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1-8 of 8 messages
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Repeaters
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by WX7K on November 7, 2009
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I am thinking about building a repeater for emergency comms and nets for my area. Having never done this before, where is a good source of "how to" information to know what to get, how to configure it, and any other useful information? Keeping the cost low using used equiipment is a big plus.
Thanks.
Newell
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RE: Repeaters
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by K6AER on November 7, 2009
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You want to build a repeater here is what you have to do:
Find a radio suitable for narrow band operation that can handle mountain top IMD levels and strong signal overload conditions and capable of 100% operation 24/7. New commercial repeaters cost about $1500.00
Cavities will be needed. Again 6 cavity BPBR for 2 meters cost about $2300. Half the cost for a 445 MHz system.
Dont forget the dual isolator and the band pass filter for the receiver chain. Cost $1000. Most mountain top locations require them.
Commercial grade repeater antenna with 6 dB omni gain cost about $800.
Hardline and connectors, minimum cost $300 for 140 feet.
Battery and power supply system about $300.
Now you need to have a frequency pair coordination and that can take years.
You also need a mountain top or building top for the repeater. Most sites require up to $600 a month for a wide area coverage location.
A repeater controller will cost about $500. This is the cheap portion.
Surge protection will run $200.00
Dont forget the support group for the site rental cost and I might add for your considerable investment you should also have insurance.
Bottom line is you can build a repeater and it is considerable work and cost. Most repeaters stand idle and in a lot of areas there are more repeaters than hams to use them.
I have built hundreds of commercial repeaters and currently own 6 repeaters in three states.
The shorted way to obtain you goal of a repeater for a E-Com system is to partner with the owner of a low use system currently in use.
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RE: Repeaters
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by K9KJM on November 7, 2009
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Yep, A repeater system CAN cost a LOT of money (Not to mention your time involved)
On the other hand, It can be done on the cheap, Something like an old Motorola Micor from a swapfest already set up for the ham band can be had for a few hundred bucks, Used J pole type antenna and some good used Heliax, The whole thing could be done for less than 300 bucks if you take your time and shop around.
BUT you still do need the tower site. Which can range in price from free to LOTS of money, Plus maybe a requirement for commercial type insurance coverage..... So find the tower site first before you invest too much in other hardware.
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RE: Repeaters
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by N0BSS on November 8, 2009
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Not sure what world AER is in , but those costs he indicated are for a full blown commerciral repeater system (at full retail), and not very many people, commercial or other, spend that kind of money. Go to E-bay and look for repeaters. You can find complete systems (w/ duplexers) for less than $800 all day. The UHF Kenwood repeater we have on the air here in Divide, CO, was $350 and the duplexers were another $50. A local guy tuner everything up, but that should cost no more than $75. Now another way to go is to find some Motorola mobile radios that tie together with a "RICK" controller and make a nice repeater. Icom commercial radios will do the same thing. For a back-up or emergency repeater, these work fine. I'm not suggesting that these types of repeaters work well at high RF commercial sites with multiple systems all within the same building. The receiver front ends on the lower cost repeaters mighty not work well in those enviroments, but I have put many repeaters in those sites that were made from Motorola tranmitters and receivers and they worked very well for many years. The Repeater Builder site, mentioned earlier, is a good one. If you watch you dollars and buy smart, you should be able to have your EMMCOM repeater for less that $350 total. paul
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RE: Repeaters
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by N5LRZ on November 8, 2009
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DO NOT FORGET...
Your repeater will need to be coodrinated with your local area/retional Coordination Group.
THEY will assign you a frequency pair to use in setting up your repeater along with any required sub tones for access.
Remember that the FCC will side with any Coordinated Repeater and make a ruleing against your repeater should any conflicts arise. So it is important to file the proper paperwork with the Coordination Committee and get your coordination as an intergral part of setting up your repeater.
ALSO, you might want to contact the ARRL and get whatever information they needs so they next printing of the ARRL Repeater Directory.
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