At 06:26 PM 12/12/07, you wrote: >I have access to IC 28h mobiles and intend to make a repeater out of >two mobiles. > >...not for heavy use...but casual ...club use...5-10 watts tx. will >be sufficient
What duty cycle? >...will be powered by solar No, it will be powered by batteries, which are charged by solar. There's a big difference. For one, the battery bank will probably cost as much or more than the radios did new, and about as much as the solar panels. See <http://www.repeater-builder.com/tech-info/some-thoughts-on-solar-power.html> >...not too sure whether to use duplexer or two antenna Depends on the physical site, and the tower. Two antennas means purchasing two GOOD antennas, and two GOOD feedlines, one antenna means purchasing one GOOD duplexer, one GOOD feedline and one GOOD antenna that can duplex See <http://www.repeater-builder.com/antenna/cracking.html>. >...to make it portable to readily move to another location and >access (program directly > by dial) other repeaters. Having a frequency agile repeater means having synthesized radios, and no duplexer. There are very few good repeater grade synthesized radios. >any idea from this group...whether this radio is reliable for this >application.? > >thanks > >chris You will be very dissatisfied with the 28 series receiver because the 28 and similar 220 and 440 series of radios were in the DC-to-Daylight front end family. In other words, there was little to no off-frequency rejection. The transmitter has the typical no-heat-sink problem... adding more metal would have increased the size of the radio, and raised the price of the radio (more metal cost, more shipping,cost, etc.) The lack of a heat sink has the same effect as described on the Maxtrac index page: <http://www.repeater-builder.com/maxtrac/maxtrac-index.html> All in all, I think that you should look hard at your need for frequency agility, and if you can get by with a fixed frequency system you would be happier with a radio that has a real front end. One of these is the GE Custom MVP which can be thought of as an under-dash, low power Mastr II.... <http://www.repeater-builder.com/ge/mvp/no6bmvpconversion.html> <http://www.repeater-builder.com/ge/mvp/mvpstepbystep.html> Mike WA6ILQ
