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Not GMRS but still UHF radio related and I know several other members own or service licensed part 90 systems. So I thought I would share a few photos from this weekends tower site repair on my business system. Last year I added this site to my Mototrbo IP site connect system, because of costs I cut a few corners and paid the price with an under preforming site. Today's project included installing the new repeater system, replacing the antenna, upgrading from 1/2 to 7/8 feed line and swapping out the 2' standoff for a 4'. Big thanks to my climber, he braved the 29 degree temps and completed the entire project in 4 hours. Yes that's him sitting out on the end of the 4' side arm installing the new antenna. I guess the side arm is now climber tested and approved! Not even with his 50 lbs of safety gear would you catch me sitting out there at 150'. I did some testing on the 50 mile ride home and the site is no longer under preforming. It has exceeded my predictions with15 miles of portable coverage, up from 2 miles.

In urban, congested areas I monitor frequency a bit to see if I'm not stomping on somebody, then identify, than go chat, keeping it short and to the point. When done, identify again and say "frequency clear" just as a courtesy to others. In the woods I (or my family) identify then go blabber away till the the batteries drained, identifying when remember. I have yet to stumble on other GMRS user in Sierra foothills in close proximity. When talking to family the one who starts the talk speaks the callsign, and the one who is finishing the talk identifies too. Regarding specific words and meanings, the rule I go by in face-to-face, email, online forums and radio communications is: do not be an --- to others, and there is a better chance others will do the same to you.

It'd be a base or mobile station, and thus authorized 50 watts. However, I don't believe simplex repeater operation is permitted under automatic control as the definition of a repeater station mentions a requirement for simultaneous retransmission, and only repeater stations are authorized for automatic control.

I just put up a system recently at my homestead, I went with 1/2 inch hardline/heliax for a 50 foot run, N connectors, used a Comet 172EFC (I think that's the model number) just to get up and going, only 6DBd and just 40 foot up on a mast mounted on the eave of a dormer, the hardline with connectors ran me around $200-250, antenna was cheap at around $110 from Antenna Farm (I would suggest a more professional antenna though and new you are looking at $600 to $1000 for a decent antenna, I went low cost to get on the air, looking at a used AS or Phelps Dodge and tearing apart and repairing if needed for a much more long term prospect, local radio shop has a garage full of commercial duty 9-12DBi antennas they took down years ago I did invest in a Vertex 7000 repeater with duplexer, set me back around $750 tuned and delivered. So you might be able to get by at around your price point minus the antenna. Others will tell you, don't skimp on antenna (like I did) and antenna feed. Buy once, cry once as they say. I am getting 10-15 miles mobile (40 watt units with 3DB mag mounts), half that on portable with lots of ridges in my way, some spots I am doing 30+ miles mobile and 20 portable. I sit on the top of a valley over looking the metro area (about 200 feet up about 5 miles away) and do get some shadows from gullies and dips as well as some big buildings in my way. Still usable for my needs. And FUN! Kudos on putting up a repeater