2m repeater range

[ObiHann]

A friend of myne and I have been talking about getting our amature radio licenses. We have been looking into 2M radios and have been trying to decide between a mobile, and a handheld. As we understand if, a handheld is on average 5w of power, when a mobile can be 55w plus. I have read that you don't want handheld for anything other than "emergency" use. Hopwever I am curious, since there are a few 2m repeaters in Halifax, with a 5w handheld, how far range could we get? He is in spryfield, and I am in sackville if that helps.

 

[texasemt13]

Simplex (radio to radio) range, on 2m, with 5W isn't much (less than a few miles under ideal conditions).

As for a repeater, the taller the antenna (of the repeater) is, the better the range it has. Repeaters can usually pick up a 5W HT within a few miles of it, and broadcast at their output power. The weaker the signal you send to the repeater is, the more static other users will hear on the repeater output.

In any situation, the better the antenna (grounding, impedance matching, etc.) and the higher it is, the better the range.

 

[LowbandGuy]

There are too many answers to your questions. The Maritime provinces has excellent 2 metre repeater coverage. From the locations you mentioned you would have no problem getting into several of the repeaters located around HRM with an HT. I use my hand held radio a lot and it is a good place to start then as you develop an interest get a mobile, then a base radio. The Amateur Radio hobby is vast, I would recommend that you contact someone in the Halifax Club as they would help you to get ready to write the test.

 

[n5ims]

Don't forget that your height is also quite important. I have been able to regularly work a repeater that was 60 miles away from me using my HT. Now that was partly because that repeater's antenna was up at 1100' and partly because I was on the roof of a 16 story building. When on the ground in the parking lot I could hear nothing on my HT and lots of static on my mobile on that same repeater.

Handhelds are convenient and fun, but don't count on them for range (or battery time). They also generally don't last as long due to the "oops" factor since dropping them very much can quickly kill them. Mobile units are more powerful and generally last longer (assuming there is less "oops" factor), but are only good when you're near your vehicle (although you can put them into a backpack, but then they can be heavy - batteries weigh a bunch - and don't last much longer than those in the HT would). A mobile can also serve as your base unit with the addition of a good power supply and base antenna.

Both have their places so what you really want should count for much of your decision. Now the best choice is to get one (or more) of each! Used ones can be rather inexpensive as are those from China that are getting good reviews now (dual band for just over $100 for their HT). Just make sure that they'll do what you need prior to purchase - work correctly, include PL tones if necessary, cover the band(s) you want, etc. Most often used radios (especially from eBay) are as-is and no returns with no warranty. If you get it at a hamfest or better yet a local ham's house you can often do some simple testing and talk to the owner. They'll often give honest answers while e-mails you may get "I tested them when I got them and they worked then, not sure about now though."

 

[ObiHann]

So (thanks to your advice) I reached out to my local club, and they were very helpful. They told me based on my location and the quality of the repeater I should indeed be able to transmit on even just a hand-held, and if I get a good mobile than I can do even more. I haven't really made my decision yet, I have some other questions floating around, however I am very excited about this! I'm hoping in the next few months to dive into the radio world, I want to get my CB back and running in my Jeep to hold me over till I get my ham ticket, and next month I want to get a digital scanner.

Thanks again!

 

[ve1sef]

I belive you should both be able to use the VE1HNS and/or VE1PSR repeaters.

 

[ObiHann]

That's great news. At least two of us are thinking we will take the chance and get the HT radios, enough people feel strongly they will meet our needs, and since we like the idea of listening outside of our house or vehicle, it works great for us.

 

[novascotian]

I am not very active but I do have a handheld that I use with very good results around the Halifax area, either from home or in the car. From most locations you can use the repeaters on 146.94, 146.685, 147.27, and in many locations also those on 147.045 Beaver Bank, 146,97 Airport, and 146.64 way out in Gore area also pretty good is 147.03 Musquodoboit Harbout. The only thing is that my home is up quite high, and for the car I use an external antenna in place of the rubber duck. One thing however you will find that some repeaters do not have much activity. The other thing, not mentioned, is that wlth some of these repeaters you can punch in a code and connect to other repeaters around the maritimes.... and also with different codes connect around the world. Not something I have bothered with but really it is an incredible thing that it is possible, and that fellow hams have set all this up.

 

[LowbandGuy]

Yes there is a very interesting linking system in Nova Scotia and PEI with UHF links between various repeaters in the provinces. Also you can link into New Brunswick's IRG (International Repeater Group) system. Of course there is IRLP and Echolink too. If more people used the linking system there would be more scanner listening as well.