2 way coverage help

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AMR
Posts: 10
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 2:18 am

2 way coverage help

Post by AMR »

Can anyone tell me what can i do to get better coverage with me tk 840 2 way system. i am using one of the radios as a base and i have my Omni directional antenna on top of my building which is about 25 foot high, and where i live there aren't many tall buildings but i can only go 6-8 miles and i loose the signal. Any idea what i need to do do get up to 15 or 20 miles without having to use a repeater? thanks
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rescue161
Posts: 130
Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2002 7:51 pm

Post by rescue161 »

Only way is going to be to put the antenna higher.
Scott
n5tbu
Posts: 413
Joined: Fri Aug 30, 2002 7:20 am
Location: Opelousas,La.

Post by n5tbu »

You should be getting more than 6-8 miles at 25 feet.
Have your system checked by a radio tech.
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Raymond156
Posts: 51
Joined: Sat Jan 04, 2003 3:51 pm

Well help Us to Help You

Post by Raymond156 »

How many watts are the radios?
What type of mobile antenna?
What type of base antenna?
What type of cable feds the base antenna?

.
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rescue161
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Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2002 7:51 pm

Post by rescue161 »

25 feet isn't that tall/high. I have a site here that is around 50 feet above sea level (around 25 feet AAT). We only get about 6-8 miles for portables (depending on terrain). As long as we're in the open, we're fine, but if we're in a 'hole' or a building, we have have problems getting back to the repeater. This is a Securenet (DES) only repeater which explains the loss, but even with secure turned off, we still don't see a dramatic increase in coverage. Our system is UHF LOW which also is a factor in the range.

I also agree with Raymond especially when it comes to feedline. If you're using rg-58, then you need to upgrade to something better...
Scott
Raymond156
Posts: 51
Joined: Sat Jan 04, 2003 3:51 pm

RG58 co-ax 17 feet is our CUT-OFF.

Post by Raymond156 »

We do not run RG58 longer than 17 FEET.

When we have UHF we try to go to RG8X
as the least try cable to use.

The line loss adds up FAST.
AMR
Posts: 10
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 2:18 am

Post by AMR »

Ok, I hope everyone had a good holiday! I checked the mobile that i use as a base which is tk 840 and i found out that i only get 5 watts out of it(is there anyway i can make this up to 25 watts?) also i am using rg 58 100 feet long, and i have 1/4 wave antenna on top of all my cars and i am using Omni directional antenna for the base. if i need to make this antenna higher, how high would be good enough or should i just keep trying? thank you guys for all your responses. and no i my system was not checked by a tech, but i thought i knew what i was doing at least i got it started.
Raymond156
Posts: 51
Joined: Sat Jan 04, 2003 3:51 pm

RG58"NO"

Post by Raymond156 »

The number one thing that is WRONG
is the RG58 cable is a BIG NO-NO

Use at least RG213

LMR400 is CHEAP.
The Snow is Here to Stay
WE like FREE manuals
http://www.KB2LJJ.COM
AMR
Posts: 10
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 2:18 am

Post by AMR »

ok how about RG8x will that be good enough. any other suggestions?

Thank you
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rescue161
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Post by rescue161 »

RG-8 is not even going to cut it, much less RG-8X. Do as Raymond stated and get LMR400 or RG213. Even better would be hardline, but that gets expensive.

You're probably only getting a watt or two out of your antenna due to only having 5 watts coming out of the transmitter, so that RG-58 at 100 feet is eating up all of your power.
Scott
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jim
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Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2002 11:13 pm
Location: Pittsburgh, Pa.

Post by jim »

LMR400 will be just fine at under 100 feet.

Hardline won't "get you out" any farther, although it might "hear" a little better in repeater applications.

:beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer:
AMR
Posts: 10
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 2:18 am

Post by AMR »

OK I BOUGHT 75 FEET OF LMR 400 AND ADDED 10 FEET TO THE HEIGHT. NOW I AM ASSUMING I SHOULD GET A LITTLE BETTER.
AMR
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Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 2:18 am

Post by AMR »

OK, I AM AMAZED WITH THE RESULTS AFTER I USED THE LMR400. I STILL GET SOME STATIC IN SOME AREAS BUT WHEN I GO FUTHER THE STATIC GOES AWAY, SO I AM NOT SURE WHAT IS CAUSING THAT. BUT I GAINED AT LEAST 5 MORE MILES THAN WHEN I WAS USING RG58.
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