WRVD377 Posted January 25 Report Share Posted January 25 Jan / Feb 2023: Possible put Retevis RT97 back online while messing with RIM-Matrac link stuff. Pi 3 built, pending other parts noted and finding process to complete link / node. Jan 2023- Ordered: Repeater Builder RIM-Maxtrac USB Radio Interface. Comet GP-9NC GMRS/FRS-Commercial Dual Band VHF/UHF Base Vertical Antennas GP-9NC Reviewing: Motorola Repeater GR1225 Duplexer 3 Cable KIT RX & TX RG400 N Male – Mini UHF. When the above comes in and I have to take it offline I will check this cable set. Dec 2022- Motorola GR1225 set at High power. Output 21 W at back of unit. (Changed due to no CWID and working to go full public use.) Raised 5' Nov 2022- Retevis RT97 and antenna install. Opek-UH2401 @ 20'. WRTZ750 and WRUF413 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRTZ750 Posted January 26 Report Share Posted January 26 What is RIM-Mactrac? Is that for linking up your repeater to the mygmrs network using the internet? On a side note, I drove around Le Claire yesterday, particularly up Chestnut Rd and saw a few good places on top of the hill to mount a repeater. Do you know of anyone in Le Claire that lives on top of the hill over there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRVD377 Posted January 27 Author Report Share Posted January 27 Yes, that is the part that should allow the GR1225 to connect to the mygmrs network via a Raspberry PI 3B. A little learning curve due to shortages of parts to buy. That is usable for specific repeaters, but only specific ones. I have the Pi connected to the RIM-Maxtrac. Repeater Builder RIM-Maxtrac USB Radio Interface – myGMRS.com I don't know anyone specifically in that area only that one person said they lived in that town. Argo, IA is one of the higher elevations on that side of the river. South of Argo near I80, three towers already over that way, don't know who owns or runs them. 1 Cell phone style, two well above 200'. WRTZ750 and WRUF413 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRVD377 Posted February 17 Author Report Share Posted February 17 Well a Vertex VXR-7000 UHF Repeater w/ Duplexer 40 Watts 450-480 Mhz finally came available from a source I found and bought the GR1225. I have this coming but now I will need to learn how to find the parts to make it a node. Yet another learning curve. Sshannon and WRTZ750 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRTZ750 Posted February 17 Report Share Posted February 17 I believe the Aledo repeaters gentleman has one of these so he might be a good resource should you have any questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRVD377 Posted February 18 Author Report Share Posted February 18 14 hours ago, WRTZ750 said: I believe the Aledo repeaters gentleman has one of these so he might be a good resource should you have any questions. Hello WRTZ750, I know you are correct about that person as far as the repeater it's self. However, did you notice he does not have a connected node on either repeater types, Bridgecom having known parts here on mygrms? I will bet most people in our area have little to no knowledge of Allstar software and voice hardware based on the few ham's I have already talked too. Many Hams will not look at DMR let alone GMRS around here. Upside it sounds like some ham's are looking at playing with GMRS, so there is some possible upside if we get a network up, even if we can't get a good tower site. The big question is can we get 3 or 4 repeaters connected as nodes to talk together making our area mostly covered. I think once that is up and running, we will find more interest and then we may finally have some support for a better overall system. We have to lead the way, because we can't lead the horse to water. I have email to dmkeng for the Uri and cable, for the Vertex. If not them, I know one more to write. Since I have 2 - Pi 3B's I can use outside of the one I am using, I can do some testing. We have some really good Hams around here, we have no club that want us in the club and that is a fact. Thanks for your thoughts! Royce WRTZ750 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAB3210 Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 I was running Bridgecom repeaters on both ham (440 MHz) and GMRS. I took the Bridgecom GMRS machine offline and it's for sale. A Vertex VXR7000U replaced it and I probably will be taking the ham repeater offline, too, because no one has been using it. I really like using the Vertex VXR7000 and have several on VHF and UHF. I have no intention of doing any linking with the repeater here only because it's used primarily on a local basis for family and ag use. If anyone wants a good deal on an excellent condition Bridgecom GMRS repeater with a new final installed, let me know. It is available. WRTZ750 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRVD377 Posted February 23 Author Report Share Posted February 23 Hello all, Just an update. I am testing a Vertex- VXR-7000 with the same cables and antenna. My testing is to see how it works when the software is forcing Narrowband, Hi power, and 3 different ctcss codes on the same frequency (max 16). My Pi3b is on, but still no answers to cabling / sound card (Uri) for different repeater. I went this route to see if I can leave it open to public 141.3, cut out another code for around the home area in order to use the same repeater. So far seams to work. Thanks, Royce WRUF413 and WRTZ750 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRTZ750 Posted March 9 Report Share Posted March 9 Do you have software to program the Vertex? Where did you find one? How difficult is it to program? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OffRoaderX Posted March 9 Report Share Posted March 9 Programming a Vertex 7000 is very easy. Finding the cables and the software, not so much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRTZ750 Posted March 9 Report Share Posted March 9 26 minutes ago, OffRoaderX said: Programming a Vertex 7000 is very easy. Finding the cables and the software, not so much. I looked for this repeater at used-radios. Com with no luck. Is that where you got yours? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OffRoaderX Posted March 9 Report Share Posted March 9 34 minutes ago, WRTZ750 said: I looked for this repeater at used-radios. Com with no luck. Is that where you got yours? No. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRTZ750 Posted March 9 Report Share Posted March 9 44 minutes ago, OffRoaderX said: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRVD377 Posted March 9 Author Report Share Posted March 9 3 hours ago, WRTZ750 said: Do you have software to program the Vertex? Where did you find one? How difficult is it to program? I have the cable and software, I can get you a link. Only issue I found was the software is force set to narrow band. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRVD377 Posted March 9 Author Report Share Posted March 9 3 hours ago, OffRoaderX said: Programming a Vertex 7000 is very easy. Finding the cables and the software, not so much. Vertex USB Programming Cable & Software for VXR-7000 Series Repeaters | eBay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRVD377 Posted March 9 Author Report Share Posted March 9 4 hours ago, WRTZ750 said: Do you have software to program the Vertex? Where did you find one? How difficult is it to program? Finally linking with the URI as some call it is not figured out by me yet. I found the person that will make the 9pin to 25pin cable for the RIM-Litev2, to radio. Have the pin out, but I am still lacking in the asterisk / app-rpt app knowledge. but I managed to find all the parts. Just to let you know, the GR1225, is easier to find the parts and was more seamless on the Pi app. I don't think there is that much data for the Vertex from everything I have found. So I would suggest the GR1225 if you want something easier to work with, for now. I do like the Vertex better for a few reasons, but linking is not one of them. WRTZ750 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRTZ750 Posted March 9 Report Share Posted March 9 Ok thanks. Did you manage to get the vertex set to wideband? My understanding is the GR1225 is not continuous duty but the Vertex is so may have a longer lifespan? Where do you find one of these vertex repeaters? Oh, and do I need a computer running Windows XP to program it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRVD377 Posted March 9 Author Report Share Posted March 9 54 minutes ago, WRTZ750 said: Ok thanks. Did you manage to get the vertex set to wideband? My understanding is the GR1225 is not continuous duty but the Vertex is so may have a longer lifespan? Where do you find one of these vertex repeaters? Oh, and do I need a computer running Windows XP to program it? You just have to search till one shows up. Both of mine came from the same place you listed above. I am not sure Continuous duty will matter if you don't run it nonstop or don't run it at high power. That program worked on my Win 10 from that link. The Gr1225 was on XP. WRTZ750 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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