GMRS mobile repeater set up

[WRPL862]

I am part of a support and rescue team, we are wanting to build a few mobile repeaters so that we can place them in areas that are very difficult to get signal when doing a rescue or providing support. What would be the preferable antenna to use that would be portable and provide ample range and durability. Our repeaters are in a waterproof case with the battery and exterior connections for the accommodating solar panels. 

[LeoG]

For the most part height is might.  A telescoping antenna pole and a way to keep it upright.  You could go as simple as a 6" quarter wave mobile antenna or a higher gain base station antenna.  Usually 5 ft tall or so with a gain of more than 6dB.  The better coax you can use the more signal to the antenna you can get which would give you more range.

Placement of the antenna is the most important aspect of the range you'll get.

[WRPL862]

I have a fiberglass telescopic rod that gives me about 20 feet of height I just have to figure out what type of antenna to use for the repeater on it.

[WRUE951]

When we RV, I have a portable repeater, two Maxon's cramed into an old Ammo can. I've got a Harbor Freight Telescoping Flag Pole mounted on my rear ladder on my RV.   At the top mast I fabricated an angled plate clamped with 1.25" pipe clamps and mounted a Nagoya mobile antenna with a mini ground plane kit.  The et-up works great and at some locations i've reached over 40 miles.  We use it a Lake Crawley a lot which inspired someone to install a perminant repeater in the nearby mountain ranges. My 5th wheel is set up with solar so no worries with power..  Another guy we RV with got his hands on a Hytera RD965 compact portable repeater on Ebay real cheep..  It's a DMR repeater but works in Analog as well.  Thats a very nice setup, it has provisions for its wine battery pack.  He uses the same antenna set up i have. I stole his idea..  The Harbor Freight Telesctping flag pole is pretty decent, works well and under 100 bucks..  

[WRYZ926]

I have seen people use telescoping flag poles and some of the longer painter's poles. There are many ways to get an antenna up in the air. Get the best antenna you can that fits your needs and don't skimp on coax either. Use LMR400 or equivalent coax. The DX engineering 400Max and R & L Electronics Jet Flex400 are good LMR400 equivalents  at a lower price.

You will want a duplexer if you are planning on using just one antenna for any repeater. Otherwise you will need two antennas spaced out far enough so they don't desence each other.

The Retevis RT97 portable repeater is a good choice for portable/mobile type uses as it has a duplexer built in. The only thing one needs to add is a power source, antenna and coax. The RT97 puts out 10 watts before the duplexer and 5 watts out after the duplexer. This is enough for local comms as long as the antenna is up as high as you can get it. They can be found on Amazon for $350 or less.

[gortex2]

^^^^ What he said. Dont skimp on COAX. The RT97 and Midland repeater is ideal for your situation. Just give them 12v and walk away. If you can do 10' of coax with a good antenna the RT97 works great if you can get it in a good location. My motorhome had the RT97 with a 3' Jumper to a LAIRD 3db gain fiberglass stick. Covered the entire campground I was at on a handheld. If your only using handhelds no reason to use a bigger repeater. Its all on antenna location.