On 15 Nov 2003 18:48:21 GMT, (WP20032) wrote:

In recent threads, the subject of auto mounted passive repeaters (an inside
antenna connected to an outside antenna) was discussed, and they were shown to
be pretty much ineffective because of losses. Continuing this discussion in a
slightly different tack, I am wondering how effective such a repeater would be
for a RF tight enclosure such as an RV that has very little leakage because of
screened windows and a metal body.

I tried it using a 5/8 mag mount in the center of the ceiling on my
shop. The interior is all barn metal with the doors also being metal.

I ran a shot lead to a collinear antenna on the roof. Results? I did
just as good next to the small window on the south side (repeater is
to the east). IOW, neither was worth the effort.

I set up the duobander in the ham shack TM-V7A to cross band (one
way) and then used the HT to transmit on the 440 band while listening
on the repeater output of 147.00. Now that worked just find.

Currently I have a station set up in the shop so using the HT from
there is no longer necessary.

Portions of the shop can be seen at the bottom of
http://www.rogerhalstead.com/boatanch.htm Although a much better over
all view is 4th from the top in
http://www.rogerhalstead.com/glasair2.htm

Ceiling and walls are the same material often used for the outside of
hangers, shops, and other out buildings. Doors are insulated metal.

Roger Halstead (K8RI EN73 & ARRL Life Member)
www.rogerhalstead.com
N833R World's oldest Debonair? (S# CD-2)

How would one estimate the amount of loss before the transmitted signal arrived
at the external antenna? Would multipath inside the vehicle affect the
transmitted signal?

This is just a mental exercise, as I have already run coax directly to the rig
from the outside antenna on my trailer.

TIA
--Wayne