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I just got two of these Baofeng radio's to use in the woods, anyone know the best way to set them up so they have good distance but don't bug anyone?
these seem crystal clear when at close distances. I haven't tried using them on a repeater band though.
It's not really called a repeater band, I was a little confused and that's why I asked. Keep in mind you are supposed to have a license when you transmit on a repeater.
if you transmit on this radio at all on 2 meter or 70 meter bands you will need at least a technician license
Exactly. I'm all for Mordeeb breaking the law as long as he makes a conscience, educated decision to do so and understand the consequences. I would hate to see you get in hot water and plead ignorance.
Get him to get his Tech license, then you guys can use 2M and he'll have another cool thing in his wallet.I recently got my Technician's license and have this radio, but now I'm interested as well in figuring out if I should get one for my brother so we can communicate back and forth over the FRS band and achieve much better distance
Last week I picked up three of the slightly updated model, the UV-5R+, and was stunned by the performance the provided for their low cost. I paid $58 each for a package that included both a radio and a speaker mike. Shipping was free! I took one right out of the box and have been using to work some of the 2 meter repeaters in metrowest Boston. I easily hit the Wesford repeater from the Lexington - Bedford line which had to be at least 12 miles away. All transmissions were loud and clear. And I have yet to even charge the battery for the first time! The hardware appears to be very well put together. Anyway, at $58, the radios are practicaly disposable.
My other HT radio is a Yaseau FT-60 which cost $160 on sale at HRO. Normally, try to avoid Chinese buying products whenever possible because of that country's unfair trade policies. But I made an exception this time, rationalizing that decision based on the fact these low cost radios would give me the chance to introduce my two sons to amateur radio at an affordable price. My plan is to give the radios to them as Christmas presents as an incentive to get their Technician's licenses. Naturally, I had to buy one of the radios, too, so I could learn how to use it so I could show them. I do a lot of foreign travel and it will be handy to bring along.
On line reports include some complaints about the radio, especially, regarding the stock antenna they come with which is said to be low gain and the fact BaoFend does not provide any meaningful documentation or instructions. I agress, they are useless. The best source on how to set up and use the radio is on an online user group through Yahoo. By the was several good and inexpensive after market upgrade antennae also seem to be available from Nagoya, Diamond and others.
I was also attracted to the radio because they both receive and transmit on all VHF frequencies between 136 and 172 Mhz; and UHF between 400 and 480 MHz. Obviously, this creates a danger potential for operating on unauthorized frequencies so one has to be very careful. But in an emergency that flexibility could prove to be very handy. One of the key factors driving my interest in amateur radio is for SHTF situations where cell, phone and Internet coverage might not be available. Power is either 4 watts or 1 Watt.
Inexpensive cables ($6-to-$10) and freeware programming software are available but at this point I have only programmed my radio manually. Storage space is limited to 128 channels. It also covers the receive mode for FM between 65 and 108 Mhz and
For anyone thinking of getting a ham license, this product woud be a really good and inexpensive way to start. A person can study and pass the Technician test in just a day or two so there is really no excuse for not getting legal first before going on the air. I HIGHLY recommend that! You will learn a lot in the process.
For those interested check both Amazon and ebay for the best price. I purchased my through the "BUY' listing that showed up as NICHEONLINE and SAINSTORE. I believe the company is located in Hong Kong but they shipping from a DC in Kentucky and I received the radio 3 days after I ordered it!
I will continue to use the radio and let you know in a follow-up post if a wring out any other problems or deficiencies.
I just got one of these to see what I can do with it. Now, I know nothing about ham radio. I was hoping I could find some frequencies already being broadcast on by others out there with larger broadcast equipment that I might pick up from a distance. No luck so far. If I scroll through frequencies, I frequently land on some that have various buzzing sounds and noises, no actual voice though. The signal strength claims the signals are strong, so "something" is somehow being broadcast. Digital data?
What could I tune into, and how, in the NH area that would likely pick up chatter from distant strangers?
I also tried it between this and a FRS handheld I have. I can send from FRS handheld to BaoFeng, but not the other way around. Yes, I disabled that channel sharing thingy that FRS has to prevent people from hearing other groups when using the same channel. So, not sure why that happens.
Any more tips? I went to miklor.org for their "tutorial" which is not really a tutorial at all, and not helpful in explaining much.
Perhaps I should get a second one and at least be able to talk between the handsets.
Does anyone know why I can only program in frequencies into this in 0.250 increments? If I want to enter in a MURS frequency of 151.820, I have to do 151.800 or 151.825. Am I doing it wrong? I presume it violates the MURS rules to not transmit on the exact same frequency as they say is valid?
Edited: Never mind.... just found the frequency step feature. What a weird default.
Has anyone found a cheap mobile antenna for these radios? I have a hard time spending as much or more on an antenna as I did on the radio.
Can anyone chime in on what the differences are between the 5R+ and the 5RE?