Codan Radio Radio Repeater Systems Training Guide - Manual (Page 12)

TRAINING GUIDE | RADIO REPEATER SYSTEM
Chapter 1: Repeater System Basics Page 4
COVERAGE AREA AND SITE LOCATION
One of the key components of radio system design is to determine the coverage area required and
the location of sites needed to cover that area. An existing radio system may not cover all of the
required area, and another repeater may be required. A new repeater can be “linked” to your existing
radio system to increase your coverage area. Depending on the location, a radio system can provide
coverage of an area with a radius of 5 to 50 kilometers (2 to 30 miles) or even further under ideal
conditions.
A repeater or remote base station is usually located at a high site to ensure that the radio system covers
all of the area required. The development of low power, high reliability, battery operated radio systems
has allowed radio repeaters sites to be located at remote mountain tops and other areas where roads
and power lines do not exist. If room is available at the site to erect a building to house the equipment,
and to safely land a helicopter, the site could be used for your radio system.
One key to good system planning is good mapping. Topographic (contour) maps 1:250,000 for coverage
(as demonstrated earlier), and 1:50,000 for profi les between sites are recommended.
The whole idea of using low-powered, automatic repeater stations (ARS) is to put them where they are
required for coverage, and not where it may be most convenient. You now must fi nd a site or sites that
will:
i) provide your missing coverage.
ii) provide a location from which a repeater will give a strong signal into your base station (if
required).
iii) be accessible by road, trail, or helicopter.
iv) be in a position that will be line-of-sight to the next site (if required).
v) if a second site is necessary, provide the coverage you need, yet not leave coverage overlaps
between sites; nor conversely leave an unusable gap in coverage between the two sites.
Whether you plan a remote controlled base station, a repeater, or two (or more) repeaters; mobile
coverage maps for each mountain-top site are suggested, as are profi les between sites, and profi les
from site(s) to base station(s).