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I think using two radios not designed for repeater duty in a tactical
situation where lives depend on the communications is a bad idea. Below is
how my volunteer fire department handled a solution to poor tactical
communications.
In 1998 my volunteer fire department responded to a tornado disaster scene
outside our jurisdiction. Our mobile radios could reach the base repeater,
but the portables could not reach the base or the mobiles (we had to do a lot of
walking). With the Y2K panic taking hold and the cell phone overload we
experienced in Dunwoody, we decided to purchase a small repeater for out command
van. We purchased a Motorola GR-1225 (I think that was the model)
repeater, with included duplexer. The repeater cost under $1000, and I
think maybe under $700. All that was left to purchase was transmission
line and an antenna.
We decided to go with two set-ups. The repeater was mounted in the
van and connected to a NMO mount antenna for normal situations covering a small
geographic area. The second set-up was for situations like the one in
Dunwoody. We bought 100 feet of transmission line, a four-bay folded
dipole antenna from decibel, and a piece of galvanized conduit. We placed
mounts in the bucket of our Aerielscope so we could mount the
antenna and galvanized pipe in the bucket of the truck. In 5 minutes we
could set the truck up and have an antenna tower at 75 feet. Of course this
option cannot be used if you need the Aerielscope for firefighting.
Chris Wilkie
W1LKE Former Captain
Jonesboro Fire Dept.
Jonesboro, Georgia
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