WRFP457

So which type of antenna is best to take advantage of the metal roof?

I have a shed with a metal roof, but it surrounded by big oaks. I have an area that is more open but no metal roof. Which is better?

The city water system. I may have found access to a 20 story building free of charge. One of my computer network friends has a microwave tower there and they own me a BIG favor.

Thanks, it won't hurt to try, but I'll not get my hopes up. He is 4.8 k (crow flys) away with the water tower 2.8 k from me and 2.5 k from him. I sure would like to have space on that water tower for a repeater but it already looks crowded and I bet it is expensive. I have a friend that does microwave networking here, and I once installed a T1 for a TV station to run over their microwave running between Pensacola Fl and Ft Walton Beach FL, but that was as simple as plugging in a box on each end and they had deep pockets which I don't have. I may check with him to see if I can ride on one of his towers and set up a GMRS repeater. PS, just getting started with radio and was ready to test for ham, but no ham tests being given so I decided on GMRS in case the government (or China) turns off cell and internet which wouldn't be hard to do.

There is a high ridge between my home and my son's home. On top of that ridge is a big water tower that hosts cell antennas etc and is at 45 deg between our homes. Now the possibly dumb question. Since UHF is a fairly short wave, would it be possible to bounce our signals off of the water tower using directional antennas? There are no GMRS repeaters in our area.