Radio Repeater Station

A repeater is an automated radio station that extends the range of communications. It consists of a receiver tuned to one frequency and a transmitter tuned to a different frequency, linked together with a controller device. When the receiver receives a signal, the controller activates the transmitter, which then simultaneously retransmits the received signal. To use a repeater, a user's radio is configured to receive on the repeater's transmitting frequency, and when the push-to-talk button is pressed, transmit on the repeater's receiving frequency.

Repeaters are usually installed on top of tall buildings or on mountains, and are equipped with an efficient antenna system, to receive weak signals and have wide transmission coverage. They can extend the effective communication range of a low-power handheld radio to dozens, or maybe hundreds, of miles.

Repeaters are sometimes linked together to further extend the range of communication. This could be done with wires, or a radio link, a phone connection, or even the Internet using digital audio technology.

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Rev. Oct. 26, 2003