Two-Way Radio Repeater

How two-way radio repeaters work

In very simple terms, the operation of a repeater is very simple: what the device receives on one frequency is immediately transmitted on another frequency. In practice, of course, this is somewhat more complicated. First of all, a repeater antenna, also known as a base station antenna, is needed, which is installed by professionals on the roof of a building or other elevated point. A tower or a chimney, possibly a natural elevation, could be an option.

As the antenna on a high point is more easily "seen" by the Member State's station as the crow flies, i.e. there is less shielding, the range of the two-way radio is increased. As the shielding is reduced or even eliminated, handheld radios that would previously have been unable to communicate can now "see" each other. Another important part of the system is the repeater module, which is connected to the repeater antenna by cables. The module is essentially the brain of the system, as it receives and transmits signals. Modern models also have an Ethernet connection, so remote monitoring or connecting multiple repeaters is no problem.

Authorisation of the two-way radio repeater

The installation of a repeater always requires careful planning and licensing. The first step in the planning process is to draw up a system engineering plan. This document includes the location of the station and antenna to be built, ensuring that the frequencies used do not interfere with the communications of others. The plan will be assessed by the National Media and Communications Authority, and in the case of a positive decision, a specific frequency will be allocated (shared frequencies cannot be used for two-way radio repeaters). Then, with the Radio Licence in hand, you can enjoy uninterrupted, hiss-free radio communications.

When should I choose to install a two-way radio repeater?

Poor coverage

Poor coverage is the most common reason for installing a repeater. If you need fast and reliable communication away from the central base, a repeater can easily solve the problem. Such situations are common in transport or agriculture, but a repeater can bridge the gap effectively.

Weak reception inside the building

In a large building with tens of floors, or even in a large complex of buildings, radios often fail. A radio repeater is therefore an effective aid in hospitals or large warehouse complexes, among other places.

Team management

Within a single facility, there may be several different teams that do not necessarily need to communicate with each other. The repeater can also be used to create separate channels for each team (e.g. security, technicians, maintenance, etc.). And when combined with a large area to cover, the repeater makes the work much more efficient.

What can a modern two-way radio digital repeater do?

Whereas in the past only analogue repeaters were available for two-way radio, nowadays it is hard to find a repeater that cannot operate in digital mode alongside the existing analogue technology. With today's modern radio repeaters, it is easy to create trunked digital systems within a repeater station or even by networking multiple trunked stations. And if you are not thinking of a trunked system, but of simply increasing the area coverage, with digital repeaters this can be done very simply by networking individual repeaters.

In addition to the two-way radio system engineering required for obtaining a radio licence, we can also undertake the installation of a complete radio system with antennae. Contact us for more information!