----------Update as of 5/9/2025----------
We have begun production of the RT97L and it is now available in our store, visit the products link at the top of the page for more information.
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As many of you have probably noticed, Retevis has announced and begun presales of their new RT97L GMRS repeater. We've already been receiving inquiries as to if the RT97S/MXR10 version will be compatible and would like to provide what information we have so far.
We have already obtained an RT97L and begun testing. There is limited compatibility as Retevis has made the decision to modify the DB9 port's pinout, most notably one of the ground pins for the RT97S is now a +3.6v supply on the RT97L. Connecting the RT97S version of RepeaterID to an RT97L appears to partially work but that +3.6v supply is being shunted to ground due to the use of the older style pinout. Presumably the +3.6v supply is limited by a resistor or other protective mechanism but it's unknown if that pin being pulled to ground over the long term will cause harm to the repeater.
Another issue is that the COR/BUSY pin no longer outputs 5v when idle and is now designed to pull an external 5v signal to ground when busy. This will cause the RT97S version of RepeaterID to see the repeater as constantly in use.
We've begun work on a new RT97L version which if all pans out will have some exciting features.
1. We hope to have RepeaterID powered by the repeater itself via the DB9 port. There is not quite enough power to use the pi's regulator and it causes a feedback noise that makes this approach unusable. Initial testing is showing promise in powering the pico directly using the 3.3v pin and regulating the voltage by other means.
2. We hope to have the functionality of the handydapter built in to the RT97L version of RepeaterID, providing a speaker output, external DB9 mic connector, and possibly a k1 style mic connector.
We hope to have a functioning prototype in the very near future and will update this page accordingly.
We have begun production of the RT97L and it is now available in our store, visit the products link at the top of the page for more information.
---------------------------------------------------
As many of you have probably noticed, Retevis has announced and begun presales of their new RT97L GMRS repeater. We've already been receiving inquiries as to if the RT97S/MXR10 version will be compatible and would like to provide what information we have so far.
We have already obtained an RT97L and begun testing. There is limited compatibility as Retevis has made the decision to modify the DB9 port's pinout, most notably one of the ground pins for the RT97S is now a +3.6v supply on the RT97L. Connecting the RT97S version of RepeaterID to an RT97L appears to partially work but that +3.6v supply is being shunted to ground due to the use of the older style pinout. Presumably the +3.6v supply is limited by a resistor or other protective mechanism but it's unknown if that pin being pulled to ground over the long term will cause harm to the repeater.
Another issue is that the COR/BUSY pin no longer outputs 5v when idle and is now designed to pull an external 5v signal to ground when busy. This will cause the RT97S version of RepeaterID to see the repeater as constantly in use.
We've begun work on a new RT97L version which if all pans out will have some exciting features.
1. We hope to have RepeaterID powered by the repeater itself via the DB9 port. There is not quite enough power to use the pi's regulator and it causes a feedback noise that makes this approach unusable. Initial testing is showing promise in powering the pico directly using the 3.3v pin and regulating the voltage by other means.
2. We hope to have the functionality of the handydapter built in to the RT97L version of RepeaterID, providing a speaker output, external DB9 mic connector, and possibly a k1 style mic connector.
We hope to have a functioning prototype in the very near future and will update this page accordingly.