Michael Cox wrote:
Thank you for your help. I appreciate it! I've put a couple of
questions inline below.
Well - you'll need a duplexer no mater the price... <grin>
I was under the impression that if I had two antennas, I could get by
without a duplexer. Thanks for the heads up.
While two antennas will work, and you'd initially think there is a cost
savings using two antennas, that isn't always the case.
The determining factor usually ends up being the length and size of
feed-line necessary to get from the repeater to the antenna. On UHF,
unless the feed-line length is really short, you'll want to use some
type of hard-line cable. The cost of this cable, depending on type and
length, can be costly. It may be less costly to use one antenna and a
duplexer then to install two antennas and have two runs of feed-line.
In addition, you'll usually end up with a better balanced system using
one antenna because using two can cause a disparity if both antennas
don't have the exact same pattern - which could be difficult to achieve
depending on the tower space available. In installations where you have
to pay rent on tower space - it's usually by far cheaper to purchase a
duplexer.
RE: Power Amplifier
Are these what I'm looking for?
Generically - Yes.
It looks like there is a UHF and a VHF version of the PA. Is that
correct?
Yes.
Are they not compatible with each other?
No.
VHF and UHF are two totally different bands. You cannot use a UHF PA on
a VHF repeater and vice-versa. The third one you listed is a Mobile PA
- not something you'll want.
You want a UHF Station PA like the second one you listed - but it isn't
the exact one either. The one you want requires 200 mW of drive - not
20 watts - but, the correct one looks very similar to the one in your
number two listing.
I don't presently see a good candidate on eBay - but they show up all
the time.
Duplexer - used WACOM Products WP-678 (or similar), also available
from eBay.
I couldn't find any on eBay. Any guesses what I'd be paying for
something like this?
$250 plus shipping.
Controller - I recommend a NHRC model that plugs into the
"Systems" board, or, one of the Pion & Simon models that plug into
the card cage.
http://www.nhrc.net/ge-stuff.php
http://www.pionsimon.com/products.htm
It looks like I can use the NHRC-4/M2 to make it a linked repeater.
If I go with the Ham repeater, I'll most likely do that. That would
require, if I understand correctly, another radio connected in, so
that will have to be done later with future funds. :)
Correct.
If I decide to make it a GMRS repeater, I won't have to worry about
that and will go with the PSE508-2, as its a little less expensive.
Also a good choice.
Kevin
