How to build a basic portable repeater system?

[k9-cop]

I have two UHF mobile radios laying around along with a collapsable mast and an extra antenna. I was wondering what other equipment I need to build a portable repeater system that could be set up at a mobile command post.

I don't want anything fancy, just the basics. Any links to products, articles, or examples would be much appreciated.

 

[n8emr]

What radio service do you plan on putting the repeater in?

For GMRS you dont need an IDer, For commercial and amateur you will.
Your going to need a duplexer, some sort of controller and you will need access to
the COR/CO and , de-emphised audio from the receive radio, your going to need to bring out transmit audio and ptt on the transmitter.

 

[zz0468]

Here's an excellent collection of how-to articles:

http://www.repeater-builder.com/rbtip/

There are links there to controllers, both simple and quite complex. But that web site has pretty much anything you might want to know about repeaters, and the various pieces of hardware required to make one.

From some of your other posts, it's clear that you're not technically inclined, meaning you're an end user. I'd suggest you locate a resource that can build one up for you, rather than doing it yourself. Without the proper test equipment and knowledge, getting any type of repeater to operate properly, let alone legally, can be challenging.

Be aware that not all mobile radios can (or should) be turned into a repeater. Some have transmitters that are simply too noisy to allow a receiver to co-exist nearby. Many are incapable of being keyed up in the duty cycles that repeaters see without over heating. Many have receivers that are incapable of coexisting even next to a clean transmitter without having problems.

 

[prcguy]

A duplexer is a given with only one antenna. You can probably use a busy light, COS or PL detect line in one radio to directly key the transmitter in the other (might need a transistor or relay as buffer) and a simple potentiometer to feed audio from the volume control hi in one radio to the mic input of the other. Ive done this with success but not for anything that was left in service for more than a day or two.
prcguy

Here's an excellent collection of how-to articles:

http://www.repeater-builder.com/rbtip/

There are links there to controllers, both simple and quite complex. But that web site has pretty much anything you might want to know about repeaters, and the various pieces of hardware required to make one.

From some of your other posts, it's clear that you're not technically inclined, meaning you're an end user. I'd suggest you locate a resource that can build one up for you, rather than doing it yourself. Without the proper test equipment and knowledge, getting any type of repeater to operate properly, let alone legally, can be challenging.

Be aware that not all mobile radios can (or should) be turned into a repeater. Some have transmitters that are simply too noisy to allow a receiver to co-exist nearby. Many are incapable of being keyed up in the duty cycles that repeaters see without over heating. Many have receivers that are incapable of coexisting even next to a clean transmitter without having problems.