Mini Repeater Installation?

[polo_762]

Hello all,

Not sure if this thread is posted in the right area, but I was wondering if anyone had any tips or suggestions for installing a small radio system for my huntcamp. FRS/GMRS doesn't hack it, as the terrain is very hilly and the area is quite large (about 100 acres). Is there any feasability towards installing a small repeater system that could run off something like a car battery and support a small (ie 6-8) number of radios?

Feel free to advise if you think I'm way out in left field, but, as I'm sure my fellow hunters can attest to, its much easier when everyone can keep in contact during a hunt.

 

[okccsi]

Hello all,

Not sure if this thread is posted in the right area, but I was wondering if anyone had any tips or suggestions for installing a small radio system for my huntcamp. FRS/GMRS doesn't hack it, as the terrain is very hilly and the area is quite large (about 100 acres). Is there any feasability towards installing a small repeater system that could run off something like a car battery and support a small (ie 6-8) number of radios?

Feel free to advise if you think I'm way out in left field, but, as I'm sure my fellow hunters can attest to, its much easier when everyone can keep in contact during a hunt.

With a decent antenna, GMRS is feasible. It has been proven that only one side need to have a really good antenna for the send/receive capabilities on GMRS to improve greatly. My local hospital is about .5 miles away and they have a GMRS repeater system that their utility/industrial services use and I listen to them all the time.

I actually discovered it on accident after having left one of my Audiovox GMRS radio's on while it was on the charger. It was in scan mode and locked on day. Now I keep it set on that channel.

As for other repeater systems, the ones that I have seen that are mobile/battery powered are fairly expensive.

Hope this helps some.

OKC CSI

 

[polo_762]

cool, thanks...and the next question would be...who makes the best bang for your buck in terms of GMRS?

 

[Comint]

Hello all,

Not sure if this thread is posted in the right area, but I was wondering if anyone had any tips or suggestions for installing a small radio system for my huntcamp. FRS/GMRS doesn't hack it, as the terrain is very hilly and the area is quite large (about 100 acres). Is there any feasability towards installing a small repeater system that could run off something like a car battery and support a small (ie 6-8) number of radios?

Don't know what the FRS/GMRS rules are regarding repeaters, but this article may give you some ideas.

http://www.qsl.net/k5lxp/projects/NHRC2/NHRC2.html

You could use solar panels to keep the battery charged if you need it in place for more than a couple of days.

Comint

 

[okccsi]

cool, thanks...and the next question would be...who makes the best bang for your buck in terms of GMRS?

To be honest, you can do the best bang for your buck setup. Repeaters aree repeaters, and as such they are cost prohibitive. However, there are tons of sites that show how to setup and build one.

Check these guys out for starters:
http://www.repeater-builder.com/johnson/johnsonppl6060.html

I have seen several setups on eBay at decent prices.

OKC CSI

 

[rescuecomm]

For 100 acres, some MURS radios might do the trick and avoid the cost of a repeater system. Some good GMRS radios that have reasonable ERP rating should be able to cover the area if the terrain is not too steep. The repeater builder guys can make you a repeater out of a GE or Motorola trunkmount radio for about 500 dollars. If you can use two separate antennas, all you need is a power supply. All your GMRS radios will need to be the type that can transmit on repeater channels. Most of the department store types will not. You might want to test some Icom or Motorola public safety type walkie-talkies to check the simplex range before buying a lot of new stuff.

 

[w4rez]

Most of the department store types will not.

Is there any that do?

 

[rescuecomm]

The Motorola T7200 was advertized as a 30 channel radio with repeater capability.

 

[mn2deep]

FRS/GMRS doesn't hack it, as the terrain is very hilly and the area is quite large (about 100 acres).

What power radios are you using? What 'distance' are you talking about? What elevation changes are involved. 100 acres could be as small as .4 sq. miles or could be a 10ft wide strip that runs for 64 miles.

 

[polo_762]

The property is roughly square (equal on all four sides)....I tend not to walk with an altimeter in view, and I have no topo maps on me at present.

No idea what power the radios are....

Glad I could shed some light.... :S

 

[mn2deep]

I would try some of the higher power FRS/GMRS radios before I spent a bunch of dough on a repeater. What make/model are you using now?

 

[b7spectra]

You may wish to check with the FCC before putting up a repeater. One of the big things will be any harmful interference you may cause. Ensure your license allows you to put up a repeater where you want.

 

[polo_762]

I'm in Canada....so the CRTC I assume (still not sure a repeater is necessary)

 

[rescuecomm]

I don't think Canada allows repeaters or MURS radios. You will be limited to 2 watts in your area on the radio power. Sorry to give misimformation.

Bob

 

[AETGSA]

Hey guys,

I'm from Canada & I can confirm that using a repeater in the GMRS band is illegal here.

You are only allowed to use a GMRS radio in simplex mode.Max limit is 2W.

Unfortunatly,we could all benefit from repeater use here in Canada,with those crappy GMRS radio they sell at Canadian tire.

 

[jonny290]

FRS/GMRS radio hacked into a 12v/7AH gelcell and a used Radio Shack simplex repeater controller. Turn your house heat up for a few hours (to dry the air), put it all in a 1 gallon ziploc baggie and seal it up. Toss a length of rope over the highest, most strategic tree you can find, and pull that thing up as high as you can.

I dunno about Canadian legality but it's not a repeater technically, I don't believe. And you haven't modified the antenna or transmitter (only added on DC voltage) so you shouldn't have a problem there.

That setup should last a couple of weeks before you need to drop it down and recharge the battery.

 

[commstar]

I made a simplex repeater with the RS repeater controller and a GP300 connected to a gel cell that was trickle charged with a solar panel.

I took a Military ammo box, attached a solar panel that trickle charged the gel cell. I used a Moto GP300 and mounted an NMO mount in the lid and used a 1/4 wave uhf spike. I mounted the solar panel on flat steel off to one side of the box lid. I adapted the GP300 to BNC and connected it to the spike.

We used this at a long, narrow man-made lake to coordinate several houseboats of drunken fools in our group. I stuck the thing in the the middle of a thicket near the edge of a cliff that overlooked the middle of the lake.

One year, we used GMRS radios but the simplex repeater thing freaked out all the drunks.
The next year programmed the GP300 to act like a repeater with an input and output. We issued GP300s to everyone and that worked like charm. There is a delay but at least you do not hear everything twice. Just keep your transmissions short. It worked pretty well and never lost power.

There is a gentleman on batlabs who used a couple of Sabers and a RICK.....
http://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.php?t=34329