Is it okay to use vox to key up another mobile radio in a portable repeater setup?

[S21IL]

I need to "build" a portable repeater system for some field work. Extremely low duty cycle, so I guess a two Chinese mobiles would do the job but there's no squelch detect or anything similar, can't find a way to interface with a controller. Not gonna need CW ID or anything on it. Just plain voice. Thought of using the Rx led to key up the transmitter, is that a good idea? Or the vox?

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[Golay]

Depends on the radio

I need to "build" a portable repeater system for some field work. Extremely low duty cycle, so I guess a two Chinese mobiles would do the job but there's no squelch detect or anything similar, can't find a way to interface with a controller. Not gonna need CW ID or anything on it. Just plain voice. Thought of using the Rx led to key up the transmitter, is that a good idea? Or the vox?

Sent from my Redmi 4X using Tapatalk

I did this with a couple of Moto handhelds that would chirp when the scan stopped. I think it may of been GP300's. I taped the mike from one to the speaker of another. Set one to scan, and to make a tone when the scan stopped. That was enough to "open" the vox on the other. The audio was a tad muffled, but perfect copy. It actually worked pretty good as a repeater. Played with it for a few days maybe, then took it apart.

 

[jhooten]

If you intend to use the mic in front of the speaker trick, Put it in a sound proof enclosure lest someone walking by stubs their toe, causing them to let loose a sting of profanity which triggers the VOX.

Or, go search eBay where you can find something like this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Walkie-Tal...053855?hash=item28424d4c1f:g:m7sAAOSwYkBZ2E38

That device, two UV-5R radios, a push up pole(preferably non metallic), and some duct tape would put a workable repeater on the air for less than a c-note.

 

[S21IL]

Actually the mobiles I saw use rj45 connectors, I could directly just make a crossover wire to hook them up. Would that be keying the transmitter properly?

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[jhooten]

It would take more than just a wire cross over. Many of those radios use a condenser mic which requires a dc voltage on the mic line. Putting dc into the speaker connector would not be a good idea. You would also need to have a way to reduce the speaker output to mic level and match the impedance.

Search around on eBay. Someone may have a similar device fit the mobile CCR.

 

[I_am_Alpha1]

Actually the mobiles I saw use rj45 connectors, I could directly just make a crossover wire to hook them up. Would that be keying the transmitter properly?

This was done with old Motorola Maxtrac radios. Not a simple direct wire, as stated...there are resistors and capacitors required. You have to check the pinout to see if your radios are even capable in the first place.

You asked awhile back about making a repeater...not sure what you are trying to accomplish, but another idea for your consideration--cross band repeater. There are several radios that have crossband capability. One radio, one power supply, one feedline, one antenna (dual band), and no duplexer. You can set it up for 2m input and 70cm output or both ways if you need.

Wouxun and TYT come to mind.

 

[S21IL]

This was done with old Motorola Maxtrac radios. Not a simple direct wire, as stated...there are resistors and capacitors required. You have to check the pinout to see if your radios are even capable in the first place.

You asked awhile back about making a repeater...not sure what you are trying to accomplish, but another idea for your consideration--cross band repeater. There are several radios that have crossband capability. One radio, one power supply, one feedline, one antenna (dual band), and no duplexer. You can set it up for 2m input and 70cm output or both ways if you need.

Wouxun and TYT come to mind.

That was for a commercial project. That's coming in pretty good. Gonna use motorola mobiles for that.

This is more for a personal mobile use. And seems like I'd be better off getting a crossband repeat capable mobile is better than trying to salvage old unused radios

Thanks everyone.

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