Thank you for the second part. My build cams out great. Changed the antennas to be vertical intraday of horizontal. Actually built two of these. One for VHF and one for GMRS.
To dramatically simplify this build, consider a single TYT UV8000 ht. It’s more expensive, but has an actual crossband repeater mode, built in. You’re buying just 1, will push close to 10watts, makes room for a larger battery, half the # of holes and wires, just one antenna, and the total cost ends up being about the same. I connected a separate 100w solar panel and it’s basically an easily movable “temporary” repeater. Add in a car mag mount antenna and a baking tin ground plane, and you have an extremely versatile repeater.
The first thing I do to any new radio is turn off the beep and the voice. I can read so I don't need that horrible voice talking every time I go into the menu. Thank you for the demo of how to set this up. I have been thinking about making an emergency repeter in a pelican case with external antenna mounts like you did, and a connection to hook a solar panel to it. But I have HTs that are capable of being a stand alone repeter. But I'm thinking 2 cheap baofenge is the ticket for this project. I would worry about the duty cycle burning out a single HT. Afraid I'll burn it out. The duty cycle on the bf should be lower also if something happens it is just a $25 radio not a $300. After writing this out ill be going the baofeng option. Thanks for sharing.
I need some clarification. Help me understand. Why do you need to program any transmit settings in the Receive Radio, as it never transmits, and vice versa on the Transmit Radio?
I started with the volume level mid way and started testing transmit and receive to ensure proper functionality. If the volume is set to high, Vox performance is impacted.
Thank you for watching our video! Looks like the original link no longer works. Here is the updated link: BAOFENG UV-5R 8W High Power Ham Radio Dual Band Portable Two Way Radio Long Range Rechargeable Handheld Radio: amzn.to/3TtvhgX
Appreciate the video. What distance do you get with this setup? Does the solar charger work good to keep the batteries charged? I would like to do this build for GMRS. Thanks! WSAT505.
The distance depends on several factors. The primary factor being how high is the antenna. Additional factors include density of obstacles around it such as trees and buildings. This repeater setup could also be done with GMRS handheld radios. But you have to make sure that you are on one the designated repeater frequencies and not a simplex frequency that is required to use low power.
You can do either. It doesn't affect the functionality. Personally, I like to store the frequencies in memory, that way if something happens and it completely looses power you don't have to re-enter the settings.
power supply? not sure how long 3600mAH batteries will last for on standby, but pre going the whole 9 yards with solar, would battery eliminators connected to a small motorcycle battery be worth doing for a mid term repeater solution?? ""BL-5 Battery Eliminator Replacement for Baofeng UV-5* - pretty sure these have a built in regulator (they're designed to be plugged into car lighter socket) 2 for $20 on Amazon
Yes. It is without a duplexer. You could use a duplexer if you want a different build that I have on my list. There are a number of mobile radios that have a cross band repeater built into them.
Is thier a reason ur doing a neg shift & only.600offset for a reason since normally it's + and 05.000 or is setting the direction and offset doesn't matter as long as it's the same on the all radio s
Transmit is offset Receive by 600KHz. Given this specific setup I had to configure it this way to function. I could have used a duplexer but then it wouldn't have been VHF only or UHF only. It would have used VHF and UHF in order to function. Hopefully that answer helps.
at 22:39 in the video there is a very clear picture of the inside of the setup. You can also check the playback settings of the video and make sure that it is set to at least 720P if not 1080P.
Thank you for the second part. My build cams out great. Changed the antennas to be vertical intraday of horizontal. Actually built two of these. One for VHF and one for GMRS.
You are welcome. Sorry for delay in publishing part 2. We had some life challenges.
Nice work! I am putting together something similar, nice tip on the antenna placement.
Glad it helped
To dramatically simplify this build, consider a single TYT UV8000 ht. It’s more expensive, but has an actual crossband repeater mode, built in. You’re buying just 1, will push close to 10watts, makes room for a larger battery, half the # of holes and wires, just one antenna, and the total cost ends up being about the same. I connected a separate 100w solar panel and it’s basically an easily movable “temporary” repeater. Add in a car mag mount antenna and a baking tin ground plane, and you have an extremely versatile repeater.
Thank you for your feedback. I have a couple of radios that do crossband repeater function. I have on my list to do another video.
The first thing I do to any new radio is turn off the beep and the voice. I can read so I don't need that horrible voice talking every time I go into the menu. Thank you for the demo of how to set this up. I have been thinking about making an emergency repeter in a pelican case with external antenna mounts like you did, and a connection to hook a solar panel to it. But I have HTs that are capable of being a stand alone repeter. But I'm thinking 2 cheap baofenge is the ticket for this project. I would worry about the duty cycle burning out a single HT. Afraid I'll burn it out. The duty cycle on the bf should be lower also if something happens it is just a $25 radio not a $300. After writing this out ill be going the baofeng option. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for watching. You are welcome. Good luck on your project.
I need some clarification. Help me understand. Why do you need to program any transmit settings in the Receive Radio, as it never transmits, and vice versa on the Transmit Radio?
Thank you for your question\feedback. I tend to put both sets of settings in the radios to be thorough.
How high do you set the RX output level to drive the mic in of the TX for proper deviation?
I started with the volume level mid way and started testing transmit and receive to ensure proper functionality. If the volume is set to high, Vox performance is impacted.
@theoilykrafter thanks, I settled on about %75 last night.
Love the video and wanted this setup for a local project. Do you have a link the the antenna? Did I miss that link?
Thank you for watching our video! Looks like the original link no longer works. Here is the updated link: BAOFENG UV-5R 8W High Power Ham Radio Dual Band Portable Two Way Radio Long Range Rechargeable Handheld Radio: amzn.to/3TtvhgX
Appreciate the video. What distance do you get with this setup? Does the solar charger work good to keep the batteries charged? I would like to do this build for GMRS. Thanks! WSAT505.
The distance depends on several factors. The primary factor being how high is the antenna. Additional factors include density of obstacles around it such as trees and buildings. This repeater setup could also be done with GMRS handheld radios. But you have to make sure that you are on one the designated repeater frequencies and not a simplex frequency that is required to use low power.
Did you leave repeater radios in frequency mode, as opposed to channel mode, and does it even matter
You can do either. It doesn't affect the functionality. Personally, I like to store the frequencies in memory, that way if something happens and it completely looses power you don't have to re-enter the settings.
Great job sir
Thank you.
power supply? not sure how long 3600mAH batteries will last for on standby, but pre going the whole 9 yards with solar, would battery eliminators connected to a small motorcycle battery be worth doing for a mid term repeater solution?? ""BL-5 Battery Eliminator Replacement for Baofeng UV-5* - pretty sure these have a built in regulator (they're designed to be plugged into car lighter socket) 2 for $20 on Amazon
How long they last would of course be directly related to how much traffic is on the repeater.
I read elsewhere that the antennas need to be 15' apart. What kind of success have you had with your antennas oriented the way they are?
Antennas for UHF/VHF must be in a vertical orientation. The more separation the better performance.
Would you be able to upload a link to your spreadsheet?
I will get a link posted later today to a PDF.
IS THIS DESIGN WITHOUT A DUPLEXER?
Yes. It is without a duplexer. You could use a duplexer if you want a different build that I have on my list. There are a number of mobile radios that have a cross band repeater built into them.
Is thier a reason ur doing a neg shift & only.600offset for a reason since normally it's + and 05.000 or is setting the direction and offset doesn't matter as long as it's the same on the all radio s
Transmit is offset Receive by 600KHz. Given this specific setup I had to configure it this way to function. I could have used a duplexer but then it wouldn't have been VHF only or UHF only. It would have used VHF and UHF in order to function. Hopefully that answer helps.
please try to use power supply if working good thank you sir
Thank you for watching.
U have a Pic of ur setup the video was blurry
at 22:39 in the video there is a very clear picture of the inside of the setup. You can also check the playback settings of the video and make sure that it is set to at least 720P if not 1080P.
without filter, simplex much better...
Thank you for your comments.