First off I do not recommend using a repeater for tactical use . If you have been following my writings you know I am all about lowering your RF signature. Using a repeater expands your RF signature and is a big NO NO in the tactical realm.
Now having said that there could be some situations where you need to setup your own repeater and thats what I’m going to discuss today. Some examples could possibly be Search & Rescue, hunting party, or even out camping. First off what is a repeater?
From Wikipedia: In telecommunications, a repeater is an electronic device that receives a signal and retransmits it. Repeaters are used to extend transmissions so that the signal can cover longer distances or be received on the other side of an obstruction.
We will be dealing with a cross band repeater.
From Wikipedia: Crossband (cross-band, cross band) operation is a method of telecommunication in which a radio station receives signals on one frequency and simultaneously transmits on another for the purpose of full duplex communication or signal relay.
The radio we will be using is the TYT UV8000E. It is a 10 watt dual band radio that have a cross band repeater feature which makes it a great addition to your comms plan.
On this radio we are mainly concerned about 2 menu options. First is menu 6 and then menu 11. Menu 6 gives you both frequencies on top and bottom of the screen at the same time. You want menu 6 selected to “ON”
Next is menu 11. Menu 11 says TURN. You want that selected to “ON” also. With those 2 options selected on MY radio the cross band repeater is working. Then all you need to do is have your radios programmed to the TX/RX frequency that is punched into the TYT radio.
Using the picture below we will say our TYT UV8000E Repeater on the mountain has the frequencies of 151.820 on the top line and 462.5625 on the bottom line. The car to the left of this picture would have 151.820 programmed into thier radio and the car on the right side would have 462.5625 programmed into theirs. All they have to do then is talk as normal and the repeater will relay from their frequency to the other frequency and vice versa.
This is a pretty simple repeater setup that would be a great addition to your comms kit.
Wyoming Survival 
How well does this HT handle the heat generation in the crossband mode? I have a mobile unit with crossband capability – Alinco 735 – and it will overheat if not cooled with an external (additional) fan on the back, as it overwhelms the built in fan cooling (manual states this is needed as well).
HTs are not well designed thermally, so I’d wonder how well it handles the thermal load.
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You know I’m not sure. When I was teaching a class we set one up so we had comms with the students and it ran for 36 hrs with no problems but we weren’t on it alot.
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Thank you, you might have just saved me a hundred green backs. Im looking at doing your crossband repeater with a powerwerxs anytone 578. I did find a little info on the TYT here, and a picture of the inside of the unit.
https://dcasler.com/ham-radio/uv8000e/
Thank you for your informaional article. Good stuff.
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When I look at Freq specs on UV8000E at a site like radioddity it shows 144-148 mhz for its VHF. Your vid shows its using MURS1 – Is it just “locked” at that range for shipment and uncle sugar, and can be dealt with later via chirp and cable? Maybe i am looking at the dumbed down version and need to get the radio elsewhere? Its like the Anytone 878, you get it at a popular B.C. hamshack store and its spayed and neutered, you get from pwerxs and its not dumbed down? Asking for a friend.
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I bought mine years ago and it was open band. I’m not sure if you can use a program to open up the frequencies on the new models.
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