I have a question for the forum. I have been ask about how to put together a repeater for a GMRS system. I've dome ham radio for years, but have no clue about GMRS. Does anyone on here have any expereince with it? How if works with repeaters in particular?
Thanks for any help you can lend.
A GMRS repeater is simply a UHF machine, set up on one of the designated repeater pairs for GMRS. You're legally limited to 50 watts out to the antenna. They require no coordination, you just build the machine and put it up (assuming you already have a GMRS license from the FCC.)
Lots of information on GMRS out there on the web.
Paul AE5PB and
GMRS WQCX 344
My interest is peaked. Sounds like really cool option for comms.
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Ok, so say I have Garmin Rhinos with the GMRS function/capabilities. . . is it possible to build one of these antennas and extend the range of my non-licensed garmin rhino? (hypothetically speaking of course, wouldnt want to run afoul of the FCC Police)
I don't believe the Rhino is capable of being set up as a repeater. Does it have a removable antenna on it or is it fixed? If it's not removeable their wouldn't be any way to hook up another antenna. Also IIRC correctly the Rhino is a low power (5watts or less) unit.
I don't know much about GMRS (the guy I was going to help build a repeater ended up not setting it up, at least not yet) but I think a good brand to look at for setting up as a repeater would be a Motorola buisness band unit and set it up with the GMRS frequencies. The Motorola's can put out up to 50 watts depending on model. That paired with a good antenna placed in a good location such as a hill top or mountian would give you very good coverage in your area.
OK a little misconception here... ALL GMRS radios require licensing to operate on GMRS frequencies. there are some that operate low power on shared (with frs) frequencies as well as have the FRS frequencies available to use. you do not need a license for the FRS frequencies but do for the shared and dedicated GMRS frequencies per the FCC (fcc.gov). Next not all GMRS radios are able to operate on repeaters as not all of them are capable of duplex operation. Some but not all GMRS hand helds can be connected to an external antenna. If it has any FRS capability it can not have the ability to use an external antenna as this is forbidden on ALL FRS radios (FRS is Family Radio Service, and are the cheap little hand helds. Radio shack sold one mobile that looked like it had an external antenna but it actually was the entire radio in the antenna base, with a remote control head, for a while)
OK, Ive got the Garmin Rhino 120's with scrambler technology incorporated in them. They do not have removable antennas, but they are both FRS and GMRS radios. Thats why I was asking if I would be able to access GMRS frequencies or be able to utilize a repeater with them. Are these worth it or no?
OK Had to go to garmins site to double check a few things so here comes an edit... the scramble you refer to is only on the GPS transmit position function, not on voice transmission.Originally Posted by Stormfeather
Yes the Gmrs frequencies are in the radio and are useable but you are SUPPOSED to fill out a license application and send it in and wait for the issuance of a licence and follow the proper regulations before using them. Current production US authorized Rhinos CAN use repeaters and are set up for it on the authorized repeater frequencies only. However those made for Canada (the ones I had experience with) have these frequencies blocked out since Canada does not allow repeaters for GMRS use.
While I was on the site I see they have extended the line considerably... I need to check it out !
Last edited by dragon5126; 10-07-2011 at 06:47 AM.
As for worth it, there arent any other GPS units out there that will send your GPS location directly to another GPS... so you are looking at apples and oranges. if you are talking about just a two way radio, in all honesty, they suck, any radio capable of FRS falls into that trap. Dedicated GMRS radios are far superior, and there are ham radios now that do what the rhinos do but require a ham license and are much more expensive. As for a GPS... it's the only one that has a radio, again with the exception of the ham rig. Yes they are valid and worth having, you just have to realize that they have limitations due to the compromise of the FRS side.
With the ham radios Yeasu has a ht model# VX-8DR that has built in GPS capability and can been seen from other units, plus the full vhf/uhf bands. You do need the license and the radio runs $359-400, but gives you good capabilities.
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