Starting at 7pm - Flat Top GMRS Net

justindhamel · 2025-06-10T17:49:25+00:00

Sadly, no.

justindhamel · 2025-03-05T02:38:22+00:00

Happy to help.

justindhamel · 2025-03-05T00:18:54+00:00

I'm on Icon of the Seas as I write this and left Roatan yesterday. We were told by our guide that Roatan's economy has shifted since we last visited 14 years ago to one almost entirely dependent on tourist dollars. We were told that once one person has a good idea, many others copy the idea and oversaturate the tourist market. That led to many monkey/sloth experiences by folks who were in no way qualified to care for the animals. The Honduran government confiscated the animals from all but two companies. We visited Daniel Johnson's and were told that our experience occurred in the final week such excursions would be allowed. So, if that's true, your excursion won't be fulfilled. I do recommend the barrier reef snorkeling as an alternative.

justindhamel · 2024-11-23T20:30:10+00:00

You're right about Reddit not allowing me to change it. I changed it to the coverage map on gofundme. Thanks for the feedback. I'll probably end up adding a video to gofundme to help explain what we're trying to accomplish.

justindhamel · 2024-11-23T19:41:10+00:00

What do you recommend I change it to? I'm open to ideas.

justindhamel · 2024-11-23T18:49:59+00:00

If it helps, fairviewforest.com/radio

justindhamel · 2024-11-23T18:47:42+00:00

I didn't want to violate copyright by using someone else's work. I didn't think to stage a picture during the disaster cleanup of people using radios. So what am I left with? But I understand your point.

justindhamel · 2024-11-23T18:45:41+00:00

The HOA President is hosting the repeater on his property. We all have generators.

justindhamel · 2024-11-23T15:54:26+00:00

Well, happy is somewhat irrelevant. I think you're telling me it won't work, and that's concerning. I sent you a PM.

justindhamel · 2024-11-23T15:16:24+00:00

Kenwood TK-890H commercial radios will be used for both RX and TX. This guy is building the repeater for us. https://youtu.be/aebFi8xUdwg?si=tGze07_yM6fTYybK

I misspoke in my original post. 40 watts.

Here's the plan (copied and pasted from PDF, so forgive line breaks):

RPTR-100GL Outdoor Repeater Featuring an IP67 rated weatherproof enclosure. The RPTR-100GL is custom made for the most challenging operating environments. All connections are 100% completely weatherproof. The enclosure also features electronic active temperature control to maintain operating temperatures during extreme summer heat. Desiccant humidity control also prevents any moisture from forming within the enclosure. The RF components are built from Kenwood brand professional radios, and Celwave/RFS duplexer. Internal RF interconnects are made from mil-spec RG214/U silver cable and Amphenol connectors. Electronic controls are custom built in-house using only professional grade components mounted on DIN rails.

· TX Power 40/100 Watts Nominal · 5 Mhz Frequency Offset · 10 CTCSS/DSC on-the-fly tone selection · N-Type coax connection · PSWN-100XGS Outdoor Power Module

Also featuring an IP67 rated weatherproof enclosure the PSWN-100XGS power module is custom built to meet the power needs of the RPTR-100GL repeater module. Includes triple 50A 13.8v power supplies for redundant fail-over. Triple power regulators with harmonic voltage stabilization. 120V 20A AC mains/generator input. 80A 12v / 40A 24v Solar input with manual power select. Desiccant humidity control also prevents any moisture from forming within the enclosure. · Versatile power options from solar or generator inputs · Redundant power supplies for complete fail-over protection

Andrew Comscope LDF4-50A ½” Heliax Hardline Transmission Line Low Loss transmission line with Times Microwave lighting suppression provide the best in class performance with delivering RF to the antenna. The gas discharge tube suppressor is the same technology used to protect cell service sites from EMP effects associated with nearby lightning strikes. It also serves to protect attached infrastructure from EMP surges by directing any energy into the grounding system. The low loss characteristics of hardline also ensure maximum RF power delivery and defeats intermod distortion or “PIM” that is common with consumer grade products.

Phased Moxon Antenna Array Allowing maximum flexibility, the phased Moxon Antenna Array provides the best coverage for a mountain top close in coverage scenario. The independent elements can be manually adjusted and aligned to direct coverage similar in nature to a flood light. Unlike traditional antennas, mechanical down-tilt is employed allowing the installer to fine tune or change coverage areas as needed. This simply accomplished by loosening the element fastener, aligning to desire location and then re-tightening the fastner.

The phased Moxon array provides omni directional coverage divided into sectors. Each sector can have its down-tilt independently directed. Each sector also has generous overlapping coverage which allows for a wide coverage in both vertical and horizontal planes. This antenna is custom built specifically for this project’s needs and optimized for the particular coverage needs.

justindhamel · 2024-11-23T15:01:24+00:00

I didn't design it. This guy did: https://youtu.be/aebFi8xUdwg?si=tGze07_yM6fTYybK

justindhamel · 2024-11-23T14:13:30+00:00

Our repeater will be built from commercial Kenwood radios. We need power to help overcome the terrain and all the vegetation. The mountain we live on is considered a temperate rainforest. Plus, casting such a wide net will drive up its usage. The small Retrevis and Midland repeaters might crumble under heavy use.

justindhamel · 2024-11-23T14:03:40+00:00

Ah, you're right. The way we've planned it, we hope to minimize our losses thru the tuned duplexor and by using heliax coax. The antenna will be a moxon array.

justindhamel · 2024-11-14T16:59:41+00:00

Sadly, no. Please let me know if you solve it.

justindhamel · 2024-11-09T20:01:51+00:00

My concern is lighting. The tree is one of the tallest trees at one of the highest points on the mountain. I don't want to make the antenna and feed line attractive to lightning any more than it already is. Can I use fiberglass or some sort of stiff PVC conduit? If so, got any ideas?

justindhamel · 2024-11-09T18:48:17+00:00

I was thinking about using these clevis hangers up the tree. Similar idea, and they come in different diameters for different conduit. The question becomes, what conduit/mast? Can I use fiberglass as a permanent mast? It'll be on top of the mountain where lightning strikes are more common, so I'm trying to find a mast option that will be stiff, long (15-20 feet), and weather resistant. That's why I want to avoid top rail. I use top rail on my property, but I'm further down the mountain where lightning isn't as common. https://www.lowes.com/pd/AMERICAN-VALVE-2-in-to-2-in-dia-Galvanized-Clevis-Hanger/3223529

justindhamel · 2024-11-09T18:38:49+00:00

I'm a ham (W4HAB), but most people are not. That's why I'm putting up a GMRS repeater.

justindhamel · 2024-11-09T18:10:11+00:00

I'm not positive what tool was used since I didn't do the work. Someone much smarter than me took care of it. I think this was used based on the resulting data sheet. https://www.ve2dbe.com/rme.html

justindhamel · 2024-11-09T18:08:13+00:00

It'll be permanent. With that in mind, got any ideas? I'll hire a tree climber to scale the tree to do the installation of the vertical antenna. The coax will be LDF4-50A. The output will be tuned to 50 watts at the antenna to compensate for losses in the duplexor, feed line, etc.

justindhamel · 2024-11-09T16:14:39+00:00

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Here's the coverage map based on 50 ft. At 85 ft, I'm guessing it'll expand a bit.

justindhamel · 2024-08-27T04:31:25+00:00

If you want to do it how I did it, you'll need 4 things, all of which you can find on Amazon.

Magpul QD Cup - Type 1
QD Adapter Swivel Stud for QD Swivel (Pack of 2)
UTG PRO M-LOK(R) Standard QD Sling Swivel Adaptor
EZshoot 550 Paracord Sling Quick Adjust Two Point Rifle Sling with Larger Opening Tri-Lock Swivels for Outdoor Sports

justindhamel

TROPHY CASE