***HELP*** Simplex Repeat? Also, quantity of Radios Needed!

Post by **Code3Response** » Mon May 27, 2002 8:37 am

I know, kind of an oxymoron. Anyways, Im a leader going down to Mexico with my Churchs High School youth group, and I am in charge of communications ( of course! ). They tell me that they use CB (

) for vehicle to vehicle communications... well, to say the least, and this being at church, I said NO! NO! NO!! THey have like 20 CBs in a box, and I took them home last night and tested them, and 3 out of the 20 work ok, but none produce even 75% power on an SWR meter... these are the ones from the 70's

. Anyway, Im thinking about using FRS (another

) simply because I dont have a quantity of better radios. Does anyone know of a way I can make a repeater or signal booster out of FRS radios, so I can still RX and TX on the same frequency, like FRS radios? Even better... does anyone have a quantity of Low end professional radios? (P200, GP300, P50, SP50, etc etc etc). Programming is no problem for me. They will only be used on the 8 hour drive down and 8 hour drive back, no abuse or usage while down in Mexico. They will be stored in a motorhome, and we can take prisitine care of them. I am willing to pay a rental fee from someone if I can use radios that you have. Hey... its a tax write-off

Anyway, let me know if you can be of service to me. Thanks!

PS... Id also be willing to pay shipping on them to get them here and back.

PPS... It would be about a 15 vehicle caravan on US101 going down... so We could be spread out as much as a mile... I just dont think FRS will cut it. THanks!

grenadiers · Post by **grenadiers** » Mon May 27, 2002 10:03 am

Well, If the only option that you are left with is the FRS radios (gag!!), and if the convoy is spread out over 1 to 2 mile distance, they may work. If the car in the front is trying to reach the car in the rear, you may have to have the car in the middle relay the message...

In theroy, the basic model has a max range of 1 to 3 miles. (1 watt models) the "professional" FRS radios that /\/\ is selling (as are others) have a output of 3 to 5 watts. They too should reach over the distance you are talking about.

Good luck!!

Post by **Code3Response** » Mon May 27, 2002 10:06 am

Ive always heard that FRS radios such as Talkabout are 500 mW (.5 watt), correct? Thats not gonna cut it. Hoping I can rent some low end radios from someone on this board (hint hint ) Come on guys, help me out!

Post by **Code3Response** » Mon May 27, 2002 4:32 pm

Any help???

Post by **Code3Response** » Fri May 31, 2002 4:58 pm

Does ANYONE have anything I can use? Thanks!

Monty · Post by **Monty** » Fri May 31, 2002 5:13 pm

Hi:

Well?

I hate being the bearer of bad news, but you are probably are
not want to hear the following:

1. The use of FRS radios will be hopeless unless you are
stopped and in LINE OF SIGHT to the other radios.

I have had more than one group try that, and with little
to poor results....Ok up to about 1/8 to 1/4 of a mile max while
traveling.

2. The use of [ Commerical ] Radios in Mexico without the
proper permit from the Office of Telecommunications de mexico
could mean [ All ] the radios could be confiscated by the Federales.

US Business radio licenses are not covered in mexico ( Period )

They sometimes are a bit relaxed in the Baja 500 races, but the
Radio Relay Team does infact have a Permit to operate on the
VHF Frequencies to communicate with the race cars.

One reason CB is popular, but they leave those alone
most of the time since they are not worth much anymore

Anyhow, I am affriad you may be taking a bigger risk
than you think, as with 20 VHF / UHF radios, you could
be out 4000.00 / 5000.00 if something should happen.

Monty
SD / TJ Boarder Area

Post by **Code3Response** » Fri May 31, 2002 5:20 pm

Thats why I mentioned that these radios will NOT be used in Mexico. They wont even be taken over the border. Thanks for the info... now if I could only find some radios......

Monty · Post by **Monty** » Fri May 31, 2002 5:59 pm

Hi Matt:

You can always go to the Yellow Pages, look under
Radio.

At least here in San Diego, there are about 10-15
Radio Rental business.

And they are pretty cheap, however, you are [ Fully ]
Responsible for the enitre replacement cost is miss-placed.
lost or damaged.

Most cases, about 4.00 to 6.00 per day per radio

MS

Post by **Code3Response** » Fri May 31, 2002 6:10 pm

Here.... ZERO. Thats right, ZERO. Thats why I do all my programming, stuff for friends, etc and order parts online. NOTHING for maybe 150 miles radios of me... and Im in a very populated area - San Luis Obispo County. Id probably have to go to Monterey, Bakersfield, or Santa Barbara for something. THanks for the thought, once again

Still looking everyone....

higginsrk · Post by **higginsrk** » Fri May 31, 2002 6:24 pm

In the event you can't find any rental UHF or VHF radios, you may have better luck than you think using FRS radios. As was mentioned previously, FRS is limited to 500 miliwatt output. However, I have used these for 4-5 vehicle convoys over a twelve-hour trip with very good results. It also doesn't hurt if you can get at least one 5 watt GMRS handheld (Motorola TalkAbout Distance or Distance DPS) to act as "net control" somewhere in the middle of the group. Choose one of the simplex frequencies that is common to both FRS and GMRS. Use of GMRS also allows for the use of GMRS repeaters that are common along major highways in some parts of the country. Just a suggestion.

Kirk Higgins

Post by **Code3Response** » Fri May 31, 2002 6:47 pm

Thanks Kirt! I just picked up one Talkabout DPS radio that is a 2 watt unit, and I will place that in the center of the convey acting as a RELAY as needed. Hopefully these wont be used much other than kids messing around with them

but we defineately need them just in case for directions, food stops, etc etc etc. Thanks! Ill also reserach GMRS repeaters around, but now I just realized.... FRS radios cant work with GMRS repeaters

. Anyway, Ill have my HT1550 on a GMRS freq at the front and the other can be at the back and we can communicate... or something... I have to do some figuring, LOL. Thanks!

(See how much easier a DC Mobile repeater would be?

)

601 · Post by **601** » Fri May 31, 2002 7:52 pm

I've been using a Radio Shack simplex repeater controller for a while now to cover well over 5 miles using a GP300. They're battery operated (uses 4 AA batteries) and connects to the speaker mic jack on the radio. Pretty inexpensive on ebay. Ever consider that?

Post by **Code3Response** » Fri May 31, 2002 7:59 pm

More info... what are these things? How are they used? Thanks!

601 · Post by **601** » Fri May 31, 2002 8:07 pm

Heres a link: http://www.radioshack.com/ProdSupport/D ... /50490.htm

Pretty simple straightforward operation. Talk on frequency, and it repeats, and gives you a courtesy tone (Very helpful feature). Hooks up to GP300, SP10, and P110's (I've used it on all three of these, not sure if it'll work on others. I Have a few of them if you'd like to borrow one, contact me.

Mike

Post by **Code3Response** » Fri May 31, 2002 8:15 pm

Ive read on other boards that They are discontinued now, but some radio shack stores still have them, priced at $4.97!!!! If so, Im gonna buy em all up around here and sell them on ebay, but Id like to get one and mess with. Ever tried this thing with Talkabout FRS radios? Im assuming it should work, anyway. What is the range you are getting? If I hooked this simplex repeater up to a regular radio (like a GP300, etc, then it should have a higher TX power, increasing the range... ) lol, sorry, thinking to myself. Ill have to check with the local stores and see if they have them, and then get a UHF portable, sadly I dont have one, only my UHF Ht1550 with no audio plugs like that. If no RS stores have them, Ill be in touch to borrow one from you. Thanks so much!

Oh, how long do the batteries last?

601 · Post by **601** » Fri May 31, 2002 8:27 pm

That's exactly what I Did, paid $10.00 for the unit (Batteries cost more than the unit itself, gotta love the shack!) People pay over $40 for them on ebay, as they are kind of hard to find in the stores nowadays. I don't see why it wouldn't work with a talkabout, as long as it has that type of plug. It's not a fixed plug that connects to the radio, both pins are on seperate wires. This thing isn't a power amplifier or anything like that, it's simply a digital recorder that has the capability to make the radio transmit (It has a 30 second time limit on it). Get a mag mount antenna and put it on the center vehicle, you should have no problem whatsoever. I even experimented hooking the GP300 up to an 80 watt amplifier and got incredible results as a simplex repeater! Not a bad setup for just a few users and you don't mind hearing yourself repeated over the radio

Manual says batteries last 2 months under normal use. I've been using mine for about 5 without changing them yet.

I'm also wondering why they discontinued them? Anyone know?

April · Post by **April** » Fri May 31, 2002 8:42 pm

Discontinued because of legal issues, FCC rules.

601 · Post by **601** » Fri May 31, 2002 9:30 pm

Seems like that happens a lot with RS....

a little off topic, but do you know the details of why? And what is the legality of using simplex repeaters on VHF business freqs? I've been hearing a lot of actual repeater activity in my area on VHf business freqs (especially 154.540 MHz).

Post by **Code3Response** » Sat Jun 01, 2002 6:15 pm

Hey 601... Check your PM's. There are none of those modules in my county, could I borrow/buy one of yours? Thanks!

RadioSouth · Post by **RadioSouth** » Sat Jun 01, 2002 7:54 pm

Didn't have much luck with those RS modules. Went thru (5) of them,
all intermittent and poor audio. Used them with SP-10's and U-16's.

Post by **Code3Response** » Sat Jun 01, 2002 7:56 pm

Any other suggestions RadioSouth? Thanks

HELP Simplex Repeat? Also, quantity of Radios Needed!

HELP Simplex Repeat? Also, quantity of Radios Needed!

FRS

any help

NEED HELP!!!!!!!!!

I know....

hahahh

Help

Thanks

OK

601:

Darn