WQWI871 Posted July 11, 2017 Report Share Posted July 11, 2017 So, I seem to be having issues with any repeaters more than seven or nine miles away. I'm using a 9' vertical fiberglass omni on about a 33' mast, and, my TYT TH9800. I reach local repeaters just fine on low, but, I tried to reach a repeater today to check into the net, It's the alternate repeater as the local one was down. It's about 15 miles away. I was pushing 50w and couldn't reach it first. The signal was detected by the control, but, couldn't hear. I was able to reach it barely, but, enough for them to copy what I said the second time. Most of the regular check-ins and net controls know my setup and thinks It's odd that I've been having issues reaching repeaters that distance. I know my equipment is pretty much entry level, I can't afford an antenna over $100 and a base or mobile over $500, but, I still thought that was odd. Any ideas? My meter shows power and SWR is okay. Echolink is nice, but, not all repeaters have that mode. I know various factors such as weather and terrain play a part, as well. However, as I said, most regular check-ins know my setup and terrain, and, they think It's odd. A side note, any free coverage maps for amateur repeaters similar to RF Finder? (It's not free) Okay, I found k5ehx.net. And I didn't notice until now that Repeater Book does that. I generally use the app, so, didn't know. Well, some repeaters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mainehazmt Posted August 1, 2017 Report Share Posted August 1, 2017 If money is tight you can always build an antenna cheap. As far as the radio I have the same one and hit a few repeaters 3 times that distance. But that is also where repeaters a high enough As far as your setup I'd suggest getting a service meter and checking itSomething isn't right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WQWI871 Posted August 1, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2017 I forgot to update that. I was able to reach a couple repeaters 26.5 miles and one repeater 95 miles, but, those all have very wide coverage. Although some repeater that are about 20 miles away don't have wide coverage, I thought I should still be able to reach it for transmit. One repeater I can hear fine with no noise, but, can't reach for transmit. I considered making something simple such as a j pole, slim jim, coax slim jim, or a vertical ground, but, I didn't think performance would be much difference than what I'm using. At least specifications I see are about the same. I thought it could be the height of the antenna with terrain. There's still trees and obstructions around at that height and higher, the terrain is pretty flat. What's a service meter? Sorry, I'm only familiar with swr, power and analyzers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Logan5 Posted August 1, 2017 Report Share Posted August 1, 2017 If you have ever sweat coper pipe, there a couple good J-pole designs, easy to build and good learning project. mainehazmt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Logan5 Posted August 1, 2017 Report Share Posted August 1, 2017 Get that antenna up as high as you can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WQWI871 Posted August 1, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2017 I wanted to do about 40 or 50 feet minimum, but, that didn't work out well. I was in doubt that my current 27-30 feet mast was high enough, but, as seeing some operators reach good distances with ground antennas or antennas mounted just on the rooftop, I was hoping my mast height wasn't so bad. It's a bit difficult going higher with my mast as my mast is made of multiple segments rather than one piece, the more I add on to it, the more unstable it will be. And I can't afford a proper mast or tower. I have seen a few reasonable priced masts used, but, I would have to pickup, which are not very local, and, I don't have the means of transporting that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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