Programming Radios for Repeater Use

[motofreak008]

I work for the city where I live. We use a plethora of Motorola radios and most work really well. The only problem is that sometimes you can't hear everyone all the time. So I would like to see about getting a repeater to use.

I have looked at a copy of the license and it allows for one 100 watt usage that was the base station that is no longer used. It is still set up, but no one uses it. The rest of the license allows for 50 45 watt units. All of the radios are set up to receive on 155.820 TX/RX with no CTCSS.

I was wondering if we were to get rid of the base station and get a repeater to use, can we still keep the same license but reprogram the radios to have different CTCSS tones on TX and RX? Or would that just create a whole lot of confusion.

I don't remember how old the license is, but they have not had it for very long. So if the city could save money by not having to get a new license, I am sure it will help to get the yes's to allow the purchase.

Any help would be appreciated.

[HLA]

you need two frequencies for a repeater but if the license is still good you should be able to get it altered easily.

[whls3]

you need two frequencies for a repeater but if the license is still good you should be able to get it altered easily.

While this is basically true, the FCC may not allow it depending on where you are(major metropolitan area vs rural). Rural has a decent chance. Where ever you are, the frequency must be coordinated, which will cost.

[firefighter13669]

You will need to modify your FCC lic.I would suggest based on your questions that if you have a radio shop that handles the sales and service for your agency that you would ask them to help you .You will need a transmit and recieve freq.The shop could set up the pl tones and then program your radios after the repeater is in place

[Jim202]

I removed a few lines ans words just to shorten up the message.

Bottom line, if you are looking to use a repeater, you will need two frequencies that are at least 600 KHz apart
to make the cost of the duplexer affordable. The duplexer allows one antenna to be used for both the TX and
RX functions. This filters one frequency from causing problems with the other and still use one antenna.

You will need to modify the base station, if it can be modified into a repeater. Otherwise you will have to
obtain a repeater already set up for duplex operation. A high powered, new base repeater will run you
from between $6000 and $15000 depending on what it is and who supplies it.

You will need to obtain frequency coordination for the two frequencies that are needed. If you use your
existing channel as the output, it will probably be easier. Cost of the frequency coordination will normally
run at least $200 for each frequency. Don't forget that you need to modify the existing license already
in hand. Unless I missed it someplace, I didn't see that you indicated that this was for a public safety
agency. Not all agencies are able to qualify for repeater operation.

Jim

I work for the city where I live. - - - -. So I would like to see about getting a repeater to use.

- - - -. The rest of the license allows for 50 45 watt units. All of the radios are set up to receive on 155.820 TX/RX with no CTCSS.

I was wondering if we were to get rid of the base station and get a repeater to use, can we still keep the same license but reprogram the radios to have different CTCSS tones on TX and RX? Or would that just create a whole lot of confusion.


Any help would be appreciated.