Auto ID

[Wrvq441]

Do any of you that own repeaters use some type of auto ID?

If so, is it as simple as plug and play, or how does it work.

Yes, I spent some time doing a search on this forum and most likely used the wrong words because I couldn’t find what I’m looking for. I also searched the web and a few radio sale places.

Thank you in advance for your input.

[tweiss3]

7 minutes ago, Wrvq441 said:

Do any of you that own repeaters use some type of auto ID?

If so, is it as simple as plug and play, or how does it work.

Yes, I spent some time doing a search on this forum and most likely used the wrong words because I couldn’t find what I’m looking for. I also searched the web and a few radio sale places.

Thank you in advance for your input.

The CW ID to identify the repeater? Yes, mine has it, it is built in, and set to 15 minute interval, but I doesn't broadcast if there is no traffic.

[gortex2]

Most commercially made repeaters have this built in. All my LMR, Public Safety and Ham repeaters ID per regulations. Most of mine ID with no PL so you don't here it unless you are in CSQ mode. We have one SAR repeater that does ID with PL as that was like the previous and the folks wanted it to continue that way. All my repeaters have this built into the software and we do not run "external" controllers. 

[Sshannon]

Less expensive hobby repeaters, such as the Midland, Retevis RT97, and one made with two KG1000G transceivers do not have auto ID.  The RT97 doesn’t even have the ability to easily add it, but the RT97S (which it appears the Midland is based on) has a DB9 connector for an external mic and speaker that appears to support adding an auto ID controller (I have no personal experience, but that’s what it looks like).

For repeaters which are made by placing two transceivers back to back, adding an ID controller happens in the connections between the two.

You've already heard from two people with infinitely more hands on repeater ownership experience; I think you can see why they would prefer to use professional equipment here.

[gortex2]

I don't see this device mentioned much but I think it would be a slick device for the RT97S or Midland. I think you could probably stuff it inside the box too and not worry about the external location.

https://midians.com/products/id-1/

We used a lot of these back in the day. They used to run around $100. Not sure what they cost now. 

Communications Specialist used to make the ID-8 also. It was very similar but used a DTMF pad to program then you put that aside. 

https://www.com-spec.com/id8.htm

The ID-O-Matic is still used by some but a bit larger.

http://www.hamgadgets.com/ID-O-MATIC-IV

These are all options for home brew repeaters or repeaters where an ID is required. There are also Pi based controllers that incorporate the CWID into the controller but that's a PC and not what these above are. 

[WRAM370]

3 hours ago, Wrvq441 said:

is it as simple as plug and play, or how does it work

It can be a “plug and play” if your repeater has an interface to plug an external controller into it. Check out Hamgadgets ID-O-Matic controllers, as an example.

Most repeaters have a “controller”, which does a number of things. Primarily, it will respond to a signal coming into the receive section of the repeater, and then turn on the transmit side of the repeater to send out the received signal.

The controller can also be programmed to determine the maximum length of time the transmitter section will be allowed to transmit (via a time out timer) to prevent the transmitter from running constantly, in the event something happens to the transmitter.

The controller may also have an ID morse code (or voice recorded) generator, which is programmed for the callsign and the interval time it will identify. In GMRS, the ID interval is 15 minutes. As mentioned above, some controllers (or just a stand alone ID’er) can be programmed to ID once the repeater in engaged, and then every 15 minutes (or whatever the requirement may be for that application), until people stop using it. After the last transmission, the repeater will then ID one last time at the determined interval, and then sit quietly until keyed up again later. Some controllers are not this smart, and can only ID every XX minutes, all day and night, regardless of whether the repeater is used or not. This would be annoying in my opinion. GMRS is a shared service, so we may want to only have our radios/repeaters transmitting when actually being used, and quiet the rest of the time.

The Hamgadgets ID-O-Matic is an inexpensive controller, that offers a few options. You can program it yourself if you can follow instructions, or pay the man to program it for you. He offers cables that will allow a “plug and play” option for users, if they have the repeaters/radios that are listed on his site. Otherwise you would have to make the necessary connections to the internal components of the repeater yourself.

I know Hamgadgets offers prewired controller cables for some Motorola radios/repeaters, and there are some Chinese models as well IIRC. I am not endorsing the ID-O-Matic, I am only pointing out that they may be something for you to look at and get more info.

 

[Wrvq441]

6 hours ago, WRAM370 said:

It can be a “plug and play” if your repeater has an interface to plug an external controller into it. Check out Hamgadgets ID-O-Matic controllers, as an example.

Most repeaters have a “controller”, which does a number of things. Primarily, it will respond to a signal coming into the receive section of the repeater, and then turn on the transmit side of the repeater to send out the received signal.

The controller can also be programmed to determine the maximum length of time the transmitter section will be allowed to transmit (via a time out timer) to prevent the transmitter from running constantly, in the event something happens to the transmitter.

The controller may also have an ID morse code (or voice recorded) generator, which is programmed for the callsign and the interval time it will identify. In GMRS, the ID interval is 15 minutes. As mentioned above, some controllers (or just a stand alone ID’er) can be programmed to ID once the repeater in engaged, and then every 15 minutes (or whatever the requirement may be for that application), until people stop using it. After the last transmission, the repeater will then ID one last time at the determined interval, and then sit quietly until keyed up again later. Some controllers are not this smart, and can only ID every XX minutes, all day and night, regardless of whether the repeater is used or not. This would be annoying in my opinion. GMRS is a shared service, so we may want to only have our radios/repeaters transmitting when actually being used, and quiet the rest of the time.

The Hamgadgets ID-O-Matic is an inexpensive controller, that offers a few options. You can program it yourself if you can follow instructions, or pay the man to program it for you. He offers cables that will allow a “plug and play” option for users, if they have the repeaters/radios that are listed on his site. Otherwise you would have to make the necessary connections to the internal components of the repeater yourself.

I know Hamgadgets offers prewired controller cables for some Motorola radios/repeaters, and there are some Chinese models as well IIRC. I am not endorsing the ID-O-Matic, I am only pointing out that they may be something for you to look at and get more info.

 

Thank You!

[WRVD377]

I have a RT97 that for sure does not have CWID.  My Motorola GR1225 on the other hand does have it built in but morse code style. If you wanted another model to compare. From the store sound like one can link it to the mygrms net, if one can get the parts.

[WRZF225]

On 1/19/2023 at 5:10 AM, tweiss3 said:

The CW ID to identify the repeater? Yes, mine has it, it is built in, and set to 15 minute interval, but I doesn't broadcast if there is no traffic.

How did you you cw id your repater auto

 

[tweiss3]

TKR850 has it built into the firmware/software. Most commercial repeaters have it included in their software, just have to enable it.

[OffRoaderX]

My VXR7000 has it built in and it can be enabled/disabled in the software.