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Showing content with the highest reputation on 01/31/15 in all areas

  1. zap

    Linking

    You can. There's nothing that says you can't in the current revision of the rules, most today are primarily focusing on internet linking though. In this case, it sounds like a good old fashioned (still see it occasionally today) RF link would be the best option. To sum up the Repeater Builder site on RF linking, there are 3 basic types of links. Point to point (simplex), half-duplex (shotgunning), and full duplex (link repeaters). In a point to point link, repeaters are linked through a link radio on each repeater. The radios run simplex (often with split PL/DPLs). When on repeater is keyed, it keys the link radio which sends a PL/DPL that only the other link radio receives, keying that repeater transmitter. The downfall to a point to point system, it can't be expanded to any more than two repeaters and it's questionable for use on GMRS the way the rules are currently laid out. Next is shotgunning where a link radio simply transmits on the input/output of the next repeater. You start out with a "hub" which is just a basic repeater. The next repeater's link radio transmits on the hub's input and listens to it's output. You continue like this down the line (wouldn't recommend it for more than about 2 or 3 hops). The finial link setup is a full duplex system. Basically it's another repeater…just for linking. Every site consists of a local repeater and a link repeater. The link repeaters run at 100% duty. They use PL detect to keep from keying the local repeaters. The benefit to the first and last setups, they are band independent. You could use a common link band (say 900 MHz, 420 MHz, 220 MHz, etc) for all of the link radios where the shotgunned link radios have to be on whatever band the next repeater down the line towards the hub is. However, shotgunned is the most applicable method in terms of staying within the confines of the rules in Part 95A. So, you generally need a controller that will handle links such as the NHRC 3.1, NHRC 4 and up, Electra 2000, RC2103, etc. so you can turn the link on and off, a link radio (1-5W with a yagi antenna is generally plenty), and a repeater. It is important to take into consideration power consumption (may want to make the off-grid repeater the hub), and the fact you will need separation between the repeater's antenna and the link radio's antenna. The Repeater Builder site has a good page about off-grid repeaters. It's a good read if you haven't read it yet. http://www.repeater-builder.com/tech-info/solar-power-thoughts.html
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