Hello, I made a repeater for my security company so we could go back to using our icoms and I made it using two Icom IC-F221s and I have a 9db omnidirectional antenna on a 50ft pole and with the handhelds it doesn't even work down the road and the mobile radios will pick it up fine I'm wondering if anyone can help explain if I did something wrong because I am very confused thank you
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What kind of dup;lexxer did you use, who programmed it, what kind of cable.... way to much info missing
Putting together a Repeater System is not a Do It Yourself for the Beginner
You have to have too many service tools most DIY do not have.
You have to have too many service tools most DIY do not have.
I agree with comments above, making a repeater is somewhat complex. With that said, you seem to be saying the repeater is working with mobiles. I'd triple check my programming. It is easy to make a mistake and have the handhelds talking and listening on the repeater output, which would work nearby as you would be talking HT to HT, but not far. If you did the same in a mobile, you might think it was going through the repeater, but get more range than with handhelds. So again, double check your programming.
Also, what duplexer are you using, how close together are TX and RX frequencies. The more technical information you provide the more folks may be able to help you. Obviously, it goes w/out saying that your company repeater must have FCC licensed frequencies, but I'm sure you know that.
Also, what duplexer are you using, how close together are TX and RX frequencies. The more technical information you provide the more folks may be able to help you. Obviously, it goes w/out saying that your company repeater must have FCC licensed frequencies, but I'm sure you know that.
12dbsinad
Member
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2010
- Messages
- 2,005
Problems with a repeater vary so much that it typically cannot be done over the internet. They are like marriage, and a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get. The #1 problem that plagues repeaters is de-sense. A situation were the transmitter wipes out the receiver.
RFI-EMI-GUY
Member
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2013
- Messages
- 7,424
TNRD Transmitter Noise, Receiver Desensitization. If you can't measure it, you can't fix it.
MTS2000des
5B2_BEE00 Czar
"DIY repeater" being used for professional (read non-ham) use. Makes one ponder what other shortcuts such a "professional" organization might take. So does one skimp on weapons training, background investigations, uniforms, professional licensing, liability insurance/bonding? I am always amazed at how "professionals" seem to the Mickey Mouse route when it comes to communications gear they rely on for safety.
Open Yellow Pages/app/Google and find a local two way radio shop with a good reputation who has the right tools (e.g. service monitors, spectrum analyzers, etc), spend the money, get a legit part 90 license with coordination, and do it right. Please.
Open Yellow Pages/app/Google and find a local two way radio shop with a good reputation who has the right tools (e.g. service monitors, spectrum analyzers, etc), spend the money, get a legit part 90 license with coordination, and do it right. Please.
RADIOGUY2002
Member
Good two way shop, do those exist anymore? over priced and still cant get it right. Yes, I'm going to take heat for this. God bless the new solutions that are coming out. Lets see how many shops stay in business for bad practices.
RADIOGUY2002
Member
Please provide us with more information on your setup.....professionally tuned duplexer?, what mobiles, how are they interfaced, where do you deploy the system at? what are the geographic issues, how many watts out, how much loss, what type of cable is in use..... and so on.....
12dbsinad
Member
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2010
- Messages
- 2,005
Sadly, true radio shops are getting scarce. A lot of them are glorified I.T. businesses with practically no RF theory. This is partly due to the old timers retiring and the newcomers not learning the trade. Many small mom and pop shops are getting bought up by the Bearcom's of the world. With everything plug-n-play today there is no need to get out a soldering iron, or tune equipment by hand, etc. Today's radio world is you plug it in, and hope it works without problems.
MTS2000des
5B2_BEE00 Czar
That is the major challenge in this industry. From the "flat pack duplexer and LMR400 bandits" tossing up TRBO repeaters, to the even more dangerous "red box bandits" tossing up BDA/DAS without bothering to get permission per 90.219 or even do proper uplink/downlink testing with involvement from the licensee, resulting in months long interference hunting at 6 figure prices- the lack of real SMEs with practical LMR/RF experience is scarce. But the threat from these "teknishuns" with their cobbled together hash and trash makers is real- and it has the potential to affect a lot more than some $10/hr security guards who Baoturds don't work.
Sorry folks thank you for your comments sorry I didn't reply I eventually figured out it was in fact the duplexer which when I replaced it that fixed some of the problems and then programming issues I'm not confident in saying I have a working repeater with two IC-f221s radios and a 400-500 mhz 50W duplexer (link here: Fumei 2 Way UHF 400-500MHz Antenna Power Splitter 50W Two Way Radio Repeater Power Divider with N Female connectors Amazon.com) and I appreciate all the help you kind people have given me.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
That's not a duplexer. Thats a power divider.
I see well it seems to be working so would that be fine for now or do you suggest something else?
If that's being used as the duplexer, that's the problem. A bigger problem would be a bunch of transmitter power going right into the receiver.
Which goes back to post #3
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Those poor Icoms. They never stood a chance.
A moment of silence in is order. Please bow your heads….
A moment of silence in is order. Please bow your heads….
more power, more better!
MTS2000des
5B2_BEE00 Czar
And to think, this "system" is being utilized for professional (non-amateur) use. Wow, just wow.
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