Kenneth K, KK4TES: Our club had a Hi Pro MK 1 repeater that needed replaced due to its age and reliability. After some research we decided on the BCR-50V repeater with its 50 watt continuous duty. We have been completely satisfied with the repeater and customer service. The repeater was plug and play and has been running with no problems since installation in late January 2017 and we have had good feedback from all the users. Thanks BridgeCom for a great repeater great price and excellent customer service and follow up after the sale.
Ivan, W4SNP: I bought a VHF and UHF version of the D-500 for amateur radio use in my area. The VHF DMR system seems to be down (even my Moto radio cannot access it any more). However the UHF radio works great, this radio has no problem getting into repeaters from the long distance I live and in the car. The D-500 appears to have a better case than its competitor along with painted numbers on the channel selector switch and lines on the control knobs. Even though they both appear to be the same radio the D-500 seems to function better than the competitors my brother bought. I would recommend this radio over the competitors even though there is a cost difference mainly because of the service I got from BridgeCom. I had a slight problem using the programming software they quickly found a solution that worked. Something you cannot find with the average auction house vendors online
Matt L: Not some cheep Baoufeng Ht so common with so many cheep hams. Is that what HAM stands for any way, HAM = "Haven't Any Money"
AL7OC: I recently purchased a Tekk D-500 and the radio has worked well. Customer service is very responsive. The only problem that I had initially was that the downloadable Tekk CPS would not allow me to program 25 kHz FM channels for legacy amateur repeaters. It took a little work to get it, but I now have CPS which will let me do that. The default Part 90 compliant CPS will only allow 12.5 kHz channel bandwidth. Make sure that you get the right CPS if you plan on only using the radio for amateur service.
We are very proud of our new BridgeCom Systems BCR-220 (220 MHz) Repeater. Recently Norfolk ARES received an invitation to help set up a new repeater site. Immediately we set up a committee to decide how best to use the new opportunity. Other than the usual choices I suggested it would best serve everyone if we included 220. The repeater will be located in downtown Norfolk, VA for use by Norfolk ARES during emergency activation and disaster communications.
Installation was a breeze with the matched duplexer. With the preprogrammed setup the transmitter was on the air within minutes. And the audio is just like BridgeCom promised it would be. This has to be the best sounding 220 repeater I have ever heard.
The repeater is housed in a weatherproof cabinet that will be installed indoors protected from dust and heat.
It will be operating independently under the call sign KD6FIG At 224.180 while sharing the cabinet with two other repeaters operated by KC2HTT on 147.075 and 442.450 using Yaesu Fusion System repeaters joined with an Arcom RC210 controller. For the antenna, we decided to use a single Comet tri-band antenna and a modified Comet triplexer that we changed out the coaxial leads with LMR-240N and added N connectors to reduce any feed line loss. For backup power, we have installed 2 135amp 12v batteries. We estimate the batteries should last about 24hrs. The transmitter site is located on the scenic Norfolk waterfront and will be at 324ft above ground, that should cover the Tidewater area very well. Feed line loss will be kept to a minimum with only 20 feet of LMR400 to the antenna. All radios and devices in the cabinet are grounded and attached the main building ground bar using R56 grounding standards. Also, we are using the latest in lightning and power surge protection.
Going with BridgeCom Systems has been the best choice I could have made. The price was right on and the service department is extremely helpful, knowledgeable, and willing to go the extra mile to solve any issue. You can bet I will tell everyone about your products.
Thank you BridgeCom.
Richard Stanley / KD6FIG
EC Norfolk VA ARES
For more information on a BCR-220 Repeater or other BCR Repeaters
Thanks to N4SQV, Pat Dixon, for the BCR-220 Repeater install pictures. It is one of the cleanest installs I have seen using a BridgeCom Repeater. He also wants to thank Brandon Heil, KJ4KMA as the driving force behind the project.
If you are traveling in or around Jefferson County, Kentucky, just South of Louisville. Search for TX 224.180 RX 222.580 PL Tone 100.0 and check in. Tell them Tim at BridgeCom sent you :)
Pat said it sets, "100 foot up on tower, 900 feet above Sea level. It uses 7/8" hard line with a Hustler G7 antenna ."
To buy your own BCR-220 Repeater, start here
Ed Thompson K1KZP
★★★★★
BCH-220 is nice
While purchasing my BCR-220 repeater, I decided "oh what the heck why not try a BCH-220' and added it to my order. I like it very much and use it frequently. I particularly like the size and ease of programming. My only critique is the lack of a bar graph for power/signal strength. The signal coming from my BCR-220 is so strong causing a full quieting condition that unless someone is speaking, I can not sometimes tell if there is a signal at all except by turning the volume way up and confirming it. Nice job BridgeCom.
Brian Hunt
★★★★★
Solid!
First off this is a very unassuming looking unit. It's something you'd expect to see on a law enforcement official, dock worker or being thrown on the seat of a contractors truck.
WQVD239 looking great in Montana. Thanks KC7YTK for sharing! If you need a BCR Repeater for GMRS, Commercial or Ham radio, let us know. For more information:
https://www.bridgecomsystems.com/…/bcr-re…/products/bcr-40du
Keith K. 5 stars
I purchased my first BridgeCom unit almost two years ago after building a relationship with Ron and becoming convinced he would stand behind whatever purchase I made. I was not disappointed and have stayed in contact with Ron since that time watching as the company has grown. Having need for a repeater for our transportation department there was only one option in my mind so I again contacted Ron for a UHF machine. Again, the support of the company and the quality of the product have been outstanding. Price, features, and support are untouched by others.
Keith
as a GMRS repeater in NE Oregon. I purchased the repeater in the low split, so i can easily reprogram for ham. The audio is very clear. I had a user comment that he had difficulty noticing the repeater was active without the squelchtail programmed. Great customer service, with free programming. I purchased the programming kit for minor tweaking, but it worked great upon delivery. Great product at a nice price!Do you need a repeater for school or campus coverage. Here is what one principal said bout the BridgeCom
Systems BCR-40DU Repeater.
My (school) campus coverage issues are solved with the (BridgeCom Systems) repeater which is working flawlessly. My FD is encouraging me to try and relocate it to their station which has a tall mast so I can achieve more town-wide coverage and let it serve as a back-up for theirs. - Joe, High School Principle
I purchased a 220 MHz repeater from these guys (BridgeCom Systems, Inc) and love it. Looking to purchase a 440 machine from them in a few weeks. I wish they made a 900 machine. Thank you guys for the phone help with my amp that l had for a few years. Great folks. I would recommend these guys to anyone in the market for a repeater.
My new 220 machine in Gastonia, NC installed up on Crowders Mountain.
Thank you for all you guys help. Love my 220 repeater from you guys.
Scott KC4IRA
I have a BridgeCom 2 meter repeater and I have nothing but good things to say about the repeater. I think it has audio that will rival repeaters costing thousands more along with the reliability and ease of programming make it a great system, and your support is always there to assist when needed. I have called on them several times with questions and got the answers I needed almost immediately...
JR KK4CWX
William KK4CWX — 5 star
We have a 2 meter and it works excellent and look forward to purchasing another or more.
Superstition Amateur Radio Club Usery Pass VHF and UHF Bridgecom Systems, Inc. Repeaters installed and running like champs from our new Mountain top radio site. Many thanks to Ron for his support
Thursday June 25, we installed w7wrg repeaters, 224.58 (103.5) and 441.950 (131.8) repeaters on Buck mountain just slightly northwest of Seattle in the Olympic mountains at approximately 3,800 feet. These repeaters are using an external Arcom RC210 controller with a Kenwood tm-271a 2m remote base and a Reecom weather radio interfaced to the system.
Initial reports are "good audio" excellent sensitivity and so forth. Yes, the repeaters are driving Henry amplifiers for their respective bands. Heavy usage since installation from both mobiles and hams with hand held radios up and down western Washington State. In addition, another station on Thursday afternoon checked in from Orcas Island out in the San Juan chain of islands to congratulate the group of guys doing the installation.
We are already considering my next 220 BridgeCom repeater purchase and we want to thank Ron for his assistance in providing some small changes to the firmware accommodating the amateur community. These features incorporated better control over the encoder and decoders by the Arcom RC210 three port controller. 73 and thanks for a great product!
Brian, k5in trustee for the w7wrg Western Washington Radio Group
Arcom RC210 to BridgeCom BCR repeater cable connection diagram
Thanks for your amateur ham radio business K2XDX! Good looking BCR-220 MHz 1.25m repeater install!
Retired a Spectrum Communications Repeater
K7DRA WQUQ252 Install Using BridgeCom Systems BCR-220 1.25m 220 MHz FM Repeater at 8800 Ft in Rock Springs, WY.
"Thanks again for a great piece of equipment."
Dave K7DRA
The original repeater at the site finally gave out after years of service and had to be replaced. After considering the many options available it was decided to go with a Bridgecom Systems repeater. Not only was the repeater it's self changed out but many more improvements were made in the process. Short of replacing the antenna and feedline, all other electrical and coaxial connections were replaced with brand new products as the original's had become worn and problematic. This lead to other problems within the system as things had fallen into a state of disrepair. As of the present, with repairs made and new equipment in place the repeater is working better than ever. There are more improvements that are being planned and considered to only make things even better. These improvements and additions will come as time and finances permit.
Jason B Rawls
www.kj4i.com
