Repeater Network Set-up Advice Wanted

[ON9803]

I am planning on setting up a repeater network for my Ontario Non-Profit Organization and need some help with figuring out a communications tower height to mount the antennas for it. I would like to reach a distance of 125 kilometers from the stations in all directions.

I also need help with details on how many repeaters I would require to cover the entire province of Ontario's land area. The approximate land area of the province is 1,076,000 square kilometers. As I mentioned earlier, I would like to reach a distance of 125 kilometers from the stations in all directions, so they would have to be a maximum of 115 kilometers away from another station.

Can somebody please help?

Thank you!

Peter Potvin
Director, Ontario Storm Chasers Corp.
CANWARN ID#: ON9803

 

[DotNM]

What frequency band will you be using? Is this on the amateur radio bands?

 

[ON9803]

What frequency band will you be using? Is this on the amateur radio bands?

I will be using the VHF Land Mobile frequency band, so it is not on the amateur radio bands. It will be between the 138MHz to 144MHz frequencies.

 

[buddrousa]

Are you expecting to use portables or mobiles? Just saying portables would most likely be out of the question so you should plan on mobiles.

 

[DotNM]

Are you thinking analog or digital (e.g. DMR/MotoTRBO, P25, etc.)?

I'm thinking that this will be a very expensive endeavor. I'd suggest re-evaluating the plan of putting up a single repeater. My storm chasing team uses two Canada-wide frequencies in simplex mode (no repeater) and that works for us. If you want to use a repeater, take a look at some of the service providers out there that have set up networks of repeaters that you can use, such as GoTRBO.

 

[DotNM]

I'd also suggest that your team gets their amateur radio (ham radio) licenses as well as a lot of Canwarn stuff is done via amateur radio.

 

[ON9803]

Are you thinking analog or digital (e.g. DMR/MotoTRBO, P25, etc.)?

I'm thinking that this will be a very expensive endeavor. I'd suggest re-evaluating the plan of putting up a single repeater. My storm chasing team uses two Canada-wide frequencies in simplex mode (no repeater) and that works for us. If you want to use a repeater, take a look at some of the service providers out there that have set up networks of repeaters that you can use, such as GoTRBO.

By the looks of it, GoTRBO only services parts of Ontario. I'm looking at being able to communicate with my team wherever they are from anywhere in Ontario. My team will also support municipal EMS services with providing medical care to those who may need it after a severe weather event.

Is there any companies you know of that are similar to GoTRBO but service the entire province?

 

[ON9803]

Are you thinking analog or digital (e.g. DMR/MotoTRBO, P25, etc.)?

I'm thinking that this will be a very expensive endeavor. I'd suggest re-evaluating the plan of putting up a single repeater. My storm chasing team uses two Canada-wide frequencies in simplex mode (no repeater) and that works for us. If you want to use a repeater, take a look at some of the service providers out there that have set up networks of repeaters that you can use, such as GoTRBO.

I searched for service providers that provide networks like GOTRBO and found Bell has a two-way radio service. I have contacted them and am waiting for a response.

I'd also suggest that your team gets their amateur radio (ham radio) licenses as well as a lot of Canwarn stuff is done via amateur radio.

As for this, my team would be using a scanner to listen to reports on CANWARN frequencies in the province and will call in reports (if any) via mobile phone or tweet the reports (with pictures, if any) via the twitter hashtag provided by Environment Canada.

 

[slicerwizard]

I also need help with details on how many repeaters I would require to cover the entire province of Ontario's land area. The approximate land area of the province is 1,076,000 square kilometers. As I mentioned earlier, I would like to reach a distance of 125 kilometers from the stations in all directions, so they would have to be a maximum of 115 kilometers away from another station.

So you're planning on setting up and maintaining repeaters at over 100 sites? And paying the monthly rents? When did you win the lottery?

You should network them all. Might as well dream big...

 

[nd5y]

In order to have a coverage area of 125 km radius, each repeater antenna would need to be at least 600 meters high.

 

[mikewazowski]

What you want can only be accomplished with sat phones unless you've got a few hundred million dollars to build out your own network.

 

[ON9803]

I have contacted Bell Canada requesting more information about their Two-Way Radio solution, an am now awaiting a response. Thank you to all who have provided their feedback on this topic!

Sincerely,

Peter Potvin
Director, Ontario Storm Chasers Corp.
CANWARN ID#: ON9803