TO: ALL WOOD COUNTY ARES MEMBERS (OFFICIAL)
ALL ARES AND NON-ARES AMATEURS ANYWHERE (INFORMATION)
FROM: KEN HARRIS WA8LLM ARRL DISTRICT 3 EMERGENCY COORDINATOR
WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INC.
WOOD COUNTY BULLETIN NR 16.35 DATE: August 28, 2016
SUBJECT: WHAT IS CROSSBAND REPEAT?
Crossband repeat is the ability to receive signals on one band, such as UHF, and re-transmit them on another band, such as VHF. Crossband repeat is a way to extend the range of a Hand Held radio. If you have a low power Hand Held radio and a dual band mobile radio, you may be able to set up a system that will allow you to extend your talking and listening distance.
The dual band mobile has to have the crossband repeat ability, but all dual band mobiles don't have it. If you want to extend your Hand Held range, you need to set your mobile radio on one band to transmit and receive on a frequency of your Hand Held. Then you set your mobile radio on the other band to transmit and receive on the frequency that you want extended. When you transmit with your Hand Held radio, your mobile radio will receive your Hand Held signal and re-transmit it on the other band. Then your mobile radio will receive the other band and re-transmit the signal back to your Hand Held radio.
Crossband repeat is a good system, but can cause problems. If the frequency of one or both bands of the mobile happen to get set, or changed, to another frequency, or frequencies, the crossband repeater system can cause interference on one or both of the other frequencies. You need to make sure that your system is set up for the required frequencies, and only leave it set up when you need it. Once you're finished using it, shut it down.
Ken Harris WA8LLM
WCEC
Wood County WV