How to Program Retevis R1 25W Analog Repeater?

Retevis R1 is a 25W two way radio repeater system designed to increase the communication range of a radio system. It is suitable for those who require higher power and longer coverage. This tutorial will show the basic operation of programming Retevis R1 UHF radio repeater and how to set it up to work with RT86 UHF handheld two way radio.

How to program Retevis R1 repeater?

1. First, download the R1 software and driver from the website and install them successfully. The software for R1 can be found and downloaded via this link: https://www.retevis.com/resources-center

2. Insert the programming cable through the "TX interface" or “RX interface” on the back of R1, and connect it to a computer.

3. View and select the port "Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge (COMX)" in the computer's device manager.

Then open the R1 software, open the port in "Setting" and select the correct port, COMX.

4. Select "Read From Radio" in "Program" and read data from the R1.

After the reading is successful, the 5 preset channels of R1 will appear. The frequency is programmed within +/-0.5MHz (+/-500khz), and there are 100 memory channels. The software can set DTMF, 2Tone, 5Tone, Scan information, Emergency information, Call ID, Keys Functions, etc.

5. After the setting is completed, you need to select "Write to Radio" in "Program" and write data to the R1.

Please note: Unlike other devices, the TX interface and RX interface of R1 are independent, so you need to insert the R1 programming cable into the TX and RX interfaces respectively to program. This means you need to program it twice to set it up completely. If you insert the RX interface of R1 for programming for the first time, you need to re-insert the TX interface of R1 and program for the second time.

If you buy the UHF fixed frequency version of R1 (Center frequency: TX 464.5000MHz and RX 454.5000MHz; Offset:10MHz) that comes with 5 preset channels. The preset frequencies make the repeater convenient to work with RT86 handheld radios. 

R1 with RT86 (2Pack), Antenna and Coaxial Cable Kit

How to set up R1 and RT86?

A portable radio’s (walkie-talkie) receive frequency for the repeater is actually the repeater’s transmit frequency and the portable radio’s (walkie-talkie) transmit frequency is the repeater’s receive frequency.

Therefore, set the TX frequency of the 5 channels of RT86 to the same frequency as R1's RX (RT86's TX=R1's RX), and the RX frequency is set to the same frequency as R1's TX (RT86's RX=R1's TX). At the same time, set the CTCSS/DCS (QT/DQT) codes of RT86 to be the same as the CTCSS/DCS codes of R1. After the setting is completed, write the data to RT86.

Watch the R1 operation video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGD4FZKOz8E

Besides the UHF version, the R1 repeater also supports the frequency customization of VHF (Offset: ≥5.7MHz) or UHF (Offset: ≥10MHz). You can contact us via email to view the complete list of customizable frequencies, but please note that GMRS frequency customization is not currently supported.

R1 with Antenna and Coaxial Cable Kit

Thank you for reading this blog! If you have any questions, please leave your comments below. We are looking forward to your comments!

Related Blog: New Here! Get Acquainted with R1 25W Repeater for Two Way Radio