Retevis RA87

[WSCU736]

I have the RA87. And when I input my repeater frequencies. Only a couple work. On the ones that dont. I press the PTT and left off, and I dont hear the repeaters output tones.

[SteveShannon]

16 minutes ago, WSCU736 said:

I have the RA87. And when I input my repeater frequencies. Only a couple work. On the ones that dont. I press the PTT and left off, and I dont hear the repeaters output tones.

Not all repeaters have output tones. 
Instead, ask if anyone can hear you. 

[WSCU736]

5 minutes ago, SteveShannon said:

Not all repeaters have output tones. 
Instead, ask if anyone can hear you. 

I think I didnt explain this correctly. When tranmitting to a repeater. I am not activating it. You know like, you key to see if your hitting the repeater.

[Socalgmrs]

That’s an option for many repeaters it’s not a tone it’s called a squelch tail.    Many call it kerchunking. Many repeater owners dont like you doing that.   Some repeaters have it turned off.  I’d agree ASK for a proper radio check.   You may have your tones reversed also?   Might be too far away? How far from the tepeater are you?     Who knows? Only you can know for sure.   Have you reached out to the repeater owner?  Do you know any one else that is on the repeater that you could talk to about this and do radio checks with?      Are you face programming or using a computer?   I’d highly suggest using a computer.   Also retivis radios have many issues with software (and hardware).  Do you know you’re transmitting at all on any “channel” Have you talked to other people while doing an activity like gmrs is meant for? Do you have a good coax and antenna set up?   Waay to many variables for any one to be able to help you with the info provided.  

[WSCU736]

6 minutes ago, Socalgmrs said:

That’s an option. Many call it kerchunking. Many repeater owners dont like you doing that.   Some repeaters have it turned off.  I’d agree ASK for a proper radio check.   You may have your tones reversed also?   Might be too far away?   Who knows? Only you can o ow for sure.   Have you reached out to the repeater owner?   

I have been using the repeater for months now. And it worked before I got this revevis ra87.

[SteveShannon]

1 hour ago, WSCU736 said:

I think I didnt explain this correctly. When tranmitting to a repeater. I am not activating it. You know like, you key to see if your hitting the repeater.

Not all repeaters have squelch tail and some radios have squelch tail elimination. If the repeater beeps after it repeats a signal that’s sometimes called a courtesy beep. 
If the repeater did the courtesy beep before you got the new radio but makes no sound now I agree with you that you’re not activating the repeater. That can be caused by you transmitting on the wrong channel, being out of range, sending the wrong TX tone, or filtering out the signal by using the wrong RX tone. New radios always introduce new peccadillos. 
Try getting rid of the RX tone if you’re using one. With no tone you’ll hear everything on the channel. 
Then double check your channel and your TX tone. Finally, try getting closer. Try the radio that previously worked just to make sure. 
Good luck!

[WRUU653]

3 hours ago, WSCU736 said:

I have been using the repeater for months now. And it worked before I got this revevis ra87.

What radio were you using before? How did you program the RA87? Are you using chirp or Retevis software? If so could we see the program? Have you checked your squelch setting??? What channel and tones are you using? Are you sure the repeater is on line? Some more info would help in troubleshooting. Did I mention the squelch? 

[WSGL219]

On 2/16/2025 at 5:18 PM, WSCU736 said:

I have the RA87. And when I input my repeater frequencies. Only a couple work. On the ones that dont. I press the PTT and left off, and I dont hear the repeaters output tones.

Are you using chirp or putting in the values from the face of the radio? I found the RA87 to have the most unclear instructions and off the wall menu. That being said mine works fine but i used chirp to program it. Definitely ask for a check when your on the air, thats the only way to know for sure your getting out.

[WRTC928]

Okay...not trying to hurt your feelings by asking something obvious...but are you sure you have the transmit power turned all the way up? Either you're not reaching it or it's not hearing you. The most likely reason for the first is not enough power (assuming you're using it from the same location you used your other radios), and the most likely reason for the second is tones either not set or set incorrectly.