5B-VUX xvtr has RF Output on Simplex but not offset

Len, KD0RC,

Well, your first response did assist me in achieving RF output from the 5B-VUX on 144 MHz. It's amazing that one can review the boxes and data you have entered only not to do it properly! My transverter is not lighting up 9 LEDs but only 8 but that means I should be coming close to achieving the full 25 watts out that the 5B-VUX can do without distortion. (I did the prescribed calibration here in the shack running the output into a MFJ dry dummy load rated at 50 ohms). The calibration called for setting it to light 9 LEDs running CW output. I set it so the 9th LED just came on, believing a little too low is much better than setting too high and risking distortion on my output. I don't have anthing here to read RF output other than the LED RF Power Output on the front of the 5B-VUX. Google Earth tells me I am 16.5 miles from Davenport, IA as the 'crow flies' from my residence in Orion, IL. I believe this would be adequate power to the Comet Triband 333 mounted on my rooftop and fed with high quality cable. I know I have heard the repeater on other days and voices over it. I have also tried other repeaters listed on my memory channels of the Flex 6000m and I am not able to raise them either. I have double checked the listings for the repeaters CTCSS tones and I know I am correct on my CTCSS tone settings.

I have also tried to announcing "AC0UH monitoring 52 Simplex" in hopes someone will come back to me on simplex. No go so far. I may even try to "QRZ, QRZ, this is AC0UH monitoring 146.52 simplex, Alpha Charlie, Zero, United, Hotel monitoring," to give more time for any one scanning the two meters' frequencies.

In the second message you left me, you responsed to the receive antenna image that I included. I included this image as I came across other hams with questions including this image when discussing transmission and receiving from repeaters. However, I believe in trying to capture this 'receiving image' by clicking on " + RCV " on the left of the SmartSDR screen I actually at that point created a new slice for receiving. I don't believe I need to have two slices open and that I should NOT click on "+RCR" when trying to use repeater. I believe my one slice (A) should automatically shift the transmit to the proper frequency 0.600 MHz lower in this case 146.100 MHz and the receive stays at 146.700 MHz when the mic is not pressed. On your Flex can you see the TX frequency change and revert back to the receive frequency when the mic is pressed and released? It seems like this should be the case and with one slice (I am trying to work with Slice A).

I have also tried to create and use two slices one at 146.100 for TX and 146.700 receive. I also tried the reverse of this, using 146.100 for receive and 145.700 for transmit. In both of these attempts, I used simplex but retained the CTCSS 77.0 tone value.

All Flex Radio come with CTCSS tone modules install do they not? How can I check that my CTCSS unit is working? Other thoughts at this point. I am really excited about getting my 5BVUX going properly and having my new station location at ground level where I can have really good grounding capabilities.

I have 'ran on' enough - probably over thinking the whole thing. I know Flex radio has created an easy way to do this - I just don't have something small right yet.

Enclosed one more image of the settings, hope this help,

Thanks again for the assistance Len,

73's,

Don AC0UH