BTech GMRS RPT50 - NEW 50-Watt GMRS Only Repeater

[OffRoaderX]

This just arrived in my mailbox - video to follow in the next few days... Please post your questions below and I will address them in the video (if they're not stupid)..  

 

[kidphc]

Spectral purity info would be nice. As well how sensitive receive is.


Maybe a flir/thermal image after some usage. I am curious about were energy is most wasted in the radio. Only to see what part may fail first.

Edit to add flir request.

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[WRYZ926]

I'm curious to see how it compares to the Bridgecom repeaters if that is possible.

[kidphc]

I'm curious to see how it compares to the Bridgecom repeaters if that is possible.

Actually makes me wonder about advance programing functions. Like stun, deny list by radio id's, split tones etc.

As well as what they have rated for duty cycles.

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[WRVC209]

What is the current draw on receive (Quiescent draw)?  

[WRYZ926]

I watched the video and I have to say kudos for B-Tech's customer service . I am underwhelmed about the repeater though. Too bad they can't get the repair parts in. I don't blame you for getting a refund.

[OffRoaderX]

25 minutes ago, WRYZ926 said:

I am underwhelmed about the repeater though

Me too..

[Ian]

How well does it work with the GMRS Pro's advanced features?  Is this another "HT" compatible radio?  Could I use this as a "dispatch console" in the vicinity of, say, a rally race?

[nokones]

5 hours ago, Ian said:

How well does it work with the GMRS Pro's advanced features?  Is this another "HT" compatible radio?  Could I use this as a "dispatch console" in the vicinity of, say, a rally race?

I believe the queen said in the video repeatedly, that you "cannot" use it as a base station because the hand mic looking device is only for programming the repeater unit. That probably means there is no method/means of inputing voice audio directly into the unit.

Although, I am not an expert on the matter, I'm just trying to recollect on my 12 hour old memory from watching the video.

[WRWH978]

Pretty disappointed after watching the review. (thx) Wonder if there will be a V2 in a year or so? I'll stay with my retevis RT97 repeater in the meantime.

[WRYZ926]

2 hours ago, WRWH978 said:

Pretty disappointed after watching the review. (thx) Wonder if there will be a V2 in a year or so? I'll stay with my retevis RT97 repeater in the meantime.

The Retevis and Midland repeaters are good for covering a smaller area or for limited use. I would personally stick with a Bridgecom repeater or a used Motorola repeater programmed for GMRS if you want something more powerful that the Retevis/Midland repeaters.

[WRYZ926]

I wonder if B-Tech is trying to do too much with the built in duplexer by having it work on all the repeater channels. After talking to people more knowledgeable on the subject, they sure think so. 

Duplexers that are small enough to fit into a repeater will not work as well as separate external duplexers. And that is why we went with a separate duplexer when we set up our Bridgecom GMRS repeater.

[kidphc]

I wonder if B-Tech is trying to do too much with the built in duplexer by having it work on all the repeater channels. After talking to people more knowledgeable on the subject, they sure think so. 
Duplexers that are small enough to fit into a repeater will not work as well as separate external duplexers. And that is why we went with a separate duplexer when we set up our Bridgecom GMRS repeater.

I think they were aiming for a turn key option, as their main selling point. Which of course they didn't push.

I agree an external can Is more effective. But it wouldn't be turn key and the packaging wouldn't be as small. For first time repeater set up it really simplifies it for more novice installers.


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[WRYZ926]

@kidphc I agree having a turn key option is a good idea. B-Tech needs to work on their duplexer setup first. They could offer a duplexer setup for a single repeater channel for now and let customers choose which channel when ordering. That would give them time to perfect the current multi channel duplexer.

[kidphc]

[mention=2261]kidphc[/mention] I agree having a turn key option is a good idea. B-Tech needs to work on their duplexer setup first. They could offer a duplexer setup for a single repeater channel for now and let customers choose which channel when ordering. That would give them time to perfect the current multi channel duplexer.

Maybe in version 2.. lol

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[Ian]

On 5/10/2024 at 8:08 AM, nokones said:

I believe the queen said in the video repeatedly, that you "cannot" use it as a base station because the hand mic looking device is only for programming the repeater unit. That probably means there is no method/means of inputing voice audio directly into the unit.

Although, I am not an expert on the matter, I'm just trying to recollect on my 12 hour old memory from watching the video.

If it's an HT compatible radio, you can connect your phone via Bluetooth to use it as a speaker-mic.  Baofeng's branded version for GMRS also supports this feature.  Having said that, I probably should have asked about voice specifically, but I was asking about the GMRS Pro's APRS functions.

[WSCZ240]

I have only seen one full review on this and, in the end, it didn't work. Has anyone gotten it to work? 

[WRXK576]

I have one and it's been working great! About a month in with no issues and range is as good as any 50W radio when testing location.

I have no complaints other than I am sweating about the lack of network ability so far. It's been a while since launch and I just want to be able to hook it up to the MyGMRS node network. Still can't because the firmware doesn't have functionality for the networking.

I like just having in-town comms for now, but that is a serious drawback if you want to purchase one. A teaser hole, if you will.

[WRDU469]

I just saw they released a firmware update on this repeater. Not sure it covers network stuff but none the less an update. 

https://baofengtech.com/june-2024-gmrs-rpt50-firmware-update/

 

[Raybestos]

On 6/1/2024 at 7:59 PM, WRXK576 said:

I have one and it's been working great! About a month in with no issues and range is as good as any 50W radio when testing location.

I have no complaints other than I am sweating about the lack of network ability so far. It's been a while since launch and I just want to be able to hook it up to the MyGMRS node network. Still can't because the firmware doesn't have functionality for the networking.

I like just having in-town comms for now, but that is a serious drawback if you want to purchase one. A teaser hole, if you will.

Why pollute the limited spectrum of GMRS with blather from other parts of the country?  A stand alone repeater allows for better, uninterrupted local coms than one linked to a net or other repeaters.

[WSBT338]

How do I test the power output if the “mic” is only for programming? Plugged into the duplexer port hit PTT and I get nothing. The same process on my Midland MXT500 shows me pretty close to 50W. Was hoping to confirm the same with this. I heard Randy say he tested his, so maybe there’s a menu option I missed? I did upgrade the firmware. 

[OffRoaderX]

You configure your radio to use the repeater, then from nearby, transmit on/to the repeater.

[WSBT338]

I thought that might be it! Muchas Gracias 

[WSBT338]

My dilemma is that the Surecom is plugged into the Duplexer port (TX/RX) and I don’t have another N Male to plug an antenna in to RX (until tomorrow). Probably not a good idea to run this without an antenna but I tried this anyways... 

 

[OffRoaderX]

39 minutes ago, WSBT338 said:

Probably not a good idea to run this without an antenna but I tried this anyways

You have the Surecom plugged into the DummyLoad, right? If so, that is better than the antenna..

Make sure you have the repeater set to HIGH power, and if so, and you're only getting 8Watts, call BTech and tell them to send you one that works as advertised, or do what i did, just get your money back.