The Retevis 97S has been replaced with a Motorola GR500 running at 20 watts, and the antenna was moved to 50 feet AGL (from the front; from the back it is 30 feet AGL).
The GR500 is a 25/45-watt unit and generates 20/35 watts in low and high-power modes after the duplexer. Testing so far reveals that there isn’t much difference distance wise between 20 watts and 35 watts, so the repeater will operation in low power mode. Operating in low power also saves the final power amplifier from burning out, as the repeater can run at 100% duty cycle at low power.
The repeater is linked into the PA GMRS Network, which has also undergone some serious changes. Hop over there and take a look.
The Retevis 97s will be relegated to emergency and on the road use with a portable antenna system. It will be linked into the PA GMRS Network with a new node number as needed.