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Rich, I'm getting 8 watts output on my RT-97. My frequency pair is 447.975/442.975.

Tip: When mounting under the seat (or other hard to access locations), invest in another programming cable and leave it plugged in and coiled up so you can plug it in to a laptop whenever needing to re-program the radio's functions/memories.

Your callsign isn't all that difficult. Try mine on for size: WQWU626
 
I've lost count of the number of folks who question my THREE LETTER license, since the final "U" gets swallowed up by the second "W". What they "hear" is "WQW 626.
 
Or they think I'm stuttering!

Tip: When mounting under the seat (or other hard to access locations), invest in another programming cable and leave it plugged in and coiled up so you can plug it in to a laptop whenever needing to re-program the radio's functions/memories.

Is that located in Lawrenceville, NJ? It's the only "Mercer County" repeater in the entire database. If so, I have no problem seeing the frequency and CTCSS tone codes.
 
But I did have to login mygmrs.com to allow me to see that data.

To make that scheme work, you would need to obtain a GOOD duplexer (notch/bandpass) tuned properly to your desired frequency, then insert the linear amp before the duplexer. 

It's useful only if you have a real need to monitor two separate frequencies simultaneously, which I definitely must have.
 
With "dual watch" if one frequency is in use, it will stop the "dual watch" and you very well could miss any traffic on the other frequency.
 
With "dual band" on the other hand, you will never miss any traffic on either frequency, although you might need to quickly lower volume on the receiver you don't need to listen to! 

Actually, FTDI and Prolific are totally different in how they implement the USB to UART function.  FTDI chips have a unique id which allows them to always create the same COMnn irrespective of which USB one chooses to use. Axorlov has already covered the Prolific foibles.

There is a repeater near me that requires MDC to use his repeater. It's his way of maintaining controlled access.

To make that scheme work, you would need to obtain a GOOD duplexer (notch/bandpass) tuned properly to your desired frequency, then insert the linear amp before the duplexer. 

Somewhere between sometime and never, I suspect.

Pretty much any radio that can transmit and receive within the FCC authorized ham frequencies is "legal." This is because amateurs are allowed to build their own equipment and provided they don't cause any interference issues, they are "legal" to use.
 
But sadly, probably 95% or more hams have been "appliance operators" these past thirty years or so.

I suspect hearing yourself being "parroted back" after a making a transmission just might be a give away...

Pretty much any radio that can transmit and receive within the FCC authorized ham frequencies is "legal." This is because amateurs are allowed to build their own equipment and provided they don't cause any interference issues, they are "legal" to use.
 
But sadly, probably 95% or more hams have been "appliance operators" these past thirty years or so.

Honestly, if you stop talking that generally means they can begin talking again. OTOH, simply saying "over" or "back to you" will accomplish the task easily. ?

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.

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.

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

Will be cabling up and putting repeater number 3 at the site.  This is Johnstown 625.  This repeater will be connected to the MidWest GMRS wide area radio network at all times.
We do have the Johnstown 675 and 725 on the air as well for local traffic.  If you are in this area and want to experience a wide area connected system, this is your chance.  Please realize this repeater will ALWAYS be connected to the wide area network.  So if you are just wanting to talk across town, please use the 675 repeater for those communications.
 

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

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

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!  ?

Indeed they are! Those huge travelling "sprinklers" farmers use are controlled via GMRS simplex, as are remote controlled gates, and a host of other systems that require remote control.  ?

Well, I suppose the guy may have used an IFR/Aeroflex 1200 Super S to tune the duplexer.. That could be called a "Super Tune!" ?

If there are any other Maine Preppers out there, check out our family's mission to educate, enlighten, and entertain. We will be doing a video on GMRS (and Ham) radio sometime this year.
https://www.maineprepperkids.com/