CB \ FRS Cross Band Repeater

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by potatomutato on October 1, 2010 at 8:49am

interesting. so i'm assuming that specific channel would be pre-established and not changeable by the operating bodies?

Permalink Reply by UT48 on October 1, 2010 at 8:57am

it's not tuned (permanently set) so each radio can be changed to what ever channel you want at any time -

it would be just a logistics thing, maybe decided during the planning stage of a trail run here on the board or at the driver meeting at the trail head -

the channel selection might need to change once on the trail - might encounter a CB red neck rampage and need to change channels :)

it's just coordination - - -

Permalink Reply by potatomutato on October 1, 2010 at 9:39am

the channel selection might need to change once on the trail - might encounter a CB red neck rampage and need to change channels :)

...or zombies.

that's awesome! looking forward to using this system. keep us "in tune" to the proceedings.

Permalink Reply by Bz on October 1, 2010 at 9:22am

Very Cool! Keep us posted!

Permalink Reply by opg4759 on October 1, 2010 at 10:01am

I think I have found the repeater controller. I have sent you the details on it.

more to come.

Permalink Reply by techie on October 1, 2010 at 10:51am

Great concept..

Unfortunately, I think this would run into problems with CB Rule 19 (95.419), which prohibits remote control of CB transmitters. There is no such restriction on the FRS side.

Exceptions exist for wireline control of transmitters within the same "premises, craft, or vehicle", but as soon as you extend control of the CB transmitter outside of that limited area, you're no longer FCC legal.

With that out of the way, this looks like it might do the trick..
http://www.arrowantenna.info/main/uconrtoller.html

Unfortunately, Arrow Antenna is currently closed due to the owner's wife's heart attack, and it is unknown when they will reopen.

I tried looking for additional info on this unit, but most search results for 'reed electronics'+'repeater controller' led to malware sites, or the occasional discussion board pointing back towards Arrow.

Also, Steve Ulrig, the owner of swssec.com, ate his gun a few years ago.
Aside from a couple of very minor updates, such as: "we no longer have equipment for sale", that website has been unchanged for ~5 years. I don't know what the current status of the business is.

Permalink Reply by opg4759 on October 1, 2010 at 11:43am

This project is more of a proof of concept that would only be used if built in non urban areas, so impact to anyone would be minimum.

With that

I have found a viable controller that we believe would allow us to make this work.

Permalink Reply by Boss73 on October 1, 2010 at 12:29pm

I don't fully understand this stuff but I wan tot learn..

Sounds pretty cool though!!

Permalink Reply by pkelly72 on October 2, 2010 at 1:54pm

This is very cool. I had no idea they existed. I'm very interested. Please keep us posted.

Permalink Reply by gringo on October 3, 2010 at 6:19am

great reading and learning on crossband repeating, good idea too

will the repeater controller re-transmit signals on frs and cb bands 462../26. or is it only capable on 2m and 70cm?

if 2 vhf/uhf HT's are connected to the repeater controller, how will they re-transmit on AM for cb?

maybe I'm reading to much into it, but learning what I can

Permalink Reply by opg4759 on October 4, 2010 at 11:11am

It all depends on what controller you are using. If it's built into the radio then it's generally UHF/VHF.

If it's a separate controller like we are looking at then it just depends on what radios you connect.

Permalink Reply by gringo on October 5, 2010 at 10:04am

makes sense, I understand it now