[Scouting and Advice]

That's actually the camp in question. It's illegal to setup an FRS repeater but doing the 5watt GMRS base station would be a plus (FRS could hear it and they can hear the low power HT's...even if HT to HT won't reach).

 

At Camp La-No-Che we used Motorola Mag One BPR40 4 watt UHF radios programed for GMRS channels. We were not able to talk to all locations from our camp sites. They were indeed usefull however and we were able to relay messages. We did not have a base station or antnenna tower. We did have a Dad who hooked up an antenna on top of his camper (think maybe he was using a ham radio) once and he was able to reach much farther than our handhelds. 

I am not knowledgeable about the technology but can attest to many families, troops and packs using FRS and GMRS at the camp. I think a system like you described would be a HUGE benefit, especially incases of emergency.

[Scouting and Advice]

They currently have a vhf antenna on a dedicated 40' telephone pole. With cleared area 200' around.

That is the starting point unless we find something better or donated.

 

 

what are the plans for antenna structure, tower, guyed mast on building.

what types of tree and what height are they. you need to clear them.

just some things you'll have to figure out

[Scouting and Advice]

Scouts doing summer camp will get a week long radio class and earn a free tech lic.(after passing VE test) and merit badge. (They'd still have to get a radio, but following events/years they can use it at camp)

 

Gmrs, if added would be on each family to get a license and radio on their own.(camp would just provide the repeater but not push it, just an amenity)

 

 

Do not overlook licensing issues. Since most people on site will not be from the same family, you are going to need a lot of licenses. $70 isn’t much to someone who is interested in GMRS as a long term service. But, some may consider that excessive for a week’s use. Amateur licensing is an issue as well. But, the cost (for testing) is much lower and each participant will also be taking a radio class, worth something on its own.

[Scouting and Advice]

Thanks, that does bring up a good point..

We are doing 2M because we want them to earn the Ham Tech lic during summer camp and be able to use the shack radio.
What better way to encourage them and just keep them on the ham band. Maybe later do a small 2M repeater, I know we can reach one club repeater with mobile 25w units, though I doubt a 5w HT can reach it, so maybe that might be a better repeater option for the scouts. (and they can call each other across camp)
Radios as prizes are also cheaper on that band, lol.

Ken

 

I wouldn't even bother. UHF vs VHF in a dense wooded area? You'll see a huge difference if you take 2 HT's and have them both with identical specs and do a range test on both bands.
 
At all the BSA camps I've been to they've used VHF repeaters, for very good reasoning that UHF sucks in the woods. 

 

Here at the Summit for some reason we use UHF, I think it was the sales part on Motorola of how to get the most money out of us, UHF requires waaay more infrastructure to function just as well as VHF would in the woods.

 

Not to discourage you from doing it, but in my opinion, I'd say don't bother. If it's not going to be that great of a system then don't put the money or resources into it.

[Scouting and Advice]

I have a project (volunteer) of setting up a new HAM shack in one of the largest scout camps in FL, 1500 acres moderately dense forest. So I had the bright idea, if we already have to put up an antenna for 2M and HF would it be worthwhile to offer a GMRS repeater.
At least 1000 people (cubs w/families, scouts, others) are at the camp 30 weekends a year, and large events are about 2000 people once a month (and every week during summer)....what you call a captive audience, lol.

The site is 10-15 miles from the nearest GMRS repeaters (about 8 of them), and 20 miles from the nearest vhf HAM repeaters. I contacted all the repeaters in a circle around it, tallest is 200'  40 miles away, rest are all below 50' so not a chance with dense forest. Everyone agrees it's doubtful anything is in range, though I'll get a chance to try to reach them all next weekend at an event...

So the big question, is GMRS really used much to make it worth doing a repeater.
One plus is cell service is very poor in the area. I figure cell phones are what killed most radio.
I've noticed several families do have FRS radios but range is limited as you'd expect at 1/2 watt.

We're moving forward with setting up 2M (radio merit badge w/tech lic. course),
but was just thinking it might be a nice amenity to offer families that camp.

We'll prob do a survey later to see if there would be any interest.
Just worry that GMRS is dying, ham is cheaper to get and more powerful.

Advice?
Ken