Using 'old' rather than new Repeater equipment for GMRS

[WRFM426]

The more I go 'down the rabbit hole' for all things GMRS / Ham, I realize that there is a wealth of old / used equipment that people have accumulated over the years - often just sitting in someone garage.. ..waiting to get a new lease of life.
The other day I located a new (to me at least) GMRS repeater in a nearby town. I met with the owner and had a great and informative discussion on all things radio... if I'm honest, it makes me want to proceed and get my Technician's license with all haste, as I can see opportunities there that are not available with 'just' GMRS...
..anyway... this gentleman happened to have some older gear that he is willing to part company with for a very reasonable sum.. The equipment is a Uniden ARU 251K UHF Repeater with a Celwave duplexer tuned for 467.67500MHz. He also has a spare identical Repeater - both are fully functional.

Questions then are:
- as the repeaters have an FCC ID of AMW 9YR82001 - which shows them as licensed to operate 450MHz - 470MHz, does this also mean that they are licensed to operate on the GMRS frequencies: i.e. just because they 'can', are they 'allowed' to..?
- if they are legal to operate for GMRS, would they be 'better' than say purchasing a Retevis RT97S or the Midland RX10? The 2 x Unidens / Celwave would be a fraction of the cost of the Retevis / Midland options.

 

[kf8yk]

Questions then are:
- as the repeaters have an FCC ID of AMW 9YR82001 - which shows them as licensed to operate 450MHz - 470MHz, does this also mean that they are licensed to operate on the GMRS frequencies: i.e. just because they 'can', are they 'allowed' to..?

The operating frequency alone does not determine type acceptance.

The ARU 251K is FCC type accepted for parts 22, 74, 90 and 95, so it's legal for GMRS (Part 95) use. Keep in mind this repeater is crystal controlled, it's a bit of a hassle if you want to change the frequency.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

I would recommend the Kenwood TKR840 repeater plus a 50 watt amplifier. It is synthesized and much more versatile.

 

[mmckenna]

with a Celwave duplexer tuned for 467.67500MHz. He also has a spare identical Repeater - both are fully functional.

Keep in mind that duplexers don't travel well. You have no idea how it was treated, and who tuned it. If it gives you issues, it is safe to assume it needs to be tuned. It is best to tune them on site once installed.

- if they are legal to operate for GMRS, would they be 'better' than say purchasing a Retevis RT97S or the Midland RX10? The 2 x Unidens / Celwave would be a fraction of the cost of the Retevis / Midland options.

Yes. The Retevis/Midland are low end repeaters with small mobile type duplexers. Fine for low power use, but that's about it.
A good commercial repeater that is properly tuned and installed will run circles around those.

 

[iMONITOR]

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