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The problems with using pretty much any handhelds are:
They rarely have an RX indicate "signal" available at the external mic connector, so you wind up having to make (or buy) a VOX circuit that will key the TX when a signal is heard.
And the RX selectivity on an HT is pretty bad, so they "hear" the nearby transmitter which causes the RX to go deaf (RX desense) every time the TX is keyed.
Pretty much rules out using the Baofeng type radios as their RX is so wide band that they desense from any transmitter near them.
Yeah, you might get lucky once in awhile and get something to kinda work, but that is really hit or miss.
This is EXACTLY why you don't see that many of these sort of things in the field. If it worked all that well with HT's, EVERYONE would be doing it.
Better to purpose build something that is REALLY going to work, especially if it is going 8K miles away, where test equip might not be available to troubleshoot.
I stick by the CDM750 or Maxtrac type platform. Yeah, they are not really meant for really low standby power consumption, but I can guarantee the RX is better than any HT and the TX will be cleaner also.
Any of the Motorola radios with the 16 or 20 pin accessory plug radios (Maxtrac, RADIUS, GM300, SM50/120, M1225, CDM, CM, etc) can be made into simple repeaters with very few parts.
ANYTHING you make will have some trade offs. Like TX duty cycle (heat) current draw, cost, RX and TX specification variables, etc.
I am sure the other manufacturers have similar radios that will do the same thing, just happens that I have worked on thousands of Motorola radios in the last 40 years, so that is what I am most familiar with.
I would NOT recommend going without a duplexer. You WILL be disappointed.
Again, if it worked, then everyone would be doing it.
If money is not an issue, yeah, by all means get the Daniels. There is a reason that they are pretty much the only solar radio people consider.
But, be prepared for sicker shock.
Love their stuff tho...
Pair of two ch Maxtracs probably under $150
Reject duplexer also maybe $150
16 ch accessory plugs about $7 off Ebay
One pot, one tantalum cap, couple resistors, under $10 at Radio-Shack
Coax connectors, some RG-142 from radio to duplexer maybe $30
Misc stuff, maybe another 50 to $100 depending on how fancy you want.
You can build these between $350 and $500 and have a pretty good chance of them actually working.
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