Cheap handheld HAM

[bob91yj]

For the price, it can't be beat if it works at all. No affiliation, a buddy on an email group found it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BaoFeng-UV-...-CTCSS-DCS-FM-Ham-Two-Way-Radio-/321041288848

 

[srch4me]

They work but I've had complaints that the microphone isn't very sensitive. I come across pretty quiet on repeaters

Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[BigSwede]

I've got one, it works fine and is a good value IMO.

 

[Jr_Explorer]

I too bought one. Compared to my Kenwood TH-F6 the reception is less sensitive and noisier. And programming the memory is THE WORST bit of engineering/logic EVER! I am pretty sure it is a dirty Chinese commie plot to confound the capitalist pig Americans and they are laughing there @$$es off at us that bought one right now.

I know it's apples and oranges but if you are going to invest in "One" handie-talkie look at the TH-F6 true dual receive tri-bander. It is one awesome radio!

 

[mgalvez]

I bought a UV-5R Plus model. Once you learn how it works it is super simple. I am able to hit repeaters over 30 miles away fairly easily. I got a 15 inch antenna and the radio also works much better than the stock one (I can hit more repeaters and hear more repeaters from inside my house now). The battery life is insane, I listened for 6 hours each way drive up to Monterey and the battery is still showing full (that was last weekend and I still have not charged it after listening at least an hour per day). Replacement batteries are like $10. Programming without a cable is also simple once you understand how it works. I just got my programming cable and being able to use alpha numeric names to save repeaters etc makes it nice. Are there nicer radios? Yes, but come on, this is only like $50 bucks and is a great way to get into the hobby for next to nothing. My next radio will be a mobile unit so I can set it up as a repeater/base station to use with this walkie. Also, this site is crucial to learning how to use this radio and programming cable since the directions are useless:
http://miklor-uv5r.99k.org/

Mike
KK6BOF

 

[BulletHead]

Whats the difference between the UV-5R, UV-5RA, UV-5RPlus, UV-5RE?

 

[srch4me]

Whats the difference between the UV-5R, UV-5RA, UV-5RPlus, UV-5RE?

Mostly the firmware.

KF7ZSK

 

[mgalvez]

Actually, I would say the differences are cosmetic. You can get the same firmware on all those radios. The differences between firmware is minor and probably will not be noticed by anyone. Use the link I posted above and you can see the differences.

 

[BulletHead]

Just got my UV-5R+. It definitely needs an antenna upgrade, learning how to program it currently.

 

[BulletHead]

Also, as long as I follow FCC's MURS and FRS guidelines for use on following frequencies, I wont need a license to operate right?

Im not sure some of these will be tuneable with the UV-5R?

MURS
151.820
151.880
151.940
154.570
154.600

FRS
462.5625
462.5875
462.6125
462.6375
462.6625
462.6875
462.7125
467.5625
467.5875
467.6125
467.6375
467.6625
467.6875
467.7125

 

[HenryJ]

FRS can not be used on a radio with a removable antenna and is limited to .5 watt

 

[brian90744]

Bob.
Did you get the disc program?? and USB cable?? I have windows 7 and cant program yet. Maybe you can show me at desert rendz.
thanks=brian

For the price, it can't be beat if it works at all. No affiliation, a buddy on an email group found it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BaoFeng-UV-...-CTCSS-DCS-FM-Ham-Two-Way-Radio-/321041288848

 

[JimBiram]

To use the GMRS frequencies, you need to have a radio that is part 95 approved, which the Baufeng is not. They are part 90 approved. So technically even though you can set the frequencies with the radio, it isn't legal under FCC regs. Wouxun makes a part 95 radio, however to use the GMRS frequencies, which the first 7 are shared with frs, you have to get a GMRS license...$85 no test and works for whole family.

 

[El Solis]

Bob.
Did you get the disc program?? and USB cable?? I have windows 7 and cant program yet. Maybe you can show me at desert rendz.
thanks=brian

I had issues at first (on my Mac) but with the programming cable and google I was up and running in 5 min. There is macro that someone wrote that handles the com port issues. I'm waiting for my call sign but love the radio so far! And yes you can listen and transmit to FRS radios (not saying who I saw do it but I have seen it work)

 

[srch4me]

Also, as long as I follow FCC's MURS and FRS guidelines for use on following frequencies, I wont need a license to operate right?

Im not sure some of these will be tuneable with the UV-5R?

MURS
151.820
151.880
151.940
154.570
154.600

FRS
462.5625
462.5875
462.6125
462.6375
462.6625
462.6875
462.7125
467.5625
467.5875
467.6125
467.6375
467.6625
467.6875
467.7125

This radio is not murs or frs acceptable.

KF7ZSK