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Author Topic: ICOM "Near Repeater" (ID-51 and IC-705)  (Read 317 times)

KD2HPQ

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ICOM "Near Repeater" (ID-51 and IC-705)
« on: July 06, 2022, 12:08:56 PM »

Two related questions:

1. Does the "near repeater" function work for FM (analog) repeaters on the ID-51a? I see all sorts of answers to this question, including a post by someone who returned the radio because he could not get this function to work for analog repeaters (same problem I had 4 years ago). The repeater list on the DSTARINFO site looks like it hasn't been updated since the 1970s.

2. Same question for the IC-705. I have read both manuals and watched 5-6 videos on repeater programming for this radio, but I have never been able to install a repeater list much less use "near repeater." It's a shame that the radio comes with this feature, I have 300+ pages of manual,  and there are dozens if not hundreds of videos on this radio,  and I still cannot figure this out.

Thanks in advance as always!
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G4AON

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Re: ICOM "Near Repeater" (ID-51 and IC-705)
« Reply #1 on: July 06, 2022, 12:19:03 PM »

I have an ID-51. Using the loaded repeater list, which must include latitude and longitude, the radio will show the nearest repeater. Both analogue and digital repeaters are catered for.

Obviously, you need up to date repeater information.

Tip, if you use a “hotspot” program your radio with your hotspot frequency together with your home lat/long. Then your nearest repeater will be your own hotspot.

73 Dave
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KD2HPQ

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Re: ICOM "Near Repeater" (ID-51 and IC-705)
« Reply #2 on: July 06, 2022, 12:27:15 PM »

Thanks but I'm not interested in DV at all, not one bit. I will never use D-star or set up a hot spot. I am only interested in analog repeaters.
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G4AON

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Re: ICOM "Near Repeater" (ID-51 and IC-705)
« Reply #3 on: July 06, 2022, 12:34:58 PM »

Thanks but I'm not interested in DV at all, not one bit. I will never use D-star or set up a hot spot. I am only interested in analog repeaters.
Then save yourself money and buy a non digital radio at a fraction of the cost.
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KD2HPQ

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Re: ICOM "Near Repeater" (ID-51 and IC-705)
« Reply #4 on: July 06, 2022, 12:45:22 PM »

Thanks but I'm not interested in DV at all, not one bit. I will never use D-star or set up a hot spot. I am only interested in analog repeaters.
Then save yourself money and buy a non digital radio at a fraction of the cost.
I'm aware of the existence of less expensive radios, thanks. I've owned quite a few of them in fact :) . I want the near repeater function, the ability to use repeaters while traveling.

Maybe you're right though. I have not been on a repeater since before the plague. I'm not even sure there is $300 (the cost of a used ID-51) worth of enjoyment on FM VHF. Note I mentioned the 51a,  not the 52a.
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N3WJ

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Re: ICOM "Near Repeater" (ID-51 and IC-705)
« Reply #5 on: July 06, 2022, 03:23:14 PM »

I had the same issue when I purchased an id52a.  I wanted the "near repeater" function for a cross country road trip.  I believe it is the same for the 51 and 52 but you can search under "near repeater" for digital or analog FM.  I was really disappointed that there would always be DStar repeaters but few if any FM analog showing up.  That is one of the major reasons I spent the money on this particular radio!

I am using the RT Systems software to program the rig. I figured I would call their support line, which is very highly rated, to see what they could tell me.  I THINK we worked it out.  When you set up a database of repeaters for these radios, at least on the RT software but I assume others too, there are database tabs at the bottom for; "memories", "skip memories", "limit memories", etc.  You need to go to "DR Memories" and download a repeater list of analog FM repeaters (from Repeater Book, RFinder or the like), that includes the lat/long for the repeaters.  When you then upload those back to the radio, they are included in the "near repeater" search.

I hope that works for you!

73 Warren
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N4THC

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Re: ICOM "Near Repeater" (ID-51 and IC-705)
« Reply #6 on: July 06, 2022, 05:41:27 PM »

I own an IC-705, and the Near Repeater seems to work well for FM and/or DSTAR repeaters. I can even select FM only repeaters in the scan mode. I access this from the DR list that is pre-programmed into the radio. The GPS that is built-in would seem that this is the function you are looking for.
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G4AON

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Re: ICOM "Near Repeater" (ID-51 and IC-705)
« Reply #7 on: July 06, 2022, 11:41:23 PM »

I had the same issue when I purchased an id52a.  I wanted the "near repeater" function for a cross country road trip.  I believe it is the same for the 51 and 52 but you can search under "near repeater" for digital or analog FM.  I was really disappointed that there would always be DStar repeaters but few if any FM analog showing up.  That is one of the major reasons I spent the money on this particular radio!

I am using the RT Systems software to program the rig. I figured I would call their support line, which is very highly rated, to see what they could tell me.  I THINK we worked it out.  When you set up a database of repeaters for these radios, at least on the RT software but I assume others too, there are database tabs at the bottom for; "memories", "skip memories", "limit memories", etc.  You need to go to "DR Memories" and download a repeater list of analog FM repeaters (from Repeater Book, RFinder or the like), that includes the lat/long for the repeaters.  When you then upload those back to the radio, they are included in the "near repeater" search.

I hope that works for you!

73 Warren

There is no need to spend money on the RT Systems software, the free Icom software will load pre-configured repeater lists. As Warren points out, you need to understand how these radios use memories.

Perhaps we are fortunate in the UK, our radios tend to come pre-installed with all the D-Star and analogue repeaters. You just need to manually add any that change, usually these are the result of repeater groups converting repeaters to multi-mode (Fusion repeater adding DMR and D-Star, for example). Plus, as I mentioned previously, for those of us who use our own access node/hotspot, that needs to be added manually with your lat/long.

73 Dave
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KD2HPQ

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Re: ICOM "Near Repeater" (ID-51 and IC-705)
« Reply #8 on: July 07, 2022, 09:58:52 AM »

Thanks to all who responded. The bottom line here is this radio does not really have the capabilities ICOM advertises, and is therefore not worth the $$. Since I have not been on a repeater in almost 3 years I guess I will not be missing much.
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KD2HPQ

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Re: ICOM "Near Repeater" (ID-51 and IC-705)
« Reply #9 on: July 07, 2022, 10:00:34 AM »

I am, however, still interested in programming my IC-705 for repeaters. Has anyone done this?
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N4THC

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Re: ICOM "Near Repeater" (ID-51 and IC-705)
« Reply #10 on: July 10, 2022, 04:38:26 AM »

I have mine programmed for repeaters. You can do it using the touch screen or the software Icom provides. You can also use the DR mode. DR mode on the IC-705 includes DSTAR as well as FM repeaters. If you don't feel like manually programming the memories yourself, you can edit the repeater list that is utilized in DR mode. The only feature I see missing is locking out a channel in the repeater list. However, if you utilize the regular memories, you can mimic the lock out feature by assigning groups to memories.
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KD2HPQ

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Re: ICOM "Near Repeater" (ID-51 and IC-705)
« Reply #11 on: July 10, 2022, 07:29:07 AM »

Yes, as the Beatles song goes, "nothing you can do that can't be done."

Everyone says, "you can do it in the software," "you can do it in the touch screen" but there are NO DIRECTIONS, no step by step directions. I know the radio has a touch screen and software.

I get the feeling, after posting this same question in several forums, that nobody has actually done this. I've never received a simple response to this question or offer to help, just "you can do it through the menus" and "you can do it through CHIRP".

I will pay or donate $$$ to your favorite charity if you can help me with this. Seriously. Has anyone programmed their local repeaters into either the 51a or the 705? Can someone explain step by step how this is done?
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G4AON

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Re: ICOM "Near Repeater" (ID-51 and IC-705)
« Reply #12 on: July 10, 2022, 07:54:29 AM »

This YouTube video shows how to use the Icom software to configure repeaters with the ID-51:
https://youtu.be/ekLYin4lDrs

73 Dave


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KD2HPQ

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Re: ICOM "Near Repeater" (ID-51 and IC-705)
« Reply #13 on: July 10, 2022, 08:21:21 AM »

This YouTube video shows how to use the Icom software to configure repeaters with the ID-51:
https://youtu.be/ekLYin4lDrs

73 Dave


Dave did you actually watch this video? It is a lengthy -- way too long IMO -- discussion of the 51a's memory structure. There is nothing in there on programming repeaters or near repeater.

Issues like this are why this hobby will not exist in 20 years. You have to be a true believer to put up with this. The swap boards are chock full of 3 month old "new in box" equipment that nobody except for PhD E.E.s can figure out how to use.
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K0UA

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Re: ICOM "Near Repeater" (ID-51 and IC-705)
« Reply #14 on: July 10, 2022, 12:13:41 PM »

This YouTube video shows how to use the Icom software to configure repeaters with the ID-51:
https://youtu.be/ekLYin4lDrs

73 Dave


Dave did you actually watch this video? It is a lengthy -- way too long IMO -- discussion of the 51a's memory structure. There is nothing in there on programming repeaters or near repeater.

Issues like this are why this hobby will not exist in 20 years. You have to be a true believer to put up with this. The swap boards are chock full of 3 month old "new in box" equipment that nobody except for PhD E.E.s can figure out how to use.

I would like to find some of that equipment. I don't have a Post Hole Digger in Electrical Engineering, but I am a real smart guy!  :)
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73  James K0UA
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