I get repeater kickback, but no voice/audio?

[KevinJ]

As the title states, I tried two newer repeaters today, I could hear traffic. As soon as I was in range, I keyed momentarlily to see if I got the kickback. It did, and came across my wife's handheld also, but when I spoke, I couldn't hear my voice through hers. No one ever acknowledged me, and even seem to take me as interference or dropped signal as when I would finish trying to call, they would already be talking as if I wasn't already transmitting. I tried the winchester and farmland repeaters and did them the same as I did the Muncie repeater that I definitely got it right as I have hit and made contacts multiple times now.

[WRXB215]

It's not uncommon to be able to activate the repeater but not be able to get a readable signal through.

[KevinJ]

20 minutes ago, WRXB215 said:

It's not uncommon to be able to activate the repeater but not be able to get a readable signal through.

I cant say the exact distance I was from the repeaters location, but is it still possible then I am far enough away that its just not getting out from the ground(or in a vehicle) with only 5 watts

[amaff]

6 minutes ago, KevinJ said:

I cant say the exact distance I was from the repeaters location, but is it still possible then I am far enough away that its just not getting out from the ground(or in a vehicle) with only 5 watts

if you have good line of sight to the repeater, 5W will easily go deep into the double digits. If'n you don't, then all bets are off. You're well into "it depends on a TON of factors. Maybe it works maybe it doesn't" territory

[SteveShannon]

If you’re transmitting to the repeater while standing next to your wife while she’s listening to her radio, her radio might be desensing as a result of your transmission.

That doesn’t explain why others on the repeater don’t hear you. Transmitting with the wrong tone would explain that, but you say you’re hearing the repeater pick up on your wife’s radio. 
It’s difficult to diagnose for certain but it sounds like a combination of desensing and possibly incorrect tones. 
Drive closer to the repeater. Separate from your wife (distance not marital status). Don’t give up. It’s not intuitive at first. 

[KevinJ]

I think it was the tones, I remember looking over them and thinking it all looks the same, I went tone on all as opposed to tsql on the two that are listed as such, for troubleshooting purposes.  I decided to upload the file from the radio to check it, and sure enough, that repeater somehow was set to cross. I reset it, and I will try again the next time I am out that way. Also, FWIW it was the rx tone that was set wrong when it got placed into cross mode, I think that might explain the repeater opening but no audio coming through like you said.

[Socalgmrs]

23 minutes ago, KevinJ said:

I think it was the tones, I remember looking over them and thinking it all looks the same, I went tone on all as opposed to tsql on the two that are listed as such, for troubleshooting purposes.  I decided to upload the file from the radio to check it, and sure enough, that repeater somehow was set to cross. I reset it, and I will try again the next time I am out that way. Also, FWIW it was the rx tone that was set wrong when it got placed into cross mode, I think that might explain the repeater opening but no audio coming through like you said.

If you’re kerchunking the repeater (opening sqwelch) and your wife can hear your sqwelch tail back at home the tones are correct.  Most repeater owners do not like any one to kerchunk there repeaters fyi.   I’d bet your just simply to far or have bad line of sight.   A mag mount on the roof would be good.  An external antenna at home would also be good.   You stated you didn’t know how far away you were from the repeater.   You really need to know this and drive closer untill it works out.  Then drive around to find the places you can and can not get through.  Remember your 5w and the repeater may be 40-50w with a big gain antenna.  Also what ht radio and antenna are you using.  

[KevinJ]

On 7/24/2024 at 11:32 PM, WRXP381 said:

If you’re kerchunking the repeater (opening sqwelch) and your wife can hear your sqwelch tail back at home the tones are correct.  Most repeater owners do not like any one to kerchunk there repeaters fyi.   I’d bet your just simply to far or have bad line of sight.   A mag mount on the roof would be good.  An external antenna at home would also be good.   You stated you didn’t know how far away you were from the repeater.   You really need to know this and drive closer untill it works out.  Then drive around to find the places you can and can not get through.  Remember your 5w and the repeater may be 40-50w with a big gain antenna.  Also what ht radio and antenna are you using.  

I understand, to fill in some blanks, I know I was well within the range of the repeater, I don't know the exact distance, But I would say I was within a couple of miles of it for sure.  Also, my wife was next to me, with a handheld. Not at home. If my description sounded like that, it was not intended Someone told me it may just be we are too close, and it's too much power.  I believe the same thing happened today on the Muncie repeater, she could hear everyone talking as I could, but in the same vehicle, she couldn't hear me, but heard the key up and tail kick. although, I was driving and I didn't personally check her radio to make sure it was actually even turned up.

[KevinJ]

On 7/24/2024 at 11:32 PM, WRXP381 said:

If you’re kerchunking the repeater (opening sqwelch) and your wife can hear your sqwelch tail back at home the tones are correct.  Most repeater owners do not like any one to kerchunk there repeaters fyi.   I’d bet your just simply to far or have bad line of sight.   A mag mount on the roof would be good.  An external antenna at home would also be good.   You stated you didn’t know how far away you were from the repeater.   You really need to know this and drive closer untill it works out.  Then drive around to find the places you can and can not get through.  Remember your 5w and the repeater may be 40-50w with a big gain antenna.  Also what ht radio and antenna are you using.  

Also, I just had the thought on this bold statement, I did check when I got home that day, and that specific repeater was set to cross on my radio, and that is not how it is supposed to be, I have it set to tone right now, but I believe it is a TSQL setup, I am just using the tone at the moment to allow anything through on the receive. I am just waiting to drive back out that way and kinda forgot and missed my chance today as I went to Muncie.