using repeaters with radios

1clo1 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-10-2012, 1:20 AM

Im looking for some two way radios that can be used with repeaters, don't want anything fancy just some basic radios. Also not looking to spend alot of money on them,maybe 100 dollars or less. Any one know what radios will work for me and what frequencies can be used with a repeater?

KD2DLL · #2 (**permalink**) 12-10-2012, 1:26 AM

What will you be using them for? What range will you be working with? Number of users? Do you have a FCC license for any particular freqs? If so what is the callsign? Is the system already set up or will this be a whole new system?

1clo1 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-10-2012, 1:32 AM

They will be use for security and recovery work. It will be a whole new system I don't have any frequencies or license yet have no problem getting one onlce I know which one I need.

gewecke · #4 (**permalink**) 12-10-2012, 1:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1clo1

Im looking for some two way radios that can be used with repeaters, don't want anything fancy just some basic radios. Also not looking to spend alot of money on them,maybe 100 dollars or less. Any one know what radios will work for me and what frequencies can be used with a repeater?

First of all, rethink your purpose for a repeater? Why do you think you need one? As alex said, are you licensed? Also cheap is not going to happen when you start talking about setting up a repeater.
some more thought is needed here.

73,
n9zas

gewecke · #5 (**permalink**) 12-10-2012, 1:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1clo1

They will be use for security and recovery work. It will be a whole new system I don't have any frequencies or license yet have no problem getting one onlce I know which one I need.

You need to do some more research on your endeavor, especially if you intend this to be used in the security industry. A license alone, requires more planning than what little you've told us.

73,
n9zas

1clo1 · #6 (**permalink**) 12-10-2012, 1:40 AM

It was my understanding that in order to work across the city I would need a repeater I don't know what I need. Can someone help me?

1clo1 · #7 (**permalink**) 12-10-2012, 1:43 AM

That's why im here to research what I need, all I need is to communicate across the city , I don't think that's really all that complicated?

KD2DLL · #8 (**permalink**) 12-10-2012, 1:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1clo1

That's why im here to research what I need, all I need is to communicate across the city , I don't think that's really all that complicated?

but the infrastructure that will be required to do that can be quite complicated.

gewecke · #9 (**permalink**) 12-10-2012, 1:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1clo1

It was my understanding that in order to work across the city I would need a repeater I don't know what I need. Can someone help me?

Besides even getting into the legalities of such a business, how many miles coverage are you talking about in your city?
Maybe using cell phones might be a way to start since the infrastructure is already there and cells would be more secure? There is a extreme amount of work to do before setting up a repeater besides buying equipment of which a hundred bucks won't even cover 1 radio.

73,
n9zas

1clo1 · #10 (**permalink**) 12-10-2012, 1:58 AM

There is a few places that will rent the radios with the use of repeaters I figured if I buy my own radios I can have them programmed, I was given a few models that would work but haven't had any luck finding them. I just need to know what frequencies I can use to try other radios and maybe what radios I can use?

KD2DLL · #11 (**permalink**) 12-10-2012, 1:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gewecke

Besides even getting into the legalities of such a business, how many miles coverage are you talking about in your city?
Maybe using cell phones might be a way to start since the infrastructure is already there and cells would be more secure? There is a extreme amount of work to do before setting up a repeater besides buying equipment of which a hundred bucks won't even cover 1 radio.

73,
n9zas

Like n9zas said, its going to cost a lot if theres a repeater. Your looking at $1000+ for the repeater alone, easily $200-$400 for each basic radio.. Antenna system for use with repeater.... Building permit and cost for repeater site... FCC license for each channel...

Like he said, cell phones will be way less. There are carriers that still have "direct connect" in the phones. Not sure how well it works but it would be cheaper...

1clo1 · #12 (**permalink**) 12-10-2012, 2:01 AM

Legalities of what business? I need to cover the Denver metro area, we already use cell phones im looking for something different.

KD2DLL · #13 (**permalink**) 12-10-2012, 2:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1clo1

Legalities of what business? I need to cover the Denver metro area, we already use cell phones im looking for something different.

Honestly, your best bet will be to go to a radio dealer and talk to them about what you need. They can show you equipment, help guide you to setting it all up, lead you in the right direction for licensing(some places will offer to file the paperwork for you), and really get you much further than we can assist you here. Ask for advice from them. Write down any info they give you and post some of it here. Radio dealers will try to sell you equipment that as features you don't need in order to make more money. This is why you should at least see what they recomend, then let us know and we can tell you if they are trying to way up-sell you or something along those lines.

1clo1 · #14 (**permalink**) 12-10-2012, 2:15 AM

Ok do you know of any dealer that youvwould recommend?

KD2DLL · #15 (**permalink**) 12-10-2012, 2:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1clo1

Ok do you know of any dealer that youvwould recommend?

I do not live in the area so I would recommend to visit this page to search for a motorola dealer. You can do the same for other dealers such as Kenwood and such

gewecke · #16 (**permalink**) 12-10-2012, 2:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1clo1

Legalities of what business? I need to cover the Denver metro area, we already use cell phones im looking for something different.

This is off topic, but most states in the u.s. also require any security recovery service to be licensed for operation as well. Here in Illinois it is the Illinois Department of Regulation the requires all security agencies to be licensed.

73,
n9zas

~~kb2vxa~~ · #17 (**permalink**) 12-10-2012, 4:23 PM

A repeater is no problem, there are plenty of commercial business repeaters and I'm sure your area is covered. Being leased to users there is a fee involved so consider payment in your cost of operations. Then there looks like a hornet in the ointment, Part 90 radios don't come cheap like several hundred dollars each and you're looking to spend a hundred or less? Better rethink your plans and negotiate a healthy loan and don't forget to include maintenance costs, radio shops are businesses too.

1clo1 · #18 (**permalink**) 12-10-2012, 7:41 PM

so these radios that are on ebay and the internet probably wont work then?

SteveC0625 · #19 (**permalink**) 12-10-2012, 8:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1clo1

so these radios that are on ebay and the internet probably wont work then?

Most of the brand name radios you see on ebay for $150 or less are wideband only and can not legally be used for most (if not all for the purposes of this discussion) Part 90 applications in three weeks time. The FCC stopped issuing wideband licenses quite a while ago.

You've already been advised to talk to a local radio shop to find out if there are commercial repeaters that you can use (for a price obviously.) They know the local radio situation and can make much better recommendations to you. Almost all of us are not in your immediate area and really don't know what is available there. That makes it impossible to give you any specific advice.

jackj · #20 (**permalink**) 12-10-2012, 8:36 PM

Look in the phone book for a 2-way radio shop then call them and ask what brand they recommend. Chances are they will be able to point you in the right direction to get the info you need. There used to be something called a community repeater that a number of users shared and shared the cost of, kind of like paying rent. But you will need a license from the FCC and in order to get that you will need to have some type of frequency coordination. A 2-way salesman or the radio shop can handle all of that for you, for a fee. But you aren't going to be able to do this on the cheap.