- Category: Tower Talk
- Hits: 828
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- Category: Tower Talk
- Hits: 225
How to Build an Amateur Radio Go-Box: A Portable Solution for Field and Emergency Communications
An amateur radio go-box is a compact, portable setup designed for quick deployment of essential radio equipment in the field. Typically, a go-box contains radios, antennas, power sources, and necessary accessories, all housed in a single, easy-to-carry case. Whether you're testing repeaters, providing communication during emergencies, or setting up at public service events, a go-box is the solution when traditional infrastructure is unavailable or compromised. Here's how we built ours to test repeaters away from the home shack.
Why Build a Go-Box?
At home in Oregon, I can access around 80% of the repeaters along the I-5 corridor from Longview, Washington to Eugene, Oregon, thanks to my base station antennas. This covers nearly 70% of the state's repeaters. However, for field operations—especially testing repeaters away from my home—I needed a portable setup that could offer similar capabilities to my home station.
Having a go-box also makes field operations easier, allowing me to quickly deploy, set up in a park, or even transport my radio gear between vehicles. Since I lease my truck and want to avoid drilling holes, a go-box provides a lease-friendly solution, eliminating messy cable setups and allowing easy switching between vehicles.
Building the Go-Box
The Radios
Our setup includes multiple VHF/UHF radios to cover various bands and digital modes:
- Yaesu FTM-300D: FM and C4FM on 2m/70cm
- Connect Systems CS800D: FM and DMR on 2m/70cm
- TYT TH-9000D: FM on 1.25m
- Motorola 4580: FM and DMR on 33cm
- Uniden Bearcat BCD536HP: A scanner capable of monitoring all VHF/UHF channels, including DMR, NXDN, and P-25.
This variety ensures we're equipped for different communication scenarios. While there isn’t much P-25 or NXDN activity in my area, I have several handheld radios, like the Kenwood TH-D74A and Icom ID-52A, to cover additional modes such as FM and D-Star.
Choosing the Box
After researching different setups, I decided to separate the communications and power components into two boxes. This keeps the weight manageable and allows flexibility in power sourcing. I used a Gator Cases 4U Rack Case with a shallow 13-inch depth to house the radios. This size was perfect for mounting four VHF/UHF radios and allowed easy access to all ports and connections.
Mounting the Radios
- Yaesu FTM-300D: Mounted on the lower left, leaving space for easy access to the SD card slot and mic port.
- TYT 9000D: Installed using the included mobile bracket.
- Icom IC-5100A: As a remote-mount radio, this posed some challenges. The control head and transceiver body needed separate mounting. I fabricated a custom solution using corner braces and magnets to easily attach and detach the control head.
- Motorola 4580: Purchased used on eBay, this radio also came with a mounting bracket that fit perfectly.
Antenna Switching
Using a tri-band mobile antenna, I installed an Alpha-Delta Delta-4B coaxial switch to allow three of the four radios to share the same antenna. This switch was mounted for easy access, enabling quick switching between radios while seated at the operating position.
Power Setup
The power system includes a PowerWerx 30-amp power supply and a 10 Ah Bio Enno battery, providing flexibility to run the box on AC power, vehicle power, or solar. All connections use Anderson Power Poles, ensuring quick and easy hook-ups. The power box is separate, making the entire setup lighter and more portable.
Field Testing
The true test of the go-box came during a trip from Portland, Oregon, to eastern Idaho. Along the way, I tested repeaters from rest stops and eateries, with pre-configured memories for quick access. The box performed flawlessly, and the lightweight design made it easy to transport from the truck to the tailgate for field operations.
Using a tri-band mag-mount antenna, I was able to easily switch between radios and test their performance on various repeaters, some as far as 60 miles away. The built-in speakers on each radio were more than sufficient, and I didn’t need to add external speakers, keeping the setup compact and efficient.
Lessons Learned and Final Thoughts
Overall, the go-box build was a huge success. It’s portable, quick to deploy, and versatile. I can easily switch power sources, making it ideal for road trips, field day events, or emergency operations. The Anderson Power Pole system makes it easy to power the box from any 12-volt source, whether it's a vehicle, battery, or generator.
As I continue to use the go-box, I plan to add an antenna with its own ground plane for deployments away from the truck. The current setup is an excellent balance of portability, capability, and ease of use.
Stay tuned for future updates and a full report on repeater coverage along Interstate 84 from Portland to Idaho!
Complete Parts List:
| Part | Source | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Gator 4U Rack Case | Amazon | $189.99 |
| Icom IC-5100A | HRO | $429.95 |
| Yaesu FT-300 | HRO | $459.95 |
| Anytone AT-D578UVIII-Plus | HRO | $459.95 |
| Motorola 4580 | eBay | $250 |
| Alpha-Delta Delta-4B coaxial switch | HRO | $109.95 |
| ABR antenna leads (3) | HRO | $22.95 each |
| PowerWerx PanelPole1 | HRO | $19.95 |
| PowerWerx 4-Connection Power Distribution Block (2) | HRO | $27.95 each |
- Category: Tower Talk
- Hits: 282
September at RepeaterBook: A Month of Big Changes and Exciting Updates!
As summer faded into fall, things heated up behind the scenes at RepeaterBook. With more time available, we dived into some serious site enhancements. And guess what? We’ve got some major improvements to share!
RT Systems to the Rescue – No More Google Ads!
If you’ve visited RepeaterBook recently, you’ve probably noticed something – those annoying Google ads have disappeared! Pop-ups, pop-overs, and cluttered pages had turned the site into an ad maze, nearly impossible to navigate. But we’ve never charged for site access or data, so ads were a necessary evil. Lately, though, Google Ads has been squeezing us harder, showing more ads while paying less.
That’s where our amazing sponsor, RT Systems, stepped in! A long-time partner, RT Systems made the magic happen by removing the ads entirely. It’s a welcomed change, and we can’t thank them enough. Thank you, RT Systems!
Better Propagation Reports: Keeping It Legal
Propagation reports are key for understanding how well repeaters perform and their coverage areas. We collect these for both amateur radio and GMRS repeaters, but we’ve noticed something concerning: some amateur repeaters have been receiving reports from users with GMRS call signs.
Friendly reminder: If you’re a GMRS user, your license doesn’t allow you to transmit outside GMRS frequencies (which are between 462 and 467 MHz). To make sure everything runs smoothly, RepeaterBook now checks the call sign of logged-in users and only permits propagation reporting in the amateur radio section for licensed amateur operators. Let’s keep everything legit and in order!
Language Support – A Global Welcome!
We’re excited to announce that RepeaterBook is going global! While the RepeaterBook app has supported multiple languages for a while, the website is catching up! We’re rolling out translations in Catalan, Austrian, Dutch, French, Spanish, and German, with Portuguese, Swiss, and Turkish coming soon. We hope this helps our non-English-speaking friends feel more at home, encourages participation, and leads to more contributions from around the world.
Want to be part of the translation team? We’d love to have your help! Reach out to the admin and join the effort!
Stay Updated with the Change Log!
Ever wonder what’s new on the site? Now, you can easily find out! The RepeaterBook Change Log is linked right in the Main Menu on the Home page. Keep an eye on it to stay updated on all the latest features, fixes, and enhancements.
With all these exciting developments, RepeaterBook is growing and improving, thanks to you and our incredible community. Stay tuned – there’s even more to come!
- Category: Tower Talk
- Hits: 220
How to Update the RepeaterBook App on Google Play and Apple App Store: Keep Your Repeater Data Ready for Emergencies
In today’s fast-paced world, ensuring that you have the latest information and tools at your fingertips is crucial. The RepeaterBook app is no different. Whether you're an amateur radio enthusiast or simply rely on repeaters during emergencies, keeping the app updated is essential to accessing the most accurate repeater data. Fortunately, updating RepeaterBook on your device is quick and simple! Plus, did you know that the app's repeater database is stored locally, ensuring you have access to vital information even during network outages? Let's walk through the process of keeping your app up-to-date and why it's an indispensable tool, especially during emergencies. Even the location searching is offline.
How to Update RepeaterBook on Google Play (Android Devices)
- Open the Google Play Store on your Android device.
- Tap on your profile icon in the top right corner.
- Select "Manage apps & device" from the menu.
- Under the "Updates available" section, find RepeaterBook in the list.
- Tap "Update" next to RepeaterBook.
If RepeaterBook isn’t listed under "Updates available," it means you're already using the latest version. However, you can always check for updates manually by searching for "RepeaterBook" in the Play Store and tapping "Update" if available.
How to Update RepeaterBook on the Apple App Store (iOS Devices)
- Open the App Store on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap your profile icon in the top right corner of the screen.
- Scroll down to view the list of apps with pending updates.
- Locate RepeaterBook and tap "Update" next to it.
Similar to Android, if RepeaterBook doesn’t appear under pending updates, you're using the most up-to-date version. You can also check manually by searching for "RepeaterBook" in the App Store and hitting "Update" if an update is available.
Why Keeping the App Updated Is Essential
Regular updates to RepeaterBook improve performance, fix bugs, and introduce new features, keeping your experience smooth and reliable. Plus, updates ensure you’re accessing the most current repeater data and benefiting from improvements to the app’s functionality.
Offline Capabilities: Stay Prepared, Even During Emergencies
One of the key features that sets RepeaterBook apart from other repeater directories is its offline functionality. The entire repeater database is stored locally within the app on your device. This means that once you’ve downloaded the app and its data, you don’t need an internet connection to access vital repeater information.
Why is this important?
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Emergencies and Natural Disasters: During hurricanes, wildfires, or other disasters, cell towers can be damaged, and internet services can go down. In such scenarios, when communication is critical, RepeaterBook’s offline database ensures you still have access to repeater data, making it easier to stay in touch, coordinate rescue efforts, or relay important information.
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No Dependence on the Cloud: Unlike some apps that rely on pulling data from the cloud, RepeaterBook ensures you always have up-to-date repeater information ready at your fingertips, even when the web is out of reach.
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Performance: The local storage of data means no lag time, and you can pull up repeater listings instantly, without waiting for a network request to be fulfilled.
Be Prepared, Stay Updated, and Rely on RepeaterBook
Keeping your RepeaterBook app updated through the Google Play Store or Apple App Store is a quick and easy task that ensures you have the latest repeater data and app improvements. But what really sets RepeaterBook apart is its offline functionality—crucial during emergencies and natural disasters when internet access might be limited or unavailable.
Whether you're an amateur radio operator, GMRS enthusiast, or someone who just values reliable communication during tough times, RepeaterBook ensures you always have repeater data at your fingertips. Make sure to keep your app updated, and stay prepared with the power of offline repeater data!
For more information or troubleshooting, visit RepeaterBook’s help section or contact support. Keep the airwaves open—update your RepeaterBook app today!
"When all else fails!"
- Category: Tower Talk
- Hits: 109
RepeaterBook has recently partnered with radioid.net to aggregate DMR repeater talkgroup data for repeaters operating on a cBridge. DMR repeater owners can now add their talkgroup data to radioed.net and it will automatically be propagated to RepeaterBook. This means repeater owners only need to enter their data to a single location to propagate the data to other repeater data sites.
When DMR repeater trustees add their data to radioed.net, RepeaterBook grabs the talkgroup data and automatically displays it on the website in realtime. Talkgroup data is no longer entered directly on the RepeaterBook website. This puts the repeater manager in direct control of the talkgroup information displayed on the RepeaterBook app and used by the new RBConnect feature.
If you manage a DMR repeater and have not entered your talkgroup data onto radioid.net, please considering doing so. The RBConnect system will allow radio owners to “program” and access talkgroups on the fly as opposed to creating code plugs in advance. If the data resides on a dedicated repeater website somewhere and not within the RepeaterBook app, the feature to “dial-up” a repeater and talkgroup instantly without the use of a code plug will not function.
Data for BrandMeister repeaters is received directly from BrandMeister. BrandMeister repeater managers should periodically verify that there data is correct on the BrandMeister website.
About Radioid.net
Radioid.net is a website and service for amateur radio operators involved in DMR. The site provides a centralized database where licensed amateur radio operators can register for a unique Radio ID, which is required for operating on DMR networks.
Key features and services of RadioID.net include:
1. Radio ID Registration: Operators can register their callsign and obtain a unique DMR ID, which is necessary for using DMR networks worldwide.
2. Database Access: The website offers a searchable database where users can look up registered DMR IDs and associated callsigns, making it easier to identify other operators.
3. Tools and Resources: The site provides tools for managing and updating user profiles, as well as resources related to DMR and other digital modes.
4. Support for Other Modes: In addition to DMR, RadioID.net also supports other digital voice modes like NXDN and P25.