Retevis RT91 Amplifier - Does The RT91 Work With The Retevis RT97 Repeater As Claimed By Retevis?

[@frankbowman22]

If I'm not mistaken you're supposed to hook it together via coax you did not show that in there so how do we know it's not working great video though

[@TheNotaRubicon]

The repeater was connected to the amp correctly, as per the user-manual. If you dont trust me/what I say/what I do, then please dont watch my videos.

[@frankbowman22]

@@TheNotaRubiconI was just saying that it doesn't look like it's connected so you my friend need to look at the video

[@hartranft66]

thank you capt. obvious

[@1NationMediaUS]

That escalated quickly.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

​@@frankbowman22 lol he dosent need to look at his own video He edited his own video Hoe about people like you stop running there Mouth with useless Crap

[@d3w4yn3]

I am so relieved that you broke the sharpened tip off of that lethal weapon you were so flippantly brandishing. I predict they will never correct their inaccurate claim. TBH, they probably meant that you could physically connect the two devices together, not that either of them would actually function.

[@billknn]

I have the same repeater and the BTECH version of the amplifier. When I first put it together I got the same results. I had placed the amplifier on the repeater and also next to the repeater and it cycled on and off like this demo. However, I moved the amp away from the repeater by about 2 ft more or less and it all works fine. It’s been working like that for a couple of months. I suspect that RF was getting into the repeater and causing that cycling from an RF feedback loop. Bottom line, it does work, at least for me. Try a bit of separation and see what happens.

[@notsure7874]

My question, is do you get any more fars with the amp connected?

[@SK-rj1ti]

@@notsure7874 This is an important question. Does anyone know the answer?

[@1AXMRDR]

That bit with the pencil made me laugh out loud, and I rarely laugh out loud. Congrats. Thanks for taking the time to test and show the test results.

[@lindsaykid9947]

When you "almost forgot" and broke out the sharpener I laughed so hard and was expecting you to push it through till the pencil was gone

[@orpheusepiphanes2797]

That would have been better

[@WildCaptures]

I understand your blue message , a 24 year old friend of mine just passed suddenly. He was an athletic outdoors enthusiast but he took multiple medical procedures.

[@klv400]

Sorry for your loss. I will never take the needle.

[@applejacks971]

😢💔

[@leskobrandon538]

No GMO shot for me... I like my IgGA 4 being 0.....

[@grigorirasputin5020]

@@klv400 No Faucian clotshot for me, either. Forever pureblood!

[@frankieraymond]

suddenly,i get the message

[@karlschwab6437]

Excellent! I have been a Ham for 50 years, and I knew, that this amplifier would not work with my RT97S repeater! But, I had never ever, seen that fact proven, and you just did, thank you so much. I would not hold my breath waiting for Retevis to correct the uses for this amplifier. I like the comment below by ham KO4VNX on "what they may have meant".

[@frankieraymond]

i tried my amp from china after the repeater to the antenna and i was mobile with my wife at home. , it did"nt work. i thought maybe i blew both units up but both are ok. stupid me,i should have known better

[@shackti1699]

Well, I learned something new today about duplexers. I would have thought the amplifier would have worked just fine. The more you know. Thanks for the video!

[@bills7115]

Me too not only that I'm a Ham might lose my license because I don't know everything.

[@shackti1699]

@@bills7115 Oh I know right. I've been a ham for 3 years, the FCC knocked on my door and fined me $10k because I use a Baofeng, haha. Just got my GMRS license. Looking forward to it!

[@phillipsmiley5930]

@@bills7115 The FCC Offence is in admitting you don't know everything. Its like being the Captain of a Ship, If you run the ship onto rocks you have to tell everyone that was what you intended to do. Didnt you get the Sad Ham 101 memo?

[@evocati6523]

​@@shackti1699I feel like there's a little more to that story...

[@AnthonyFierro568]

I died laughing when you sharpened the "God damned pencil." Then I really lost it when you broke it 😂😂 keep em coming sensai!

[@CooterMolot]

The pencil LOL and he breaks it again 6 seconds later hahahaha I love this guy

[@mmostwill]

Thanks for doing this. I've been happy overall with Retevis products. The RT97 has been an awesome little portable repeater for me. But it's irksome that their website still lists it as being compatible after a number of KZbinrs et al have called them out on this... That fact makes me think a little harder before considering their products in the future. Not that I expect them to, but an about face from them would help repair their image in this regard.

[@Blasserman]

I'm sure in their mind, the compatibility is that you can use the device with an HT to access the repeater, therefor it is compatible.

[@Gruuvin1]

LoL. But then they could say "compatible with ALL repeaters" ... but I don't understand how the Chinese brain works.

[@davep6977]

@@Gruuvin1 Chinese brain-we build cheap, they buy high

[@davep6977]

Dave is 100% correct. It's all marketing

[@dominodoggy1]

RETEVIS RT91 now fully compatible with cars, countertops, floors, children's books.

[@goodoz9942]

Another classic Video Backdrop. 👍

[@mattdisero]

Up here in Canada lots of us see your tv screen and agree.

[@ParallelCamper]

I do not use a radio, but I always watch at least to see your t-shirt.

[@gregsavernik3650]

I’m still waiting on Retevis to warranty the programming cables they sent… that was months ago. My suggestion is not to hold your breath waiting. Thanks for the great video!

[@imgettinby]

looking at the page you show, I find it interesting that "compatible with..." is the only line NOT capitalized and I'll bet that was not unintentional. They will probably just say, "we meant if you hook it to your HT and talk to the repeater it will work just fine". Or something like that.

[@RINNTY]

Nice Video Randy, I Couldnt figure out How that was going to Work. Ive never seen amplifiers placed after the Duplexer. That amifier is for hand helds. Thanks for the demonstration. Retevis would be Smart to make a repeater thats 35 or 40 watts.

[@keyoflife24]

You are correct...The only way it would work is doing a mod. If anyone is interested in the mod......here is how to do it. [As stated in the video, it will void your warranty....I guess you could put it all back, but just a warning if they do have a way to know you opened the box.] Upgrade the duplexer to a 40/50 watt duplexer. 1. Repeater( low) to (In) on amp. 2.Amp( out) to duplexer (low) 3. Duplexer(high) to Amp(high) 4) Duplxer Antenna out to External antenna Remove the silver plug on the side, and you can run the cables out of the midland.

[@kb6lcw99]

I hope Jose is watching in England, he is so insightful. 😊

[@KenVet]

Now I have to save up for a $1000+ high power repeater after seeing this. Damn. But the vid saved me 500 or so. Thanks.

[@landonoletymer]

Thanks!King Calypso Banana Puffy Sleeves, Ive learned a pant load.Keep it Fun for the fold.

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Thank YOU!

[@marshred]

The Pencil...!!!! Love it!

[@chknlyps2373]

WTF Randy! Your videos will never be the same with a sharp pencil. Edit: Further along in the video and you redeemed yourself... thanks for giving that PL259 connector the what for! My life has meaning again

[@rvermill47]

Great video man. You and that pencil started my day off right!

[@FloridaOverland]

Thank You Randy... I own the same repeater... I was truly hoping that it worked with the repeater... thanks...

[@chrisfontenot3006]

@NotaRubicon Productions... i love the shirt. Thanks for your work

[@mikeh.9266]

The webpage has been updated, as of 1-13-23.. good looking out for us Randy.

[@eqlibrium854]

Ok I got to say it... I have been loving the screen behind you subliminally injecting truth to the masses. Great vid too.

[@patthesoundguy]

If you email Retevis I bet they would change the website pretty quickly. Just today they changed their website to include a radio that was previously not available to Canada to make it available so I could order it. I love the fact you took the time to actually test that set up... It was the only way to truly know. Now we know, and knowing is half the battle 🤦 ugh sorry I just quoted GI-Joe from 1983😂 Yeah not sorry 😛

[@applejacks971]

Flint and Lady J have entered the chat!!! Gooo JOE!!!!!

[@rdsmith334]

@@applejacks971 Mmmmmm… Lady J

[@applejacks971]

@@rdsmith334 Exactly!!! The Baroness though, oofta! 😍🥰

[@notsure7874]

Great Catch by Notarubicon! Calling out a long term sponsor for lying is ballsy. They "updated" it to say you have to upgrade from a 30 watt to a 50 watt duplexer to use it with that repeater. They are still ... lying.

[@barrykelly2722]

I lived in a duplexer for a while. Hated the neighbors.

[@criss350]

Update retevis has updated the product specifications for the Rt91 amplifier on there website 👍🏻

[@notsure7874]

And they are STILL ... lying.

[@googleuser1036]

Their

[@rayjeep]

Randy, thank you for inserting the long round thingie into it's dark hole. Now maybe I can watch without getting.. hey! auuggghhh! What the Xenu loving... BTW, it's actually CDO. It's like OCD, but it's alphabetical the way it should be. I don't understand the duplexer problem, but I would have thought that plugging the amp into the antenna hole would have simply increased the fars. But that's my Jeep brain in action. More lights and bigger tires, right?

[@Redbaron3314733]

I am a sad Ham and would like to switch to GMRS, but have no friends to talk to--all my Ham conversations only last about a minute. I pray to Zenu that you will make videos on how to meet people and potential hobbies that use GMRS. Also, how long do I need to transmit with the RT91 to adequately heat a HotPocket, should a Zombie apocalypse destroy my mom's microwave? Thanks Randy!

[@phillipsmiley5930]

at least a minute more than the chinese hexfet PA transistor burns up on its inadequate heat sink the eazyist way heat a HotPocket with a chinese handy is hammer a nail through its Li-ion battery pack, the problem you will then have is trying to stop it burning down your shack. I too am a Sad Ham with no friends, would GMRS help me?

[@randyfox4611]

I always heard it couldnt be done and never had a way to try. And i've been curious in the back of my mind for decades of time. Read all about it. But never actually heard of anyone trying it. Thanks for sharing the test results. And thanks for another great video.

[@SocialistDistancing]

Interesting. Maybe what retivis meant was, tge repeater can "receive " the 40w power. (I don't mean input). Just speculating how retivis will twist it,

[@alphalunamare]

I like the way you sharpened the whit's of that show stealing pencil! :-)

[@jackpalma3590]

Thank you for this information on the amplifier. I bought one to try.. I was wondering if you could do a more indepth tutorial on the BTech Pro ? Just starting out and do not know a lot about anything on GMRS radios at all. Thanks again for your help

[@mxv2015]

Very interesting, great video, and educational. Thanks

[@icebrakernh]

If the thought is in place of the amp being between the repeater and the antenna it should work due to the repeater is a radio like your hand held it listens and transmits with the amp it allows the flow of in bound signals and boosts the output bound power and signal. Remembering the line of sight rule still comes in to play. Yet the penetration will be increased. Seeing your results something just didn’t add up why it was acting up so strangely. Although if the amp gets too much power from the radio it could cut out .

[@TheNotaRubicon]

You very clearly have no idea how a repeater with a duplexer works.

[@icebrakernh]

@@TheNotaRubicon still new and learning. I do know on many styles of amps some have what is called high drive and others have low drive input. High drive you can put higher power in and it works but low drive amps if you over drive them they tend to cut out. But then again that is 11 meter c b equipment on AM I’m sure the uhf vhf and fm are different in nature.

[@timpetrillo2802]

I would have bet 20$ the eraser end was going in first lol

[@GTRnissan2012]

The internal notch duplexer could not handle 40w of power. To make it work, you need a external duplexer and jumpers.

[@whollymindless]

The site appears to already have been updated. There's a new model number and a new price, but no indication of compatibility with the RT97.

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Not when I look - check the link to the page in the info-section of the video.

[@chrissewell1608]

I keep waitin for a cartoon clip, from the old He-Man cartoon. Yelling "I HAVE THE POWER"! That broken pencil lead was to funny! As was the "Ching-lish". I am one happy ham, today! Thanks. 🐷

[@DePalma.]

Is this the same as the Btech amplifier for $137? It looks like the same factory produces both & private labels them for each company, respectively.

[@SW0000A]

Another commenter on here said they got the Btech working with their repeater after they put a couple feet of distance between them.

[@donaldoc]

Sensei, You Lost Me @, "That's Better"! 😂🤣😂🤣

[@jhartmac100]

I just purchased the Package from Retevis RT97S with antenna.....and was hoping this combo would boost the signal

[@markviers998]

Your results were just what I would expect from my days of working in the commercial 2-way radio field. Thanks for pointing this out for the unsuspecting buyers. Still, it does look like a good option for someone wanting to boast a low power radio.

[@rocks2rocks06]

Worrying about a pencil is like pissing your pants and wondering if anyone else has wet pants.

[@jheichelbech]

Like the Btech, the on/off tones drive crazy. Feel opposite.

[@av-il6bf]

Hands Down...and Hands Up... the funniest pencil sharpener intro ever...The big "Z" is impressed!!!

[@PowderMill]

Talk about desense… ! I’d love to find an inexpensive RF power amp that works with analog AND digital types of input like P25 and DMR. I usually select TPL or Crescend amps but these easily are in the $1k + range. What about taking the repeater apart and replacing the duplexer with a 50 watt mobile notch style duplexer? It’s still very economical if it does work. Thanks for the video.

[@patricklozito7042]

I never thought a pencil could be so hilarious. I believe, but cannot be certain, that Retevis will respond possibly before you resharpen the pencil. However, that is just a shot in the dark.

[@jayjohnson7827]

How many FARS does that new Bostitch radio do?

[@ke8mattj]

Interesting. I am a ham, but I didn't know about the amplifier/duplexer thing. Apparently I must've glanced over it in the books since the ARRL books are that boring. I don't even remember any questions relating to it.

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Dont read too much into it.. It was at the top of the Jenga Wall Of Radios and easiest to grab without knocking over any other radios.

[@6.8SPC4me]

Oh man, you just did it. Telling people about the “join” button. 🤣

[@Sonicgott]

I lost it at the pencil bit. 😂😂😂 I love this channel so much.

[@fabianfranz1696]

I don't know if this Repeater has a half duplex (record and transmit after the transmission is done) mode as well. With that it might work.

[@DJMICA-bz3qz]

I have not taken the 35 question test. Oh man that was a good one

[@dennisjones8991]

You could use that system, but it would require two antennas and some rewiring inside the repeater case.

[@richsonner1930]

I was going to try this i have both already. But i was going to go before the enternal duplexer

[@TheNotaRubicon]

You have to connect it BEFORE the internal duplexer or it wont work. Just be aware, the internal duplexer is rated for about 7-watts max..

[@MadHatter11371]

Hello Randy you rock

[@dgalloway67]

That's quite a claim about it working with the RT97. I don't own either, but am wondering if the RT97 can perhaps be configured as a base only, rather than repeater mode, which would make it compatible. Just a thought?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Nothing about that in the user-manual or the software, so probably not.

[@Edb007th]

Xenu provides the extra power for the unit.

[@thomasvrieze527]

For a s3c I thought you damage the Farsometer, that was close... USA

[@iwontlagback7236]

Oh, I could swear I saw this advertised on AliExpress as a radio. Good thing i got an rt95 instead 🤣

[@kleinbiker1]

I’m sure their claim just means that you can connect an HT to the amplifier and then use that to transmit into the repeater.

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Thats not how I, or the dozens of people emailing me to confirm if it would work interpreted it.

[@kleinbiker1]

@@TheNotaRubicon yeah but I’m sure they (retevis) knows it won’t work, so that’s kind of the only thing it could mean then. Just a thought.

[@palehorse7377]

it made my radio def. Id ping a repeater with the amp and hear nothing back. a second radio without amp would hear the repeater tone. I also had no more range to hit repeaters on the edge of reception. using simplex I could tell virtually no difference with the amp either. functionally it was a paper weight. I returned it and got a crossband mobile radio and that was all the difference in the world.

[@JupiterDrifterX]

Died suddenly on the tv😁 can't talk about that on KZbin!

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Nice going Retavis On Lieing about Compatability on your own Products. I bet they will never update there webpage Randy 15:30 @NotaRubicon Productions

[@JeremyBechtold]

NOOOOOOOOO! You sharpened the pencil! WWHHHHHHYYYYYYY? LOL. I just saw what you did! I was so upset you sharpened it I had to write this immediately then saw what you did.. you're my hero!

[@phillipsmiley5930]

Have you concidered becoming a Radio Amateur? easily triggered OCD sufferers are made very welcome.

[@dominodoggy1]

I hope your aftermarket product testing and the subsequent hurried editing of The Lie has deepened your longstanding relationship with Retevis and the two of you are closer than ever before in these trying times. :p

[@dawndenvercook]

"I can work... Amplifiers that work in two directions filter the signals through two separate amps and recombine them. A less perfect SWR could be a problem; sometimes, a high-loss line can be an advantage it looks like a good SWR. Then there is the cost: can they have a good filter at that price point? It is bad that they do not provide good English support, which would be a big help."

[@roberthodges5039]

I am new to your channel and GMRS radio. I was thinking in "Chinglish" that the handheld connected to the amplifier meant it was compatable with the rt97 repeater.

[@danschwarze7377]

I'm still your favorite viewer, yes!!!

[@frigzy3748]

I'm pretty sure he was pointing at me, when he said that 😏

[@eskieguy9355]

I'm going to say, either 7 business days to fix the web site, or 7 BDs to send you instructions on how to disassemble the repeater and make internal changes, which may release the magic smoke.

[@oldwolf1928]

Thank You for this.

[@Jdubbsotheradventure]

What if you used two uv5r and the patch cable that connects them together turning them into a repeater. Could the amplifier make it a 40 W repeater?

[@thesaltyham7144]

Have you thought about trying a baofeng repeater that has 2 separate antennas? Hopefully they fix it soon but I don't have my hopes up.

[@Catboy-hr2qp]

So no go for the repeater, but it should work fine for turning an HT into a mobile or base station?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

You should watch the video as i'm pretty sure I made the answer to that question very clear.

[@Gruuvin1]

LoL! You got hammered down!

[@garylanders1470]

You're The Man! Man

[@mmcnew1]

Ever think about designing a Sad Ham meter to go along as a companion product with the innovative Fars-O-Meter 2000? You could market it as the Know-it-All meter by the Rectal Retentive Company. It could measure just how sad the ham is. Oh wait… I think you have a pretty good one already built in. Never mind. 😂

[@LatitudeSky]

Suddenly had memories of when Mr. Wizard took a hot dog and eletrocuted it with mains voltage. That would be a terrific sad ham meter.

[@brianengelhardt6650]

OK... I just ejected my beer when I saw the broken pencil tip.

[@garylanders1470]

Is there any chance that connecting an additional "external" duplexer between the amp and repeater with one antenna at the amp output and another at the other leg of the duplexer would remedy this?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

You would have to disconnect the internal duplexer and then connect an external duplexer capable of handling the power.

[@nathansharpe3139]

I just checked their website.... it no longer states or shows that it supports the Rt97. It's completely removed.

[@alrubio4401]

Love your Channel and love the Retivis 97, did you try to get the amplifier farther away or shielded from the Repeater? I would hope that that would work. You thoughts on the Midland vs Retavis repeater?

[@larryhaney6608]

What if you added a second duplexer between the amplifier and antenna ? would it still not work ?

[@tonyraposo5206]

great intel! thx

[@ryanhaugland1390]

Great videos! What is your favorite handheld GMRS radio?

[@nathanjames4242]

As of right now on Retevis's website the page for the RT91 does not say anything about the RT97.

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Look at their other website: www.retevissolutions.com/rt91-amplifier

[@jeff4423]

Two websites? Retevis vs retevis solutions? One has a cig liter for power the othe does not help?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Both websites are owned/maintained by Retevis. According to Retevis, one is primarily for United States visitors, the other for the rest of the world.

[@jeffrooke4723]

Retevis needs to build a 25-30 watt version of the rt97! They would sell a Load of them!

[@phillipsmiley5930]

Naa then you would be into the cost territory of a couple of surplus UHF LMR with a real duplexer

[@phillipsmiley5930]

If you want a simple cheap repeater buy a TYT TH8000D or E and activate menu 11 and operate cross band VHF -UHF or vice versa, say FRS to MURS, wouldnt be legal thou

[@DTOXPUNK]

That pencil is the sharpest pencil in the box.... 😆

[@cqcq374]

What kind of a power supply are you using?

[@Michael-tq5il]

Love the carbon pointer. 🤣

[@grigorirasputin5020]

Won't that contribute to "global warming" and the destruction of our planet? 😄

[@phillipsmiley5930]

Thats not a Carbon Pointer, its its a fully automatic weapon of Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

[@TheRealWadeW]

Is this the same for data?

[@KELLER_FPV]

bro...🤣🤣🤣 10 months old and I can't stop staring at that pencil

[@StevenRAssmann-tb7ty]

👍😎thank you for finally sharpening your pencil! That didn’t last long!!! Try pointing with the eraser end of your pencil!

[@echo1er]

You think you would get the same result with the midland repeater ?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Yes, exact same.