MacJack

A few things may be going on... Mostly I found I had to email them directly by tracking them down... The make a request is weak and they do not respond. Another issue is the are no longer active and you need to see if you hear traffic without the PL codes. And lastly they may have offered their repeater to other "in the beginning" and now only keep it for their family and friends and did not remove it for the list of repeaters. So let us know what you find out... I personally put my own repeater up as a private/family and few friends in neighborhood and did not list it... MacJack

So this tells me all those repeater users/owners only use as needed and cell phones and Google map does the rest. I do travel a lot and only hear crickets which is good but not a safety line. MacJack

It is not hard to program... but like you I had a friend help me tune the duplexer in... I did purchase a programing cable from https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=75_77_1224_1225&products_id=6553 and you will see it plugs into the Mic jack of the radio and USB port of PC... The tricky thing is picking correct USB comm port and I used an old XP and had no issues... PM if you need some help. MacJack

I have a use a VXR-7000 with duplexer inside. Set my radio for repeater at 10 watts and 20 watts as you not need or want to push high output. Got it on ebay for $500. Well worth looking at. MacJack

That is a nice map... if you click on meter number will covert to feet. Make sure you set up for USA... MacJack

So the quick answer is keep it inch above roof/chimney height as you do not need a permit if you follow BoxCar reply.. FYI my trees are higher the the roof.. by 10 feet. Go for it. MacJack

You should check with your local folks but mostly how far are you from an airport... My local authorities in the county do not care BUT the local county airport https://maconcountyairport.com is below me and I'm in the landing pattern, so my antenna is just equal to my roof line... so safe to use without special permits or lights. Hope this helps. MacJack

Great happy for you did it... If you have any questions, feel free to PM me and we can talk about setup... I like my 905G and it is my got to radio. MacJack

I agree.. the new version allows me to NOT use taptalk... check it out. MacJack

Thanks so much for your comments Micheal... I learn so much from you as you spend the time of look things up. So help me and others who have a Ham ticket as well as a GMRS license and want to have one radio to do both and be legal... I know you have wrestled with this issue as I'm a Part 95 guy but as a Ham I have Part 90 that allows me to cross the line... Help me and others with all that you know and what you are using.... MacJack

I think you all have good comments... the way I see it is GMRS is for your family, farm and neighbors who have a license and permission to talk on your repeater. Ham is more local, regional and national. Now I do like Zello to talk with others in the USA. I have made several new friends in remote places. Yes I have my Ham ticket and really only use it to speak to local club members in the club repeater. You just have to find what you want to do to serve others and go for it. MacJack

Here two tools I use to see I'm in range. Also verify the tone codes... most repeater I use do not use DCS codes. https://www.ve2dbe.com/rmonline_s.asp https://www.scadacore.com/tools/rf-path/rf-line-of-sight/ My choice...

As a newbie back in Nov 2020, I asked and spoke on the phone with the best repeater in town and he was so nice and walked me through it... Just be humble and ask for help and tell him your confusion and he may have made a typo... who knows my guy did. MacJack

Welcome to the group and sharing your experiences. Glad you figured it out....

Thanks I will check it out.

I was thinking of Zello as well, do you know of any that are linked? Like is mygmrs one?

I can relate... about dropping Parallel and BootCamp. I'm a Mac/iPad only these days. I did keep an old XP and disconnected from internet and use USB flash drive to pass files to it to install PC software.

Thanks, you put all the little pieces I learned making sense.

Thanks for the detail... So can I use any for Ham use?

Thanks good to know.

RuralCaptain53, I emailed your file... Sorry for delay, been driving for two days with the kids. MacJack

Thanks guys with the comments. Will the TK-8150 or TK-3160 do Repeaters? MacJack

I feel the pain as a Ham ticket who likes GMRS for the family... At least my 12 yo Grand Daughter has her ticket with me as my study buddy... So one Ham friend gave her a BaoFeng UV-82 Classic which works great for her... I'm more of a purist Part 95 so can only have a 2/70 meter for TX RX and for GMRS only RX... So I have two HT in my Jeep. We do like GMRS in our community and the Ham Club is great bunch of folks who are helpful to 12 yo GD in her track to be in Space Force. So all those with there ears on, let me know how you deal with this issue. MacJack

Happy for you... We all get into Ham for all kinds or reasons. I was asked by may Ham/GMRS men to think about it. I too also started with same GMRS radios for the family and did got my Ham Ticket with my 12 yo grand daughter who was my study buddy. We both passed and enjoy being with the the local Ham club but in our area we have a great GMRS repeater and more private to our family needs. We also put up our own Family Private Repeater and enjoy it. MacJack

I lost and guessing it would be months ago... Just do it knowing it is $7.00 a year worth of being legal.