Batboard

OK everyone that has been helping me in the past...

We have our system up and running. Only one problem; EMS is on VHF High-Band and PD is on 800mHz Type II. My question now is, with our two respective systems, isn't there a way to do a cross-band repeater where one of our channels on the VHF radios will talk to them on their 800 system and same for them? Let me know what all we need. Is this a more expensive way to do it or is it better just to have to carry 2 radios when you're on that sort of call? Thanks!

Dereck Pristas, EMT-B
Chief
Wright State University
Emergency Medical Services
[email protected]

There are at least a couple of ways to do this.

First is a cross band repeater - sometimes called a linker - that consists of on radio that talks to each system.

Second would be a control station radio that talks to the VHF system and is connected to the Central Electronics of the 800 system. The control station can be cross connected through the console system to whatever talkgroup is required. This can be done on the fly as needed or can be programmed as a permanent 'hard patch'.

The advantage of the console connected configuration vs. the 'linker' is faster response and the fact that when there is traffic on the VHF side no channel will be assigned on the 800 side unless there are units affiliated, thereby conserving channel resources.

A variation of the console connected method would be a direct [e.g. wire line] connection from the Central electronics to the VHF repeater instead of a control station, saving the cost of a control station and optimizing response time.

The 800 system administrator and/or maintenance organization need to be involved to select the optimum configuration for their system.

Ask "Will" If He Can Help You By Using Two Radios And
An Extender?

Good luck on "Will" I have been asking about one of his modules for months now with no reply....EVER!

Here is a product that goes beyond a simple linker or RICK.

This should be just the ticket for public safety applications.

http://www.linkcomm.com/security.html

firemanbatt wrote:Good luck on "Will" I have been asking about one of his modules for months now with no reply....EVER!

He wasn't selling them for a while but has been selling them recently. Try messaging him again or better yet emailing him.

Anyone know what the minimum license requirement is to operate a VHF amatuer radio repeater? Do you have proof?

chipjumper wrote:Anyone know what the minimum license requirement is to operate a VHF amatuer radio repeater? Do you have proof?

Your tech license and approval from your local ham coordination group if there is one. That's it!

The Mobexcom unit by Futurecom is excellent for this purpose as well. It integrates directly with a W4 Spectra or MCS2000 Model III. We have a couple of the units in service, they work great. Their website's a bit of a pain, best veiwed with a high-speed connection. Here's an excerpt from their website:

Provides extended portable radio coverage.
Ready for In-Band or Cross-Band applications.
Operates in VHF/UHF/800 bands (25 or 12.5 kHz channel spacing).
Fully synthesized operation.
Field programmable, up to 64 channels.
Full duplex operation.
Simplex mobile extender version also available.
Supports major Trunking and Conventional Systems.
Field (flash) upgradeable.
Application specific customization available.
Mobile, System, and Local mode of operation.
Seamless interface to a mobile radio through the control head bus.
Local control from a mobile radio control head.
Remotely controlled by a dispatcher.
Remotely controlled by a portable user.
Supports trunking queue tones.
Supports trunking group calls.
Supports trunking individual calls.
Supports emergency calls.
Futurecom’s Mobexcom II radio is designed to be physically linked to a mobile radio, thus providing a vehicular repeater communications interface between potentially far ranging portables and a central dispatch station. The repeater’s mode of operation is selected by:

mobile radio operator from the control head

portable radio operator via DTMF signaling

dispatcher via digital or tone signaling

Todd