Budget repeaters?

[OThafA]

Hi all,

Long time reading across rr first time posting, and apologies if this has already been discussed.

I've experience with budget hand helds and expensive ones on various modes but has anyone had experience with the budget repeaters, specifically DMR repeaters such as the Anytone R780 or Retevis RT600 / RT97L ?
If so do they program the same as Motorola, do they handle DMR tier 2 properly as well as encryption?

Thanks,

 

[buddrousa]

Just a few short words.
You get what you pay for. If you buy toys do not expect them to work like high end equipment.
If you buy toys and put them in they are not PLUG AND PLAY. Repeaters have to be tuned duplexers have to be tuned. Antenna systems have to be tested.
If you buy toys and install it YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INTERFERENCE they cause. You will have to pay to have it fixed plus you may be fined. If your toy is not type accepted it will cost, you more plus they will take your toy.
Now is this cheap toy junk worth it and it not installed correctly?

 

[PACNWDude]

There have been many threads on this subject, and going cheap often comes at a price and/orcapability. I know many that buy the cheap repeater interface cables for Motorolamobiles, make them with DMR Motorola Trbo mobiles, and then wonder why they only work in analog mode.

Or, the GMRS nebies that instantly want a repeater, but want to do it on the cheap, and wonder why they lack range, or interfere with themselvesand others (duplexers and combiners can be expensive, same with quality coax and antennas).

Then, operationally there is talk in versus talk out distance......Iknow many that use 5 watt handhelds and then complain when they can't talk in to their repeater, which is coniderably higher power, at a fixed site, with a better antenna.

I second what was said above.

 

[mmckenna]

I've experience with budget hand helds and expensive ones on various modes but has anyone had experience with the budget repeaters, specifically DMR repeaters such as the Anytone R780 or Retevis RT600 / RT97L ?
If so do they program the same as Motorola, do they handle DMR tier 2 properly as well as encryption?

No experience with DMR repeaters.

I have had to deal with Bridgecom analog repeaters. I've also worked with a lot of high end stuff.

As others have said, you get -exactly- what you pay for.
Don't believe anyone that tries to sell you a repeater as being "plug-n-play", they aren't.

If you want to put in your own repeater, plan it out carefully ahead of time and make sure you have the budget, tools and test equipment to do it right.
Done correctly, a good repeater in a good location will be an amazing thing. But do it wrong and you'll pull all your hair out trying to make it work correctly.

There are lots of people here that will be happy to assist you, just let us know exactly what you want to do and what kind of budget you have.

 

[OThafA]

Completely agree with what you're all saying and thanks for the offer of support.
Buying a CCR to program, test on a dummy load and what 'features' it came with desired or not were was interesting.
As this is the 'Budget and Entry Level' I wondered if anyone had tested the repeaters, and what they are like. Let me clarify I don't intend to purchase one let alone deploy one.

 

[prcguy]

It takes the same knowledge and test equipment to align, install and maintain a high end repeater as it does a cheap one. The cheap ones may require more experience getting through problems and quirks that come with low budget equipment. Repeaters are not plug and play, duplexers get detuned in shipping and adjustments need to be made in the field after installation and to measure performance. If you don’t have test equipment or know someone with equipment to help you, your new repeater will probably not work as expected.