Portable Repeater Build, Part 1

In this video we build a portable amateur radio repeater using two Baofeng handheld radios.
Please keep in mind that to operate this repeater you will need a valid amateur radio license and follow FCC regulations regarding repeater use.
Here is the link to Portable Repeater Build, Part : • Portable Repeater Buil...
theoilykrafter.com/shop/ols/c...
#amateur radio, #ham radio, #portable repeater, #battery/solar power, #craft project
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Superbat SMA Male to SMA Female RF Coaxial Coax Cable 6inches + 5pcs RF Coax Adapter Kit, SMA Cable + SMA to SMA/RPSMA Adapter KIT for WiFi/Ham Radio/GPS/3G 4G LTE Antenna, LNA and etc
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[@rick0596]

I have been wanting to build a repeater for quite some time. Thanks to your informative video I should be able to build one now. Thank you for this video, it will be a big help

[@theoilykrafter]

Glad we could help

[@buraotsiabao390]

Nice build watching from Philippines

[@theoilykrafter]

Thank you.

[@adampettus]

Thanks for doing this. Can’t wait for a follow-up video.

[@theoilykrafter]

Thank you for watching! Here is the link for part 2: Portable Repeater Build, Part 2 kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6ibdWONmLuWo68

[@msdarkstar44]

This build was what I was looking for. Thanks 73’s

[@theoilykrafter]

You are welcome.

[@stevensmith5232]

Very innovative ! Great project!

[@theoilykrafter]

Thank you very much!

[@SuperG7one3]

Nicely finished build, I'm also doing similar for gmrs. Only thing I didn't see you address in the video or comments is those USB connectors going into the solar/battery are not waterproof. I think on my build I'll put a 12v Lifepo4 battery inside the box and use a solar battery maintainer on the outside, adds a little bulk inside but the only thing out in the elements this way is the solar panel, which is waterproof on it's own. I've also found simpler components that eliminate a couple of the antenna connections inline, then use a longer bit of cable outside the box to separate the antennas by a few more feet. Keep tinkering!

[@theoilykrafter]

Thank you for your comments. You are correct the USB connectors do not indicate that they are waterproof.

[@drew480az]

This content is gold.

[@theoilykrafter]

Thank you. I am glad that you like the video content.

[@GmrsKissimmee]

Great job !!!

[@theoilykrafter]

Thank you.

[@AmberWhiskeyRGS]

Excellent video. Wanting to do the same and thank you for the parts list.

[@theoilykrafter]

We are glad that you liked the video and you are welcome for the parts list.

[@codybooth]

My compliments on how well the repeater looks, Great Job!

[@theoilykrafter]

Thank you.

[@Mz420momentz]

Awesome setup.

[@theoilykrafter]

Thank you.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Thank you for listening to my feedback On the Amazon Links And putting Descriptions on each amazon link Looks great and so much easier to Tell what link is for what Grest video as well very entertaining and Informative 23:42

[@theoilykrafter]

Thank you.

[@barrykelly2722]

Enjoyed the build. Will enjoy part II. If not already videotaped and edited, would enjoy hearing what (if anything) you would have done differently on this build. I am learning on the go (on the fly) so i appreciate all the wisdom i can glean (or is it gleam?). Anyway thanks.

[@theoilykrafter]

Sorry for the delay on part 2. Life events got in the way. We will get that posted soon.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Great build i would suggest a 90 degree Adapter to make the antennas stand up if your using on a table But not needed of mounted on a wall

[@theoilykrafter]

Thank you for the suggestion. I suggest mounting this in a vertical orientation.

[@cnaf1905]

Congratulations..!!

[@theoilykrafter]

Thank you.

[@mastrsk8]

I have one of those battery banks. While it will charge to full via sunlight, it takes about 4-5 days if the battery isn’t being drained by something else. Thank you for the video though. It’s great. We build, test, then improve.

[@theoilykrafter]

You are welcome. We are glad to help.

[@adampettus]

Seems like a slow charge could be advantageous in this application.

[@mastrsk8]

@@adampettusyou would think, however from what I’ve seen, this battery may last 2 days and probably less. Unless you’re checking it every day or switching it out, this type of battery will not recharge/recover did give any real longevity. Hopefully I’m wrong. Other channels doing this same thing also say a much bigger solar panel is required.

[@shephusted2714]

add more solar power and add cables for the antennae plus gnd kits - then you can mount them higher for more coverage and less interference - generally a good idea just needs some tweaks and users can use liberty to dial it in #yuasa

[@theoilykrafter]

Thanks for the suggestion. The goal of this build was to keep it as small and compact as possible.

[@tacocat6035]

Neat

[@theoilykrafter]

Thank you

[@tophattommy2]

Great build. Sadly, I tried this and found that the radios tended to override each other. Granted, I was pushing max output and my channels were closer than I would prefer. I look forward to your follow up to see what you learned in this process that I might glean more success in my efforts to have back-county SAR radio capability. Thank you!

[@theoilykrafter]

Thank you. I will be posting Part 2 of the video where I cover the radio programming in the near future.

[@jhutch1470]

The frequencies have to have a minimum distance apart so they will not heterodyne. VHF: 600 KHZ negative. UHF: 5 MHZ positive. That is the usual separation. EDIT: The antennas should also be a minimum of 1/4 wave length apart. VHF: 2 meters= 6.5 feet. UHF: 70 centimeters= 2.3 feet.

[@tophattommy2]

@@jhutch1470 I've always wondered what frequency override was called. It makes it hard to learn things when one doesn't know the right words! Does the transmitting freq need to be negative for VHF or the receiving freq? I don't understand what you mean by negative and positive. Thank you SO so much for the great information!!

[@jhutch1470]

@@tophattommy2 Oh yeah, sorry. You are correct. The transmit is negative for VHF and positive for UHF. At least that is the usual band plan for ham radios. I tend to stay with what I call industry standards. It is just called repeater separation. You can always use one antenna if you use a duplexer, but they are very involved, have to be highly tuned, and use about half your power. They can also be called "tuning cans." Two antennas is always better for low power stuff. Hope it helps.

[@tophattommy2]

@@jhutch1470 This helps greatly! I want to set up a couple "ad-hoc" repeaters that can be packed in for SAR activities that can relay back to IC. For an idea of the remoteness of where I am referring, open a map to 45.000000, -112.000000 and look to the south a bit.

[@tangle70]

I was looking to make something like this for our ARES group. Will the solar panel on the battery keep up with say 3 or 4 hours of traffic (not constant, but a fair amount of traffic)? We have had drills where ham radio was the main comms source.

[@theoilykrafter]

Thank you. I am glad the video helped.

[@jhutch1470]

I didn't hear you mention that you are going to have to hang that repeater box. Those radios work on vertical polarization and natural counter poise. The one antenna can be upside down, as long as it is vertical. You will kill almost all of your distance if you keep them horizontal. Just reminding you is all.

[@theoilykrafter]

Thanks for the feedback. I agree definitely needs to be mounted vertical.

[@huangbill6324]

08:40 Sure, I'd be happy to help explain the wiring for 3.5mm and 2.5mm audio connectors. These connectors are commonly used for headphones, microphones, and other audio devices.

[@theoilykrafter]

Thank you for watching. You are correct. However most headphones use a tip, ring, ring, sleeve or TRRS configuration as opposed to a tip sleeve or TS configuration.

[@otonino1199]

Thank you for your knowledge and take your lovely wife for recording

[@theoilykrafter]

You are welcome. We are happy to share with others.

[@terryjwood]

Without a duplexer, you'll have a lot of de-sensing of the receiver. But if you make a CROSS BAND repeater this would work better. Two meters in and 70 centimeters out -- or vice versa. Those wanting to use the repeater will have to set up their VFOs for cross band operation too. But that's trivial to do on most rigs, such as the FT-991A.

[@theoilykrafter]

Thank you for your feedback.

[@dannypittman4766]

I was wondering if you had a chance to do any field testing and roughly what would the volume setting be on the input radio?

[@theoilykrafter]

Potentially each radio is different. I ended up setting the volume about the middle of the range.

[@carypeaden4147]

I believe the polarization (horizontal or vertical orientation) of UHF and VHF antennas matter. Since the people using your repeater (your campers) will probably be using their HT vertical (with the antennas up and down), I think you want your repeater's antenna to be vertical. If they are horizontal, I believe you will lose a large part of that gain you said the antenna give you.

[@theoilykrafter]

You are correct the portable repeater needs to be oriented vertically.

[@PreparedOverlander]

Does that solar power pack use pass-through charging? Meaning, it can charge itself from the solar panel and discharge to charge the radios at the same time. Not all solar packs have this ability. Thanks

[@theoilykrafter]

Not 100% sure. Will have to check.

[@KillerBeeGuy]

Awesome! I'm in the middle of building this. Where did you get the USB power connector cables from the Battery pack to the radios? Thank you!

[@theoilykrafter]

The USB power connector cables came in the radio kit that I ordered from Amazon.

[@KillerBeeGuy]

Thank yo! For some reason the ones I ordered didn't have it but I found one. Thanks again for a great vid!@@theoilykrafter

[@KillerBeeGuy]

Is there a part 2? I programmed the RX to 147.900 and the TX to 147.300 (for the heck of it). Built the kit step by step while watching your vid! Question is do I need to program the R-CTCS and the T-CTCS into each radio including my HT that I'm using for my 'home' radio ? I'm using 88.5 right now. Thank you again for an excellent tutorial! Reed

[@theoilykrafter]

You are welcome.

[@theoilykrafter]

Sorry we had some life events that prevented us from completing the part 2 of the video. We will be releasing it in the near future.

[@DaleWilliams-jr8rk]

Nice video. Is the programming video out yet?

[@theoilykrafter]

Thank you for watching! Here is the link for part 2: Portable Repeater Build, Part 2 kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6ibdWONmLuWo68

[@thetravi1348]

I’m in the process of making a GMRS version of this for fun. Any tips? Did you have to do anything with the VOX? Mines gonna have the receive antenna about 50’ away from the box but the transmit coming off the box. That way I don’t need a higher watt radio to push through the coax. Simi mobile. Using 2 TD-H8s. Any advice helps.

[@theoilykrafter]

Yes you will have to make sure that VOX is enabled on the transmit radio.

[@escalantea1]

Great video! Can you post the Settings for the 2 radios?

[@theoilykrafter]

RX Radio 3 Using this VFO VFO B 148.600 Menu 0 SQL 3 Menu 2 TXP Low Menu 4 VOX Off Menu 10 R-DCS Off Menu 11 R-CTCS Off Menu 12 T-DCS Off Menu 13 T-CTCS Off Menu 25 SFT-D - Menu 26 Offset 000.600 TX Radio4 Settings Using this VFO VFO A 148.000 Menu 0 SQL 3 Menu 2 TXP Low Menu 4 VOX 10 Menu 10 R-DCS Off Menu 11 R-CTCS Off Menu 12 T-DCS Off Menu 13 T-CTCS Off Menu 25 SFT-D Off Menu 26 Offset 000.600 Radio1 and Radio2 used to test repeater function Using this VFO VFO B 148.000 Menu 2 TXP Low Menu 4 VOX Off Menu 10 R-DCS Off Menu 11 R-CTCS Off Menu 12 T-DCS Off Menu 13 T-CTCS Off Menu 25 SFT-D + Menu 26 Offset 000.600

[@bkw0582]

I have seen several of these repeater builds and I an seeing different requirements for the cross-over cable. One said it just has to have the correct sized connectors. Others say that it has to be mono, not stereo. Only one other one that I viewed said it requires you to cross-over red to white and white to red. Which is it really?

[@theoilykrafter]

It is a cross over cable. I found a mono 2.5 mm on one end and 3.5 mm on the other end. I cut the cable stripped back the wire and wired the red to the white wire and the white wire to the red wire.

[@jimmierichards3490]

Are you going to do one on the programming of the 2 HT’s?

[@theoilykrafter]

Thank you for watching! Here is the link for part 2: Portable Repeater Build, Part 2 kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6ibdWONmLuWo68

[@davidwilliamson2115]

what if you have not got enough distance between antennas?

[@theoilykrafter]

If you don't have enough distance between the antennas you will cut down on teh efficiency of the receive and transmit and can have a negative effect on the finals in your radio.

[@michaelmilenkoclewes572]

Great but you have to. mount it vertically. So the tx rx. Aerials. Work correctly

[@theoilykrafter]

Thank you for watching. I agree the orientation must be vertical. I had it horizontal for testing purposes only.

[@jasonbourne1596]

Okay hear me out here. You already made a connector on the box for each antenna, and you could put both connectors anywhere you wanted because it don't matter. You don't have to mount the antenna on the box at all. I would of figured out how far apart they work good and got a box big enough to store more antenna wire. I would just mount the antenna on separate tree limbs and strapped the box to the tree . My solar panel would also reguire more wire because I would mount it higher up out into the light and run it into the box too and not on it.

[@theoilykrafter]

Thank you for the feedback.

[@jasonbourne1596]

@@theoilykrafter You're welcome. I think if both antenna are about 15 feet apart or so and both vertical it should work good. Somewhere between 5 and 10 meters probably.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Looks like a 2.5mm Mono to 3.5mm Mono Cable you custom Made

[@theoilykrafter]

Yes it is. There is a link to a 2.5mm mono to 3.5mm mono cable in the description. At 1:30 in the video I talk about the cable. I did have to cut the cable and strip the wire back and then resolder the wires after swapping white and red on one end of the wire. A cross-over cable if you will.

[@rexdjdjsfortheworld4994]

Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful video 🤩 I am going to make a DMR reapeter for FRO/military here in Sweden when we are in the woods. I have some Anyone AT-D878UV2 Plus 😊

[@theoilykrafter]

You are welcome.

[@jhutch1470]

Great radios. I am getting one soon myself.

[@keithedwards2e0xsz56]

Where is part 2 ??? gonna do this myself.

[@theoilykrafter]

Thank you for watching1 Here is the link for part 2: Portable Repeater Build, Part 2 kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6ibdWONmLuWo68

[@jacobburch3240]

I thought the radios could not be charged while powered on?

[@theoilykrafter]

They cannot be in the charging base for sure. That states in the manual that there could be an issue to the radio if you do.

[@vetinger]

how about a connection from other radio microphone

[@theoilykrafter]

Thank you for watching! Here is the link for part 2: Portable Repeater Build, Part 2 kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6ibdWONmLuWo68

[@22272480]

I thought the radios should not be charged while they are on?

[@theoilykrafter]

I know the manual specifically indicates that while in the charging cradle.

[@wa7npa_wrdc656]

Part 2????

[@theoilykrafter]

Sorry! We’re still working on it! Life got in the way!

[@wa7npa_wrdc656]

@@theoilykrafter okay thank you.

[@vetinger]

I want to watch how the repeater works

[@theoilykrafter]

Thank you for watching! Here is the link for part 2: Portable Repeater Build, Part 2 kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6ibdWONmLuWo68

[@buraotsiabao390]

Please attach the name of item using,

[@theoilykrafter]

I don't understand your question.

[@MountainMan7.62x39]

Why did you go from SMA to UHF and then back to SMA. Why didn't you just stick with SMA for the whole thing?

[@jamess1787]

Probably easier to get a bulk head connector for PL-259 then sma.

[@theoilykrafter]

Definitely easier to get an SO239 bulkhead connector than an SMA connector. I did find some that were bulkhead connectors for SMA but I didn't like how they mounted. I needed a stable mount for the antennas.

[@Tayborian]

I wanna build a home repeater but don’t have the brains. I just have one question, actually make it two. 1, do you have to register your repeater to the fcc? 2, are you able to just use baofengs?

[@theoilykrafter]

First you have to have a proper license with the FCC. Second the frequency that you want to operate on must be registered with the frequency authority for your area. You would not want to use just Baofengs as they do not have a duty cycle to run repeaters on a heavy use basis.

[@abecoulter8550]

why not use a panel connector, drill a small hole and use a nut

[@theoilykrafter]

Thanks for the reply. I am not sure for which part you are suggesting using a panel connector.

[@abecoulter8550]

SMA antenna connector

[@w9akwqsl]

Should give your Amateur Radio Call Sign. And talk about what a repeater does. And purpose of having them. But not interfering with others. Need to mention have to adjust the volume and for input to the output handy talky..

[@theoilykrafter]

I am planning on Part of the video where I talk about the FCC regulations and radio programming and settings on the radio. The part 1 video is all about just the equipment build.

[@jhutch1470]

I don't like giving out my call sign. Too easy to look up. Just looking at the number in your call sign, I can already tell that you are somewhat close to me.

[@brianh4234]

Anyone who was paying attention to his video can see his call sign is on the back of both HT's, "AI5HT". Great video however, I agree with the antenna spacing issue.

[@goosecouple]

You're such a sad ham.

[@1152jerry]

A video about grommets.

[@theoilykrafter]

I don't understand the question\comment.

[@RichMantaray]

dump the uv5rs ,,,, there junk ,,,,,, get 2 uv13 pro v2 ,,,better receive and kicks out 7.5 watts and 5 dollas cheaper lol or the best radio for transmit would be the Retevis RT86 , best long range radio ive ever had, also that solar panel on that power bank wont cut it

[@theoilykrafter]

Thank you for your feedback.

[@timbookedtwo2375]

repeater callsign? heat build up inside sealed case? remote kill/reset in case repeater locks up? for emergency ok but not for regular use. some mobile and ht radios offer crossband repeating. my wouxun uv-9kg does. also an option.

[@theoilykrafter]

You as the operator are responsible for making sure that you are compliant with FCC regulations. I will be covering that in Part 2 of the video that covers programming.

[@MountainMan7.62x39]

What's your FCC KZbin Task Force badge number?

[@ericsherar1085]

mountain man just do the same thing with a gmrs radio. you wont have to worry about hams busting your ba***. @@MountainMan7.62x39

[@ckbhack]

There is plenty of information about how far apart the antennas need to be online. Did you do any research or are we just setting money on fire here? Those solar battery banks are also purely a gimmick.

[@vonleiningen]

I mean, he is a Boomer so... 😂

[@theoilykrafter]

Thank you for watching the video. It was not a concern to this point.

[@thionic_acid]

I’ve had great success with a solar battery. I’ve never plugged it in to charge it. Always been solar charged. Charges GoPro batteries while I’m out riding.

[@frankbowman22]

@ckbhack what a joke you are 😂 at least he is trying to do it what have you done