RKR 1225 Repeater Noob

[W2SOX]

Good evening everyone!

I am picking up a RKR 1225 repeater from a friend tomorrow in hopes to learn more about Motorola and convert to a DMR repeater.

I’ve been digging through a lot of loose ends on various posts in forums to no luck.. The repeater I’m picking up ran as a UHF repeater for a few years until it was upgraded to a bigger system. I have some experience with the GM300’s but I’d be lying if I said I knew a lot. I can not find the programming software for the RKR, the links for it on Motorola’s site on various posts all seem to be dead, or very misleading.

I am aware of the low duty cycle these require, I’ve burned myself on a few GM300 heat syncs.

I’d picking it up for a price I can’t refuse, $100.

Also are there any recommendations on guides to wire up a MMDVM board to these? I’m confused as these units are a single radio and was wondering if they have self ID features or if I had to add a separate board..

I’m a young guy trying to learn all I can about this stuff so I am sorry if I am asking stupid questions.

thanks!

 

[a417]

I’d picking it up for a price I can’t refuse, $100.

See if you can't talk them down a bit, that was discontinued in 2008....so it's more than a few years old.

$50 would be better.

 

[jeepsandradios]

The RKR is the GR1225 in a rack mount enclosure. Uses the same R1225 software. Definitely turn it down to low power if your going to use it for a active repeater. $100 is not bad in all reality. I sell them for $250 on the GMRS split all the time. I have never tried a MMDVM board on one but have been told it would work. Its a solid analog repeater for GMRS/HAM use. Program for external controller if adding a MMDVM board.

 

[wb1ccp]

All the R1225 series repeaters have an on-board controller, complete with a CW identifier. It programs with the 1225 Customer Programming Software (CPS) which also works with the M1225 and P1225 mobile and portable. Because it's older, the CPS needs to run on Windows XP or older, or 32-bit Windows 7. I still see it on my Motorola Online account, but I'm not sure a new customer could still buy it. (most Moto software is $$$). Probably the least expensive option would be to find a dealer (or a Ham) in your area who still has the software to program it for you.

Maybe I'm misreading the OP's first line, but it looks like you want to convert it to DMR. There's no practical way to do that, different hardware. If you did want to build up a DMR repeater, there are a fair number of XPR4350 and 4550 mobiles coming up on the surplus market lately.

 

[jeepsandradios]

I have not tried it but alot of guys are using GM300/Maxtrac radios for MMDVM DMR repeaters. Not so sure how well it works but lots of stuff online about them. I assume if those work the R1225 will as well.

MMDVM GM Series Notes

 

[mikewazowski]

Might want to watch this video:

I had plans to convert a GR1225 but ended up going with an MTR2000 instead.

 

[prcguy]

I think an RKR 1225 is worth a bit more than $50 and probably a couple hundred $$. I'm old and lazy so for DMR I would rather get a Motorola XPR8000 series repeater which can be had in the $700 range. But I do understand the silly learning process some younger folks seem to migrate towards.

See if you can't talk them down a bit, that was discontinued in 2008....so it's more than a few years old.

$50 would be better.