BTECH GMRS-RPT50 vs Retevis RT97 A fixed-site repeater and a portable one

FCC ID records side by side

Maker specs side by side

Key differences

Power. Both grants list conducted output on the 462 MHz main channels, the repeater outputs, so they compare directly. The GMRS-RPT50 is filed at 46.7735 W (2AGNDGMRSRPT50) and the RT97 at 5.0 W (2ASNSRT97). That’s about 9.7 dB more output from the RPT50. Both are under the 50 W repeater limit (§95.1767(a)(1)). More output helps people hear the repeater. It doesn’t help the repeater hear them, which depends on its receiver, antenna and site.

Built for different jobs.

• GMRS-RPT50 (BTECH): a 19 in wide, 24.25 lb unit. It covers all 8 GMRS repeater pairs, has a built-in duplexer (BTECH: “100W-capable in units shipping from 2026”) and built-in CW identification, and runs on 100–240 V AC with 13.8 V DC failover backup. BTECH lists a 100% maximum work cycle, a 3.5 in color display, front-panel setup with a passcode lock, a keypad mic for local voice, and an N-type antenna connector. It’s $1,499.89 on BTECH’s site, in stock (2026-10-21).
• RT97 (Retevis): a 5 W full-duplex portable repeater with a built-in duplexer, powered from 12–24 V DC (vehicle power or solar). Retevis gives the size as 310 × 283 × 170 mm. It’s $339.99 on Retevis’s site (1-pack sale price, 2026-10-21).

Install distance. The RPT50 grant says the antenna “should be 0dBi as max” for a 114 cm separation from people. A gain antenna on a tower is the normal repeater install, so plan to keep people farther away than that. The RT97 grant comments we read state no distance.

Which one fits you

• A permanent repeater for a town, ranch or club, on a tower or tall building: the GMRS-RPT50. Its documented continuous duty, AC power with DC failover, CW ID and duplexer are the parts of a fixed site you’d otherwise assemble yourself.
• A temporary repeater for an event, campsite, convoy or a family property with no tall site: the RT97. It’s 12–24 V and a fifth of the price.
• No repeater in town yet: r/gmrs walks through what it takes in No GMRS repeater in town, what is required to coordinate one? and one owner’s build in Building my Area’s Repeater. Pick a repeater pair and tone that don’t clash with nearby repeaters on listings such as myGMRS (Publicly listed repeaters).

Rules for running your own repeater

• License: your individual GMRS license covers it. Users need their own licenses or must be covered as immediate family (§95.1705).
• Channels: repeaters transmit on the 462 MHz main channels and receive on the paired 467 MHz main channels (§95.1763).
• ID: a repeater that retransmits anyone outside your own license must identify with its call sign by voice or Morse tone (§95.1751). The RPT50’s built-in CW ID covers that. Retevis doesn’t list CW ID for the RT97 on the page we checked.
• No internet or phone linking for voice (§95.1733, §95.1749). r/gmrs covered the FCC’s position in FCC updated Gmrs. No more linking of any kind.
• Antenna height: structures more than 200 ft above ground may need FAA notification and FCC registration (§95.317).

See repeaters and mobile setup for tones, permission and etiquette, and GMRS base station setup for coax-loss figures that apply to repeater feedlines too.

RT97 channel count, antenna connector, weather rating and weight, and RPT50 warranty are not yet verified. We haven't done hands-on testing of either repeater.