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Maybe time for me to list my 880 and 840 then...

Yes to analog programming, maybe to wide-band. In order to get wide-band you will need an "entitlement key" from Motorola (if the used radio doesn't already have it). They are free of cost, but sometimes a challenge to get...

Mine's been up on my roof tripod for almost 10 years now and still working just great!

I need adapters so often that I broke down and bought a "universal" set of adapters. With these I can quickly create nearly any type of "adapter" I need. The center row are 'barrel connectors' to which you couple the end connectors you need: https://www.amazon.com/ConnectoRF-Coaxial-Connector-Universal-Mini-UHF/dp/B079K65LHK/ref=pd_lpo_23_t_0/140-4570640-4443552?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B079K65LHK&pd_rd_r=db665e20-f51b-49f8-b7d6-a9267569d48f&pd_rd_w=KxI8P&pd_rd_wg=qaIOK&pf_rd_p=a0d6e967-6561-454c-84f8-2ce2c92b79a6&pf_rd_r=SAZWX4YT39N8BF8JRSFB&psc=1&refRID=SAZWX4YT39N8BF8JRSFB

I will report the results as soon as I can set aside the time to run the tests.

I highly recommend the Bridgecom repeater. It comes fully tuned and programmed to your specs. Put up a DB-404 antenna on that tower, some half-inch heliax and you will be ready to go on the air.

Our intended purpose is to use this portable repeater strictly in the field with an antenna height of no more than 20' to provide personnel to communicate within a relatively flat agrarian area of around 3 miles radius. I am going to use my IFR-1200 Super S spectrum analyzer to create a receiver performance table for each of the 16 programmed channels.

They are wonderful radios! I have several of them as well as an TK-880-1H and an TK-840(N). Carefully read and check out the pictures to be sure everything is included: microphone, power cable with fuse(s), mic clip, mounting bracket, etc. Here is an example of a 'complete' unit: https://www.ebay.com/itm/303837053371?hash=item46be1981bb:g:gG8AAOSwsOBf9Moa

Sean, like most "commercial" radios, the display is either the frequency programmed, or a 12 character Alpha label of your choice. With 512 channels split among 128 zones, you won't have any issue with having FAR more than you'll ever need in flexibility. None of this silly "Channel Number" nonsense unless you choose to use them for your Alpha tag of course. A "Zone" is a way of segregating your frequencies rationally. For example you could have one Zone strictly for GMRS frequencies (which you could label "Channel 1," etc. You could also create another Zone with only frequencies used for another town...

I was rather surprised that the notch duplexer is fully capable of passing +/- 500kHz from the tuned center frequencies without all that much difference in performance. Yes there is some slight degradation, but not nearly enough to decrease operating range.

There is a 'mod' available to enable FPP, but it's rather expensive at $249.95: https://www.ebay.com/itm/282201607980?hash=item41b486cf2c:g:T10AAOSw6WlZfBLD

It is more likely that damage could be caused from a 'near strike' than from a 'direct strike' on your antenna(s). That's where 'lighting protectors' and a properly bonded system just may actually protect your gear!

Actually repeater's are supported.

The specs on the RT-97 cite 10 watts. From testing my own I've found that after going through the duplexer the power out is just a tiny bit over 6 watts.

Thanks for the very interesting read! What a journey that was, and no doubt continues to be... I can see now why you chose to use a fender mount. I'd have probably chosen to use a left rear ball mount.

Well, I was not able to get on the site at all yesterday, as the system kept wanting to "link" my two accounts... ...when I've never had but one account to begin with. Whatever was 'wrong' seems to have been fixed as I'm able to do a simple login as has always been the case. As for the forum software, I was not unhappy with how it was, but I expect I'll get used to the "new look" eventually!

You are absolutely correct. Were this portable repeater going to be in continuous use its current parameters would be an issue. However, its intended usage is to be deployed anywhere within our ARES five counties for emergency coverage likely no more than two or three days, it shouldn't be much of a concern. Our plan is to use a unity gain antenna no higher than 20' to reduce any chance of interference with other 70cm operators. I just got it two days ago and haven't had time to bench test yet. I may in fact wind up tightening up the notches on the duplexer if it proves to be a problem. There's a lot of testing yet to be done! EDIT: I have determined that the interference from the Attica repeater was a result of tropospheric ducting. I've not heard the digital 'noise' since around 1500 CST yesterday afternoon.

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!

FRN has been preferred for several years, but the use of SSN was still allowed up until the cutoff date May 20, 2021.

That is "TANAPA", which is Motorola's way of assigning a number to identify a sub-assembly, full assembly or sometimes even a completed product.

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...

Ah, I see said the blind man. I've found very few who can pronounce it correctly. They insist on putting in an extra "o" to make it "radio ditity" or "radio oddity." Just like "Bao Feng" which is actually pronounced "Po Fung"...

I highly suggest going to his HOME page and downloading the user guide and the companion book. They are very complete in covering all that may be done with the program.

Well, when you run a test for SWR it will tell you the resonant frequencies. Plural because it will likely show at least the first three harmonics if the bandwidth is set widely enough. This YouTube may help. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b88f_DEm5rg

Actually a nice nanoVNA would certainly work as well. It's a bit more of a learning curve simply because it doesn't have the pre-written macros like a RigExpert has. If you go that way, spend the few dollars more to buy one with the largest screen you can find, as the smaller versions have such a tiny font they are very difficult to read... Truthfully, a nanoVNA can do a lot more than the RigExpert does, certainly more than the MFJ analyzers can do. There's a reason why MFJ is semi-jokingly called "Mighty Fine Junk..."