Preparedness Simplex Repeater 1 Year Deployed Update. Part One
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- Опубліковано 28 січ 2015
- Preventive maintenance is a major part of keeping your communications gear in tip top shape. Here we do a yearly visit to go over the simplex repeater for a status update and minor preventive maintenance.
tags:
shtf wrol prepper preppers prepping survivalist simplex repeater comm comms communication communications ham amateur radio survivalism disaster EMCOMM preparedness
When I got my "Ham Radio" license way back in the early '90's, our local ARES group used the simple, portable, simplex repeater "in a box" concept to "Test Out" several possible repeater sites!
Antennas varied, but output was always in the range of 250-1000 milliwatts.
And it was a huge surprise to most of us, just how effective these tiny, low power transmitters could be!
Once you've got some elevation above the surrounding terrain THE ANTENNA is everything!
One of our 10 watt machines covers a huge area! And visiting "Hams" are always surprised to learn it's only putting out 10 watts!
UPDATE REQUESTED...its been 5-years, what is the status of the repeater, what additional service was required? What, if anything, would you do differently? THANKS..
Thank You for speaking where us average Humans can understand! Just getting into Ham and most videos are way over My head!
Quick thought on powering remote repeaters and other gear…
LifePO4 batteries.
And…
Use armored stainless steel “flex”.
It’s a corrugated and nearly indestructible item used by (old folks - chime in 😉) Ma Bell in their public pay phones.
It was used for the handset cords to prevent vandalism and theft.
I’ve used it for securing radio cabinet alarm sensor cabling for a few of my remote co-located repeaters.
Vandals can still damage the wire, but it takes more work and time for them.
I’m not sure of the outside diameter, but it can easily hold a single multi-conductor jacketed cable.
(18/4 stranded copper cable -OR- a single CAT-5e UTP cable)
I’d love to find something to act as a “parrot” for my repeaters.
It’d be nice to select a unique PL or DPL / DTMF code / 5-tone / etc… specifically assigned to store and repeat a voice message. It’d be great to handle repeater coverage and functionality tests with actual voice instead of “kerchinking”.
Forgot to mention.
The stainless flex is available in rolls of 10’ and 25’.
It also includes brass ferrules that are inserted into the bare/sharp ends of the flex and crimped lightly.
They act just like the red plastic “anti-short bushings” used with BX/AC/MC corrugated flex conduit.
In both cases, it prevents or minimizes abrasion to the individual conductors.
Another great video. Thanks for taking the time to do these videos. Wish I had mountains in Florida.
When setting up a simplex repeater, it's important to choose the right solar charge controller. If you use the USB ports for both the repeater and radio, the rf might disable the repeater. And sometimes when the radio is keyed, there is a voltage spike which might trip the low voltage safety feature. I have had to bypass that feature and wire my Baofeng radio directly to the radio. That puts the battery at risk, but for now, that's the best I can do.
A simplex repeater and an hf setup are nice to have, but I've found that the best device to have for emergency communications is the Garmin inReach Mini. It costs $350 and there's a $12/month charge, but I think it's worth it.
But keep in mind if the emergency is a result of an attack from North Korea, EMP will make all radios useless unless you're got them stored in a Faraday cage.
Thanks for sharing.
Im looking forward to the future upgrade.
Was waiting for an update on that system. That is great to hear how it survived the winter.
I am building a system for an urban enviroment here in south florida. Have a relative that lives 12 stories up on high rise and inital transissions show a very good coverage
Thanks for your video's
Thank you. I've enjoyed this series very much and have setup two of these repeaters. We had a group of 9 guys, who used it to communicate over very hilly terrain this past hunting season and it worked great - typically comms are very unreliable with the Frms radios the guys bring up to hunting camp. We standardized on a frequency and "security code" and I setup a wouxan and the repeater. Everyone was really impressed with the setup, the only complaint was hearing the outbound tx twice - i reminded them that at least they heard it. Really good stuff, I appreciate you taking the time to share your experience with us neophytes, as well as all the effort that goes into making the vids.
Outstanding, I'm glad its working for you guys. Yeah, that one of the major disadvantage of this setup with the double speak. I have a video at bat addressing those operational disadvantages after using it for a year. It pretty much boils down to a training issue to work around it. Thanks a lot, I appreciate you guys watching, its a lot of fun for me to produce these vids and giving back to a community I've learned and benefited from.
With the right equipment, configuration and programming the short comings you mentioned can be minimized or eliminated. Simplexors (simplex repeaters) have a far greater use with less short comings when configured in unconventional way. I will explain the four alternative ways of configuring a Simplexor to help alleviate some of these complaints as soon as I gather my documentation and prepare it for public view. We have had Simplexor systems running in professional installations for well over 15 years. I will share with you various configurations that will help improve the use of Simplexors.
United Civil Emergency Services Agency of Rhode Island I'm so glad you responded, I was going to reply to your last comment on another video but the comment was missing. I was interested in knowing how your group adapted to the double speak and delay issues. I'm sure training has a lot to do with it. Look forward to it. Not much is mentioned about the simplex repeaters in actual emergency usage, usually a portable half duplex repeater is used for the obvious reasons.
Mr. Guerrillacom, The comment was missing because I reluctantly removed it with the thought it might be better if I contacted you directly as I don't have everything I wanted to present to you ready. We have documented five methods of configuration to Simplexors. I also wanted to share some information with you specifically about the SR-1 that will likely help you use this Simplexor more effectively. Until now I have not had or felt the need to share our experience with the public because most people were using Simplexors as a toy but you are a bit different. I will being producing a video on the subject for others to learn from. Including our state wide network that currently has a Simplexor system at its core for testing purposes. Since we use it for public safety, "real time" communications is preferred for our purpose however this system could easily be implemented as a permanent solution if the need existed.
United Civil Emergency Services Agency of Rhode Island
Hello gentleman. Our cam failed to function just as we started our video series for Simplexor. Is there a specific camera that you would recommend for the purpose of HD video recording?
Wow! A year already? Loved the great build and deployment video. Nice tweak to the system to improve the longevity. I built one after watching your vids and it has been working great. Thank you for all your videos!
Good deal, I'm glad people are actually building their own systems and its working for them. You're definitely ahead of the curve,. take care and thanks for watching.
New to your channel. Cool video. Keep the vids rolling, and I will be watching more of your vids.
I have had a 112 for a couple of weeks now, seems to be doing fine, I haven't checked out every feature though. This would make a great neighborhood repeater or a campsite repeater. Planning on building a repeater like this someday. Great job.
Thanks for the Simplex Repeater Update! I'll watch both parts and post a comment on Part 2's page.
Great setup, I have live on a hill and thought about putting a repeater on the crest of my property one day. It's not as high up as yours but better than where my house is located.
Nov 2019. Super cool repeater.
Thanks for making another great video. I always look forward to watching your videos.
We're lucky, in Australia, because we don't need a license to use the CB channels. Ours are on UHF. Most UHF channels are fine to talk on, but there are a few reserved ones for repeaters etc. VHF is reserved for Marine use only (and maybe aircraft). HF is primarily used by the Police. I think there may be a couple of channels that the public can use, but only with an appropriate license. I have no idea what the military use, though.
Cat5, haha, seems like that is the cable of choice for LV projects these days..... I know I have more than I know what to do with. Great update.
Awesome video.
Your a bad ass ... thanks for the idea
They now make a DMR handheld that can act as a parrot repeater without additional hardware .Would make a cool project, Could even have encryption if the radios share encryption type. Would make an interesting project.
I'm leaning more for those crossband repeater setup. One single HT with a true on demand repeater. or an inband repeater dual HT with mini duplexer. Don't know yet, perhaps both...
Another *_first-rate video_*, GC! I love your mix of nature and radiocomms! I'm hooked!
A (nit-picker's) clarification: The Mho or siemens is a unit of conductance. It is (not surprisingly) the inverse of Ohm (hence the jokey name Mho). Lead-acid accumulators (probably all kinds) have low internal resistance (ie. good conductivity) when they are new and this steadily worsens as they age. That is what you are measuring. I would expect the absolute value of conductivity to be slightly different according to the construction type (eg. gel/gauze vs. lead plates) and the quality of the materials used.
I like the construction of the repeater! Is that an ammo can? Perhaps you need to *put the solar panel cable in some metal tubing* to keep the critters at bay!
Keep 'em coming! All the best, Rob
RobWhittlestone Thanks Rob, Truly appreciate it. A bit of nit picking is required to keep me honest...lol. Yeah, there is a bit of variance between the cells makup, the diagnostic tester basically just records what the reading is, then you would cross reference it to a listing of different manufacturers or when you first tested when new. Yup, its in a ammo box, does great in the elements so far. with a good coat of paint it should last for years. Thanks for watching.
Nice brother. I like the setup. One thing I would do is run your wires in small copper pipe you can pick up at lows. You can bind it to fit what you need and it will keep the chewing from happening to you late on. I know it would be a pain to pull the wire.
When you showed the dryer thing who makes that. I have not ever seen that kind that lets you know when its needing to be dryed out.
Thanks so much for taking the time to show us the setup and how it has worked out for you. God Bless Brother.
Yeah, when I get the final build squared away, I plan on using those washer hose with the stainless steel braid on the outside. just a bit more flexible.
This is the website of the hydro-absorbent canister, cheap on amazon.
Dehumidify dot comm
Good stuff and re-usable. the silica pellets change colors to indicate moisture presence. Thanks for watching.
GUERRILLACOMM That is smart brother. Cool thanks for the link.
GUERRILLACOMM We have a lot of critters that like to chew exposed wiring here in TX. Now anything that is exposed is run through some inexpensive flexible metal conduit (Home Depot, Lowes, etc). The little 1/2" diameter stuff is only about a buck a foot, and a 25-30' roll will probably give you enough for a lot of projects. Thanks for the wonderful videos!
I've been working on modifying some of the old dash mount mobiles for repeaters service while focusing on off gird portability. Unfortunately I live in flat, Lubbock. I do have a place in Colorado however, I'm not there very often. Once I get the controller (TI MSP430 based) I'll try and get the details to you as I think it would be very applicable to what you may want to do in the future. I'm afraid of setting up a "temporary" site in National Forrest though. I think I may have several I could…leverage into getting access to some commercial sites though.
Hey man, I enjoy your videos. I've built a duplex repeater in an ammo can using one of the cheap Chinese duplexers like you reviewed, and a radiotone duo,ex repeater controller, I'm going to put up a video soon I hope. Anyway, what if you put some of the plastic conduit like from Walmart or an auto parts store, around your cable to the panel. Of course a critter could chew through that stuff as well but it would be a cheap extra protective layer for that cable. I will be putting that stuff on mine when I deploy it so I have learned something from this video. Thanks for all your vids!
Cool setup, but I would suggest you get that panel on a tree to solve some of the snow issue. Shield the cables with conduit. Most of all build OH8STN's LifePo4 battery pack, it will serve your much longer, has more amp hours, and is lighter. Oh and no memory issues.
My sister had a pet rabbit and it chewed through the wires on my Super Nintendo and ruined it. I think they like the feeling of the warmth of electricity through the cable.
What is the different using this simplex repeater vs a duplex repeater box where u need 2 radios. Is there a different on performance
Very nice what is the name of he hydro absorbent cartridge, why is everything wrapped up in aluminum?
What happens when memory gets full on repeater will it just continue recording over it
I skimmed through the comments and couldn't find the radio you are using, what is it.
Where did you get the hydro absorption unit from and does it use silica gel crystals?
Also thanks for another interesting video mate!
I got it from Amazon dott comm. it silica based. various size canisters for whatever application.
I have a problem with getting over a mountain and this would work great, I own the mountain the is the problem. Can you pm or comment the things I need with part numbers to build one ?
I'm working on a simplex repeater idea. As we live in a bowl of a valley. So I want to learn a much as I can. Tks
Great videos and that is a slick set up. Are you worried about someone saying you're squatting on their land or is that state/federal owned land? Eh, you know what? I don't want to know lol Keep up the good work. WQYY 664
Should use pvc pipe for outside wires
can you please release plans for this build
I made a simplex repeater out of a ISD1820 and a BF-888s...total cost $22 CDN
Ok I have a dumb question, you were talking about if the repeater was found it would be taken away and turned in. Are you not allowed to have repeaters scattered thoughtout? or do they need to be licensed for you to have them set up?
+acet7 Some services needs a license with specific grid coordinated (Type90 radios). Amateur repeaters go through area coordination for the most part for placement, that is as far as I know about the hams. GMRS almost anywhere not close to the Canadian border. Sorry, cant get into details about my setup.
That's OK, it makes sense to me now
+acet7 For ham radio operators its best to go thru your local repeater coordinator. Its someone in charge in your area that keeps track of repeater pairs in your area so you don't accidentally step on someone else repeater. There is no law saying you have to register with the repeater coordinator but you are not allowed to cause interference with anyone by fcc law. Hope that helps.
+The Recon Prepper yeah that makes sense also I just took my ham test about three weeks ago and one of the questions was about interfering with radio communications.
Hey man great video! Do you think you can make a video discussing the best types of batteries for this type or setup?
I've been meaning to do something like that. Just don't have the knowledge base of making that bold of a statement. Though, I was thinking of showing what is deployed out there in use. Don't know when it will be but I'm saving for a battery supply/charger in the near future. Thanks for watching.
Hey put a list of equipment used? But a very nice setup
Guerrillacomm 108 I am currently going to be building a simplex repeater up in senora mountains up by long barn for Scouts summer camp. As we need a repeater to reach staff on other side of hill top at the river during day operations. I wanted to know where I can find a Ardent repeater unit like the one you are using in video. I have looked everywhere and can not find one anywhere. All I can find is simplex Chinese small plug and play unit on evilbay. Are the cheap evilbay Chinese simplex repeaters 30 dollar models and he 59 dollar models any good? Are they worth using? The camp staff won't use the radio that often a few transmissions per day and that's about it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I cant speak of the Chinese model simplex controllers, never owned one. But, I'm extremely please with the argent data box. So far so goodoutinthe elements similar to your location. I 've been to Telegraph mountain Near Sonora some years back. Here's the direct link to Argent data's website. Its a small business and they may be out of stock, but its worth the wait. The owner is top notch in customer support and is always improving his product. Hopefully the link will come out.www.argentdata.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=98Good luck on your build..
Thanks so much for the quick response. Do you know where a good place to find the Argent repeaters? was it only through the company or can you find them on Evil bay? or They really are not sold on EvilBay? Thanks for the help. I plan on using the system with a Tram 1185 or 8511 antenna to get best reception.
He sells them direct and or has preferred resellers listed on his site. I have not looked outside of his online store.
+GUERRILLACOMM thank you so much for the info. Your videos are a big help. As you have tested the set up and found the problems so I don't have to suffer learning them. Keep up the great work.
Thanks... Standby ,y setup been down fo a few months during the winter. Gonna have to hike up there to investigate the problem. Of coarse I'll going you guys on the journey as well. Bear in mind I built my setup poorly on purpose to see what will fail in real outside conditions.
how many miles can work use this repeater...thank you..
+Davy Davyjuan the max edge for this one was 75 miles. effective range about 50. Due to its high location and high gain antenna.
is this simplex or duplex
A good time for this project is now!! #coronavirus
500 buks aint cheap
I have a question about using 2 Baofeng HTs as a repeater.
Could one put them in an Ammo box, with SMA to BNC ant connector then "T" both radios antennas into 1 Antenna? Each radio is on it's own RX&TX freq; would this work, or feedback RF power into the other radio's antenna?
See Video: ua-cam.com/video/_KrH86Dzhnc/v-deo.html
+Bruce Wayne The transmit power of one radio will probably burn out the receiver of the other. It will also desensitize the receiver where when you get any distance from the repeater it will stop repeating, basically overloading your receiver where it cannot hear anything else. The majority of radios and antennas have an impedance of 50 ohms and are matched to each other. when you connect 2 radios together as you described, it turns it into a 25 ohm impedance, bottom line that mismatch of impedance will reduce your performance by half. The vid you linked will not work very well without a duplexer or antennas being separated by at least 17 feet apart. Thanks for watching and commenting on many of my vids, really appreciate it.
+GUERRILLACOMM Thank you very much. So one could mount a TX antenna on the ammo box, and the RX antenna 17'> away _(in a tree)_; via a chassis mount external connector, on the same ammo box?
Do they not make an _'in line diode'_ for such an antenna application, to prevent such RF feedback? That would be pretty nifty if you could use 2 diodes, that are in opposite directions, _(I guess the duplexer becomes that diode)_. How small of duplexer do they make? Like in _Jaws_ "We need a bigger boat..." a 50 Cal box?
And about 20lbs of beer belly lol
Wait a min. No way did you spend 500 dollars on that crap. Solar panel 45. Baofeng dual band radio 19.98. Charge controller 8 bucks
Box. Junk yard 5 bucks if you buy it on Ebay a water proof box is like 60 or70 bucks tops. Antenna 15 bucks. Battery you said free surplus but a new one is only 50 to 80 dollars. I put this same system together for less than 70 dollars. If you paid 500 dollars you got burned a new one ;)
Led acid is the worse battery for this type of application.. Iron fosifate has.sold me. Plis.chargin g seems.to be faster. But do your own.research. iron fossifate batteries last three time longer per AH/lbs.
Phil Shnieder *phosphate
If that is a GMRS repeater, looks like a beofang radio. I tell you THAT radio is not LEGAL to go under FRS/GMRS frequencies. I know, I have a ham radio license. They can use your GMRS license, but they can't get a ham license and run under this repeater