>-----Original Message----- >From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Repeater- >buil...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of wd8chl >Sent: Thursday, May 07, 2009 4:41 PM >To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com >Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Ham installation quality/non- >quality > >John Transue wrote: >> Well, I wanted to use GM300s until I found out that I can't afford >the >> software and cable to program these radios. Now it looks like I >will >> have to settle for new ham gear. With the Motorola radios, I'd have >to >> take the radios to a shop and pay $45 per radio every time I wanted >to >> change something, even the squelch setting. I can't afford that. >> >> >> >> 73 de >> >> John AF4PD > >What do you want this repeater to do? Ham, right? 2M or UHF? High >profile, low profile, quiet site, noisy site (RF-wise), easy access, >hard access (snowed in half the year, etc)? Low/Solar power? > >A Micor or MastrII station is FAR cheaper than a pair of GM300's plus >s/w or paying to get it programmed, etc. And it'll outperform them >hands-down! >If you put more than $200-300 or so into something like a >Micor/MastrII/MSR2000 or even an MSF-5000, somethings not right. >2M though can be more if you have to have a duplexer. UHF duplexers >on >the other hand are cheap. > >For a first repeater, made-for-ham is NOT the way to go either. > >Jim >WD8CHL >
Jim, My only point was that the software is expensive enough to make the use of good cheap old commercial radios (made by Motorola) far more expensive than I had imagined. But to get to your questions, what I am planning and costing is a remote receiver (VHF) with a UHF link back to the base VHF repeater. The space we have under negotiation is in a high rise building. Getting to the equipment will involve keeping on the good side of the building engineer and not making a nuisance of myself. The base repeater is used for ham nets and general chit chat, but it is available (and is used) in emergencies and public service events. Currently I favor using ICOM ICF121S and ICF221S radios. John T. AF4PD
