BC Communications - increasing radio signal coverage over long distances

How to increase radio communication distance: B.C. Communications

Portable two-way radios communicate directly with each other, without subscribing to a network the way a cell phone does. Radios can operate kilometres apart, but sometimes they need infrastructure to increase their coverage footprint. This is especially true when operating inside buildings.

We have many solutions available to increase coverage and capacity for your specific needs. B.C. Communications owns the repeater network on Mount Seymour, which is available to give lower-mainland-wide coverage for your digital radio fleet. We can also design custom repeaters, which can be installed at your facility or at our site.

Factors that can affect your radio coverage

  • Frequency: VHF travels further than UHF or 800 MHz, but its signals do not bounce as well, so it is less effective indoors. Most people find that UHF is ideal for in-building use, whereas VHF is better outdoors.
  • Body loading and antenna efficiency: Portable antennas require a ground plane, which on a handheld radio is too small. This means the signal to and from a portable is never as good as from a vehicle-mounted mobile or a base station. The effect is more significant on VHF than UHF. Avoid stubby antennas if you are concerned about coverage.
  • Obstructions: Hills, trees and buildings block signals outdoors and reduce your expected coverage. Inside buildings, common obstructions include tinted glass, reinforced concrete, doors and walls, all of which reduce coverage rapidly.
  • Interference: There are many electronic devices in our lives these days. Most are computer-based, and those computers create a lot of radio frequency (RF) noise. That noise makes it harder for two-way radios to hear other radios trying to reach them. LED lighting has caused several of our customers grief with their radio equipment. If you operate your radios on a frequency shared with another company you might not even know it, and that company could be causing interference you would never hear. It is best to make sure you are properly licensed. Ask us to review this for you.
  • Weak batteries: Older batteries often drop their voltage under load when the radio transmits. Low voltage means low output power, which reduces coverage. It is worse in the cold, when the user transmits a lot, or on an extended shift. Replace batteries when they reach 80% of their original capacity at full charge, or every 2-4 years depending on usage. Motorola's IMPRES batteries keep track of this for you, and the stats can be viewed on an IMPRES charger with a display.
  • Radios out of spec: All two-way radios should be serviced yearly to confirm they still have the output power and sensitivity they had when they left the factory. Motorola radios are no exception. Call us if you want your fleet serviced.
  • Analogue vs. digital: Digital has better overall range than analogue, although some users find the opposite is true in a moving vehicle.

Motorola SLR8000 repeater

Motorola SLR8000 rack-mount repeater

This is Motorola's highest tier industrial grade rack-mount repeater. Designed to operate continuously for 15 years, it is the natural choice for the backbone of your radio system. Choose carefully, because a repeater is often a single point of failure. The SLR8000 features:

  • Integrated 120 VAC power supply
  • Integrated 1-100 watt transmit power amplifier
  • Integrated 5 amp charger (12 or 24 VDC)
  • Analogue and digital operation
  • Can be set up as a base radio
  • Can be connected to other repeaters and hardware using IP
  • Digital trunking options: Capacity Plus (single or multi-site) and Capacity Max
  • 2 rack units high, 31 lbs / 14 kg

Available in 136-174 MHz, 403-470 MHz and 800/900 MHz. All repeaters require additional RF filtering, grounding and antennas. The SLR8000 replaces legacy repeater equipment such as the MTR3000, MTR2000, MSR2000 and MSF5000.

SLR8000 brochure (PDF)

Motorola SLR5700 repeater

Motorola SLR5700 repeater

This repeater is similar to its big brother, the SLR8000. The main differences are:

  • Can accommodate extended range direct mode (single frequency repeater)
  • One rack unit high, 19 lbs / 9 kg
  • 3 amp 12 V charger
  • 1-50 watt power amplifier
  • Reduced spec for intermod and selectivity, so it is not as well suited to dense RF sites with multiple repeaters
  • No wireline card available
  • Not available in 800 MHz or 900 MHz
  • About half the cost of an SLR8000

The SLR5700 replaces legacy Motorola repeater equipment such as the XPR8400, XPR8300, GR1225, GR400, GR500, R.I.C.K. repeater and Desktrack.

SLR5700 brochure (PDF)

Motorola SLR1000 repeater

The SLR1000 is similar to the SLR5000 series but is packaged in a smaller, outdoor-rugged enclosure. The main features are:

  • Packaged for outdoor use (pole or wall mount)
  • 1-10 watt transmitter output
  • Ideally suited to extended range direct mode (single frequency repeater)
  • Attachable antenna available, eliminating the need to run cable
  • 12 V DC input, with external power supplies available

SLR1000 brochure (PDF)

Codan MT4

For low power consumption there is no better choice than the Codan (formerly Daniels) MT4 repeater. It is highly reliable and modular in design. We recommend and install this repeater for customers needing coverage in remote areas and at sites with no access to power. The Codan does not currently support the Motorola DMR digital format, so we can install it in analogue mode or P25 (public safety format) digital.

Motorola repeater systems at a glance (PDF)

Bi-directional amplifiers

Bi-directional amplifier mounted in an equipment enclosure

A bi-directional amplifier (BDA) is used for on-site radio and cellular coverage enhancement. A donor antenna collects signal from the rooftop, where it is strong, and delivers it to the BDA for amplification. The amplified signal is then delivered to one or more distribution antennas in areas with poor coverage. BDAs typically have a backup power system (UPS) and an alarm output for when there is trouble. They are available in VHF, UHF, 700 MHz, 800 MHz and cellular/LTE bands. There is more detail in our guide to what a bi-directional amplifier is.

BDAs are the most common coverage enhancement solution for the E-Comm radio network in the Lower Mainland, used in larger buildings to comply with local fire-department radio-coverage bylaws. All BDAs must be NFPA and ISED approved, and must provide full coverage throughout the building.

B.C. Communications BDA installation services

We have an expert team ready to help with your BDA project. Our scope of work for a BDA installation includes:

  • Analyzing architectural drawings and consulting with engineers (there is a cost of $2,000 for this phase)
  • Applying for the necessary licences
  • Obtaining a low voltage building permit for installing the coaxial cable
  • Installing an NFPA approved amplifier, including alarm notification and UPS
  • Liaising with the fire department
  • Supplying a maintenance and as-built document package
  • Engaging a radio P.Eng. to sign off on the design and stamp the final documents

Our labour services include:

  • Staging and assembling components, shipping and delivering in stages
  • Installing donor antennas
  • Mounting the BDA and UPS
  • Providing alarm pigtail wire ends for others to connect to the alarm panel
  • Connectorizing cable runs installed by others
  • Installing splitters and antennas on 12x12 junction boxes supplied by others
  • Sweeping coaxial cables and confirming appropriate losses to each antenna
  • Meeting with the fire department and engineers to ensure bylaw compliance

Contact us for more information and to see what B.C. Communications can do for you.

Back to blog