I am proud to announce the addition of two new repeaters to our lineup.
P25 digital in VHF, UHF and 700/800 Mhz.
DMR digital in UHF 450Mhz to 470Mhz.
These repeaters will allow customers with digital radios to have the availability of rapid deployment digital repeaters.
Here is a picture of a brand new VHF repeater’s first deployment. Repeater was built for a State Search and Rescue team.
After a few months and many design changes the new repeater is here. Many people and groups have wanted something less expensive. Here it is! A fully functional 4 watt (2.5 watt to the antenna) repeater in a 30 caliber ammo can. Just add an antenna and 12 Volts DC and you are on the air. The internal radio modules are Part 90 type accepted for the business band and tune to the ham band too. Check it out under our repeater section.
For those who would like to get their own license for a tactical repeater, I just put together a tutorial that contains step by step instructions and a copy of a completed FCC form 601. The completed application will license two Itinerate repeater frequencies and simplex talk around on the repeater pairs.
If you would like a copy, email me at info@tacticalrepeater.com and I will send it right out to you. As always, we are here to assist you and answer questions.
Two key elements in Tactical Operations are OPSEC (operational security) and COMSEC (communications security). Though quite different in overall meaning, both terms go hand in hand and you can not achieve one without the other.
OPSEC means the security of the complete operation. Whether we are talking about security of a SWAT or SRT team, or the personal safety to Search & Rescue Team members, OPSEC is paramount.
COMSEC consists of securing your radios well enough that your internal communications can not be monitored. Once you have achieved COMSEC you can feel free that any use of your radio communications gear will not effect OPSEC. If at any time you feel your radio communications are vulnerable you have completely lost OPSEC.
The only way to achieve COMSEC is through encryption. There are different forms and security levels of encryption. The basic rule of thumb is: the more you spend, the better your encryption. I will outline a few possibilities here, but first, a little background.
We basically have two types of radio transmission mediums: 1. Analog and 2. Digital. We have two types of Encryption: 1. Analog and 2. Digital. You can use both types of encryption in an Analog medium. You can only use Digital Encryption if you use a Digital medium.
When we talk digital encryption, the length of the key code is listed in bits. The more bits the more secure the code. (have I lost you yet? 🙂 ) Keep in mind that once you choose an encryption format, all radios in your fleet must have the same encryption.
Analog Encryption. THRE IS NO SECURE ANALOG ENCRYPTION
DVP, DVP-XL (digital encryption) is an older Motorola format in Motorola radios only. Not very secure, but lowered radio range. Repeater also needs to be DVP capable.
Cost: low on used market. (No new equipment.)
The four main digital mediums today are P25, DMR, NEXEDGE/IDAS and D-Star. In basic terms these are the common air interfaces (CAI) that enable the radios and repeaters to work together. You must first choose a CAI then choose an encryption format. ***Anything less that AES-265 has the potential of being compromised***
AES-256 encryption is the gold standard today. Employed by most government and public safety departments using P25 today. It is supposedly fool-proof. It was partially written by the NSA and is open source for Internet Traffic. Motorola owns an AES implementation for radio, SO if you want another brand to communicate with a Motorola radio, you must use the Motorola AES build. Some radio manufactures do offer a Motorola compatible AES, some do not.
You can buy AES options for most modern digital radios today. Cost: $500 – $900 depending on the model of radio. (this is a ripoff because AES is open source, most manufactures give AES free in Europe and charge huge amounts in the USA)
Kenwood/Icom have basic encryption included in their NEXEDGE/IDAS format, or you can add AES.
Motorola Mototrbo DMR format has 13 bit and 40 bit included. With NO AES option. Hytera adds $220 for AES-256. Kenwood is $400 for AES in the DMR format radios.
I sell some Off shore Part 90 certified radios with AES-256 included. Current models are NOT Motorola compatible the next generation will be Motorola friendly. Please call and check stock as we are waiting for the new compatible model to arrive.
D-Star is primarily a Ham format so there is not a lot of encryption available.
All encryption schemes EXCEPT AES-256 have been compromised. I only use AES-256.
Itinerant: traveling on job; traveling from place to place.
The FCC has a pool of frequencies in the Part 90 section called Itinerant channels. These channels are perfect for a tactical repeater setup.
A big advantage to Itinerate channels: there is no need to go through frequency coordination or incur coordination fees. To receive a license, all you pay are the FCC regulatory fees of $260.00 for 10 years. Yep, 26 bucks a year, or $2.16/mo. You are licensed for low power (6 watt) anywhere in the USA. Plus encryption is legal.
To receive a license you fill out a FCC form 600, (if you get a repeater from us we will do that for you), pay your $260 bucks and you are good to go!
Because the Itinerant channels are part of the Part 90 rule set, you do need to make a business need statement on the form 600. For instance, say you have a few hives of bees and sell honey. Your statement would be, “Licensee is engaged in the production of Honey. Radios will be used to coordinate field personnel.” Plus if you employ encryption, your conversations are totally private.
You can read more about Itinerant frequencies over at http://forums.radioreference.com/industry-discussion/242354-fcc-itinerant-licensing.html
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.
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.
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.
I get asked all the time, “What band is the best?” Wow, what a loaded question! When it comes to radio communications, I can only answer that question with about 20 more question to develop the correct answer.
Under the present FCC laws there are 5 radio services and rule sets that apply to most business and personal communications. Here I outline each Radio Service and highlight the pros and cons of each.
Licensed as an individual, not a group or company. License requires a test and some technical knowledge. Multiple communications frequencies and formats available. Encryption is strictly FORBIDDEN. No type acceptance needed to transmit within the allotted HAM bands. Repeaters O.K. above 30 MHZ. Rule set known as Part 97. Part 90 Equipment can be used on these frequencies.
5 frequencies in the 150 MHz band. Power is limited to two watts. No License required. No repeaters. Rule set known as Part 95. While encryption is allowed, digital modulation is NOT. a radio that is Part 95 accepted that contains strong encryption does not exist. Part 90 type accepted equipment can NOT be used on the MURS channels.
14 channels in the 450 MHz band with a maximum power output of 500 milliwatts (1/2 watt). No License required. No repeaters. Analog only. Encryption is permitted but no equipment is offered with a strong encryption format. Only radios type accepted for FRS can be used on the FRS frequencies. Part 90 equipment can NOT be used on FRS frequencies.
Multiple channels in the 460 MHz band. System license required. Encryption is forbidden. High power commercial radio equipment part 90 type accepted O.K. Repeaters O.K.
Part 90 contains the rule set for Commercial, Business Band and Public Safety and Itinerant frequencies.
Multiple channels in multiple bands. Repeaters used in the 30,150,450 and 800 MHz bands. Requires a System License and frequency coordination. Encryption is a GO. Licensees must make an eligibility statement to receive a license. Only Part 90 type accepted equipment can be used on licensed frequencies.
The team at TacticalRpeater.com can assist you in your licensing and frequency coordination needs, please contact us and we can discuss the options that are available to you. We have licensed Public Safety, Search and Rescue, Business, GMRS, and Itinerant users. If it is Ham you are interested in, contact your local Ham radio club and see when they are hosting a testing session in our area, then talk to us about a tactical repeater.