Looking to purchase a GMRS repeater

[WRBL848]

Hey guys,

 

I am thinking about purchasing and installing a GMRS repeater, specifically for my own use in order to reach the rest of my family who live in the San Fernando Valley. I live in Santa Clarita. Has anyone ever purchased their own GMRS repeater and installed at home? If so, any brand names to recommend? How difficult is it? Any advise would be great. Thanks.

WRBL848

 

[OffRoaderX]

17 minutes ago, WRBL848 said:

Has anyone ever purchased their own GMRS repeater and installed at home?

Yes - i got a used VXR7000 which is a very capable UHF repeater capable of also working on GMRS.  But because of its age programming it is a bit of a challenge.  There are other good used options but whatever you end up with remember that you will need a duplexer - One is built-in on most (not all) VXR7000's, but you will have it tuned to whatever specific frequency you end up using.  "some people" will try to tell you that you can "tune it yourself with the right tools" - they should be ignored because they dont realize that if you are asking this question, you do not have the tools, nor are you likely able to learn how to correctly use them anytime soon.

You may also consider the new BTech 50W repeater - even though the one I bought failed within 10 minutes, I hear they work better now and no longer stop working right out of the box. It is a much more simple, but also very limited .. and expensive option.

You will also need a GMRS capable antenna - I went with the Tram1486 because it does not look like a space-station antenna..  and do not skimp on the coax.  "some people" will tell you that you must use "hardline" or other very VERY expensive coax, but they should  be ignored. as long as your coax run will be less than 100feet or so, LMR400 (or similar) will work just fine... also be aware that 'some people' will proclaim that "LMR will not work on a repeater" - They should be ignored.   and dont forget that "some people" will also declare that LMR400 coax will not work because after 10 years water will get inside and degrade it. They should be ignored, mostly because where you and I live, the constant rain and/or snow/freeze/thaws are not an issue.

Basically, be wary of "some people" that love spending other people's money when they no skin in the game and suffer zero consequences when a poor choice is made.

[WRBL848]

Thanks. That's all good info. 

 

Another stupid question. Is a repeater used only between two distances to increase the range? Or is it also used to increase the range from the original signal orientation location? Meaning, if I install a repeater at my house on the roof, does it drastically increase the range in general or is it mainly used at a midway point as a jump off location to increase distance. Don't know if that makes sense.

 

[OffRoaderX]

6 minutes ago, WRBL848 said:

Another stupid question

I found this totally random video on Youtube that explains when/why to use (or not use) a repeater - it explains it way better than i ever could:

 

[WRXB215]

Those rolled eyes look strangely familiar but I don't recognize the hair. 

[WRTC928]

18 hours ago, WRBL848 said:

Another stupid question. Is a repeater used only between two distances to increase the range? Or is it also used to increase the range from the original signal orientation location? Meaning, if I install a repeater at my house on the roof, does it drastically increase the range in general or is it mainly used at a midway point as a jump off location to increase distance. Don't know if that makes sense.

 

If I understand your question, a repeater is typically used to establish communication between two HTs or mobile radios when the distance or obstructions prevent communicating by simplex. Yes, if it's properly installed, it will increase the range of your HT simply by virtue of the fact that it has a taller and better antenna and more power. However, that will only work on the one channel for which the repeater is programmed and only to another radio which is programmed to that frequency pair and CTCSS/DTCS codes, if any. 

[LeoG]

I did this for myself.  Used the BTECH 50w, 50' LMR400 with a 7.2dBi gain antenna about 40' up.  I have it at my shop so I can contact my wife at home with an HT.  My house is near the river, AKA in a hole.  I have my antenna on the house about 40' up and it has LOS without not counting the trees in the way.

The duplexer didn't exactly fail on the 1st one but they replaced it because of my complaints and the reception of the new duplexer is substantially better than the original.

The BTECH seems to be operating well.  I don't care for the way it reacts on digital tones, on analog ones it's perfect.  They haven't got the morse code setting the way you would think it should work, every 15 minutes while the repeater is busy and quiet otherwise.

Best thing about having the repeater at the shop (your home) is you get to have free range with an HT in the house or yard/neighborhood.  I travel about a 5 mile circle and can still hit my shop.  But I live in an area that is very hilly so unless the antenna is up 150'+ some areas will always be a challenge.

If you are up high and contacting your family in a valley then it should work much better.