Take It... Or Leave It.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ส.ค. 2024
- This is a portable repeater that you can take with you as part of your kit... or you can very easily install it in your repeater site and leave it!
I'm going to leave it...at my club shack in Wisconsin. MOAR RDO!
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A user has one of these about 20 miles west of town on a 30 foot tower on his property at 8,000 feet. It gets very good coverage out to about 30 miles south (terrain), close to 50 miles east, and 40 miles north. Not much west due to being up against the mountains. He is using lmr400 coax, and a 6DBI gain antenna. Its on a deep cycle battery with 100 watt solar panel.
CHEERS from Colorado
Hey Bruce, sounds like he's doing the best he can with the terrain issues they have!
@@temporarilyoffline it does quite well all things considered. My repeater is more powerful by several times, and gets slightly less coverage. But I'm in the city at 5,000 feet, compared to his 8,000.
WRDA382
CHEERS from Colorado
Height + Line Of Sight wins every time! @@brucel399
Thanks Steve, looks like it is super easy to use a good thing!
Sure is!
I have one and love it cause it's so easy to use.
Yeah, it was super easy to use!
Thrilled to see a video on this as I've been eyeing up this unit for a long time, glad your experience was good/promising with it out of the box. I was surprised though about your misconception at the end, you cannot use an amplifier with that unit. If you put an amp after the duplexer you won't have any receive, and if you try to put an amp in-between the tx and the duplexer you will fry the baby duplexer in that box. You'd have to have a much larger duplexer with higher power handling and at that point you might as well go with a whole different system. Probably 500+ other comments saying exactly this already here or on the way... couldn't help myself had to pile on too. Otherwise great video and thanks for making it!
Funny you should mention other comments - everybody is saying completely different things - some people have done it, its worked well and others have said it can't be done. I mentioned it in passing saying its possible - as you know, a smart ham with a large enough toolbox is capable of just about anything.
I need one of those. Ok, more of a want. 😂
They have them for VHF and UHF, but I'd be concerned about the filter size with the VHF model.
nice review. I have worked with that model. it is 10 watts before the duplexer . will run 24V battery system. That duplexer is tuned to the per set channel. you will need a nano van and dummy load to re tune that duplexer. it is tuned for GMRS . no need to re tune . to run more power you have to do this before the duplexer and use a higher power duplexer. GMRS is 50 watts max on repeaters. that a FCC thing. runs like 70 Cm with the 5 MHZ split. that mic port can also be used for repeater ID import and or weather /time station. if you want talking repeater that is the jack to input that. same ID as ham . can be CW or voice. use UHF rated coax. from your portable battery box it will run for days. the Midland one like that is about the same. Just a GMRS license is needed for GMRS repeater . wide band improves sound a bit. I tested/set up that repeater with my POTAFLEX 7 coax and worked great. that 4 pin power port is same as some radios mick jack. I made one with power poles . and a fuse. west mouton radio has a power gate with power poles to add battery back up. what we did. works great. 73's
Those are all great tips! Thanks for sharing!
@@temporarilyoffline I re did that same repeater last spring with a external duplexer and 50 watt amp. had trouble with LMR 400 coax. wired cross talk from outher repeaters at same cite. hyper flex 10 M & P solved that problem. Aluminum foil shield was the problem. use copper foil with copper braid. was only 35 ft . on roof of office budling. rented space. 73's
Nice review Steve. Thanks! You actually couldn't use an amplifier with that, at least not without a lot of surgery. An amplifier would have to go between the transmitter and the duplexer. An amplifier is not going to pass the received signal through in the reverse direction. I also doubt that the duplexer inside provides enough isolation for anything more than the 10 watt transmitter.
Good points! I wouldn't want to amplify the input, so you're right, gotta get in the middle!
That baby duplexer will melt it's plastic internal parts much past 10 watts. Be aware it already converts 4 of your 10 watts into heat so use at least 3/8" Heliax to your antenna and keep that as short as possible.
Cant wait to see it up and operating.
Me Too!
Great video, thanks for sharing.
You bet! Thanks for watching!
The 12v Accessories Plug is sweet for making a Mobile Repeater 2:38
That's one of my favorite features!
I need to get this for my QTH here in Polk county NC.
This one is going on the air in Polk County WI ;-)
I have always loved the Arris style LE's for cable/fiber grids and said people should use them in projects. Super sturdy, water tight, almost bomb proof. Dropped a few of them in my days when replacing them. That's what that case is, a knockoff communication line extender/node/tap box. Next time you're in town look up at the telephone poles, you will see them in a much lighter grey. Anyways, great video. I definitely need one in my life, right after I get some radios and a license :)
Thanks. You know what you have to do. 😎
Absolutely love all your videos. That’s right, I said it: LOVE them. I was waiting to hear what it would sound like when you unkeyed the mic on your transmission through the machine, and there it was, the tail drop! Oh, but what a beautiful sound that is. So I just want to toss this out there and yeah, it’s kind of a nit. When a content creator says, “At the time of this recording,“ against what do we measure that? In other words, if there isn’t a date attached somewhere like maybe the words floating across the screen, how do we know when the video was made? Right now in the video title, it says “three hours ago.“ And then, eventually, it will say, “one year ago.” And then, 11 years later, it still says, “At the time of this recording.” I want the date, dammit. It’s kind of like when people post a note at the workplace with no date reference: “This has to be done by tomorrow.” There’s my nit.
Thanks!
Appreciate all the links For the goodies in the video Steve 4:32
You bet, thanks for watching!
@@temporarilyofflineanytime brother anytime
Mine is in DHL's hands. It may get here before Xmas, though DHL has drove right past my home many, many times, so I expect drama before it hits the porch.
I seem to be good with DHL, but FedEx will sit in my driveway with a package for me and then leave if they think I'm not around to notice.
Great video.
Glad you enjoyed it
I wish my club had a shack.
I had to fight pretty hard to get my club shack.
@@temporarilyoffline Not everyone, but more in my club want to be social than want to ham hard. Field day is a challenge.
@@LeeMcc_KI5YPR I run into that as well. I was able to setup workbenches with soldering irons and get kits. That was pretty motivating.
Nice video TO. :) Will you also cover the installation of the repeater in a video? Like maybe the HAM club can send pics back to you on installation and you can do a "slide show" talk on how the install went. something like that
I'll see what I can do!
BTW Retevis claims these can be used on any of the GMRS repeater frequencies without retuning the duplexer.
Thanks!
Can you inject a call sign broadcast to meet the lords of the land edicts?
As a ham, yes... out of the box I didn't see a way to do that with the hardware/software provided.
The 9 pin port can be used for that. I'm actually going to program a $5 Arduino to do Morse code ID.
@@ronkimball8489 Is there a document on how to do that?
It is 10 watts before the duplexer
Thanks!
Nice, but I'd be jailed if I used it.😂👍
On US Frequencies, for sure!
Looks like a nice I would put it in the ham band run a all UHF Amp with it.
They have a UHF and VHF model.
@@temporarilyoffline that's good I want the UHF I want to add mmdvm board to it add allstsr and dmr she ysf to it. Play with those modes with.
Great job on the video Steve. Hope I can catch you on the air some time.
@@Chuck1855 sounds like a fun project!
@@temporarilyoffline I have been working it. For months it is going to take me about year to finish it. Doing it in steps but when it is done. I'll be happy.
Because of the duplexer, its 5 watts out..
Thanks!
It's been measured at 6 watts in a youtube or two.
The feature that seems to be missing is automatic ID of the repeater using morse code.
There are devices that you can plug into the 9pin port to do that... but:
95.1751:
(c ) Any GMRS repeater station is not required to transmit station identification if:
(1) It retransmits only communications from GMRS stations operating under authority of the individual license under which it operates; and,
(2) The GMRS stations whose communications are retransmitted are properly identified in accordance with this section.
The newer wera tool check no longer has the button to open.
I like the wera tools.
Nice and simple. Thank you. What kind of antenna are you using?
For this demo I just used a basic 2/70 mobile antenna. For a proper install I'd use this from Retevis: amzn.to/3RbijlB Or this from My friend Michael KB9VBR: www.jpole-antenna.com/shop/462-mhz-land-mobile-gmrs-j-pole-antenna/
Roughly How much distance do you think one might gain with this piece of "Wizardry", great video tnx man!
As with all things ham radio: "It depends" - the higher your antenna and the more clear your line of sight, the greater distance. For example, you can barely contact your local repeater, but you can connect to the ISS 250 miles away because its a clear line of sight. I'd expect 30 miles under ideal conditions because of the curvature of the earth.
@@temporarilyoffline That Sounds fairly reasonable, tnx man.
Be careful how much you amplify it. I have been told (but haven't confirmed) that the legal limit of GMRS repeaters is 50w ERP. So a high gain antenna might get you close to your limit. Thanks for the video. 73 - AA4K
Good Tips! GMRS is 50w, but I don't know if its ERP or at the transmitter.
Do frequencies have to be set at the factory? How are they assigned? What about call sign ID? Important for more permanent installation. At least for amateur radio I think the repeater needs its own call sign and must transmit it every 10 minutes or so. I could use something like this if I knew it would not get me into trouble with the licensing authority where I live (not US).
I showed in the video how to change frequencies. This repeater doesn't seem to have the ability to generate its own callsign beacon. This is a US-GMRS repeater, so the ham rules don't apply. They do have other models for other regions/bands.
Don't forget the duplexer has to be tuned as well
@@user-zk2yd6xm8s That is what I meant by factory config. Setting up a legal repeater is not so simple.
Hey can you post the link for the amp shown at the end of the video. I like that it matches the repeater. KD2EQP
Looks like they don't have it for sale yet on their site.
The duplexer would need to be re-tuned if you changed the channel, right?
It should be good for all the frequencies it supports without re-tuning... but if not, you'd need a VNA and a Dummy Load to make those changes. Its tedious, but not hard.
the total spread of frequency for GMRS is only 1.2Mhz - are duplexers that sensitive?
Retevis claims that it's good to go on any of the GMRS repeater frequencies without retuning the duplexer.
Can the repeater frequencies and codes be changed if they are already in use in your area?
Yes.
Yes
I was looking at the VHF / UHF models. but it seems its *either* VHF or UHF. You would think they would allow for cross-band repeating. :(
I've reached out to them to tell them that this product line is very confusing. For example, this one: "might" do what you are looking for: www.retevis.com/rt97-customizable-full-duplex-mini-10w-portable-analog-repeater-us
But I'd think cross band repeat would be easier as you likely wouldn't need filters due to the spread... and you could probably use an FTM-400 for that and get some more power.
I really should add one of these to Ham Force 1
One of each flavor!
@@temporarilyoffline I could only imagine how overboard I would go if I had sponsors 🤣🤣
You know what you have to do! @@ubergeek318
@@temporarilyoffline I know
On the Retevis RT97S what would be a good inexpensive power bank that will run this .
it comes with a 5a power supply. Taking that as a reference: I'd look at a battery that can provide 5ah overnight (no solar), so in winter time... 4pm till 9am = 17 hrs. 17hrs*5ah=85hrs, so I'd look for a 100ah battery for some buffer. Add a solar controller and at least a 120w panel to charge it up during the day time and you should be able to sleep well at night... maybe an a worry in an extended shady time... but add more solar/batteries as makes sense.
@@temporarilyoffline Thank you
@@bryansmith1407 I'm going to do a new video on this soon. Stay tuned.
@@temporarilyoffline cool thank you I am looking into one . There are no GMRS repeaters in my area at all.
@@bryansmith1407 this is a good way to start until some people get interested and want to help.
Any idea about the duty cycle?
I would say it depends on your install location's heat loading the most. If you get one, maybe push it hard during warranty time to see? I don't have a way of trying it out where I'm at currently, but if I do run into a problem, I'll make a other video.
Btw gmrs channels are WIDEBAND not narrowband. So repeater needs to be set to wideband.
Thanks Joe!
Wera tools are nice, but overkill and overpriced for light work like electronics. I just bought the Kaiweets set you recommended earlier.
I like that kaiweets set also!
Does this repeater ID automatically?
It looks like you use the 9-pin port and an app to unlock features like sending an ID or networking to other repeaters.
As large as is They could of Provided a 50 Watt model Especially for the price instead of having to Purchase a Amplifier to make it a 50 or 100 watt unit 🤔
Adding power would make it even larger!
@@temporarilyoffline there are 50 watt mobile radios in 4 time smaller Packages I disagree that it would need to be larger there is plenty of room in the case we're the radio is to put a 50 watt Unit
There is a set of filter cans in that case that would double in size. 50w radios don't have repeater filter cans in them (duplexers) Take 2 of those 50w radios and put them in a box and then add in the filters. @@AntonioClaudioMichael
@@temporarilyofflineoh crap ya your right I spaced the filter cans would get bigger being mobile 50w radios don't have them..
@@AntonioClaudioMichael no worries, thanks for watching!
10 watt repeater? 😂
Yes
Hack for 70cm?!
I wouldn't hack this one specifically due to the internal filter cans frequency range, but retevis does have this model: www.retevis.com/rt97-customizable-full-duplex-mini-10w-portable-analog-repeater-us
That should handle UHF standard frequency ranges.
Great! Tnx es 73
Its nice, but honestly without good coax, and a REAL duplexer, Just not intrested.
Good points!
If you are going to put a repeater in service then put a REAL repeater in service.
Yes, Depending on your mission, this might be the right tool for the job.
I want it for mobile use, set up at campsites and such, but even for a permanent solution, do you know how many repeaters are hodge podged? Many many of them. This is elegant.