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Baofeng Configuring a Two Radio Simple Repeater

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Jwise

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I am experimenting with putting together a two radio, simple repeater for use around the house (I’m on acreage out in the county). I have a couple extra Baofeng UV5Rs, so I figured they would work just fine for this experiment.

I copied the setup I saw on YouTube, taking a 2.5mm to 3.5mm cable to connect the RX radio’s speaker output to the TX radio’s mic input. (The trick is that the cable’s ground wire has to be cut to prevent it from constantly transmitting.)

YouTube taught me the volume on the RX radio has to be turned up all the way, along with the VOX setting on the TX radio.

I got it all set up on my desk to try it out, and it seemed to work perfectly…for about 5 seconds. Each time I mic’d up and started talking (the TX radio doesn’t transmit until you start talking, not just push the PTT) the TX radio repeats my transmission on the alternate frequency for about five seconds and then cuts off. If I keep talking, it will come back on for about five more seconds and then cut off again, etc…

Does anyone know why my TX radio cuts off the transmission when I’m still talking? (The TOT is set to 60.)
 

nd5y

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That's what happens when you try to use VOX. Those radios have no adjustments for VOX sensitivity or delay. If the end user radios are more than a few feet away from the "repeater" you will start having desense and overload issues too. You can't make a real repeater out of UV5Rs and expect it to work well.
 

Jwise

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I suppose you’re right, but it’s mostly just an experiment. And I believe you nailed the issue: too close proximity of the radios/antennas. I spaced out the RX and TX radios and the issue seemed to go away.
 

Jwise

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I’m thinking if I add a duplexer between the radios and a single dual band antenna it will fix the desensing issue.

I am trying to decide if I’m going to spend more $$ to try and get this to work, or just chalk it up to lessons learned and move on to something else.
 

prcguy

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I've experimented with Baofeng type radios using a good duplexer and a 5MHz split on UHF and it doesn't work, way too much desense that you can't fix. Trying the same thing on 2m with a 600KHz spacing would be much worse.

Separate receivers and transmitters used for repeaters are usually well shielded and a Baofeng is not. Plus the receiver front ends are very wide band with little to no filtering.
 

KB0VWG

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Here is one other option not sure how well it works.


kb0vwg
 

Jwise

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I might try a Wouxun KG UV9D Plus. It’s a HT with crossband repeater capability built in. For my limited use, it may be just the ticket.
 

Watton925

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I'm experimenting with a surecom 628 as a simple repeater had some success with set up but for best results I will need to separate the antennas.
 

prcguy

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I tested that radio and with the various 2m and 440 freqs I tried it had desense. You might be able to find a magic VHF/UHF split that works but I couldn't. I then tried an Anytone AT-3318UV-D and it cross band repeated perfectly with no desense.

I might try a Wouxun KG UV9D Plus. It’s a HT with crossband repeater capability built in. For my limited use, it may be just the ticket.
 

Dave520

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Or you could try one of these.


I bought one to try and it worked ok. I set the receiving one on a weather channel and the transmit one to a FRS channel. Seemed to work on close range. I did not try any distance with them. The other issue I had was since it was transmiting all the time I suspect the Baofeng would not last that long. My UV-5r did start to get warm so I gave up. Would probably work for you if there is not a lot of activity.
Good Luck!
 

Jwise

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Or you could try one of these.


I bought one to try and it worked ok. I set the receiving one on a weather channel and the transmit one to a FRS channel. Seemed to work on close range. I did not try any distance with them. The other issue I had was since it was transmiting all the time I suspect the Baofeng would not last that long. My UV-5r did start to get warm so I gave up. Would probably work for you if there is not a lot of activity.
Good Luck!

Isn’t that just the connector cable? Is there any circuitry in the box? It still requires the duplexer, but I guess the cable allows you plenty of “stretch” to separate the radios.
 

Jwise

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I tested that radio and with the various 2m and 440 freqs I tried it had desense. You might be able to find a magic VHF/UHF split that works but I couldn't. I then tried an Anytone AT-3318UV-D and it cross band repeated perfectly with no desense.

Good to know! Thanks for that feedback.

The TYT TH UV8000D was half the price, so last night I went ahead and ordered it last to try it out.

I am seriously violating the “buy once, cry once” motto!
 

Dave520

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Sorry, I should have mentioned that it is only a one way conversion. Takes whatever is being heard on the receiving radio and sends it to the transmitting radio.
 

jaspence

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What about a pair of better GMRS radios? Didn't see you actual distance or terrain needs, but they can have higher power and cost lots less than a good repeater setup.
 
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