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Need help locating instructions on how to program my RT97S repeater. My searches haven't helped. I have the software but afraid to change anything without any instructions/how to's. The channel I want to use is not programmed in. 462.5625 Thanx, from a newbie+ JB

Hey. I was trying to save two repeaters in my radio the other day and it didn't work so well. I have all 8 repeater channels in memory with freuqncies and tones saved. When I tried to add a second repeater output which was already taken up by one of the other repeater channels, I tried to create a new frequency line using CHIRP, and it saved like all the other did, however, when I go to transmit, the radio doesn't work there. I just get a dead key. I assume because on a GMRS dedicated radio, we only get channels 15 to 22 to use. So what do you do if you need more channels? Do I end up having to delete one and enter the other just to use that one? Is there no way to save the same repeater multiple times when the channels are all used up? If that's the answer, that we can't, well OK. I am curious if anyone else has run into this and what you do?

I've purchased my first radio (Wouxun 905g) and, after doing a radio check, had success connecting to a repeater and making contact. But when I leave my radio on the repeater channel, I never hear anyone else transmitting. It wasn't until I did my radio check and cleared that I heard someone else begin a conversation with someone else. But since then, nothing. I know the usual answer is that there may not be traffic on the repeater, but given the location and range it has, I don't think that's the case. Does anyone know if I need to do something specific to open up the repeater and listen for others? One post I saw said some radios need you to push the menu button or something to get connected, open the repeater, and hear the transmissions. Thanks!

I have 2 Motorola XPR8400 UHF 450-512Mhz repeaters with duplexers. They've been taken out of a working system. They both put ~44Watts out to dummy load. Asking $500 + shipping from zip 60005. They have simple features enables; FM and digital mode, IP Site connect, enhanced privacy, transmit interupt and satelite receiver. PM me please if interested.

This is a work in progress, but here’s what i have so far. Intended use will be for camping, fishing, power outages, and when SHTF. Ammo can $17 - 6ah lifepo4 battery $19 - 10w eco-worthy solar panel $21 - 30a mppt charge controller $12 - surecom sr-112 simplex repeater controller w/kenwood mobile plug $55 - leixen vv-898 10w uhf/vhf transceiver $67 - velcro $5 - so239 to so239 bulkhead connector $3 - n9tax murs/gmrs tuned slim jim antenna $33 - 2 cig plug sockets $8. Total = $240. I’d still like to change a few things, but it’s functional. Mainly i want to add an external power connector of some sort for solar charging so that i don't have to open it up to get to the other cig plug thats attached to the charge controller. I’m thinking about a marine grade water proof cig plug with dust cover and cutting another hole in the ammo can to mount it, but not sure yet. Also want to add some foam inserts to keep the battery in place. Everything else is either screwed down or held on by velcro. I also want something other than alligator clips on the battery that can be quick connect/disconnect. Inside the box i labeled i have the mic and some other goodies if i want to use it for comms rather than a repeater, or in case of an emergency. The radio is programmed in Bank A with just gmrs repeater freqs, Bank B is programmed with murs/frs/gmrs/marine (for emergency use)/2m calling (for emergency use) and noaa. The leixen only draws .3a idle/RX and 1.5a during TX, so the 6ah (72wh) battery should last for a few days without the solar panel attached if need be. Anyway, here is the functional, but not finished product. (and yes, i have to remove the box to close the lid. the charge controller fits in that spot. might look for a smaller charge controller so that it all fits inside.)

I've been using the Chirp software fine with my UV-5Rs for a few years, but for the first time I am trying to program a GMRS repeater connection. I received permission from a few local owners, and they all sent me strings of characters. But I cannot figure out how to code into Chirp because the column names (and dropdown values) do not seem to correspond. Here is one example: DPL662 467 input 462 output 5.0 split Can someone please tell me which items go where in the Chirp grid? I greatly appreciate any help!

Hey all, I'm sorry if this has been asked a billion times, but i couldn't find any information about it. I believe that i have everything connected correctly as i could see my repeater node number on the map and it was green, but yet when i go to the "manage nodes" page it is saying "Unmanaged." Also, when i refresh the node page it's giving me an error saying "The selected node is sending statistics, but is not connected to the management interface. please check your settings in the rpt-cmd tool." I'm pretty new to this node stuff, not necessarily new to Linux, but i can't find anything pertaining to the "rpt-cmd" command. I've ran the command: asterisk -rx "rpt fun 20808 *3176" a few times, trying to connect my node to the closest hub and it just goes to the next command prompt saying nothing. What am i missing here? Is it just a port issue on the modem or am i missing something else? Thanks!

I bought a repeater to use for GMRS. I want to program it with the right frequencies to match up to a "Midland 40 Watt GMRS MicroMobile Two-Way Radio" and other handheld radios. If I want to use GMRS channel 15 what frequencies would I use for Transmit and Receive on the repeater itself? Also what frequencies is the "Midland 40 watt GMRS Microbomile" using to transmit and receive for channel 15? They would be exact opposite right? Repeater = RX 462.5500 TX 467.5500 Midland 40 Watt MicroMobile or handheld radio = RX 467.5500 TX462.5500 Is this right or is it backwards?

I was inquiring on if anyone has a quick spreadsheet on all parts required to get a repeater going for gmrs. Rough estimate on all equipment, parts required...I have also been reading that the KG-100g is repeater capable with another same type radio. Is anyone tried this and what were your results and range with it if so.

Is anyone using a Linux PC instead of a Raspberry Pi to link their repeater? If so, can you kindly share any pain points (if any)? Thanks

My recently purchased house is situated on top of a small hill and has an antenna setup (from a former owner, no longer used) with both yagi and dish antennas at the apex of the roof. With no nearby homes or trees to interfere, I think this is an ideal spot for a GMRS repeater antenna but have to wonder if the existing antennas could be repurposed. This would be ideal since they are already grounded and coax is wired through the walls to locations where the repeater could be installed. From what I have read elsewhere, seems the answer is that I need to remove these and install something tuned for GMRS, but I know little about antenna theory so checking with this group.

Lets start out with my setup so this might not work for you. My repeater is a Bridgecom BCR-40DU, I purchased the URIx, 25 pin cable, and Micro SD from the myGMRS store. Make sure your not using a Raspberry Pi 4, trust me it doesn't work. I ended up getting a Raspberry Pi 3B+. After installing the micro sd card into the pi make sure you connect an ethernet cable, log in, change password like instructed, then set up wifi if you want by following instructions in the quick start guide that came with the micro sd card, don't forget to log into your router and set up port forwarding. Your gonna wanna go into your simpleusb.conf file and change a few things. sudo nano /etc/asterisk/simpleusb.conf carrierfrom = usbinvert ; no,usb,usbinvert ; no - no carrier detection at all ; usb - from the COR line on the USB sound fob (Active high) ; usbinvert - from the inverted COR line on the USB sound fob (Active low) ctcssfrom = usb ; no,usb,usbinvert ; no - CTCSS decoding, system will be carrier squelch ; usb - CTCSS decoding using input from USB sound fob (Active high) ; usbinvert - from the inverted CTCSS line on the USB sound fob (Active low) duplex = 1 ; Duplex 0,1 ; 0 - half duplex ; 1 - full duplex When your done making the changes hit ctrl + o followed by enter then ctrl + x followed by enter. I wasn't able to use DTMF tones to connect to different nodes so I found a command in one of the forum pages to connect through ssh. sudo asterisk -rx "rpt fun 24219 *3172" 24219 is my node so insert your node number, *3172 will connect me to node 172, *3xxxxx will connect you to your node of choice, xxxxx being the node number. If your gonna use the Pi as your repeater controller then your gonna have to modify your rpt.conf file. sudo nano /etc/asterisk/rpt.conf hangtime = 1000 ; squelch tail hang time (in ms) (optional, default 5 seconds, 5000 ms) althangtime = 2000 ; longer squelch tail totime = 180000 ; transmit time-out time (in ms) (optional, default 3 minutes 180000 ms) idrecording = |ixxxxxxx ; cording or morse string see http://ohnosec.org/drupal/node/87 ;idtalkover = |ixxxxxxx ; Talkover ID (optional) default is none see http://ohnosec.org/drupal/node/129 ; See Telemetry section Example: idrecording = rpt/nodenames/24219 idtime = 900000 When your done making the changes hit ctrl + o followed by enter then ctrl + x followed by enter. Change the xxxxxxx to your callsign make sure you keep the |i or it won't identify. After your done making all the changes make sure to restart asterisk by using: sudo service asterisk restart These are all the changes I did to make everything work with my system. Once I get voice ID working I'll do an update. I hope this helps someone. It took me quite a few days of playing around trying to figure this out. Joe WROE856

If you have a repeater on the east coast and one on the west coast. How do you connect them via internet to one another so when the east coast repeater receives a signal it gets sent and broadcast from the west coast repeater and vice versa? How would you do it with a Bridgecom Systems bcr-40du? Do they have built in capability for this such as an ethernet port? Also, what service would you use to handle the transmission of the signals as far as the web is concerned?

Hello everyone and thank you for taking the time to read this question and answer it. I do realize that this may be a heavily asked question; however, I am hoping to make the answer more efficient and richer in data so others who find themselves to a similar position may have answers or at least a direction to go in. I am relatively new to the GMRS world and even newer to the repeater side of things so my knowledge is severely limited, at best. Using the forum here to gather information on the topic I found that a simple basic repeater system is composed of the following: 1. Dual-use or Omni antenna for transmitting (TX) and receiving (RX) signals. 2. Feedline or Hardline to connect the antenna to the duplexer. 3. Duplexer 4. Receiver 5. Repeater 6. Transmitter For a visual representation of this system, a great visual will be used from www.repeater-builder.com listed as figure 1. Now that the basic premise of a repeater has been shared, along with my depth of knowledge on the subject, let me pose my question to the greater community: Looking at each of the six enumerated items above, what is a business that sells them (please include a link to their page) and what is the closest you can get to plug-and-play type of system (what model)? Ideally, in as simply a way as possible, how does one build a repeater from scratch without having to endlessly search Ebay or other sites for old transmitters/receivers. I would like to purchase new, with the ability to change my broadcasting power (not be stuck with 10w pre-made systems but rather make a 50w or greater system). Along with having a link to each of the numbered items showing a product and how to connect all of them. Think of this as setting up a computer for your parents who have never seen/used one. Explain here is the printer, it prints things you want and here is a hyperlink to brand X printers. It will use a USB cable to connect to the computer itself and here is a link for each of those. Then so on and so forth. Once all of the information has been gathered and collected, I will repost so it is a simple way to find information and resources to purchase. As of the current time I am looking at how to build the repeater and what it will take to make it work when I flip the switch and not the FCC document submissions…yet. Once the system is built, functioning, and I have made my measurements I then will submit all of the information to the FCC seeking permission to install and “open for business”. Thank you all for your help with this and look forward to all of the information! < Figure 1 courtesy of www.repeater-builder.com

I'm planning a new antenna system and mast for my repeater. Got it in my head, that I want to try separate tx / rx antennas. Vertically So, I've looked up the charts and used the CommScope antenna separation calculator. Vertical separation would be 20' - (70db). Which is ok... My rx antenna would be 45' and my tx antenna would be 25'. But does that take into account the isolation I have at the transmitter? I have 3 1db wacom cans on the rx side 2 wacom 1db cans on the tx side, plus a circulator. I will lose 80db without my duplexer. But I can make that up with some more band pass / band reject cavities. So, can I move the tx antenna a little higher up on the mast and make up iso db's at the transmitter, Also my tx antenna will be 6dbd and my rx antenna will be 1/2 wave stacked completely vertical. Please and thank you for any help

I just put together a controller kit yesterday, the ID-O-Matic IV from Ham Gadgets: http://www.hamgadgets.com/id-o-matic-iv From the name it sounds like just an IDer, but it actually can control a repeater. It has a lot of features for the low price, and is in my opinion all I really need or can use for a GMRS repeater. Works pretty well as a ham repeater too, in fact. You can get this controller already assembled for about $60, but I elected to save $20 by assembling it myself. It's been awhile since I put together a kit anyway, and that's part of the radio hobby for me. It shipped quickly and wasn't missing any parts. It doesn't include a hard copy of the manual; you have to download a pdf from the website. I had already done so in preparation. It went together with no issues, and no magic smoke escaped when I powered it up to test. I haven't tested it with the radios yet. First I have to figure out the programming, which is done via usb with a terminal emulator program. I also have to interface to the radios, which shouldn't be too difficult.

I am setting up a new RT97S repeater. I have ran into an issue that I can't seem to figure out. When anyone releases the PTT the repeater will key back up and give a beep noise. any suggestions on how to use the raspberry Pi as the repeater controller?. I am also using the mygmrs rt97s image. THanks

Here are some pics of my portable repeater build. (still a work in progress) I used industrial adhesive hook & loop to fasten everything inside the case. This is the same setup I have running my base repeater. About 50 feet above ground on the tallest building in town. Antenna: Browning BR-6155 Parts List: 2 Moto M1225 radios (M44DGC90E2AA) (Ebay) 50 watt UHF Duplexer (Amazon or Ebay) Idiomatic IV Marine grade 12V cigarette socket Female to N Female Bulkhead Connector RF Coaxial Adapter Cooling Fan 50mm N Male to N Male Jumper Low Loss RG400 Mini UHF Male to N Male Right Angle RG400 Apache 4800 Weatherproof Protective Case, X-Large Motorola Mounting Bracket Kit M1225 Complete build

Hello! I am new to the forum. My call sign is WRSL266 and I live in the city of Miami, FL. I really like the idea of being able to have direct communication with friends, groups and my family through a GMRS repeater. How can I make my own functional, low-priced repeater to share with my community? I appreciate all the information you can give me.

MURS Mystery Noise Hey there! So i am an owner of multiple radios, some GMRS and some MURS, and a HAM Radio (No License for ham, just listening). I was flipping through MURS Channels (I have programmed into a radio specifically to find frequencies being used) and came across MURS4 Being Used (154.570, AKA BlueDot, Previously Business Band but now grandfathered in to any citizen can use it) and when I decided to Key on it, I received a tone similar to a tail on GMRS Repeaters, but then was surprised when My voice was repeated back to me. It was not a one time thing, and will happen continuously. I have yet to find anything on it while researching it, and figured i would try here. Thanks for all help! WRVG593 P.S If it helps i'm in SouthWestern Ohio, in suburbs, somewhat near a city. Although i don't see any way MURS could ever reach the city.

I set up a repeater with my KG-1000's using an XLT-50 duplexer from BuyTwoWayRadios and the performance was not good. I used a Tram 1486 fed with 55ft of LMR400 with a height of about 50ft. The receive range was only a couple of miles. Thinking about two antennas and separating the two radios by extending the coupling cable that came with the radios. I would like to separate the radios by about 70ft or so. Each end of the house. Question, does anyone have any experience in such a situation, and if so, do you have any info on how far you can extend this connecting cable without affecting the performance of this repeater configuration? I'm thinking this would help greatly reduce the affects of desensing.

I’m selling a Motorola GR1225 45 watt repeater with built in duplexer. It’s programmed for GMRS frequencies. Prefer meet up in Florida but can get a quote to ship. Asking $525 obo. I will be at the Melbourne Ham Fest this Saturday 10/8 Channel 1 462.625 PL 1B 107.2 Channel 2 462.600 PL 1B 107.2

Looking for some help. I’m located in Illinois. Recently purchased a VXR 7000, with duplexer. The programming cable was from bluemax49ers. Using ce27windows when I plug in the cable the repeater switched to display CL on briefly and then that disappears. When trying to read the repeater nothing happens. I have not been able to find anything related to this online and any help would be greatly appreciated

Hello, I work in San Luis Obispo, Ca and there is a repeater in town, when I try to add Rx/Tx codes 141.3 I don't hear anything or have confidence I am connected. There is also a NOAA tower in San Luis Obispo, and I can hear the weather loud and clear. Any thoughts ? I am using a Baofeng UV-9G TH

Well, it's been not quite a month now since I received a partial refund* for a brand new BCR-40U I purchased back in February. I received the unit in early March and it was bad out of the box. I contacted Bridgecom who instructed me to 'open a ticket'. In fact, they don't do anything until you go through the process of opening a ticket. Then you wait anywhere from a day to a week for a response. I had my suspicions as to where the problem lay and informed Bridgecom that I could, with their approval, crack the cover and diagnose the problem and, that I am not only qualified to do this, but have state of the art test equipment (if required). However, they basically insisted that I send it in to them (at my cost ~$90 USD) I sent it insured of course, but even if I hadn't, it would have been about $50 to ship it back. It turns out, it was a bad duplexer (as I suspected), and so they sent it back and it worked fine, save for yet another issue (I'll get to that). Less than a day later, it stopped working for no apparent reason. This time I decided to at least look at the programming and found that the repair tech left in a test channel and, after I removed it with the software, the repeater started working again. Now to the next problem... One of the first things I found wrong with this repeater is that if you program in a user with DCS on RX, that is the only user you can have, included the sysop/control user. Tone squelch users, you can have as many as you want up to the limit of 23 users/coded squelch per channel. After reading the manual and all of the sales literature, which makes no mention of this limitation, I Contacted Bridgecom (again), and they basically became forthcoming and stated it was a limitation of one of the chips controlling coded squelch system. It is also important to note, that per the instruction manual, the unit IS CAPABLE of multiple DCS users. Indeed, I think it was me pointing out that fact they agree to refund my money. After that last confession and 2 primary failures, I decided enough is enough. You spend good money for a new repeater you expect better. So I requested and received a refund, well, sort of. The refund appears to have been short the tax I paid for the original purchase. Compound that with the fact that I had to pay to return it twice (once for the repair and once for a refund) at a cost to me of just shy of $200, I am out of pocket about $250 just for 'trying' a (brand new) Bridgecom repeater. I'm really sad to have to write this, but others should be warned. I very much wanted to support a small American vendor/manufacturer, but I've never been so disappointed with any vendor/manufacturer. Between the failures, slow service, basically false advertising (the DCS issue) and, having to pay to return (again twice) a unit that was defective from day one, it was just too much. I'm kicking myself today because what I should have done was purchase a used Motorola repeater for less than what I paid for the 'new' BCR-40U. And I am not talking buying off eBay either, there are plenty of mainstream dealers where you can get a used MTR2000 or even a Quantar for less than the BCR-40U. Bottom, line, I have to call the Bridgecom BCR-40U a 'Don't Buy'. Not just for the defective unit, but also their warranty policies which leaves a customer out of pocket. I had to pay for their problems? WTF?? Indeed, given their service/warranty policies, I don't think I'll ever buy anything from them again. Just my own experience, FWIW!