gortex2

I built a VHF one for our local SAR team in a small pelican box. We utilized 2 ICOM portables that we had with battery eliminators. 20 W duplexor from ebay and a 7AH gel battery. We use the repeater for standby events and other uses. Only issue we have had is heat. We now leave the lid open some if we cannot get it in the shade. I wanted to find some data type radios just to make it even more error proof. Right now they need to turn on both radios and controller, hence errors happen. The data radio idea is flip a switch and leave. Keep us posted on the outcome. I was thinking a similar project for when i go camping in an ammo can.

No idea but just sent the check to the FCC to renew this week....

Awesome picture....looks about identical to my pile behind my barn. I think i have antenna's from 30MHZ all the way to 900MZ and at least 2 towers laying in the pile ! Of course mine is currently burried in the snow !

If you want an antenna to last a lifetime spend a bit more and buy a DB404. I run these on all my repeaters and have yet to have an issue including when they are iced over or not. I also use one as a portable antenna on my mobile repeater and being all aluminum holds up better than any fiberglass stick i have ever tried.

There is a few controllers that came as options with the 1225. The basic internal controller is the best i have found. I have mine set for ID only and they work fine. There was a Zetron controller that many added to give phone interconnect and other features. Personally unless you need a special feature stick with the basic programming. Using the internal controller is the best. To change to an external controller you need to reprogram it for external control.

I would track down the land owner and talk to him. We have done this for Search and Rescue events and 99% of the time they are fine with it. Most of our stuff is temporary for a few days but never really discussed a permanent site.

I highly recommend you DO NOT use LMR400 for a repeater. Get some hard line. There are lots of info out there on the issues with LMR400 on duplex operations. I have tried it a few times with mixed results.

Spend the money on the mobile duplexer and you should be fine. I have mine tuned to the middle frequency and can go up and down without much degradation. There is some but 99% of the time i am in the middle. The only time i had to go to the bottom of the list was at a NASCAR race and i was only using low power anyway.

Guess it depends on how you set it up. I have a live feed for SAR in my area. The scanner does scan some GMRS channels as we use them...I am guessing a single live feed of a repeater is not gonna happen, but so far mine have been fine.

Cool news to hear...wish there were more REACT teams around. Dont think there are any in NY any longer...

What are you using to link the repeaters ? I have 4 repeaters in multiple counties and would like to look into this.