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Author Topic: ID-51a Plus2 and FM repeaters  (Read 2368 times)

KD2HPQ

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ID-51a Plus2 and FM repeaters
« on: June 28, 2018, 02:37:28 PM »

I'm about two hours away from returning my third "advanced" HT due to frustration.

I just bought an ICOM ID-51A Plus2. I want to use all its features at some point, but for now I would like to know how to download repeater lists through RepeaterList, etc. -- not manually.

Nothing in the ICOM manual, nothing in the Nifty guide, nothing I could find through Google or on YouTube. Please help and save me another $60 restocking fee.

Angelo
KD2HPQ
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K5LXP

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RE: ID-51a Plus2 and FM repeaters
« Reply #1 on: June 29, 2018, 03:35:10 AM »

It's "repeaterbook".  Here's their FAQ:  https://www.repeaterbook.com/doku/doku.php?id=exports

I don't have a 51A but I would guess you would export the list from repeaterbook to CSV, then copy/import that into the radio.  I understand the radio uses GPS information to determine the near repeater(s) so not sure if you need to massage the exported CSV fields or not.  I did note that the downloadable radio CSV file from Icom had a handful of FM repeaters in it, so you could use that as a template to make sure whatever bulk lists you create have the right format.

Note to self - check the features and capabilities of equipment before you buy.

Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM
 
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KD2HPQ

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RE: ID-51a Plus2 and FM repeaters
« Reply #2 on: June 29, 2018, 03:44:54 AM »

It's "repeaterbook".  Here's their FAQ:  https://www.repeaterbook.com/doku/doku.php?id=exports

I don't have a 51A but ...Note to self - check the features and capabilities of equipment before you buy.

Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM
 

Thanks for the advice, Mommy. Now can I go out to play with my friends or am I still punished?
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SOFAR

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RE: ID-51a Plus2 and FM repeaters
« Reply #3 on: June 29, 2018, 09:46:15 AM »

It's "repeaterbook".  Here's their FAQ:  https://www.repeaterbook.com/doku/doku.php?id=exports

I don't have a 51A but ...Note to self - check the features and capabilities of equipment before you buy.

Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM
 

Thanks for the advice, Mommy. Now can I go out to play with my friends or am I still punished?

Guess that sort of response is to be expected.

Instead of being satisfied with your purchase, being patient, and learning its features.

The first post (3 threads, in 3 different forums) was akin to a tantrum,
'Im about two hours away from returning my third "advanced" HT due to frustration.'
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AJ6MA

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RE: ID-51a Plus2 and FM repeaters
« Reply #4 on: June 29, 2018, 12:02:54 PM »

I understand your frustration. Never mind those in our hobby who love to tell others "if you're not an expert get the hell out of our lawn".

That being said, are you sure your ID51A plus 2 didn't come with the repeater list already loaded? Or do you mean you want to update and reload the newer list?
As I understand from your post your purchase is fairly recent as of June 2018... All ID51A +2 models come with preloaded repeater list.

Try this:

- When you see any freq number on the screen PRESS an HOLD the DR switch under the blue Enter button FOR 1 SECOND

- Then make sure the FROM portion is highlighted ( if not use the up/down buttons DR/RX-CS buttons to accomplish that)

- Press the  BLUE colored ENTER button

This should open a page with choices for REPEATER LIST  /  NEAR REPEATER  / TX HISTORY....

After that it is pretty self explanatory.

Highlight the NEAR REPEATER / PRESS ENTER

NEAR REPEATER (DV) "digital ones" or NEAR REPEATER (ALL) for FM and Digital and then  PRESS ENTER

If GPS is ON that should do it... It'll show you all available repeaters from nearest to further away ones and choose accordingly.

Hope this helps..


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73s,
AJ6MA

Jim Davis

KD2HPQ

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RE: ID-51a Plus2 and FM repeaters
« Reply #5 on: July 01, 2018, 03:03:54 PM »



Guess that sort of response is to be expected.

Instead of being satisfied with your purchase, being patient, and learning its features.

The first post (3 threads, in 3 different forums) was akin to a tantrum,
[/quote]

I've spent many hours trying to figure this out with no success, so damn tootin' it was a tantrum. When I spend $400 on a product I don't expect to have to spend many hours, and $50 (RT Systems), to get it to work as intented. Even products with a steep learning curve are supposed to function out of the box unless specifically stated by the manufacturer. In this hobby we're all accustomed to getting nickeled and dimed -- a polite way to put it, actually. SCREWED is a more apt description of the process. It's part of our masochistic culture. A $40 radio winds up costing $120 after the software, quick charger, extended battery, decent antenna, etc., are purchased.

Would you say, conservatively, that at least 30% of the time HTs are turned on it's to access a repeater? If not why does the 51a have hundreds of memories? Don't you think the manufacturer should support the perfectly reasonable utilization of that memory capability? At least by supporting CHIRP?
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KD2HPQ

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RE: ID-51a Plus2 and FM repeaters
« Reply #6 on: July 01, 2018, 03:12:14 PM »

I understand your frustration. Never mind those in our hobby who love to tell others "if you're not an expert get the hell out of our lawn".

That being said, are you sure your ID51A plus 2 didn't come with the repeater list already loaded? Or do you mean you want to update and reload the newer list?
As I understand from your post your purchase is fairly recent as of June 2018... All ID51A +2 models come with preloaded repeater list.

Try this:

- When you see any freq number on the screen PRESS an HOLD the DR switch under the blue Enter button FOR 1 SECOND

- Then make sure the FROM portion is highlighted ( if not use the up/down buttons DR/RX-CS buttons to accomplish that)

- Press the  BLUE colored ENTER button

This should open a page with choices for REPEATER LIST  /  NEAR REPEATER  / TX HISTORY....

After that it is pretty self explanatory.

Highlight the NEAR REPEATER / PRESS ENTER

NEAR REPEATER (DV) "digital ones" or NEAR REPEATER (ALL) for FM and Digital and then  PRESS ENTER

If GPS is ON that should do it... It'll show you all available repeaters from nearest to further away ones and choose accordingly.

Hope this helps..

The included repeater list is extremely limited, and mostly DStar from what I could see. The much-touted local search function only works if GPS coordinates are included in one of the fields. Repeaterbook doesn't include those coordinates but that's a minor issue to me, actually.

My issue was and is the fact that no instructions exist anywhere that I could see for multiple repeater entries. I travel between NYC, Long Island, Philadelphia, and northwest NJ. With HTs I operate 80% on simplex, but I like to have as many local repeaters available for obvious reasons...

...like the time I got stuck on Rte. 84 in rural NY, and nobody was listening on any of the three repeaters I was able to reach.

:)

Waaaaaaa.
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