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Ah the PL-259 (and its sister SO-239) connector. No one connector has engendered more commentary on performance issues than these. These connectors also have the name of ‘UHF’ Connector as if to suggest they perform well at 300+ MHz. Once upon a time, when the PL259 was born, 30 MHz was UHF.

I am speaking about maximum ERP, reception range and efficiency based on my own testing.

Define "work." I've owned an RT97 for over a year by now. Yes, the repeater will work on all 8 frequency pairs, but only the one the duplexer is tuned for will work efficiently. As you move up or down from that tuned pair, the reception will get weaker and weaker, and the transmitter's ERP will likewise diminish. When I deploy the repeater in the field with the antenna up on 40' telescoping mast, on the tuned pair the average range from the antenna is around 8 miles. When tuned to either end from the tuned pair, average distance from the antenna drops to around 600'. YMMV of course.

That mount and an aluminum pole would fold like a cheap suit trying to support a DB-404B.

On any repeater you can use one --and-- only one frequency pair, and the duplexer should be tuned to the chosen frequency pair. I have never figured out why they chose to have 16 memory slots! You never did say whether you told Retivis what frequency pair you wanted. They tune the duplexer before sending the unit.

I had a similar experience with the BCR-40U repeater. I had to ship it back twice. The first time it was a faulty duplexer. The second time was for low power (15 watts) on transmit. I wanted a refund, but they informed me they would charge a 25% restocking fee! I bought an Anytone 878UV last year. It would program and work analog mode but would absolutely not work digital! Every time I tried to transmit I'd get a popup error message "Repeater is out of range" along with a voice announcement. I drove to the tower and got the same results even though I was standing literally in the shadow of the repeater's 900' antenna. Long story short, I had to ship it back twice, and both times I had the same problem... I asked for a refund but was informed again about the 25% restocking fee!!! They can afford to give away at least three or more of their 878 bundles every month, but cannot make good on my defective radio??? I'm kicking myself for falling for their lack of integrity.

Ground bonding is really benefic ial for HF mobile antennas. On my Toyota Camry, I had to run copper braid for each of the trunk hinges, all four doors, and the hood hinges. ?

There are two repeaters in Xenia, OH I've used in the past. FREQUENCY OFFSET TONE IN / OUT LOCATION 147.1650 +0.6 MHz 123.0 Xenia 443.1000 +5 MHz 123.0 / 123.0 Xenia

What he said ^^^^^. I've always thought that the two most important part of any base station is the "goesinta" and the "comesoutta", i.e. the power supply and the antenna system. A good power supply should easily outlast one's lifespan. I've never regretted investing in my Yaesu FP-1030A. I've used it continuously for just over 30 years now without any issues. Yaesu FP-1030A Yaesu FP-1030A Power Supplies | DX Engineering

Where in New Jersey? Here is a list of clubs in NJ and a map. amateur radio clubs in new jersey - Search (bing.com)

FCC is very broad in their rules about one's extended family. I like to joke that they only disallow "outlaws" in their rules.

Your BiL is already covered by your GMRS license per FCC regulations, so there is no tearing need for him to get his own... ?

That's known as a "gator mouth" repeater. Absolutely adjust ERP to match the receiver's ability. On the other hand, given your hypothetical parameters, if the repeater can receive no more than 10 miles, something else is likely wrong!

You don't want to know. I recently de-camped from NW Indiana and moved to Arkansas. While Hot Springs is a beautiful change from NWIN, politics is one subject I will not discuss with any of my new neighbors! ?

I am happy to be returning as a volunteer this year. This will be my 5th time attending as a volunteer. I drive a six passenger golf cart to ferry visitors hither and yon... ? I missed the past two years because of Covid of course. ?