The what, why, and how of Repeaters

What Is A Repeater:

A repeater is a two-way radio system that receives on one frequency and then re-transmits what it hears on another frequency at exactly the same time. It’s nothing more than a “dumb relay machine” with some really smart people behind it.

Why it’s needed:

Your handheld radio has limited range due to it’s antenna height with respect to the radio horizon. Repeater systems are placed on high points with large antennas and are used to “transfer” or “repeat” your transmitted and received signals to much higher elevations.

How Does It Work:

A repeater consists of a transmitter, receiver, duplexer and antenna. What is heard on the input frequency is simultaneously transmitted on the output frequency. The duplexer allows one antenna to operate in transmit and receive at the same time.

The key to good repeater operation is height. Can you see farther from the top of a hill or in the valley? The same is true with radio. By placing your repeater on a hill you can talk as far as you can see.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.