Surecomm Repeater

[RadioOps1]

Does anyone know how far a mcbazel surecom sr-628 cross band duplex repeater controller transmit?

[LeoG]

Zero feet.

 

It's just a controller and has no transmit or receive capabilities.  You need to connect them to two separate walkie talkies which look like they use their own antennas for tx/rx

I'm sure you could put the antenna connections into a duplexer to use one antenna.

 

[RadioOps1]

So, basically the distance the radios transmit, correct?

[SteveShannon]

Just now, RadioOps1 said:

So, basically the distance the radios transmit, correct?

Yes

[RadioOps1]

Thank you

[LeoG]

Actually height of the antennas and openness and flatness of the terrain will determine the tx/rx distance more than the radios connected.  Flat open desert with 5 watts will get you 10-20 miles maybe more.  50 watts in a hilly area with trees may get you 5 miles, could be less.

I'm in a valley.  North and south get me 40 ish miles.  East and west have a small mountain range and limit my distance to about 5 miles.

[RadioOps1]

 What if I added a BTECH AMP-U25 Amplifier | 20-40W Power Boost for UHF 400-480MHz. Would that help. Antenna will be approximately 25ft. up.

Using 2 Radioddity GM-30 handhelds.

[SteveShannon]

39 minutes ago, RadioOps1 said:

Thank you

Actually, you might even consider that the repeater may extend your range by the distance it will receive plus the distance it will transmit. 
Of course LeoG is right that the antenna and topology have a great effect, but I think you already considered those effects when you said “the distance the radios transmit.”

[SteveShannon]

2 minutes ago, RadioOps1 said:

 What if I added a BTECH AMP-U25 Amplifier | 20-40W Power Boost for UHF 400-480MHz. Would that help. Antenna will be approximately 25ft. up.

Using 2 Radioddity GM-30 handhelds.

Less than you might think. Plus that does nothing to extend your receive range. The limit on GMRS range is almost never due strictly to power, but relies on the factors LeoG mentioned.

[LeoG]

Yes, if you are max distance south from the repeater and the person receiving is max north of the repeater you can double the distance of simplex as Steve described.

[gortex2]

Youd have more success spening a bit more and buying a real repeater. The RT97 is +/- $350 and already has duplexer and other parts tied in that you will need. 

 

[WRXB215]

1 hour ago, gortex2 said:

Youd have more success spening a bit more and buying a real repeater. The RT97 is +/- $350 and already has duplexer and other parts tied in that you will need.

This ^^^^

Not to mention the desense problem when trying to use two HTs to build a repeater.

[WRYZ926]

That Surecom setup might be great for instant emergency use. But the Retevis or Midland low power repeaters will be a lot better solution for normal use.

Others have already mentioned everything I would say.

When it comes to power output, you really have to quadruple the power output to even notice any changes. And with UHF being ling of sight, it won't make much difference at since we are limited to 50 watts on GMRS.

The Retevis and Midland  repeaters are a good solution for those on a tight budget or want a small portable repeater setup. Remember that good low loss coax and a good antenna is very important. My antenna setup at home is a Comet CA-712EFC antenna about 18 feet above ground with LMR400 coax connecting it to the radio. I don't notice hardly any difference when using my 20 watt Wouxun KG-XS20G versus using my 50 watt Wouxun KG-1000G. This is when using the repeater 22 miles away or talking to my brother on simplex that is 18 miles away. The most important thing is good coax and antenna along with a clear line of sight.

[SteveShannon]

3 hours ago, gortex2 said:

Youd have more success spening a bit more and buying a real repeater. The RT97 is +/- $350 and already has duplexer and other parts tied in that you will need. 

 

This!  I agree wholeheartedly.
I’ve gotten to the point where I stop telling people this because for many of them they start by saying they already bought the radios they intended to use.