Handheld Amplifier

[bojangle]

Thanks Joe and Doc for your replies. Let me explain further. I agree with you Doc with your suggestion of getting a mobile rig. However my intention of an alternate power supply was for using my hand held in a remote mountain area where I have a cabin. I have abandoned the idea of the ac / dc power supply in favor of just another ATV battery. When I am in the wilderness ATV'ing and I don't have cell service I want a back-up emergency communication plan. My hand held and amp with slim Jim antenna will do just fine. Also I am in need of a replacement ATV battery sometime soon because the existing one is almost worn out. Eventually I will most likely get a 2 meter mobile rig.

bojangle

 

[majoco]

It doesn't matter how much power you are putting out - if the reception of the distant repeater is noisy, it will still be noisy. Get yourself an antenna with a bit of gain and point it at the repeater.

 

[KC4RAF]

+1 with 'majoco's post.

You can get a decent Yagi for cheap and point it at the repeater and that will help reduce the noise floor some.

 

[bojangle]

My primary use will be portable or ATV'ing and so to carry a yagi antenna with me would be a little cumbersome. Yagi is a good idea for the cabin though. Thanks for the replies.

 

[LtDoc]

The antenna used is important, some produce 'more' signal than others. For vehicle mounted antennas that get's sort of limited, which deals with 'practical'. Directional antennas aren't too practical for mobile use. For 'fixed' use, sure, maybe. So, a 'gain' antenna, a vertical array of some kind, would seem to be more practical. There are limits to that too, naturally. There will always be 'dead spots', nothing is 'fool proof' all of the time. For hand-held radios, that 'practical' thingy get's even more 'limited' because of convenience. So, you have to 'adapt' things to get the most 'practical' use from it. When that adapting get's to be a real PITA, then it's time to 're-think' the whole thing, you know?
I don't have any suggestions to do all that you want to do.
Good luck!
- 'Doc