WRVD377
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Posts posted by WRVD377
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49 minutes ago, wayoverthere said:
I was able to locate the relevant posts, which mention leaving a comment or dropping an email to (n1usa at ARRL dot net).
Hello wayoverthere,
I must have missed the comment. I see what they said, I don't want something that might need fixed. I rather pay retail new and be mad if it is not good than to know it may not be good and pay more in time and cost. Oddly I wrote two MFG's Midland and Retevis and asked them why they don't offer higher power repeaters (later) or a repeater at all the (first) since they both target recreational people. I actually got a reply from both. Midland said they would pass it along. Retevis asked me for use cases, then told me to watch for web site updates as they have some items in the works.
thanks for finding that,
Royce
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On 12/17/2022 at 9:26 PM, Bande1 said:
I cant recommend enough an air cannon. This little $40 project changed everything. First shot, first try got my line 100ft over the exact branch I was aiming for. antenna at about 80'-85' vs 25'-35' is a massive difference.
Years ago, I built one of those less the fishing gear. No large trees in my yard anymore. So I am out except what I can do here.
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On 12/16/2022 at 12:15 PM, gortex2 said:
More power isn't going to increase gain for the most part. If you only have a 4 watt portable just changing the repeater to a 25 watt from 5 watt isn't going t increase range.
Thanks for the facts, as I have proved that with 5w handhelds. (1.3 miles max) It was wishful thinking on range. But I bet I can have a more stable continuous duty repeater that can handle more traffic than a Retevis RT97 (Simple and super easy to make work, does not broadcast ID). It is pretty simple no special features or functions like the Bridgecom. I have 2 handhelds @ 5W 4.79w, Mobile 15W and 50W. 6db midland antenna. I was wishful in the 15 - 50 watt, to 40watt (20w likely after duplexer) repeater to gain range verses 10W (5W) test box. Repeater antenna Opek UH-2401, 6.5dB gain.
At this point it is for fun now to see my limits at my $$ willing to spend as altitude is a no go for me mostly.
Great to see others knowledge!
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On 12/16/2022 at 6:42 AM, WRTZ750 said:
Good to make it to your repeater from the ice cream shop this past Tuesday. I've tried to gain access to the local water tower where I live but at $1000/month that isn't happening. Thanks for granting me permission on your repeater and I'll try you again some weekend when in your area
No problem WRTZ750! And thanks for the knowledge you checked into, that is far out of my range of $ also. I will put in a continuous duty repeater from Bridgecom since I don't have the time to learn all the other buy this that and this "then program this that and this" to get some area coverage and I think I will just make it public at that point. Maybe later I'll work on seeing if our area can find someone or some place with some altitude and other hardware.
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On 12/13/2022 at 9:27 PM, Fernleaf said:
I’ll be interested in seeing what you find out.
I may just stick to making a home base again instead of using a repeater. Unless someone out there in GMRS land can let me know if the repeater increases coverage... Is think it best if there was a lot of traffic, not necessarily for range.
But I’m no expert at this stuff... yet.
Repeater, even my tiny 5W one with 20-25' Antenna does extend range if you want end to end range. So, like my example a few pages back. My handhelds, 1.3 miles without. 2.6 apart with repeater, small town hills two sides. Then mobile to handheld 2 miles, bounce off the repeater 15w mobile 4 miles and handheld can be 1.3 opposite direction, about 5.3. The question is how far you want to talk to others you know or want on your repeater. I have not tested my 50W mobile except once, 4 miles to repeater in a valley, mobile on a hill behind trees and buildings. Seems like 5W repeater is limit out at 4 miles in a valley @ 20ish agl in town, 200' hill between them plus trees, per google earth pro. So in my case it is how far can I reach around the home to include people using handhelds. I still don't have alot of traffic, only 4 requests to test on my test repeater. I am no expert either. From my results, Sshannon sure is correct. I need more height. Next, I will test more power on a repeater since elevation is not a possible option except 4 - 5 feet, likely less then a mile gain.
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On 12/11/2022 at 10:02 AM, Sshannon said:
Great example! Thanks!
I wish I could have 25' AGL on the hill north of me in my map I would get 100+ more altitude. But I can't today. I may get 4 - 5 ' on my mast and go from 5W to 40W on a repeater, that will be the best I can do for now. Interestingly I have had 4 peeps ask to test on my local test repeater already thanks to the mygmrs site. Can anyone point me to any data about setting up a local club, do's / don'ts is it as simple as paying here and I don't have to deal with taxes? Do I need to do other things I am completely new to this.?
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On 12/9/2022 at 2:15 PM, Fernleaf said:
If you have the KG-1000G radios, it’s not cheaper than buying the Retivis repeater, but at least these are 50 watt machines. For your family use, they probably do fine. I’m going to set them up to extend the range in my area as OffRoaderX did and run a test for range as well. Since it won’t be used 24/7, I won’t have to worry about duty cycle and overheating.
It will be interesting to see what you come up with.
Hello FernLeaf,
I watched videos of two of those. Looks simple enough. However, I think I will buy the Bridgecom device. I have not read bad stuff about them except a few.
I did test my 15 Watt 275 in my truck and could trigger the Retevis (5W) repeater from 3.8 miles flat area with trees. Up on the nearest hill North 2.3 miles. So power and elevation both seem to make a difference even in a valley. I'll have to see how far away my 50W MXT500 can still trigger the tiny repeater.
I can make the mast a few feet higher also, just seeing how far I can cover around the house so if I let the kids roam they could still reach me without a cell phone.
It is now for a little fun for me.
Thank you!
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Well I am glad to read all of this. Had I read this all first rather than all the web videos I may not have bought a mobile repeater. (Retevis 97) 5W real power, VSWR 1.00 - 1 and Opek 2401 "GMRS" only 25' max AGL, 30' cable run. All I gained was end to end distance meaning 5 watt handheld to moving 5 watt handheld, if in two vehicles simplex was a no go over 1 ish miles in town. repeater made it 2.6 end to end. I also gained 1.3 miles up a hill. Using google earth pro with as the bird flys and topo over map showing ground height point to point. I kind of learned this with my Midland mxt500 to a Midland mxt 105 5 watt mobile 5 miles max with hills no repeaters. After all my google earth pro messing around I learned that my valley, my friend's valley 30 miles away and the hills between made this undoable. So I am testing with the portable for local area, plan a $2K higher power repeater (40W) to expand that slightly from 2 to hopefully 5 miles excluding hills. Upside, I may take the mobile to friends farm area on a hill to help cover wider area as a fixed temp repeater with solar power.
Google earth pro if used right will show you where you will fail if you are a newby. Clearly I cannot put up a tower high enough to talk to my friend, unless I find someone willing to put a repeater up at a specific area.
Otherwise, I just wish to make a range for my kids.
Royce
You just got your GMRS license, now you want your own repeater?
in General Discussion
Posted
To be specific she said a 40w analog repeater, can't say when, but watch for it.