I have calculated the losses...
But have you MEASURED the losses?
...Running a calculated (with loss) 185Watts ERP...
That seems pretty high, based on what you've previously told us. Show us the math. Where did this 9db gain antenna come from? Two days ago you were asking how you could build one.
Could this be because of bad antennas, loss in coax or somthing like that?
Yes, yes, and yes. Obviously, the losses are higher than calculated. Or your calculations are way off. Probably both.
I have a properly tuned duplexer.
How do you you know it's properly tuned?
Is RG-174 good for jumpers? and i am going to get LDF4-50A cable for the tower.
Sure it is. It's good for 2" jumpers inside a radio.
the antenna is a colinear made from RG-58 and is tuned to my frequency. it is suposed to be 9db
Ok, NOW we're getting somewhere. It's "supposed to be" 9db gain. Those collinear antenans can work quite well, but they have to be made with good quality coax - which RG-58 ISN'T, and they have to be VERY carefully made. If I was to venture a guess, I'd say it's 9db loss.
The numbers are starting to make sense now.
awww. the transmitter is still feeding into the reciever sometimes. they wrote on it that it is tuned but i also believe that it was poorly tuned ... so i dont know where i would tune it...
Was the duplexer tuned on your exact frequency? Are you aware that in final installation, a duplexer frequently needs touch up tuning for optimization, because the load impedances it's seeing can be different than what it was seeing at the time it was tuned up.
I'm not trying to be mean if you are for real but if not it's getting kind of old.
Amen and hallelujah!
I understand that you all hate that i ask so many questions.
It's not the questions that's annoying. It's the fact that you don't heed the advice. People want to help a new ham get started, but you have to actually listen to the advice in order to keep it coming.
I am learning, doing research and reading up on antenna systems.
Part of the problem is, you're putting the horse before the cart. A repeater can be pretty finicky. Get some basic radio skills and knowledge under your belt first. Build antennas, get your simplex range out there. Start collecting bits of test gear, like a wattmeter and a service monitor. Get some experience, and THEN build a repeater... when you have the foggiest clue what you're doing.
But No.. its not the duplexer that is giving me no range...
And you know this... how?
...i think its the fact that i am running crap antennas and that i need comthing like better cable..
Bingo.
any suggestions or input?
Yes. Sell the repeater and use the money for a nice two meter hand held.
It's like none of the advice is accumulating.
Nail. Head. Direct hit.