Retevis RA-87 Repeater build range testing and internet link

[@gregmardyla6661]

Thanks for showing our channel in the video. GMRS Nationwide.

[@JDubbsadventure]

Anytime

[@JDubbsadventure]

I can put a link in the videos description for ya

[@andrewlehman618]

So much fun with this repeater. Loving it! I think I’m going to set it up. Thanks…

[@JDubbsadventure]

Anytime

[@1timput]

Hello do you know if bothe radios are setup the same I have try to copy what he has done and having a range issue possibly a bad duplexer Thanls Tim

[@JDubbsadventure]

If it’s working (repeating) at all then your set up right. Check you squelch this will help with receive. An easy test is to bypass the duplexer by using two antennas or if you only have one antenna then put your antenna on the transmit radio and the receive radio have someone close by the repeater key it up

[@chadrides914]

Your awesome!

[@JDubbsadventure]

Your awesome

[@GhostSenshi]

I’m almost ready to get mine going. I just need one more radio and the duplexer

[@JDubbsadventure]

Awesome

[@rkaag99]

Do you think that setup would fit into a PC mini-tower case? It might have better control over air flow/cooling.

[@JDubbsadventure]

Depends on how big it is

[@joshuamorin2762]

You definitely could. Especially with some measurements and a 3d printer this could work out nicely.

[@chrissmith-mf2wm]

To be able to hear the kerchunk so you know your getting in. I am assuming that you have manually set the squelch?

[@JDubbsadventure]

Are you talking about the squelch tail? If so there’s a setting in the radio that you can eliminate the squelch tail, make it longer or shorter

[@chrissmith-mf2wm]

@@JDubbsadventureYes I dont have one at all and want one but im not exactally sure how to make it happen.

[@JDubbsadventure]

@@chrissmith-mf2wm yea there is a setting I have my squelch tail cut almost all the way off because it was interfering with my controller and zello.

[@chrissmith-mf2wm]

@@JDubbsadventure Yea i got you and i feel like it should be simple probably in setting 9 but no matter wither i put it on 125 250 or 500 i still get no tail.

[@JDubbsadventure]

@@chrissmith-mf2wm there is a setting called tail is that on?

[@without_bounds]

looking good. im wondering if i can come up with for the rv. what difference did the lmr-240 make?

[@JDubbsadventure]

I’m sure you can find a spot. Like I said on zello the 240 lowered my swr a few points and increased the output watts from 18-22

[@halledwardb]

Lmr 900 to a tall antenna much better. And and as REAL set of duplexers.

[@JDubbsadventure]

@halledwardb that would be ideal for a “perfect”set up. This is far from a perfect setup. That said this set up has accomplish what the beginning goal was with more than satisfactory performance.

[@gefjondotcom]

One thing that I noticed when I was looking at the information on the radios on Amazon, it actually states, "When two units are used as relays, the power will be halved." That would explain the lower output power. No idea why they would halve it.

[@JDubbsadventure]

Not sure, I sent the other one back and they sent me a new one the power was much closer

[@gefjondotcom]

@@JDubbsadventure I would think that it's something that's set up in firmware in the radio and would be possible for them to change. Maybe they figure that as a repeater, the duty cycle would be higher, so they reduce the power to prevent frying the finals.

[@JDubbsadventure]

I’m not sure that could be it I have videos of me trying to kill this radio and can’t do it

[@michaelbrown4420]

I'm curious if you have done a power test with just one radio connected to the power supply and the other completely disconnected not just turned off?

[@JDubbsadventure]

Yes an Iv tried with different power supplies and Iv now tried it with 6 different meters they all are within +- 5%. After taking with the company they told me it’s within specs and sent out another radio with similar results. That said I haven’t noticed a problem and I’m thinking of running it on medium power since it get so much use

[@richardwesley3601]

Hello how did you get your gmrs software in to your iPhone

[@JDubbsadventure]

Any desk software it’s free and you can remote into your computer

[@jeffreylarue1950]

What antenna are you using? There are no GMRS repeaters in my area so Im thinking about setting one up.

[@JDubbsadventure]

Iv used a few now. (I’m always testing) the antenna I used in this video is the tram 1486. The midland MXTA26 is really good with or without a ground plan kit. Make sure you heat shrink all your connection points.

[@crazykempf]

What kind / size duplexer are you using

[@JDubbsadventure]

@@crazykempf depends on the day. I have a large one a small mobile one and right now I’m running two antennas

[@22272480]

What is the farthest you’ve been able transmit and receive on it?

[@JDubbsadventure]

That depends on the site. In this video the site was about 22 miles. The new site we got a contact from 68 miles today

[@normmellojr6933]

Hi,can you use the repeater to talk on?

[@JDubbsadventure]

Yes, repeaters take one signal and re-transmit it

[@ryanfralic1115]

There is a way to change zello into a different mode to be able to use com ports.

[@JDubbsadventure]

Yes gateway mode

[@JDubbsadventure]

If you need help with it my friend has a good video of step by step instructions. @gmrs_two_way_radio

[@ryanfralic1115]

@JDubbsadventure it was probably his video I saw showing how to do it. I did get it to work on one of my computers. What I'm having trouble with is the radio to computer interface. I do have a couple radios I can interface to a raspberry pi, do you know if it's the same process to make a zello gateway on a pi?

[@JDubbsadventure]

@@ryanfralic1115 me and him are working on a plug and play interface that will work with all repeaters. He has a board now that works with the small 10watt repeaters from midland and retevis.

[@Ibelieve218]

NO ONE GOES INTO GREAT DETAIL ON HOW TO GET THIS RADIO SETUP TO ID? mY motorola sm50 uses the id-0-matic

[@JDubbsadventure]

My setup gets rid of the id o matic

[@WPGinterceptor460Interceptor]

instead of power.. get a better antenna! trust me

[@JDubbsadventure]

79 miles is pretty good? Hight is definitely better than anything else

[@WPGinterceptor460Interceptor]

@@JDubbsadventure if repeator is transmitting 40 watts and the radio 4 watts...... you will hear the repeator but cant get into it..running a repeator isnt about output power, its about level rx tx and yes height!

[@JDubbsadventure]

Agreed but a guy is using the repeater from 79miles… so that means he can get into it. But I have a db-404 maybe I’ll test and see if it made a noticeable improvement.

[@WPGinterceptor460Interceptor]

@@JDubbsadventure thats a great antenna.. i have db-420

[@JDubbsadventure]

@ that’s what I hear. I should do a video looking at them