2-meter question

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cnw3859

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Thoughts on 2-meter simplex range (over pretty much flat ground) between two 50 watt mobile radios (one used as a base). Base antenna is 1-story house roof mount about 5dB gain. Car antenna is about 3dB gain.

15-20 mile range possible with this set-up?

Probably a question better suited for EHAM, but I like this forum more, and I know there are a few HAMs here.
 

jonny290

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yeah 20 miles should be cake. I can get 25-40 miles out depending on receiver and I'm only running 15 watts to a crappy vertical 5 feet above ground.
 

jay427

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Mpls Mn
You did not say how many trees, etc you have in the way.

But 15-20 miles with that set up should work just fine.

I have done this a few times and I would say about 40 or so miles would be a good starting point.


Take a listen on the input of some of your local repeaters and that should give you some idea of how far you can here.

Jay
 

cnw3859

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jay427 said:
You did not say how many trees, etc you have in the way.

But 15-20 miles with that set up should work just fine.

I have done this a few times and I would say about 40 or so miles would be a good starting point.


Take a listen on the input of some of your local repeaters and that should give you some idea of how far you can here.

Jay

Normal amount of trees, buildings (not super high), etc for the DFW Metroplex. Good idea on monitoring the repeater input frequency, then making a contact to find out their location.

With this set-up, I want to be able to contact my home from work (or around work in car).
When we have severe storms in this area (like yesterday), the phone circuts can get overloaded (both cell and land line). Spouse and small children do not do well with tornado warnings and sirens, when out of contact with me.

The kicker is that I need my wife to take and pass the Tech exam. Finally got an "I'll try" yesterday!

Thanks to you both for your input.
 

k9rzz

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Call me crazy, but I think you'll be noisy at 10 miles and 20 will be pushing the limit. If you can get a small beam up, that will help a lot. Monitoring the repeater input will help give you an idea, but it seems to me that the guys who use the repeater are notorious for running as little power and the smallest antennas they can get away with. Gotta save the battery 'ya know?

804.gif


John K9RZZ
Milwaukee
 
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cnw3859

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k9rzz said:
Call me crazy, but I think you'll be noisy at 10 miles and 20 will be pushing the limit. If you can get a small beam up, that will help a lot. Monitoring the repeater input will help give you an idea, but it seems to me that the guys who use the repeater are notorious for running as little power and the smallest antennas they can get away with. Gotta save the battery 'ya know?

804.gif


John K9RZZ
Milwaukee

Since I am an inexperienced HAM, could someone post a link showing an example of a beam antenna?

I agree on those using lowest power to hit the repeater.
 

k9rzz

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cnw3859 said:
Since I am an inexperienced HAM, could someone post a link showing an example of a beam antenna?

I agree on those using lowest power to hit the repeater.

You can build or buy.


http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/pdf/9304054.pdf

http://k0swi.microlnk.com/REVIEW/ANTENNAS/KU4ZD, 3 ELEMENT 2 METER BEAM.htm

http://www.wb0w.com/m2/2mtr/2m4_2_meter_yagi.htm

http://www.mfjenterprises.com/products.php?prodid=MFJ-1763

Three to six elements will be directional enough to increase your range, but still allow you to hear signals in other directions too. You could fix it in your preferred direction at first, then possibly add a rotator at a later time.

I use 19 elements on the roof of my house for working 2 meter SSB/CW (horizontal elements). I can talk to my friend's 50 watt mobile out 25 miles over quite hilly terrain without too much flutter and noise. (I run 100 to 200 watts and he can hear me no problem). If my antenna was vertical (like his mobile antenna), the results would be better. But, if I turn my antenna 10 degrees to one side ... pfffft ! ... he's gone!

John K9RZZ
 
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kf4lne

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Bristol, VA
I have my antenna up on a 40 ft mast, its collinear 5/8 wave design and I can consistently work mobile stations 15 miles away usning only the 10 watts the Yaesu puts out. If I turn the amp on I can work stations in the 30-50 mile range. If you are interested in a Yagi for cheap look here: http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/pdf/9304054.pdf
I have 2 of these that i use for various needs and they work great. I also converted the measurements for 70cm and have one that i use with my handheld radio with great results.
 

cnw3859

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Dallas/Fort Worth, TX
Thanks kf4lne & k9rzz for the info. This will really help me. Low cost is a plus.

If I can get 10-15 miles with a good signal base to mobile, I'll be happy. Looks like I can do that.
 

aar9sm

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Do have any repeaters in your area? Are you comfortable using a repeater? Have you used your local repeater?Or are you wanting more of a privacy type deal?

Mike
 

kc8zdf

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Michigan
Hi there, My brother has a home built sleeve antenna up 35 feet at his house. I have a 5/8 wave mfj 2meter antenna on my car. When we did simplex i talk to him for a good 40 miles but when i came into a city the signal would drop out then when i came back into a open area of country land so to say i would here him again no prolbem and we were both running 50 watts. So your setup with vertical antennas should be just fine for 20 miles as long as you have good height since thats the key...

73 kc8zdf
 
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