Which Repeater? Retevis RT97L? Or Icom F221S combo with duplexer set up?

[WRZQ956]

Leaning Retevis due to portability6 and its puts out 20ish watts. But is the icom much better? Its a 45 watt but I am guessing after duplexer its going to be 20ish as well? I am also guessing I would need to tune the duplexer with the icom. (which I dont mind learning how to do)

 

Icom set saves me about 125 bucks which can go to an antenna. But Retevis seems way more portable.

 

Help me make up my mind. If the icom is considerably better I might go with it.

 

[gortex2]

The 221 has agreat receiver but its still 2 mobiles in a box. It all depends on the use case. I have used the 221 as well as other radios for repeaters in a rack with real duplexers and not flat pack units. But I have used the Retevis as its simple quick and portable.

[WRTC928]

I haven't used the Icom dual-unit repeater, but it looks quite a bit less portable/easy to use than the Retevis 97L. I have the Retevis and it's dead-easy to set up and take down.

[WRKC935]

removed

 

 

[WRYZ926]

I will also recommend the Retevis RT97L if you are wanting or needing something portable. A good antenna up high with quality coax will work fine with the RT97L.

I have to agree that using two mobile radios is not the most ideal setup for a repeater.

I would look at a used Vertex VXR7000 or Motorola MTR2000 for a permanent repeater setup. You will want a good quality duplexer no matter if you go with a dedicated repeater or two mobiles setup as a repeater.

Our club is currently using a Bridgecom BCR-40U GMRS repeater. In hind sight, we should have went with a Motorola MTS2000. Not only would the MTR2000 have been cheaper, but it will outperform the Bridgecom.

[MSnow]

The Retevis portable repeaters are pretty nice. I have the RT97S 10W version and it works well for what it is. I use it when camping and I put the antenna up around 40ft on a push up flag pole off the top of my 5th wheel. If you don't need or want the portable aspect however your best bet is to get some retired commercial grade stuff. Most of it will still have quite a bit of life left it it, but you will need some things extra. you can ebay an Icom fr4000-3 for around 500, then get a sinclair q3220e duplexer for 400. you will need to rent or make friends with someone with a good vna or at least sa to tune it. If the duplexer is tuned well you won't loose half your wattage, more like 15-20% ish.