small and simple noob repeater questions

losangelescop · Post by **losangelescop** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 12:32 am

hi all,

basically my issue is, my friend and i use motorola portable radios to talk with each other. we are just in communication distance of each other. to hear each other clearly we both have to be out in our back yards, in a high place because of all the buildings in the way. we are using public frequencies on the UHF band. just wondering, if i built a simple repeater with a small antenna on the roof of my house, would the portable signals from both parties reach the repeater and get re-transmitted to the other persons portable?

also just looking for some simple noobs instructions to building a small repeater, by linking up 2 GM300's or 2 CDM750's, and all the materials i will need. my antenna will probably be located on a J-Pole, coming off of my roof guttering.

thanks all.

Dan562 · Post by **Dan562** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 9:34 am

The use of Repeaters & Interconnects to the telephone network are Prohibited by the Federal Communications Commission on the UHF Family Radio Service RF Frequencies. FRS radios must use only permanently-attached antennas, which restricts the range of communication but also limits interference to other users.

As an alternative, why don't you and your friend invest some of your free time to getting a Code Free Amateur Radio Technixian License. You'll be amazed after passing the written exam, being assigned Call Letters, how this will open the door to many forms of communication possibilities.

http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2004/01/19/1/

Post by **VE9MP** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 9:41 am

I think he's in Australia and referring to the "UHF CB" band they have there...

mr.syntrx · Post by **mr.syntrx** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 10:04 am

In which case, he needs a license to operate a repeater.

Robert HT220 · Post by **Robert HT220** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 11:05 am

You could always put a base station antenna at each house up about 30ft and get an adapter to hook the coax up to the radios......

Post by **escomm** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 12:45 pm

Licensing issues notwitstanding.

Short answer is probably yes.

Long answer is that it will depend on how much power the repeater is putting out, how well the antenna "sees" the other site (key factors include height above ground level and anything that obstructs the line of sight), and what kind of antenna you use.

Proper planning will go a long way to ensuring you don't build something that doesn't serve the purpose you intend.