Garmin Rhino 755T and repeater

[chrissondra13]

Hey all!  My name is Chris and I am VERY new to GMRS radios and communications.  I bought a couple of Rhino 755T units to use on our property in the Ozark mountains in Arkansas.  Point to point the farthest points on our land in 1.1 miles. That is mountain top to mountain top with smaller hills and valley in between.  We could still communicate from side of one mountain to about 1/2 mile in the valley before we lost communications.  What would be my best option for a repeater to get better coverage on our property.  We are off grid at the moment, in the future we plan to have a cabin and electricity and can have a more permanent solution. Do they make  a strictly solar option that would be portable? I would be up for building a tower with a solar option? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Chris! 

[SkylinesSuck]

There's a small 5w repeater by Retevis I believe that seems like it would suit your needs perfectly.  As far as solar goes, I don't know of any integrated radio/solar setup, but a generic home brew solar array for that would be pretty easy and relatively cheap.  

[chrissondra13]

Thanks! I will check it out!

 

[mbrun]

Hey all!  My name is Chris and I am VERY new to GMRS radios and communications.  I bought a couple of Rhino 755T units to use on our property in the Ozark mountains in Arkansas.  Point to point the farthest points on our land in 1.1 miles. That is mountain top to mountain top with smaller hills and valley in between.  We could still communicate from side of one mountain to about 1/2 mile in the valley before we lost communications.  What would be my best option for a repeater to get better coverage on our property.  We are off grid at the moment, in the future we plan to have a cabin and electricity and can have a more permanent solution. Do they make  a strictly solar option that would be portable? I would be up for building a tower with a solar option? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Chris! 

Welcome to myGMRS Chris!

The Rhino radios are simplex radios, which means they are designed to communicate directly with each other using a single shared frequency. They are not designed to work with the aid of a full-duplex repeater which uses two frequencies and is so common in GMRS. So, you will need repeater capable radios, something like the Wouxun KG-805G or KG-905G, if you wish to use a repeater.

The Retevis repeater sold here on the myGMRS site is a cost-effective portable solution that may be beneficial to you for your needs. It can be powered from an deep cycle marine, AGM or gel cell type battery among other 12v power sources. Batteries can be charged and maintained with a solar panel and charge controller. Some solar panels are available now that can be rolled up for transportation much like a roll of wrapping paper. Others are rigid or foldable panels. Lots of options on the market. You will always need a battery when using solar so radio works when it is cloudy and at night. The battery needs to be of sufficient capacity to operate your radio for what every duration you need it to in the absence of good sun. Your panel needs to be sufficiently sized to recharge the battery with available sunlight.

GMRS radios are considered line-of-sight radios. Basically, if the two antennas can see each other, it is almost guaranteed the connected radios can communicate. Put obstacles between them and the range will reduce, in most cases quite dramatically. Antenna height is king in the GMRS world. The higher you get your antenna the better your chances of communication since higher generally means fewer obstacles. When using hand-held portable radios in conjunction with a repeater and antenna mounted high you can be assured of greater distances.

I live in an area that is 60% trees and only slightly rolling. With an antenna at 56’ at home, I can communicate reliably to and from an HT out about 2-3 miles, and to a mobile radio out 4-8 miles. From the base radio I can communicate through repeaters that have much antennas at much higher elevations than I out to about 18-50 miles. The higher the repeater antenna, the better I can hit it.

Hope this helps. Again, Welcome.


Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

[chrissondra13]

Thanks Michael,

So are there no options for boosting the signal with the Garmins? 

[mbrun]

No. The Rhinos as I understand them have fixed antennas which means no options for a better onboard or even an alternate external antenna.


Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

[JLeikhim]

17 hours ago, chrissondra13 said:

Thanks Michael,

So are there no options for boosting the signal with the Garmins? 

Chris; There IS one option. Set up a simplex repeater using an Argent Data Systems ADS-SR1 connected to a third radio installed at a high location on your property. It will "Parrot" the messages which might be annoying, but can improve coverage. I suggest an FRS radio equipped with solar power to supply both the radio and the ADS-SR1.  You want as much height as possible.

[PB30X]

No. The Rhinos as I understand them have fixed antennas which means no options for a better onboard or even an alternate external antenna.


Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

Chris, I own RINO 755t’s also to including the older 400 series as to which are not readily available to analyze and confirm models but DO INFACT work on repeater systems providing the “repeater is the same tone in, and tone out. I can verify this as we used them for hunting, fishing, and especially hiking. The 755t is the newest and most current and rugged radios of the Rino family. Again Repeater Input, and output must be identical on the repeater side. However the peer to peer does not function on repeater channels.

[mbrun]

Chris, I own RINO 755t’s also to including the older 400 series as to which are not readily available to analyze and confirm models but DO INFACT work on repeater systems providing the “repeater is the same tone in, and tone out. I can verify this as we used them for hunting, fishing, and especially hiking. The 755t is the newest and most current and rugged radios of the Rino family. Again Repeater Input, and output must be identical on the repeater side. However the peer to peer does not function on repeater channels.

I stand corrected. I pulled the manual for the radio and see that now. Thank you.


Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM