....not many people could/would even realize someone is using 5 watts versus 2, and probably wouldn't care anyway. Can't imagine the FCC caring at all, since they don't tend to want to keep FRS-ers off of GMRS for us. 
 
I'm in a semi rural area, used to hear more on .600 and .570 than I do now. I think alot of drive through's have switched to digital systems, seemed to be alot of them using these freqs in years past.
 
I know that one business around here used to have .600 in their 45 watt mobiles. When they converted to narrow for the rest of their system, .600 came out of the programming and a newly licensed itinerant went in it's place, so they are legal now. They never had a license for .600 anyway, my source said they started using it in portables many years ago to coordinate with a contractor and just never stopped...ended up in mobiles...and through changing people overseeing radio for them, the upkeep and legalities got lost in the shuffle. They are square now, but it just shows how things get forgotten about and companies end up getting fined...all because people changed jobs, left, ball got dropped, no one paying attention. And for every one that gets fixed, there is probably 10 more not.
 
I worked for a radio shop years ago, so I learned the right way.....follow the rules, and it's no one's fault but your own if you don't. 

Quaterwave, You asked about the terrain, well it is flat but we have a lot of trees. My wife and I did a test two evenings ago, and with her standing in the middle of our property we could not communicate at the farthest corner. A repeater may not be necessary maybe just a roof mounted antenna, but it still seems like a fun project to put together.

Appreciate the counter points. I wasn't suggesting the R100 was not a good unit, it was good for what it was built for, which was not to be a 100% duty cycle heavy duty repeater. We sold alot of them when I worked for M, and they generally were great. I did see some melted down because the customer needed a MSR2000 or MSF but didn't want to spend the money. I would hate to see someone buy one that may essentially be salvage, and may not be working....but buying one from a seller that can test, and would take it back if it wasn't what he said it was, would be better. Especially if you are are just-getting-started radio guy. 
 
I would disagree a bit on the Radius and Maxtrac....I have seen many a small repeater made from them, and they are a reliable, well made mobile. I have some that are 20+ years old and work just like new. 
 
I do understand that everyone's experience will vary, we each like what we like. 

Yes, once you find your way around M equipment, like I did working for them in the early 90's, its is cool to see what you can get into. Our shop built alot of interesting things back then. 
 
I run a pair of M208's as a small repeater, I have it set for about 15 watts, and it works just fine. Celwave mobile duplexer and a MRE1032 RA_1 interface. I used the interface to get the audio adjustment and drop out delay. I also keep a couple of my own cables around to make a quick repeater if I have to. 
 
My main machine is a 100 watt 100% duty cycle MTR2000 turned down to 50 watts....with a Zetron 37. Love that thing. 

there is a GR1225 on ebay that is seller refurbed.  He can program and tune.  occassionally the power amp will fail, and i mean after years of service and lots of traffic.  Sometimes at the pa its just a cold solder joint.  mine have worked great.  He wanted $350 or b/o.  

I used to hear a guy who had a vox activated intercom on GMRS freqs sitting beside his scanner. I think he was trying to use it be able to hear his scanner somewhere else in the house, didn't realize it could be heard further away. It didn't last long, as you could always hear personal stuff being discussed too...I think he would forget to turn the vox off. I guessed it was a .5 to 1 watt, something like the ones Audiovox made. I was speculating that I was within a half mile of him. 
 
If you are getting a good signal, odds are someone is doing it intentionally, people wanting to do "neat" stuff all time, and either don't care it is not legal, or ignorant to the rules. 

I used to hear a guy who had a vox activated intercom on GMRS freqs sitting beside his scanner. I think he was trying to use it be able to hear his scanner somewhere else in the house, didn't realize it could be heard further away. It didn't last long, as you could always hear personal stuff being discussed too...I think he would forget to turn the vox off. I guessed it was a .5 to 1 watt, something like the ones Audiovox made. I was speculating that I was within a half mile of him. 
 
If you are getting a good signal, odds are someone is doing it intentionally, people wanting to do "neat" stuff all time, and either don't care it is not legal, or ignorant to the rules. 

I tinkered with this last year. It's kind of neat, but doesn't seem "reliable" (of course it is free...so one cannot expect commercial grade), it seemed to drop out and disconnect whenever it wanted. Tried it on 2 PC's on different networks, and on my smartphone. Looks like everyone that joins makes their own channel, but not a great way to really figure out what is what.
 
I was interested in using it as a link for:
 
1. Pushing my scanner audio to it to create a private stream for mobile use on my phone.
 
or
 
2. Interfacing it with a UHF portable so I could use my smartphone to link to my PC/UHF and it would work my repeater.
 
Tried 1, wasn't consistent. Didn't get around to #2.  

I tinkered with this last year. It's kind of neat, but doesn't seem "reliable" (of course it is free...so one cannot expect commercial grade), it seemed to drop out and disconnect whenever it wanted. Tried it on 2 PC's on different networks, and on my smartphone. Looks like everyone that joins makes their own channel, but not a great way to really figure out what is what.
 
I was interested in using it as a link for:
 
1. Pushing my scanner audio to it to create a private stream for mobile use on my phone.
 
or
 
2. Interfacing it with a UHF portable so I could use my smartphone to link to my PC/UHF and it would work my repeater.
 
Tried 1, wasn't consistent. Didn't get around to #2.  

Hello, as a former Shack geek in my college days, I was the deferred to as the "expert" on just about everything most of the time, unfortunately. On one hand it was because I probably did know the answer, on the other, the evening shift guys I worked with were "gravy" guys....they only wanted the easy sales, and were too lazy to work for it. Guess thats how I ended up a keyholder too!
 
1. I would look for a Kenwood or Motorola dealer if you are serious about building a small business system. There has to be someone near you somewhere.
 
2. You can look here:  http://home.provide.net/~prsg/
 
3. GMRS is for personal use, not business use. The exception is "family" businesses, such as farms, etc where all radios are operated by family members. You could technically license all individuals for GMRS and then all be legal to talk to each other...but that is impractical to do, and maintain with employees. You need to use MURS (2 watt VHF) for business....or license it with a coordinated business frequency. You can use a repeater then as well (MURS you cannot). Enjoy GMRS for personal recreational, etc use...but it's not meant for business, nor is it legal for that. I do know some businesses that run on FRS just to use CHEAP radios....but a real business deserves better than FRS. Look into real radios in Part 90 service. 
 
 
http://www.ancom.org/ - Motorola
 
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Co-Meg+Sales/@43.85278,-92.488236,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x166aeba8d4da6cd0   - Kenwood

Hello, as a former Shack geek in my college days, I was the deferred to as the "expert" on just about everything most of the time, unfortunately. On one hand it was because I probably did know the answer, on the other, the evening shift guys I worked with were "gravy" guys....they only wanted the easy sales, and were too lazy to work for it. Guess thats how I ended up a keyholder too!
 
1. I would look for a Kenwood or Motorola dealer if you are serious about building a small business system. There has to be someone near you somewhere.
 
2. You can look here:  http://home.provide.net/~prsg/
 
3. GMRS is for personal use, not business use. The exception is "family" businesses, such as farms, etc where all radios are operated by family members. You could technically license all individuals for GMRS and then all be legal to talk to each other...but that is impractical to do, and maintain with employees. You need to use MURS (2 watt VHF) for business....or license it with a coordinated business frequency. You can use a repeater then as well (MURS you cannot). Enjoy GMRS for personal recreational, etc use...but it's not meant for business, nor is it legal for that. I do know some businesses that run on FRS just to use CHEAP radios....but a real business deserves better than FRS. Look into real radios in Part 90 service. 
 
 
http://www.ancom.org/ - Motorola
 
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Co-Meg+Sales/@43.85278,-92.488236,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x166aeba8d4da6cd0   - Kenwood

Hmmm, now there's an idea...
 
I also "heard" of a mess like that, only maybe worse...guy has about 3-4 GMRS repeaters, has them linked with ITINERANT CHANNEL (part 90) LOW BAND vhf radios....and uses UHF mobile with cross band to VHF for mobile extender, and the VHF is, you guessed it, High Band Intinerant. Oh good golly...can't wait to see the fines levied on that one. 

Iv'e seen these too, so I am thinking a programming cable is available. Without it, only a new user sticking to a contained group will find them useful. You need to be able to setup your own programming. PL's , Etc. 

I keep a set of Uniden FRS units around, and so do my inlaws. I have a repeater and real radios, but we keep these FRS radios that run on AAA batteries so that we can take them on vacation. We use them car to car while travelling and at the beach every summer. 
 
Everything has its place. 

Iv'e seen these too, so I am thinking a programming cable is available. Without it, only a new user sticking to a contained group will find them useful. You need to be able to setup your own programming. PL's , Etc. 

"Fact is I have found little difference in how well commercial grade and the evil bubble pack radios transmit and receive in most circumstances."
 
I have to disagree. I have a Baofeng UV5R, and while somewhat "versatile" it is quirky, and certainly not built tough enough for any commercial duty I have ever seen radios in. As a ham rig, a scanner, a light duty GMRS radio...it's ok, but not great...but I didn't expect much for $42. There is not way any of these cheap chinese knock offs hold a candle to a Motorola or other real radio. There is a WORLD of difference in quality, all around operation, etc in this stuff and Motorola portable, of which I have several. The UV5R is very prone to noise, and other "trash" that degrades it's receive. The TX is rated at 4 watts, and I find it does 1.5 to 2 in hi power mode. I also have some Audiovox GMRS/FRS radios I have kept around for a number of years. They are supposed to do 3 watts in high power mode and I beleive they are close. I use them on vacation for car - to - car comms, and if I lose one, I am not out much. The UV5R I consider an intermediate "toy", and normally keep it at home just to listen on, but I only expect so much out of it. When the real work is done, I carry a Motorola. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, this is mine.
 
I guess in summary.....just because a 1/2 Ton V6 Pickup can hitch to a big trailer, that doesn't mean you can pull it and don't need a 3/4 Ton Diesel!  
 
(Above mention of Motorola is in reference to Commercial/Professional Motorola radios - If I didn't make that clear).