gortex2

Going with the DB404 and a 50' piece of 1/2" LDF will give you much better results. LMR will give you about 1.5db of loss. LDF is about .75db of loss. If your using adapters there is some loss, not enough to really argue one way or another but LMR and adapter will be a bit more than predictd loss. My thought is spend the funds the first time to do it right vs something that will not meet expectations, then spending more money after. Sometimes waiting a bit longer to accomplish the goal makes the experience better in the long run.

Put the 1/4 wave on and test. Think you'll be surprised. Think of the Ghost antenna as your rubber duck on your portable jammed inside a pepper shaker.

You can order a back to back repeater cable for under $20. Throw all that other stuff out and just use a back to back to verify you have stuff programmed correctly. As said in previous posts one pin on the RX radio must be set for COR. Normally pin 8 or 14. RX audio would leave the radio on pin 11 (Discriminator). TX radio PTT is Pin 3 and TX Audio is Pin 2 on the CDM. You need to program the CDM to use Flat TX audio and not Mic audio. Litterly 3 wires can be used to make a repeater with no functions.

1.4" wave UHF whip is a better antenna and is cheap and short.

Being the topic is completely off topic I'll bring it a bit further. Its not only radios and subscriptions. Vendors pay similar license fees for router licenses, firewalls and other devices used in P25 and other systems. Backhaul is huge money as well and depending on the system you pay for certain licenses as well. To add bandwidth they sell another license. End users normally do not see all of this as they are the ones using the subscriber but behind that system is alot of licenses. Heck even at home I pay for XYZ in bandwidth on my fiber but have multiple other options if I want them. So back to the part 90 debate. As said in the past I had the opportunity of an FCC technician to visit and audit one of my sites 15 years ago. I had him on site for other issues but had a great conversation on GMRS as he used it with his family. He looked over my repeater (MTR2000 at the time) and even reviewed my test data and last PM check on the repeater. While he never produced any documentation he had no issues at all with the unit. At the time there really was no one who made a Part 95 certified repeater. His comment back then was if he had the funds he would have the same setup.

Sorry to sound negative but if your doing solo wheeling and out of cellular range there is no way you should rely on the GMRS repeaters unless you know and use them often. Buy a spot or an Inreach to be safe. GMRS is not for hailing emergencies for the most part. While I know of places than monitor certain channels I'd be careful thinking thats your safety net.

Depends on the cable. 100' of LMR400 on UHF is about 3db of loss meaning a 50 radio will hit the antenna at 25 watts. RG58 is about 10db of loss so basically you'd have nothing at the antenna.

Not sure on the button but on the ICOM I have i can turn that button on and off. As for channels repeaters normally only have 1 channel. Thats the channel that the duplexer is tuned for.

Dont believe anything the repeater listing shows. Those range miles are not accurate for the most part. The only way to get a valid range is to ask the owner.

We used to balance all our repeaters in the LMR B&I world when i was with a shop. Exactly as you said. If all your portables are 4 watts and your antenna is on the building you operate in there is no reason to have a 100 MTR on the roof. In commercial many times we shared channels in the same city so balancing TX/RX was a way to eliminate the complaints of interfearance and hey my radios doesn't work !

K. so the RIM is a repeater controller. You said its not working and now you say its working but its something else. Not really sure what your doing but you are the first I have seen using this configuration. Maybe ping rich if thats where you got the image for the linking portion.

He didn't post a model number. If its the early version then Pin 8 would be COR. Depending on how the "repeater board" requires I assume it needs to be programmed in that box. If the OP would include links of what he purchased it would be easier to help. I think it may be this - http://www.repeater-builder.com/products/RIM_pdfs/RB_RIM_Max.pdf

Pins are programmable in the RSS. Until they are programmed your repeater wont work. Are you using the GM300 software for programming ?

I never heard of the repeater cable you are using but in addition to the frequency did you setup the accessory pins for the proper signals. Normally pin 8 or 14. 12 can also be used. Normally this is setup for COR/PL Decode and will go low on the proper signal. Before you even worry about the pie you need to verify you get a decode signal from the radio. Additionally if your trying to use a portable over the top of all of this that can cause issues. Have a friend or someone stand outside and try a HT or use a service monitor. Make sure you have a dummy load on the TX radio to start and a small antenna on receive. The GM300/M120/MAXTRAC radio is very simple to make a repeater from. Its can be done with literally 3 wires from one radio to another. Adding in the pie adds a few but its the same pins. PTT, COR, Discrimator Audio and Mic High, Ground

Are you sure the repeater is on and working. His update last month was this - Update: The repeater is live with limited RX/TX due to the fact that we are waiting for our antenna and tower assaignment. Please note specifications may change as we get closer to a launch date. Repeater sponsered by www.Buy2wayradios.com"

1 - Proper programming software and cables 2 - Chirp wont work. Requires Kenwood software 3 - No diode to cut or shot. Hook up cable and program. KPG-46 Programming cable KPG-60D Programming software

EFFECTIVE DATE OF NEW APPLICATION FEE RATES FOR THE WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU MD Docket No. 20-270 On December 23, 2020, the Commission adopted a Report and Order implementing a new application fee schedule which significantly updated the Commission’s previous fee schedule. As indicated in the 2020 Application Fee Report and Order, the new application fee rates will become effective when the Commission’s “information technology systems and internal procedures have been updated, and the Commission publishes notice(s) in the Federal Register announcing the effective date of such rules.” On July 6, 2021, the Commission announced the new application fee rates for the Office of Engineering and Technology and the Media Bureau would become effective on July 15, 2021, and on December 15, 2021, the Commission announced the new application fee rates for the Wireline Competition Bureau, the Enforcement Bureau, the International Bureau, and CALEA Petitions would become effective on December 15, 2021. This Public Notice announces that the new application fee rates for the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, codified at 47 CFR § 1.1102, will become effective on April 19, 2022. Wireless application fees can be paid through the Commission’s Universal Licensing System (ULS) at Universal Licensing System. Full document can be downloaded here - https://www.fcc.gov/document/effective-date-wireless-application-fee-rates

EFFECTIVE DATE OF NEW APPLICATION FEE RATES FOR THE WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU MD Docket No. 20-270 On December 23, 2020, the Commission adopted a Report and Order implementing a new application fee schedule which significantly updated the Commission’s previous fee schedule. As indicated in the 2020 Application Fee Report and Order, the new application fee rates will become effective when the Commission’s “information technology systems and internal procedures have been updated, and the Commission publishes notice(s) in the Federal Register announcing the effective date of such rules.” On July 6, 2021, the Commission announced the new application fee rates for the Office of Engineering and Technology and the Media Bureau would become effective on July 15, 2021, and on December 15, 2021, the Commission announced the new application fee rates for the Wireline Competition Bureau, the Enforcement Bureau, the International Bureau, and CALEA Petitions would become effective on December 15, 2021. This Public Notice announces that the new application fee rates for the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, codified at 47 CFR § 1.1102, will become effective on April 19, 2022. Wireless application fees can be paid through the Commission’s Universal Licensing System (ULS) at Universal Licensing System. Full document can be downloaded here - https://www.fcc.gov/document/effective-date-wireless-application-fee-rates

Go to FCC - https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/searchLicense.jsp Change Search = NAME (Last Name, First normally.

GMRS and Ham are different services. GMRS is about 50 cents a day. Just pay for the license like everyone else. GMRS is cheap compared to a LMR license.

I's just put an NMO on the roof with a 1/4 wave for UHF GMRS. Thats 6" tall and will take a ton of abuse. I run 2 1/4 wave on the roof and go thru car washes and parking garages every week. Never an issue. Put the 2M antenna on the fender if needed. I run mine on a NMO on the roof but jsut pop it off if i need a car wash.

The other issue is time. Not everyone is sitting home waiting for a request. Depending on the email it goes to they may only check it randomly, be on vacation or don't want to share the repeater. Give it some time and listen. None of them may be active or even on the air. I guess also read the descriptions - Carol 725 - "This is going to be a solar power repeater. Located At The High School Field House. Since My Brother Is The Preacher Of A Church That Has A Private Christian School I'll Be Providing Weather Information To Them During Severe Weather. The Church Is Buying The Equipment & Six New GMRS NEW MEMBER WILL BE ON THIS REPEATER ALL FROM THE CHURCH.... Date scheduled to be up & running by 9/18/21 DON'T ASKED TO USE BECAUSE THE ANWSER WILL BE NOOOO" Also being the user has not updated anything in 8 months my guess is some of them don't exist. Lastly according to the main page he has not logged in 2 months - https://mygmrs.com/user/WRAN711 Be pro 2A also

Keep us posted on your results. Being one of the few Part 95 repeaters I am sure others would like to know the performance and quality moving forward.

Depends on what you want. If you plan is basic GMRS and GMRS only with no other stuff go midland. Simple and basic. If you plan to get into HAM or other stuff there are other radios to look at. My 70 year old father likes the midland cause its simple.

http://www.n2mo.org/