Need advice setting up a two way radio system

[Bushwack44]

I have two 6 story residential buildings connected by a 3 story bridge/residential building of which I am looking for a two-way radio system for a staff of 8. The buildings are wood framed and U-shaped (similar to Cedars Sinai Medical Center). Testing a variety of 5 watt two-way radios, I can transmit through one building, but not the second (farthest) building from the office. Any suggestions on a system where transmissions are clear throughout the complex (located in Los Angeles).

I have been researching repeaters, but they seem to cost $5,500 + $1,600 for the radios. I was told a repeater/antenna would need to be on a roof. But as transmissions stop once I reach the bridge, I would think that is where the repeater should be. With a total budget of $3,000 (radios included), I seem to have hit a dead-end. No base station is needed. All 8 radios need to be mobile.

I know nothing (like Sgt Shultz) about setting up such a system. Anyone have any suggestions on how to proceed? Any advice is appreciated.

Thank you.

[G-forceJunkie]

Need advice setting up a two way radio system

. . .

[Bushwack44]

What you want is not going to happen for that money. You either post a central person at the bridge to be a relay, or just use cell phones.

Back up your comments with a viable suggestion/recommendation, please. A blanket 'is not going to happen' or 'use cell phones' is weak and not very constructive.

[G-forceJunkie]

Back up your comments with a viable suggestion/recommendation, please. A blanket 'is not going to happen' or 'use cell phones' is weak and not very constructive.

[gorn5150]

You can make a $20 Baofeng UV-5R walkie talkie work as a repeater

[capitol]

Are your test radios UHF or VHF? Are they digital or analog. 5 watt tells me VHF but who knows what model/brand your using.

Theres 100 questions that need to be answered.

[DolphinFan]

[TonyKat]

The Motorola LTE WAVE TLK100 Cellular Two Way Radios might be a good solution for you

[terry4130]

https://youtu.be/fqeuP6tPQL8

https://youtu.be/sF21W4autlQ

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Flyliner]

Not an attorney.. I suspect since this is for a business you would need to get a commercial radios system on the business band and a station license. Sounds like a repeater would also be needed..

[NorCalBusa]

Rather than a repeater (which is great, but costly) look into a BDA (BiDrectionalAmplifier). Essentially, they pass the signals through a wall blocking everything.

The same, qualified, radio shop giving you bids on the handhelds/base station, repeater should audit the sight and determine the best solution for what expense.

[Mongo68]

Rather than a repeater (which is great, but costly) look into a BDA (BiDrectionalAmplifier). Essentially, they pass the signals through a wall blocking everything.

The same, qualified, radio shop giving you bids on the handhelds/base station, repeater should audit the sight and determine the best solution for what expense.

BDA would possibly work, but may be complicated since its for inside multiple buildings, not from outside to inside.

DAS- Distributed Antenna System using the repeater of your choice is an option. basically you install antennas ran back to the central repeater.
$3k may be tough unless you can get some used parts in there...