How to Make a Portable GMRS Repeater: Step by Step
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ส.ค. 2024
- #prepping #gmrs #repeater
In this video, I'm going to show you how to make your own portable GMRS Radio Repeater Step by Step. And because we're a prepping channel, I'll go one step further to make sure our GMRS Repeater is portable so it is easily moved to another location if SHTF and is also able to be powered on solar power if the grid is down... a completely off grid communication solution.
I'll show you all the different components inside the portable repeater box I made, and explain why I chose all of those parts when putting this together.
00:00 - Introduction
00:31 - Why you should have Your Own GMRS Repeater
01.29 - Supplies Needed for the GMRS Repeater Box
02:00 - The Case
02:35 - The LifeP04 Battery
04:04 - Battery Tender
04:50 - Connectors
05:48 - External Antenna Connector
07:09 - Midland MXR10 Repeater
08:32 - How the GMRS Repeater box is set-up
09:15 - Step by step How to Make It
11:32 - Example Set-up on a Roof
11:55 - Final Thoughts
To make this GMRS Repeater Box, here are all the supplies that you will need below:
Midland MXR10 Repeater
midlandusa.com/collections/mx...
SAE Inlet Port
amzn.to/3W3WsAF
RG58 Coax cable
amzn.to/3Q1Velm
so239 connector
amzn.to/3UjPl5P
coax connector kit
amzn.to/3VXXr51
12v lifeP04 battery
amzn.to/43XZZ5b
Battery Tender
amzn.to/4apG6GJ
25" by 20" Waterproof Case
amzn.to/3U0KVPX
Self Tapping Screws
www.harborfreight.com/hardwar...
12V Female Socket
amzn.to/3TX21y2
Waterproof Aealant
amzn.to/43WTpfs
GMRS Antenna
amzn.to/3vRCPRq
Solar Connector Adaptor Cable
amzn.to/3vR6eLA
Solar Panel Kit
amzn.to/3TXahOy
Antenna for roof
amzn.to/4cZs4Ny
Ground plane kit for antenna
amzn.to/49wAEkd
Excellent. Just what I was looking for.
I literally had this same kind of build in my head and had just spec’d out the materials when I came across your video! I’m going with just a slightly thinner case, but yours is adding the extra connections for external power that I hadn’t planned at the time. I like that option and will add that to my build too. Thanks so much for putting this together!
slick trick guy. thanks for putting this together
Great job, I enjoy your channel ! Very informative !
I wish I could add pictures to this comment section.
I've built two of these semi-copycatting your design.
They work awesome!
Thats awesome. I would love to see what you did. You can always join my discord and post the pics there the link is on my homepage here on youtube.
I would run the antenna connection out the top and have a piece of sheet metal as the ground plane. If it’s going to be deployed in field the box will be more stable on bottom line you had it on deck and antenna would be on top lid.
That is a great idea you did a good job
Communication is going to be very important soon.
This is awesome dude
Thanks for sharing. Sure, it could use some upgrades/modifications, but it's a lot better than 2 fengs in an ammo can or anything I would have come up with on the first try.
Good job my friend
Id like to see this deployed in a real setting outdoors for several weeks. Got to a local mountain top, or area where you don't have to worry about it being stolen. Use the solar panel and find a new to put in a tree, or some kind of stable space. Definitely get a cookie sheet or some kind of thing to stick the mag mount to. Id recommend placing the mag mount at least 10 feet vertical away from the box if possible. But keep us all informed of what you do with this unit.
CHEERS from Colorado
yeah i had the mag antenna out just for showing the connection i would not use it like that. I have a base station antenna i can use with a ground plane that hooks to a 10 ft pole. I may leave it somewhere hooked up for a while at some point this summer. Thanks for watching!
Cool setup. One thing. Over time that plug foam is going to fail as you take thing in and out of the kit. If you spray it with 4 or 5 coats of Plasti Dip it will help improve the longevity of the foam.
I’ve done this on gun cases, musical equipment cases, and camera cases. It hold up great over time.
Thanks for the tip I will look into doing this.
You NEED a controller for the solar panel, you will have random current and voltage that will kill any battery over time...spend the 20-30 dollars to feed it a constant and safe voltage and current. The same for the wall charger..get one for that type of battery; that battery expects a specific pulse for it to charge correctly...Sure it will charge, but in my experience I seen the voltage spin up an down using the wrong type of solar charger when it's at the end of the charge. You will shorten the life of the battery. As I edit this, your 1-6 repeater (duplexer takes out 5w) is going to have a lot of loss / SWR because you are using an HT antenna without a ground plane with the connections not sealed. That short mag mount antenna without a pie pan (already a bad reflector) will kill your repeater over time. I had a retevis RT97S that died because it was linked to a high traffic linked network; being the same radio inside. Won't every buy one of them again, for less I can build a Motorola repeater between 11-40w output.
Correct on all points. This MIGHT put-out 2W at ground level. I almost feel like donating an SWR meter so he can see how poorly this is going to perform. I'll give him credit for the effort, but he really needs to talk to some experienced repeater operators.
i did a ton of testing with this it performed as well if not better then all my 5 watt handhelds this also hooks to a base station antenna on my roof or any other type. As far as the battery it has a BMS controls the voltage and levels the cells and have had no issues. as time goes on i will continue testing and see what fails and improve the design i love the comments on this though. Thanks.
This. Very much this. You will kill that battery quick and in a hurry. A charge controller is an absolute must.
@@matthewtaylor3301 The battery has a battery management system it never breaks 14.3 volts even if left in the sun all day. no issues has been running like this for weeks no issues. ive commented this a few times to people and said it in the video.
A charge controller is not the same as a battery management system. One does not replace the other. You can get a batteria power 10a mppt controller with sae connectors that could just plug and play with your set up. It’s small and it’s under $40. Your BMS works to avoid overcharging each cell and balance the voltage while a solar charge controller controls the surge of the output voltage from the panel. Think of the BMS like a simple switch and a charge controller as a DC-DC converter and CC/CV charger. I’m sure someone smarter than me could explain it better.
Nice work! Been thinking of getting the rooftop antenna how long have you had it? Your thoughts on it?
You’re fucking awesome for taking the time to post links in the description.
Fuck the naysayers.
I don’t see any of them posting a better way to do this only criticism on your method.
I’m 90% complete with my build thanks to you.
Keep up the good work brother!
What's going on with your white balance or your lighting boss? Might need to diffuse it a bit.
I thought that repeater was waterproof already. No need for a box inside a box. ??? Anyway you did a good job. A hole saw would make the holes neater and cleaner than the paddle bit you used but no worries you got the job done.
ok just read midlands response to a question it says you should not get the repeater wet. Weird. I thought I had seen somewhere it was ok. Maybe a different companies version. Ive seen retevis and others also offer something similar.
i called midland and retevis. It needs to be somewhere out of the sun and water.... i wish it was waterproof too.
Include an inexpensive charge controller that's rated for use with your Lifepo battery. Don't directly connect the panel to the battery. The BMS is not a charge controller for solar panels.
Great Job, I'm trying to do something like this but wondering how long the Battery will last? I ordered 2 MXR10 repeater's and going to place them on 2 mountain tops. The event will be for 50+ hrs. Do you think 50Ah battery would last longer ? If so how long do you think it would last?
I think you're understanding of what the BMS does is a little lacking. You absolutely need to include a charge controller to supply the correct voltage to the battery. Right now it's feeding it unregulated voltage from the panel, and absolutely will damage the battery.
For the little amount of power its charging and discharging its really not needed. if i had a 400 watt panel hooked to it i could see needing one but my 100 watt panel is only really sending 70 watts max to this battery. Could it wear the battery out faster sure. Am I really going to care if I need to replace a $60 battery in 3 years no.
you need an MPPT charge controller
Thanks for the comment. This battery has a battery management system so a controller is not needed. I thought the same thing but after extensive testing and leaving this this at full charge with a 100 watt panel connected to it for days in the sun the battery never broke 14.2 volts it works as it is no charge controller needed i make a note about this in the video.
You absolutely need a charge controller. The only thing the BMS is doing is cutting off the battery when it full. Power coming in to charge a lithium power needs to taper down the amperage as it gets closer to full. You can’t put a lot of amps in when it almost full. Your battery is not going to last long.
@@Idahoprepper71 and well see its v1 I still dont think it needs it but it continues to work months later so well see ill make an up date about this in the future you may be right but as of now its working still.
Two things, First... That trickle charger IS NOT made for LifePo4 batteries. I would not use it. Second, the Retevis brand of repeater is literally the same thing as the midland and much cheaper..
The charger works for lifep04 batteries it cuts off at 14.3 volts right before the bms in the battery would stop it.
@@citizensurvivalplan To each their own I guess. I personally would get a charger that’s made specifically for LifePo4 instead of relying on a cheap Chinese BMS to protect the battery