Want to use two portables as a temporary repeater

[Wicho]

I was a bit torn between posting this here or the infrastucture section, so mods, please move it if I've posted in the wrong forum.

I'll preface this with an "I know, bad idea and I know the whys", but...short of hauling heavier equipment (which I don't want to do since it will be in a backpack), is there a way to link two portables and use them as a low power, very short term repeater? I've searched the board but can't find a solid answer on how to do it, if it is possible.

I know BK sells kits for their HT's to do this, but being the frugal person (okay, cheap bastard) that I am...how about using two Jedis? How would one go about building a cable and programming the radios?

All input is appreciated. Thanks!

[wavetar]

I don't often refer users to another website, but I recalled this thread on radioreference from a few years back:

http://www.radioreference.com/forums/sh ... .php?t=358

It contains some good tips on connecting two portables to make a repeater, some by yours truely.

Also, do a search here with "repeater" as the key word, and "ricciticcitembo" as the author. He made several posts about his Saber repeater system, amongst others. Lots of good info in those.


Todd

[Wicho]

Great info - thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

[Jay]

you might also want to contact these guys.

http://members.aol.com/w8ak/

Glenn (who's callsign escapes me) works for the local Motorola shop in town and has been selling portable repeaters built from GP300s for the last several years at Dayton. They don't have any details about it on the site but I can assure you that he makes quality stuff.

Jay

[Jim202]

Once you overcome the control and timer issue, you next big pain in the back will be
how to prevent the radios from de-sensing each other. I didn't see where you gave
us any frequency info. So in general terms, you will probably need to keep the channels
as far apart as possible. This will reduce the size of any duplexer that may be required
to make the TX and RX play together without swamping out the receiver front end.

You should use double shielded coax cables. However with the use of portables, you
will get high leakage through the plastic cases. This might even force you to put
each portable into a metal case to limit this problem. There have been a number of
portable systems thrown together over the years. Just make sure you use good
engineering practices.

Jim

I was a bit torn between posting this here or the infrastucture section, so mods, please move it if I've posted in the wrong forum.

I'll preface this with an "I know, bad idea and I know the whys", but...short of hauling heavier equipment (which I don't want to do since it will be in a backpack), is there a way to link two portables and use them as a low power, very short term repeater? I've searched the board but can't find a solid answer on how to do it, if it is possible.

I know BK sells kits for their HT's to do this, but being the frugal person (okay, cheap bastard) that I am...how about using two Jedis? How would one go about building a cable and programming the radios?

All input is appreciated. Thanks!

[otter9309]

Let me know if you pull this off, I have been wanting to do the same thing with a XTS5K (VHF) & M/A-com Jaguar (800).


Steve

[Wicho]

Thanks to everyone for their input - I'll keep you posted on my progress.

This will be my project for the upcoming weekend.

[Wowbagger]

Since you didn't give your use-case for this, I cannot know if this would work for you, but have you considered a simplex repeater?

You use an audio recorder chip to record a transmission. At the end of the transmission, you have the chip go into playback and key the radio. Thus, you have a "repeater" in that it will repeat a signal, but you need only one radio, and no duplexers.

[wavetar]

Since you didn't give your use-case for this, I cannot know if this would work for you, but have you considered a simplex repeater?

You use an audio recorder chip to record a transmission. At the end of the transmission, you have the chip go into playback and key the radio. Thus, you have a "repeater" in that it will repeat a signal, but you need only one radio, and no duplexers.

Yeah, Zetron used to offer the "Model 19 Simplexor" to do just this, but it hasn't been available in several years. Too bad, it was a nice unit.

Todd

[otter9309]

I am needing "on the fly" cross banding for short periods of time.

[RESCUE161]

ricciticcitembo made one out of two Sabers. He had it doing 100% full duty cycle with no problems. It was highly modified though.