SkyRepeater

Abstract

SkyRepeater is a communication method successfully demonstrated using readily available amateur (ham) radio equipment with minor modifications, mounted on a tethered helium-filled balloon or high-lift kite to establish ad hoc two way radio communications in remote areas, radio dead zones and in the case of a repeater failure. It has been tested on both VHF and UHF bands. One person can setup in 15 minutes. Minimum wind requirement for the kite is 6 mph. The radio communications network (RCN) is established using two cross band repeat (CBR) radios lifted to altitude. Another method is to use one radio connected to what is called a digital simplex repeater. There are two main variations. Isolated RCN (iRCN) is where the network does not interact with the main repeater system of which there are two types, simplex and semi-duplex. Connected RCN (cRCN) is where the RCN does interact via radio frequency with the main repeater system. There are three variations on cRCN, depending upon requirements and the host system design.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2005
Accession Number
ADA484750

Entities

People

  • Martin J. Alperen

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter WMD
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Balloons
  • Communication Networks
  • Emergencies
  • Frequency
  • High Lift
  • Homeland Defense
  • Meteorological Balloons
  • Operating Systems
  • Radio Communications
  • Radio Equipment
  • Radio Frequency
  • Remote Areas
  • Repeaters
  • Security
  • Ultrahigh Frequency
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

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