Who would think the baofeng would work so well, but I set up a cheap node with a homebrew sound fob, and I got better audio reports than my Motorola SM120!
I set up 2 baofengs so I could have a full duplex repeater for close range (I don't have a duplexer, so the range is limited).
I used a VOX circuit for activation! The vox circuit will even activate on only a carrier , and was perfect for this. I decode tones in the radio then use the COS pin on the homebrew FOB.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QopvHGM-9_k (vox circuit)
And thats it!
•USB sound fob $13.00 FREE shipping
•Baofeng - $40-50 (2x if you want full duplex)
•Computer- My grandpas old Pentium 4 Dell dimension 8400 FREE
•Parts for VOX and sound mod - Simple transistors found in my parts bin, or could be salvaged off of broken electronics- FREE
Discriminator Audio is a MYTH and the baofengs make perfect portable nodes! Great way to get on the AllStar air without paying a lot especially for young hams like me :-)
Skyler KDØWHB