Base Station Suggestions

[learfixer]

I have been testing out radios and antennas for the past few weeks. I have now reached the conclusion, after consulting with some experienced GMRS people, that I live in a "dead zone". I have 2 repeaters that are both roughly 40 miles from me in 2 different directions. I have no issues when I am away from my house transmitting. I want to set up a good base station and I am looking for suggestions. 40 miles may be to much of a stretch, but I figured I would at least ask. I have been looking at putting an antenna up behind my house that would be about 30 feet in the air, but it would require a long run of cable to get back to the house. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[mbrun]

Hello learfixer. Welcome to myGMRS.

 

Go to this site and enter the coordinates of the repeater and your proposed antenna.

 

https://www.scadacore.com/tools/rf-path/rf-line-of-sight/

 

Do your best to enter realistic antenna elevations as well. If it shows that there is no earth between your antenna and the repeater antenna, and your antenna is above the surrounding tree line, you have reasonable chance of hitting that repeater. I have one 50 miles away I can hit with my antenna at 56’ using just a 5 watt HT, but this is an exceptional condition. I also have a repeater 8 miles away that I cannot get in to, even at 50 watts and my high antenna. I cannot bet into the latter because the repeater antenna is so low (30-40’ AGL), is about 150’ lower in elevation than me and there is not clear line of sight (lots of earth) between us. Earth and other obstacles between your antennas are your enemy. Antenna and antenna height are more important than radio.

 

I have done all my communication experimentation with a lower power HTs connected to various external antennas and at various elevations. Focusing on what it takes to achieve good communication with lower power has been incredibly sobering and valuable. I highly recommend it.

 

Good luck with your project.

 

I have been testing out radios and antennas for the past few weeks. I have now reached the conclusion, after consulting with some experienced GMRS people, that I live in a "dead zone". I have 2 repeaters that are both roughly 40 miles from me in 2 different directions. I have no issues when I am away from my house transmitting. I want to set up a good base station and I am looking for suggestions. 40 miles may be to much of a stretch, but I figured I would at least ask. I have been looking at putting an antenna up behind my house that would be about 30 feet in the air, but it would require a long run of cable to get back to the house. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

Michael

WRHS965

KE8PLM

[wayoverthere]

I will second mbrun. If you have/can get a clear line of sight to the repeater, 40 miles is doable. I have two at 30 and 60 miles out on the hills on the either side of the valley I'm in, and I can get into both solidly, though with my antenna being in the attic takes full power to get into the far one consistently.

[gortex2]

All about antenna system. Spend the money on the antenna and feed line and you should have no issues.