I bought my repeaters, & only had to hook up my solar panels - my video cams are also powered by solar power - I had to create a Mesh system for my web, & cell phones - nothing brings creativity like being off grid - thank you for this vid👍
Excellent video, and Kudos to your thoughtful and professional design. I have downloaded your parts list and will return to review some of your other projects.
nice ,I am working on a similar repeater GMRS . using bigger 50 cal metal ammo can. using the upgraded RT-97 has speaker mic jack. going to use for repeater ID voice etc. LiFePO4 battery with MPPT controller. I put master battery disconnect switch on mine,as a switch for repeater power.I put pink foam insulation from home depot around battery and a 32F thermal switch to stop charging in cold. working on heater circuit now. I am in NY may be using in cold days .
Really enjoy your videos and detail! I appreciate that you share the build info to help people like me that are like-minded! I used your solar generator build videos and documents to make a smaller one of my own.
Very nice project. I thought about building something identical for mountain property but realized a more powerful HT would probably be more practical because I would need much larger battery bank and solar panel for winter and snow, only occasional sun and snow covered panel not good. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for the video and glad to see a new video too! It's not going to be something I will ever use but my watching the design process I still learned some new knowledge.
I've thought about doing something similar was thinking of using solar battery banks figure could chain them all together and ability to use small solar pannel charger
Exceptional thought and time gone in to that, great thanks . I’ve been looking at the Retevis repeater for use here in the U.K., you’ve given me heaps of ideas
The antenna is a 4-foot fiberglass GMRS unit on a 20-foot pole. We get clear communications to HTs across the city at up to 10 miles, and further with more powerful mobile radios.
Very well done, great job! I embarked on a project involving an RT-97 in a self-contained Ammo case, but it's less organized than this & I didn't go the solar route because I didn't have the tech wherewithal. For my next portable repeater project, I'm going to try to go with something that's either 25/50 watt, so that'll require involving a controller/duplexer, in addition to attempting to incorporate solar charging/powering. This video serves as good motivation!
hi sorry to bother you but can not get on to your web site as am looking for the parts list for your repeater box as i like the way it works thanks steve
Great video! Have you tested the range of this repeater? I'm wondering how much difference there would be between making one of these or spending the money on creating something with 25 or 50 watts like what we already have locally for VHF?
How well does that repeater work at 10 watts? I've read in a couple places that the RT97's duplexer isn't amazing and at 10 watts can cause desense issues on the input offset. I've also read that repeater struggles with LMR400 cabling for some reason. Thanks!
Mine has been running on 10 watts UHF for a year or so. Yes, I can hear it further than I can transmit into it when using 5 watt HT but I still get into mine at 30 miles using 5 watts. It's at 2000ft ft AGL tho....so that helps.
Greetings from Reno, Nevada. I was not able to locate the schematic/wiring diagram. Is there a diagram available? Thanks for your consideration. May you and yours not need this in 2023. (Tongue in cheek comment)
I bought my repeaters, & only had to hook up my solar panels - my video cams are also powered by solar power - I had to create a Mesh system for my web, & cell phones - nothing brings creativity like being off grid - thank you for this vid👍
Good to see you post again. Really enjoyed your portable solar generator vids.
I've recommended that vid to sooooo many friends!
Could you give me the Amazon links for everything you used please. Loved the video
I wish you would come around more often!!
So great to hear from you! Hope you're hanging in these days
This looks awesome, I am new to the Ham radio Scene but see myself building one for remote trips when hunting
Thank you for taking time to post again. Last video aspire me to go and learn about wiring and eletrical.
Excellent video, and Kudos to your thoughtful and professional design. I have downloaded your parts list and will return to review some of your other projects.
This is fantastic! Any chance of a wiring diagram? Thanks again.
i was thinking where have i heard your voice before, till you showed the solar power trolly cart photos
Love your stuff, this is why I love You Tube. Thanks man.
nice ,I am working on a similar repeater GMRS . using bigger 50 cal metal ammo can. using the upgraded RT-97 has speaker mic jack. going to use for repeater ID voice etc. LiFePO4 battery with MPPT controller. I put master battery disconnect switch on mine,as a switch for repeater power.I put pink foam insulation from home depot around battery and a 32F thermal switch to stop charging in cold. working on heater circuit now. I am in NY may be using in cold days .
Thank you so much! All the way from New Jersey we appreciate your help!
Hello - I also have the RT97 repeater and this would be great. I did not see the wiring diagram. Is that available, please?
Really enjoy your videos and detail! I appreciate that you share the build info to help people like me that are like-minded! I used your solar generator build videos and documents to make a smaller one of my own.
I'm delighted you built your own project, and happy if something in mine helped you with it. All the best.
As someone new to both solar & amateur radio, thank you very much.
Glad to help
Better then anything you could purchase.... You did a Great Job on this.... Thank You...
Very nice project. I thought about building something identical for mountain property but realized a more powerful HT would probably be more practical because I would need much larger battery bank and solar panel for winter and snow, only occasional sun and snow covered panel not good. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for the video and glad to see a new video too! It's not going to be something I will ever use but my watching the design process I still learned some new knowledge.
I think you've created a very useful and cost effective repeater solution. Many thanks for sharing.
Glad it was helpful!
I've thought about doing something similar was thinking of using solar battery banks figure could chain them all together and ability to use small solar pannel charger
Great Video. Do you have an antenna recommendation for GMRS (fixed repeater location)?
First rate video, and in the spirit of Amateur Radio.
Thanks,
8P6RC
Great summary. Quick and to the point. Thanks for sharing!
Great to see a new video from you!
I want to build this the same way but I’m don’t know anything about how the wires are connected do you anything else to help?
Another high quality project from Desert Prep! Keep it up! 👍
Wow, that is clean! Nice build!
Exceptional thought and time gone in to that, great thanks .
I’ve been looking at the Retevis repeater for use here in the U.K., you’ve given me heaps of ideas
Where did I you get that amazing antenna
Very nice rig you have there.
Thanks 👍
This is EXCELLENT. thabk you for the video, sir!
Thank you . Great video, I think I will try to build one.
The led on the button drains power as well if it stays on the entire time......Does this light stay on ?
Great video. Thanks for sharin, and includin the parts list.
What antenna are you runnin up on that pole?
The antenna is a 4-foot fiberglass GMRS unit on a 20-foot pole. We get clear communications to HTs across the city at up to 10 miles, and further with more powerful mobile radios.
What a great design! Thank You!
Glad you like it!
Very well done, great job! I embarked on a project involving an RT-97 in a self-contained Ammo case, but it's less organized than this & I didn't go the solar route because I didn't have the tech wherewithal. For my next portable repeater project, I'm going to try to go with something that's either 25/50 watt, so that'll require involving a controller/duplexer, in addition to attempting to incorporate solar charging/powering. This video serves as good motivation!
hi sorry to bother you but can not get on to your web site as am looking for the parts list for your repeater box as i like the way it works
thanks steve
I haven't subscribed in such a long time but for you my friend I'm certainly subscribing thanks!!
That is a really cool design
Thank you!
As the repeater module has only one antenna port, does that mean it has a built in duplexer?
Yes - the Retevis RT97 has a purpose-built radio and tuned duplexer built into the case.
@@DesertPrep In that case, and especially as a plug and pay device, it seems it is worth the money.
Do you have your component list still avail? The website is no longer accessible. Thank you.
Very clean and professional looking, job! Kudos. How is it still working? Have any ideas for upgrades, or is it just right?
Superb! Fantastic design and execution!
How are you satisfying the ID requirement?
The repeater is private, operating under §95.1751 (c), so identification of the users is sufficient.
Great video! Have you considered using a power amplifier to increase the range of the unit?
Awesome Job!
Great video! Have you tested the range of this repeater? I'm wondering how much difference there would be between making one of these or spending the money on creating something with 25 or 50 watts like what we already have locally for VHF?
Could you add the wiring diagram to your pdf ? im building one and having a prob wiring .
Very nice. Very informative, thank you!
How well does that repeater work at 10 watts? I've read in a couple places that the RT97's duplexer isn't amazing and at 10 watts can cause desense issues on the input offset. I've also read that repeater struggles with LMR400 cabling for some reason. Thanks!
Mine has been running on 10 watts UHF for a year or so. Yes, I can hear it further than I can transmit into it when using 5 watt HT but I still get into mine at 30 miles using 5 watts. It's at 2000ft ft AGL tho....so that helps.
We've tested it for range, and get clear communications past 11 urban miles. It helps that it's using a 5.5dB antennae omen a 20-foot pole.
That’s awesome. I’m gonna try and do the community a solid and build one of these some day soon, thanks for the ingenuity 👍
Great video and you really know your stuff.
I appreciate that!
What music was used in this video?
Great quality video and great build thank you for inspiring me!
My pleasure!
It seems weird to me that that nobody makes a solar version like this ready to go?
Thank you very much, sir.
What sort of distances have you achieved with yours?
This is spectacular
Should i order the GMRS or UHF version?
Outstanding
Great work good sir.
Very awesome . good job 👍👍🇺🇸🗽
I have several repeaters💪
brilliant
very cool!
Look good!
Greetings from Reno, Nevada.
I was not able to locate the schematic/wiring diagram. Is there a diagram available?
Thanks for your consideration.
May you and yours not need this in 2023. (Tongue in cheek comment)
No parts list!!!
Would you be interested in building one for a price? I have the repeater, Midland MXR10, Just need your intelligence to build the box.
Wow.
Just missing a switch on the USB.
Question
How cool! You're back! Was beginning to think you died of WuFlu!
I don't want to be a pain but when you post that diagram for me would you please send an email also to let me know. Thanks Bill Dawson
Pozdrav iz sombora...srbija
You said you added 2 USB C. But the video shows Type A females.
Great job!